No matter how bad things are, you can always make them worse!
Adarsh was angry to admit even to himself that the whole rejection mattered this much to him. He had not been a fun person to be around these last few days and he was aware of this fact. He tried his best to keep a check on his reactions and behavior. He covered it up from others attributing it to stress at work. Suhasini was still unwell, and had been advised more rest. Things were dull and somber at the Sinha's to say the least.
Simmi thought to cheer everyone up by inviting everyone to a party that her father was hosting. Her father had acquired a new piece of non-agricultural land recently and had decided to convert it into one of the most plush residential communities of Delhi. The first model house was ready for viewing, and the sites ready to be sold. Mr. Ahuja was hosting a party to introduce this new project to some of the most influential names in Delhi. The Sinha's normally preferred to stay away from such gatherings for they had no interest in the dealings that went on in such environments, however, on this occasion, considering the mood of everyone at home, decided it would be a good change to attend the party.
Jaidev-Jaya, Abhay-Simmi, Manohar and Adarsh reached the party venue at 7 PM. Suhasini stayed back to rest and regain her health. Mr. Ahuja welcomed them enthusiastically and started showing them around the newly constructed model house. He told them of how he hoped that this would be his biggest project ever, and how this was his dream project. He then went on to introduce Manohar and Abhay to some of the others at the party while Adarsh, Jaidev and Jaya stood talking to each other. Suddenly they noticed a commotion at the entrance of the party venue. A drunken man had walked in to the venue and started screaming insults at Mr. Ahuja. He screamed at him about not wanting to sell his land, and how through devious means Mr Ahuja had acquired his property. Mr. Ahuja seemed unperturbed by all this and instructed some of his guards to escort the drunken man outside of the premises. Just as the guards were about to hold that drunken man, Swadheenta walked in and stopped them from doing so.
2 days ago
Swadheenta had been depressed and feeling low since a few days. She did not want to admit even to herself that a certain gentleman had anything to do with her upset mood. While she was getting ready to leave for work one morning, the maid at her maamu's house asked to talk to her for a few minutes. The maid had been an old employee of the Haider's and had been very loyal to them. Out of courtesy, Swadheenta agreed to hear her out. The maid's sister and brother-in-law had a piece of farming land in the out-skirts of Delhi. They were poor farmers for whom this agricultural land was the basic source of livelihood. Her sister worked at homes just like her, but made very low wages and depended majorly on this land. However, due to lack of rains in the last couple of years, they had not been able to grow a healthy harvest, and the land had become dry and barren. A builder had used this opportunity to falsify some documents and illegally acquire the lands of her sister, and many other farmers in that region. The farmers had filed a case against the builder, but they did not have any credible lawyer representing them yet. The fact that they would not be able to afford to pay any lawyer also added to their angst. The maid therefore requested Swadheenta to look into the matter and see if she could help them fight the case.
This case was right up Swadheenta's alley. She had after all become a lawyer to help people like these who were taken advantage of, and who couldn't help themselves. However, being associated with Suhasini maam, she would not be able to decide on pursuing this on her own, and needed her permission. The case had a hearing in just 5 days, and Suhasini maam was still unwell and out of office. Swadheenta assured the maid that she would consult her boss and see how she can be of help. Upon reaching office, she looked into the details that the maid had furnished and called Suhasini to seek her opinion. Being unwell and completely out of it, Suhasini asked Swadheenta to use her own judgement about whether to fight the case or not, and if she decided to do it, then she had to begin doing the background work until Suhasini could get back to work. Swadheenta who was convinced that the builder was wrong, and that the farmers were being cheated decided to pursue the case, and started working on the case details.
Swadheenta met with the farmers the following day to assure them that she would do everything she could to help. She collected all the documents that they could furnish, and even took a sample of soil from the ground to have it assessed and analysed. She got back to office and started researching about Ahuja and his other projects. She found that there had been more such cases filed against the man through his earlier projects too, but he had been acquitted as being innocent in all of those. She attributed it to his power of money, and his lawyer Mr. Singhvi's unlawful tactics. She wowed to do her best to make sure that this man does not get away with his actions this time around. She hoped Suhasini would get better soon and guide her well.
Today, she went back to meet the farmers to discuss certain other pointers that she was thinking about, but was shocked when she was informed that Prakash, one of the farmers, had gone in a drunken state to crash a party that Mr. Ahuja was hosting this evening. He had been agitated about his land, and had had too much to drink in his sorrow and frustration. The others had been unable to control him and stop him when he went away to get the justice that he deserved. Swadheenta knew that this could go against him and that she had to stop him from doing anything stupid if they were to have a chance at winning at all. She therefore rushed after Prakash to the venue of Mr. Ahuja's party.
Present
Swadheenta held Prakash and helped him to find his balance. To a distressed Prakash she assured that she would help him find justice, and that he should trust her and leave this venue with her. Upon hearing her, Mr. Ahuja walked up to her with all his arrogance -
Ab yeh kudi kaun hai? Aur iss case mein tera kya interest hai?
Swadheenta knew that she had to respond to him, for she was the lawyer representing the farmers. She turned to face Mr. Ahuja, and in the most serious and stern voice she could muster informed him that she was the lawyer of the farmers, and that they weren't alone anymore. As she was walking away, Mr. Ahuja quipped a Eh ladki, suno.. to which she responded calmly but confidently sunwai court mein hoti hai Mr. Ahuja, party mein nahi. Milte hai 3 din mein, court mein. Tab tak ijazat dijiye and left the venue.
Adarsh had been rooted to the spot and whispered a silent "Swadheenta" in disbelief. As quiet as his voice was, it was enough to rock the world of all the Sinha's who stood close to him, for they realized with shock that Mr. Ahuja's case was being opposed by Suhasini's firm.
Adarsh was quick to get his bearings back and rushed after Swadheenta to understand what she was up to. Back inside the hall, the sudden tension and unpleasantness of the evening, the fact that her father stood insulted, and the realization that her MIL was fighting the case against her father was all that Simmi could withstand. She held on to her chest and collapsed onto the ground.
Edited by Soapoperasrfun - 7 years ago
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