Taking a leave from her office she prepared herself to present in the court. Athar could not come along with her, it was the first time when she was alone in this battlefield but one day she had to fight for herself alone, and here comes the day.

Standing a distance she was waiting for her hearing but today it was after lunch break, it was her bad to not check the list of hearings to find out the estimated time, but she was busy with different scenarios after getting news from her lawyer that the judge was changed yesterday only. It was obvious for her to overthink about the mood and reactions of the new judge and now she had to wait for next few hours to learn everything. 

"Bh- Bhabi." a meek voice grabbed her attention, she knew that person very well. Turning back she glared at him.

"Bhabi na kehna mujhe, ab mera us aadmi se koi rishta nhi hai." If words and tone could bruise someone then Saad could have wounds by now.

(Don't call me bhabi, now I don't have any relation with that man.)

"Kesi hain aap?"

(How are you?)

"Jo tum abhi dikha rhe ho use himmat kehte hain ya begairati? Mere khilaf jhuti gawahi dene aaye ho aur mujhse mera haal puch rhe ho? Shabash Saad, Shabash... Tum logo se behtar to gali ke kutte hote hain, unhe 2 waqt roti daal do to hamare wafadaar ho jate hain, tum log to un janwaro se bhi badtar ho." Madiha was extremely mad at Saad, a few days back she got a notice that mentioned that Saad will come as a witness against her, she could expect anything from Danish, Umera and Humaira but she never thought of Saad doing such a thing. 

(What you are showing now is called courage or shamelessness? You have come to give false testimony against me yet asking my whereabouts? Well done Saad, well done... Street dogs are better than you people, if someone gives them meal twice a day they become loyal, you people are worse than those animals.)

"Bhabi I'm sorry, main majboor hu, mujhe maaf kar dijiye." Saad begged for forgiveness but he didn't know that the lady standing opposite to him didn't know the meaning of forgiveness. She never forgives people because she was unable to forget their deeds. 

(Bhabi, I'm sorry, I'm helpless. Please forgive me.)

"Tum majboor nhi ho buzdil ho... Yaha is adalat mein to jhuti gawahi de do, Allah ki adalat mein to insaaf hoga na... Waha to gawaho ko kharida bhi nhi jaa sakega." Saad was stunned to see this Madiha who was not afraid of anyone, before he could say somethinh else left away away leaving him in the pool of guilt.

(You are not helpless but coward... You can give false testimony in the court, but I'll get justice in Allah's court. You cannot even buy witnesses there.)

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Madiha glanced at the wrist watch, her name could be announced at any moment and right now she was feeling scared when a hand grabbed her shoulder.

"Athar." her smiling eyes peeped from the window of her niqab, she wholeheartedly grabbed his hand. "Aapki to presentation thi aaj... Aap kyu aa gye? Aur Anaya ko kyu le aaye?"

(You had a presentation today... why did you come? And why did you bring others?)

"I took a half day leave after completing the presentation and then Ammi called me that Anaya was crying too much. She has a fever, I took her to the doctor and now I'm standing beside one of the most important ladies of my life." Madiha smiled and took her daughter from Athar, due to medicine she was better now.

In the meantime a call for Madiha grabbed their attention, only then they both noticed Danish standing a few steps away gazing at them.

"Be strong, my love. Be strong for Anaya and me." Madiha glanced at her ex-husband then kept watching her husband for a long minute, her eyes twinkled with tears. Deep down she knew today she was going to lose this battle because she had no evidence that could prove that she hadn't stolen cash and gold from Danish's home but she smiled while wiping those little tear drops. 

"You both are my strengths, I'm nothing without you. I wish, I could meet you earlier." Mumbling that she shifted her gaze from Athar to Anaya. "You are my little jaan (life)" kissing her cheek she passed Anaya to Athar before stepping towards the courtroom.

She was afraid, if she wasn't proved innocent then no one could save her to go behind the bars for stealing the gold and money, but she could not let this fear dance at her face.

The proceeding of the court started as usual, files were presented in front of the Hon'ble Judge who took a brief from Danish's lawyer then looked at the defender's lawyer who represented his points, but today the judge was looking angry or maybe frustrated.

Lawyers were presenting their points without wasting time when the judge kind of huffed.

