Chapter- 37

Ekansh sat in the garden in silence, the sun already up, shining brightly in the cloudless sky. The early morning warmth spread across the lawn, touching everything in its path, yet neither of the men sitting there felt any comfort from it.

Virendra glanced at his son, who had just recited to him the horrors of Ekta’s past. His heart went out for girl. The more he heard, the more he hated her family with a rage he rarely allowed himself to feel. No child deserved to go through what Ekta had endured. Words failed to describe his emotions because what he felt wasn’t just sadness, helplessness, or anger alone, but also a crushing sense of guilt.

He had lived sixty years of his life, witnessed all kinds of ups and downs, heard cruelty happening around the world, every other day reading stories of children suffering at the hands of those meant to protect them. But knowing that someone living under his own roof had suffered something he had previously only seen in news reports and newspaper headlines made him feel sick to his stomach. He didn’t know whether to grieve for her, rage for her, or simply sit there mourning everything she had lost. Her innocence, her childhood, and the sense of safety every child deserved to grow up with.

Ekansh, on the other hand, felt it differently. The truth was finally settling into his bones in the most poisonous ways. Maybe until yesterday he had been too busy providing both his sisters the comfort they desperately needed, but now, with nothing left to distract him, with fury bubbling inside him. He felt hollow deep in the core of his heart, unbearably heavy at the same time.

Ekta’s truth, her past, he had heard everything yesterday. But it was now, after repeating those words aloud in his own voice to his father, that the layers beneath them, the wounds hidden behind the years of silence Ekta had carried alone, were becoming clearer. And the clearer they became, the harder it was for him to breathe without wanting to tear the entire world apart for what it had done to her.

“What have you decided?” Virendra asked calmly.

He knew if he chose to provide comfort over practicality, his son would spiral further, and that was the last thing Ekansh would want. So the better option was to focus on the problem at hand, set apart the people who were cause of Ekta’s misery, and help her. Once she was fine, everyone else would be too.

Ekansh rose to his feet, a grim of determination glazing his eyes. “I have called Vikram. He will be here soon. Aaj hearing hai. Let’s see what happens there first. Once I have Ekta’s legal custody, I will take much, needed action. Her family will pay in ways they never imagined.”

Virendra rose as well, resting his hand on Ekansh’s shoulder. “I understand your anger, Ansh. Par tu kuch zaruri bhul raha hai...” He turned Ekansh to face him. “Your emotions are justified, but are you sure you want to take Ekta’s legal custody? Ekta is sixteen and growing...”

“You don’t want me to fight for her custody?” Ekansh asked, stepping back.

“Maine aisa nhi kaha, Ansh.” Virendra’s tone firmed. “Your decision is correct. You want her legal guardianship, that’s the first step toward protecting her. But that doesn’t mean you can forget about yourself. You are just twenty, eight, Ansh. You have a life ahead of you, dreams of your own. With guardianship comes responsibilities, legal obligations, and lifelong commitment. Are you sure you are ready for that? Do you...”

“I want to, Dad.” Ekansh cut in decisively. “Mujhe nhi pata aage kya hoga. Main apni life se zyada uss bacchi ki life bachana chahta hoon unn haiwano se. I am ready to take up any responsibility no matter what may come. But I can’t lose a battle before even fighting it...”

“Let me be her guardian then,” Virendra suggested quietly.

Ekansh looked at his father in shock. “What do you mean? I mean... why?”

“Because that will make the case much stronger.” Virendra stared into the distance thoughtfully. “Tujhe kya lagta hai... Ekta ki family itni aasani se tujhe uska legal guardian accept karegi? A court notice means it will turn ugly, son. Especially when our enemy is more prepared than we are. We can’t take this matter so lightly.”

Ekansh looked away, frustrated. That was the biggest problem. His father was right. Suraj seemed like a simple boy in his early twenties, but there was something more to him. The way he dressed, the way he talked, and the sudden notice without any prior warning to them beforehand rang alarm bells.

From whatever little Ekta had said, her family lived in a small village that too functioned under someone else’s control. So how did Suraj and his father get out of there? How did Suraj come to Mumbai and apply for guardianship? How did he know exactly where to find them? So many questions ended at a dead end.

Truth be told, he couldn’t ignore that Ekta didn’t even know her captor’s name except for ‘Malik.’ Who was he? His real name, identity, background, everything remained anonymous and hidden behind layers of darkness.

Virendra faced his son. “Let’s apply for her custody, just like Suraj is fighting for her.” His words were laced with conviction. “A new life. New beginnings. A father’s name, a family, security, everything to help her finally step out of the web that her own family wrapped around her.”