"Will this lawsuit remain as it is... I'm not seeing any progress." The judge scolded both Danish and Madiha's lawyers.

"Sir, my client wants to live a happy life with his wife however neither she is stepping out from this extra material affair nor returning the stolen goods." Danish's point was presented by his lawyer and the judge looked at Madiha.

"Aap rehna chahti hain inke sath?" He asked Madiha who shook her head

(Do you want to live with him?)

"Nhi sir, inhone mujhe talaq de di hai, maine dusri shadi karli hai aur main apni zindagi me khush hu." Said Madiha without looking at Danish.

(No sir, he has divorced me, I have remarried and I am happy in my life.)

"Wo aapke sath nhi rehna chahti to kyu zabardasti karni hai?" The judge asked Danish who sighed like an innocent. 

(If she doesn't want to be with you, why force her?)

"Sir, mene kisi cheez ki kami nhi kri kabhi... Achhe se achha kapda, mehnge se mehnge purses, bags, jewellery sab di lekin kabhi khush nhi hui, aur jate jate mere ghar se sab kuch chura le gyi." Danish's statement was so powerful that anyone could believe it. The judge looked at Madiha with the same furrowed brows.

(Sir, I had given her every thing... I bought the best clothes, the most expensive purses, bags, jewellery, but she was never happy, and she stole everything from my house while running away.)

"Sach hai? Aapko sari cheze dete the ye? Aur aapne chori kri hai?" The judge asked in a loud and overbearing voice and Madiha pressed her lips together.

(Is This true? He used to give you everything? And you stole things from his home?)

"Sir ye to sach hai ki sab kuch laa ke dete the lekin izzat se kabhi kuch nhi diya. Apne baap ke ghar me ye cheez kabhi dekhi bhi nhi hogi, is statement ke sath dete the jo bhi dete the... Kya karna hai aesi materialistic cheezo ka jo izzat gawa kar mile? Aur rahi baat chori ki... Wo ilzaam hain mene..." Danish did not let her complete.

(Sir, it is true that he brought me everything but never with respect. He had been providing me everything with the statement that 'you would never have seen this in your father's home', What one could do of such materialistic things that comes with the exchange of self-respect? And if it comes to the matter of theft... I am accused...)

"Sir, even in the police station she..." danish was stating something when the judge roared. "Main baat kar rha hu na, beech me na bolo, ye tumhara thana nhi hai courtroom hai." the tall police officer got scolding from the salt and pepper haired man.

(Don't interrupt when I am talking, this is not your police station, but the courtroom.)

"I apologize, my lord" Danish muttered

"Aap keh rhi hain aapne chori nhi ki, lekin confession papers par to aapke signatures hain. Police k samne confess kra tha aapne us chori ka, tab to koi forceful statement nhi le sakta tha aapki." said the judge and Madiha nodded. 

(You say you did not steal anything, but your signatures are on the confession papers. You have confessed everything in the police station and no one could take a forceful statement from you in front of police.)

"Sir it's a long story..."

"Tell us in short." the judge demanded and Madiha narrated the incident from catching Danish with his second wife to the divorce on the middle of the road. At the end of the story Madiha wiped her tears, she was unable to hold her pain which urged to flow down from her eyes but Danish shook his head.

"Jhut bool rhi hai, sir. Aesa kuch nhi hua tha."

(She is lying, sir. Nothing like that happened.)

"Dusri shadi kari aapne? Beta bhi hai aapka?"

(Did you marry again? Do you have a son too?)

"Ji sir, I have a son. I wanted to start a family but she is infertile... What else could I do?" Asked Danish and the judge furrowed.

"Ye kya baat huyi? Shadi ke kitne saal ke baad dusri shadi kar li thi?" the question was thrown towards Danish but he said nothing. 

(What? After how many years of marriage did you get married again?)

"after three years..." Madiha replied while sniffling. 

"Teen saal to koi bohot lamb waqt nhi hota, kisi doctor ko dikhaya jaye sahi treatment karaya jaye to infertility ka bhi ilaaj hai, duari shadi kar ke aap esa expect kese ke sakte ho ki aap kisi ki zindagi barbaad kar doge aur wo move on bhi na kre," Madiha smiled a bit but cried too while every memory flashed in her brain. 

(Three years is not a very long period of time and infertility can be treated if get help from a good doctor. How can you expect from your partner to not move on when you have already ruined her life after doing second marriage?)

Danish never expect such session of argument. This new judge was way more overbearing than others who just glance at the files, listen to a few statements and give dates for next hearing. This man was hearing, understanding and using his judgmental power to do justice with people as well as his job.

Athar was standing a few steps away holding Anaya in his arms, suddenly she started crying and Madiha looked at her. Ignoring the formalities of court she just grabbed her daughter and embraced her, the feverish little girl stopped crying after resting her head on her mother's shoulder. Madiha caressed her back and Danish was her keenly.

"Ye bachhi aapki hai?" the judge asked Madiha and Athar together.

(Is she your daughter?)

"yes," Madiha nodded. "But you were infertile." the judge furrowed but Athar interrupted this time. "Adopted one, not biologically."

"Sir, I haven't been infertile ever since... Pregnancy mein bhi maarte peette the ye mujhe, kabhi kabhi to tab tak maarte hi rehte the jab tak main behosh nhi ho jati thi... Muh or naak me se khun nikalne lagta tha, uske baad agar kabhi zarurat padti thi to ghar me hi local doctor ko bula ke dikha dete the ya painkiller de dete the... Phir agar miscarriage ho jata tha to aur marte the, Ya galiyan dete the. Sir, inhone mujhe Mentally, physically, emotionally damage kra hai, aur ab bhi kar rhe hain." Madiha tried her best to control her tears.

(Sir, I haven't been infertile ever since... Even in pregnancy he used to beat me, sometimes he wouldn't stop until I passed out. After that, if ever the need of a doctor occurred he called the local doctor at home or gave me a painkiller himself... And, Then he beat me again if I miscarried. Sir, he has damaged me mentally, physically, emotionally, and is still doing so.)

"Jhut bol rh..."

(She is lyin...)

"Main baat kar lu?" cutting Danish in between, the judge roared. If it wasn't the Judge but someone else then this policeman would have been demonstrating his powers but today he was helpless.

(May I ask the questions?)

"Itna sab seh kar bhi ghar me kyu rhi aap? Police me Kabhi complaint kari thi?"

(Why did you stay at home after enduring all this? Did you ever complain to the police?)

"Nhi sir, kabhi nhi. Mere parents nhi hain... Shadi uncle ne kri thi, aur jab mene unhe bataya ki ye maarte peette hain to unhone bol diya ki ab jo bhi hai isi rishte ko nibhao... Kis base par complaint krti sir? Mere paas jane ke liye koi ghar nhi tha, na hi koi financial support thi, agar ye bhi ghar se nikal dete to main kaha jati ye baat soch ke sab kuch sehti rahi." for some, her tears could be testimony of pain but for others they could be an act of manipulation. However, she didn't know in which category of people the Judge was putting herp.

(No sir, never. My parents passed away years ago, my uncle married me off with him, but when I informed my uncle about the domestic violence he guided me to endure everything and work on this relationship to make it better. On which bases would go to the police against him? I had no support either financial or emotional... I did not want to lose the only shelter I had so I kept up with everything silently.)

"Sir, ye innocent hone ka dhong kar rhi hai, innocent hai nhi, mere sath rehti thi tab bhi affair chal rha tha iska... Shadi se pehle se affair hai, mujhse pese ke lalach me shadi kri thi is aurat ne. Mene iske call records ki details submit kri hain court me, Iske number par Athar Ahmad Ansari ke regular calls hain, aur ab usi aadmi se shadi kar lena... Ye koi ittefaq to nhi ho sakta. Pre-planning se kra hai isne ye sab... Aap mujhe mere pese aur jewellery wapaa dila dijiye." Danish put another accusation on Madiha and this time he involved Athar too. The Judge looked at both the husband and wife as if trying to understand if they had an affair at the back of Danish or not. 

(Sir, she is acting innocent but she is not. When she lived with me, she was still having an affair... she had an affair before marriage too, this woman married me for my money. I have submitted the details of her call records in the court, before getting married to me there were regular calls from Athar Ahmad Ansari on her number, and now she is married the same man... This cannot be a coincidence. All this can be done by pre-planning only... Please consider the recovery of my money and gold.)