He was willing to accept Ekta and care for the little girl he knew about, felt no emotions except for empathy. Her bravery to fight and survive despite everything she had endured deserved admiration rather than pity for the wounds she carried. But he couldn’t lie to himself either. He was also a father worried for his son, who still had his whole life ahead of him to carry forward. Ekansh had gone through enough in the past five years. For now, all Virendra wanted to do was protect both his children from the storms they might face in the future.

Ekansh gave it a thought before nodding. All he wanted was best for Ekta, her safety, her future, her freedom. With him being in the middle, it might complicate the situation. Courtroom battles could turn dirty at any given moment, and Ekta had already gone through enough to be dragged into another mess all over again.

They were planning for a future without knowing what was actually written in it.

✨✨✨

Ekta descended down the stairs with Eshita beside her. Unnaturally, the girl was being too kind and considerate, everything that unsettled Ekta. She was better off being ignored or at least maintaining the usual distance they always shared, but today it all felt different and she didn’t like that.

She clearly remembered yesterday night Eshita was beside her all the time along with Ekansh. Ekta was fine with Ekansh knowing her truth as she had herself trusted him with everything, but Eshita knowing the pieces of her broken self made her feel ashamed, disgusted and recoiled inwardly each time Eshita looked at her with those gentle eyes.

Pity was the last thing Ekta ever wanted to feel in her whole life. She hated that emotion, neither was she looking for anyone to feel that she was a warrior. All she wanted was for people to behave normally around her, not walk on eggshells like Eshita was. A bond forged on sympathy and pity brought destruction, nothing else.

Pulling her hands away from Eshita’s hold, she walked straight to Ekansh, and sat beside him. Her hand found his to anchor herself, avoiding the gazes following her.

Ekansh rested his hand on hers. “Neend hui acche se?”

Ekta nodded, leaning into his touch as Eshita settled beside her from the other side. Why did the girl have to sit here? Can’t she sit somewhere else?

“Hii there?” A soft feminine voice fell on her ears.

Ekta lifted her gaze, meeting a pair of soft honey, brown orbs. The woman sitting across her appeared calm and composed. Dressed neatly in a white ivory cotton saree with a dark blue border, her hair cascaded down her shoulders. Her hand extended in her direction, waiting.

“Myself Advocate Ananya Kaur.” Her calm voice rang in her ears reassuringly. “Aapki lawyer. I will represent your case in the court today.”

Ekta glanced at the hand before looking back at the lady. The soft yet gentle smile gracing her lips. She was wary of strangers, but something about the lady didn’t alarm her. Still, she turned her head and looked at her brother. He was the only person present in that room whom she trusted and found comfort in.

Ekansh rubbed small circles on her wrist. He nodded a little. “She will help you, baccha. Tujhe darne ki koi zarurat nahi hai. All you have to do is answer her questions and we will take care of the rest.”

It was Vikram who arrived with the lady. The woman was famous for her sharp legal mind, relentless preparation, and an almost frightening ability to expose contradictions hidden within mountains of paperwork. Watching her walk into the room, Ekansh felt a small portion of the burden lift from his shoulders. His friend trusted that she could help them bring justice to Ekta, and he trusted his friend’s judgment.

Eshita’s gaze scanned the woman before her. She had heard a lot about Ananya Kaur. She wasn’t merely a lawyer; she was a force to be reckoned with. At just twenty, seven, she had already built a reputation most advocates spent an entire career chasing. Fighting fiercely for children, women, and those crushed beneath power and influence, earning her place among the most respected names in the courtroom despite her young age.

And in a battle where the truth was already battered and bruised, fighting for survival was never easy. She was sure Ananya would tear apart every lie standing against Ekta and drag the truth into the light where it belonged.

Ekta lifted her hand hesitantly, meeting Ananya’s warm ones before pulling back quickly.

“Can you tell me your name?” Ananya asked gently, trying to initiate the small talk.

“Ekta,” She answered quietly.

Ananya smiled reassuringly. “You don’t have to be scared of anyone, Ekta. The judge will keep your wishes in mind before he finalizes the custody decision. Aap kya chahti ho vo sabse zyada important hai. Can you tell me who do you want to live with?”

“Bhaiya,” Ekta answered immediately. Her grip tightened on Ekansh’s hand subconsciously.

Ananya noticed the small gesture, the way the girl was leaning on Ekansh, the way she instinctively sought reassurance from him. Every little thing spoke volumes of their bond. She didn’t know who the man was except for the flying rumors of his extreme ruthlessness in the business world. She didn’t care about any of that. All she was here for was a little girl who wanted help, and Ananya Kaur had never turned her back on a child in need.

“Can you tell me why you don’t want to live with your family?” She asked carefully. Noticing fear flash in Ekta’s eyes before it disappeared quickly.

Ekta glanced at Ekansh, shaking her head meekly. She didn’t want anyone to know about her ugly truth. She didn’t want anyone to know that she was an unwanted child in her own family. It was better if her truth remained concealed and buried away from strangers and their judgmental eyes.

Ekansh’s sharp glare settled on Ananya. “We talked about this, Ms. Kaur. If she isn’t comfortable, she won’t answer.”

“Aapne shayad legal notice acche se padha nhi, Mr. Sehgal,” Ananya’s tone remained professional. “Which clearly states that the child herself should be present during the hearing. Though it’s unnatural. We still can’t ignore the legal procedure. Ekta has to be present there, and if she comes she will be faced with questions.”

She leaned back slightly. “We can dissolve this case with just a few questions. The judge will look for honest answers and genuine comfort levels. Ekta is a minor her choice matters the most. But any kind of fear or hesitation will make the judge second, guess things. The opposing lawyer might challenge her statements. Everything will be examined thoroughly.”

Her gaze softened as it landed on Ekta. “Ekta you have to be firm in your decision. Your fears are understandable but not silence.”

Ekta lowered her gaze to the ground. She didn’t want to understand the most obvious thing. She simply wanted to run back to her room and lock herself away. How had her misery become a hot topic of discussion and an open wound laid bare before people she barely knew? All thanks to her family, who had brought this upon her purposely. They wanted to humiliate her, force her to confess what she herself was trying to deny.

“They don’t want me.” Her voice was so quiet that the silence in the room almost swallowed it whole.

“Can you tell me the reason?” Ananya asked carefully.

Ekta’s nails dug into Ekansh’s sleeve. “Mujhe... mujhe nhi pata.” She whispered helplessly. Or maybe you know. Her mind mocked.

Ananya straightened up. She didn’t wish to push the girl any further. The tears gathering in Ekta’s eyes tugged painfully at her heart. She was only being professional and trying to prepare her, yet something personal stirred within her.

She glanced at Vikram. “You found something about the ongoing case of Mr. Sehgal?”

Vikram shook his head. “Dead end.”

Ananya closed the file with a soft sigh. “From where I am standing, this case should end with just Ekta’s choice and statement.” Her gaze landed on Virendra. “The guardianship will land easily in your hands. But...” She glanced at Ekansh. “If the opponent brings up the ongoing case, your family’s past... How did you meet Ekta? What happened before she came into your life? Every question will invite ten more questions, and things might take a U, turn. A simple hearing might turn this all into something much bigger.”

“So what do we do?” Eshita asked worriedly. The more she heard, the more uneasy she felt.

Ananya folded her hands thoughtfully. “As I said, I will try to end this today itself, but if that doesn’t go our way, I will buy another date. That will give us time to prepare properly. We can look deeper into Mr. Sehgal’s case and also find out about Ekta’s family, what they actually want and why they suddenly appeared after all these years.”

Her gaze met Ekta’s frightened one. “I promise. You won’t go back to your family. They won’t ever touch you against your will.”

Ekta sat still. She didn’t know what she was supposed to feel, relieved to hear that reassurance or terrified by everything that remained unsaid.

Truth always had the worst timing. The past had a habit of resurfacing when least expected, and evidence had a way of speaking louder than emotions ever could. All the family could do was stand together and hope it would be enough.

✨✨✨

The family court chamber was far smaller than Eshita had imagined. The room was surprisingly ordinary, cream, colored walls, a large wooden desk occupied by the judge, and enough chairs to accommodate the handful of people whose lives were about to be changed by whatever happened within these four walls.

On paper, the matter appeared deceptively simple: a guardianship hearing. One question. One answer. One decision capable of altering the course of a young girl’s entire future. Despite its simplicity, the tension hanging in the room was thick enough to suffocate.

Ekta sat rigidly between Ekansh and Eshita, her fingers nervously twisting together in her lap while her eyes remained fixed on the floor. The room felt unbearably oppressive, not because of its size, but because of the eyes that were glaring at her with hatred, since the moment she stepped in.

She knew she was being pathetic to still feel affected by such looks. Her family had made her suffer through hell, yet here she was, like a desperate puppy standing in the rain, wanting to lick at its owner’s feet no matter how many times it had been kicked out of the house. That kind of weakness disgusted her. Why was she still craving their acceptance? Her repulsion towards herself increased tenfold.

“Ekta...” Ekansh called out softly, holding her hand in his. She was hurting herself again, her nails digging into her skin.

Statements had already been filed, the judge had arrived a few minutes ago, and the documents had been exchanged. Soon the proceedings would begin. He had tried to offer comforting words to her, but her blank eyes made him pause and retreat. He just wanted things to end today so that he could focus on Ekta’s family and her healing.

Ekta glanced at him blankly.

“Main yahi hoon. Tere saath.” He reassured gently, “Maine tujhe jo wada kiya hai na... I will never break it.”

Ekta nodded numbly. She knew he wouldn’t. She knew her family would never be able to take her back. That certainty should have made her feel relieved, yet at the back of her mind she realized she was again being selfish, turning to Ekansh, clinging to Ekansh, just because she wanted to escape her own pain. How can she fell so low? Using Ekansh for her own comfort and security? What kind of person had she become to question even the one person who stood beside her without asking for anything in return?

“When will the case start?” Eshita hissed, frustrated. The anticipation of the final verdict was pissing her off.

“Who is the lawyer, Bhai?” She asked Vikram in a low whisper.

“Samar Singhania.”

Virendra stiffened; so did Ekansh. Their gazes met in complete disbelief. As far as they remembered, Samar Singhania fought for the rights of women and children, for the welfare of children and victims who could not afford the heavy prices of top notch lawyers.

The man had won countless cases of child custody battles even against human trafficking rackets, child abuse networks, domestic violence offenders, and powerful criminals, giving justice to those who had lost all hope, providing shelters to rescued victims, and rebuilding lives that had been shattered beyond repair. His name was taken with respect across the country. How did he choose Ekta’s family to fight for?

“Are you sure?” Ekansh couldn’t help but ask. “Why would he take their case?”

Vikram sighed deeply. “Even I don’t know what convinced him. How he chose these people’s side is beyond me. Either they have some solid proof or they just sang their crying stories before him.”

Judge Pooja Khurana, in her early fifties, adjusted her spectacles and glanced toward the empty chair reserved for the opposing counsel. Her brows furrowed visibly.

“Where is the lead counsel, Mr. Deshmukh?” She asked strictly to the junior lawyer present on the opposing side.

The young man rose to his feet. “On his way, Your Honor. He just got stuck in traffic due to an accident.”

Before the judge could respond, the door opened. Silence fell over the courtroom. A few heads turned toward the entrance as the sharp click of polished boots against the floor echoed through the room with commanding authority.

Eshita looked on as a man who appeared to be in his late thirties stepped inside. Dressed in an impeccably tailored black suit, carrying a leather file beneath his arm. His expression unreadable, cold, composed, and dangerously controlled.

The junior lawyer from earlier immediately rose to his feet. “Sir.” Respect was evident in his voice.

The man turned toward the judge, bowing his head slightly. “Sorry for the delay, Your Honor. Aap toh Mumbai ke traffic se waqif hi hain. Main bhi bas usse bach ke aa raha hoon.”

His velvet draped voice fell on Ekta’s ears. Her head snapped up. That familiar voice stirred her worst nightmares awake. Her breath hitched as she waited for the man to turn, praying with everything inside her that she was wrong.

The judge nodded knowingly. “I hope you won’t make it a habit, Mr. Singhania. Let the proceedings begin.” She ordered.

Ekta’s eyes widened in absolute horror the moment the man turned. It was him! Her breathing stopped. In that instant, the world around her disappeared. The walls vanished, courtroom evaporated, voices faded into nothingness. Only two things remained. Him. And her past.

“Bhai, aap khilona leke aaye hai? Aapne bataya nahi?”

“Bahut shauk hai na tujhe bhagne ka? Chal, aaj tere pair hi tod deta hoon. Phir bhaag ke dekhna!”

“Teri himmat kaise hui hume mana karne ki...”

Ekta flinched violently. The whip landed across her back. Blood, curdling screams escaped her lips shaking the walls of the courtroom. Heads turned toward her alarm, confused, and shocked.

Ekansh immediately grabbed her shoulders. “Ekta...?”

Ekta shoved him away harshly. Another scream tore from her throat. Her entire body began trembling violently. The flashes refused to stop. Basement, chains, her own begging filling in her ears, the bidding hall. His voice, that shrill whistle, blood. The darkness she was forced to spend nights in. Years of carefully buried terror erupted all at once.

Everything she had hidden just to survive another day finally broke free, hitting her with merciless force. Bile rose in her throat. Her vision blurred. Her gaze remained fixed on the man standing before her. The same man who had watched her suffer. The same man whose presence haunted every nightmare. The same man she had spent years trying to forget. NO! Her pulse exploded inside her ears. The ground beneath her feet seemed to disappear.

His posture. That unmistakable presence. And suddenly she was no longer sitting in the courtroom. Even though Ekansh and Eshita were calling her name, she couldn’t bring herself to react. Tears overflowed uncontrollably. Her body went rigid. She was five again...trapped, terrified, completely at his mercy.

Before anyone could understand what had happened, her body gave up under the weight of the shock and terror rising within her. The memories she had buried so deep came crashing back all at once, overwhelming every defense she had carefully built over the years. The room seemed to spin around her. The next second she lost consciousness right in Ekansh’s arms, scaring the hell out of him.

 ✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰

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