"Affair tha aapka?" The judge asked Madiha with a few creases on his forehead, she was silent for a moment then shook her head.

"Koi affair nhi tha, sir, shadi se pehle meri baat hoti thi meri Athar se, lekin shadi ke baad hamari kabhi baat nhi huyi. Danish bina baat ke shak karte the, gande ilzaam lagate rehte the mujh par..." This time Madiha was looking more angry than broken.

(There was no affair, Sir. Before marriage I talked to Athar, but after marriage we never talked. Danish kept making dirty allegations on my character without any reason.)

"Sir, We have eye witness to prove that She had a lose character." Danish's lawyer interrupted and reminded the judge about Saad whose statement had to be noted as an eye witness.

"Hmm... Present him." reading some lines of Saad's written statement the judge asked to present him.

Madiha looked at Saad and remembered the time when he had high fever but even after Danish's order to stay away from him she secretly look after him. She gave him food, medicine on time and made sure to give some home remedies.

If this was the outcome of kindness then she would never teach her daughter to be kind with others. She thought for a moment.

"Despite my age I have played a motherly role for you... Shame on you, Saad." Madiha said with anger but it wasn't anger, it was her pain after getting defamation and contumely in return of the purest form of love. 

"Ji aapka kya rishta hai in logo se aur kya dekha aapne?" the judge asked and Saad looked at Danish then towards Madiha whose eyes were twinkling with wetness but she wasn't crying out.

(so, what is your relationship with these people and what did you see?)

"Danish bhai is like a godfather to me... I live in his house only." Saad introduced himself and looked at Danish whose eyes were telling clearly to speak without any delay.

"What did you see? I don't have whole day for this case." asked the judge with frustration but Saad said nothing, his eyes were fixed on the floor and heart was beating faster than normal.

"Bolo bhi... Kiske sath dekha tha inko... Kon aata tha ghar pe?" Judge's frustration converted into anger when the waiting time stretched longer than expected.

(Tell us… with whom did you see her… who used to come home?)

"Koi nhi aata tha sir, Maine Madiha bhabi ko kabhi kisi ke sath nhi dekha... Wo ghar me hi rehti thi aur unse milne unke bhai ke alawa kabhi koi nhi aaya." Saad's statement shocked Danish as well as Madiha.

(No one used to come, sir, I never saw Madiha Bhabhi with anyone… She lived at home and no one except her brother ever came to meet her.)

"And what about your written statement?" the question was straight and Saad looked towards Danish then at the judge. 

"I was forced by Danish bhai."

"It's an accuse, my lord. It's nothing but the defendant's intrigue to prove my client wrong." Danish's lawyer was hyperactive but the judge was not a fool.

"Main jhut nhi bol raha sir... Madiha bhabi bhi jhut nhi bol rhi... Mere paas proves hain." Saad's unexpected statement created a stir.

(I'm not lying nor Madiha bhabi is. I have proofs.)

"What proofs?" the judge asked and Saad took his mobile out from his pocket. To everyone's surprise he played a call recording and the room was echoed by a male voice. "Hello."

"How are you doing Mohsin?" Madiha's voice was weak as if she was sick.

"Aapi, tabiyat kharab hai aapki?" Madiha was silent in the reply.

(Aapi, are you sick?)

"Phir mara hai us janwar ne aapko?" Mohsin's question stud straight and this time Madiha's recorded sob was audible for all.

(Did he beat you again?)

"Mera sedhe hath mein bohot dard ho rha hai,"

(My right arm is hurting badly.)

"Kyu mara is baar?"

(Why did he best you this time?)

"Kal khane me namak zyada dal gya tha mujhse..." she sobbed "Mohsin wo aa gye," the recording ended with that panicked voice.

(Yesterday, by mistake I added extra salt to the food...) (Mohsin, he has come.)

Every eye landed on Madiha, she was crying due to the past. Anaya was sleeping resting her head on Madiha's shoulder and Athar wrapped his arm around her shoulder in a supportive way.

"Khane me namak zyada hone ki wajah se kon maarta hai?" Asked the judge, enraged.

(Who beats his wife because of extra salt in food?)

"I was two months pregnant at that time and temporarily I lost my sense of taste..." Madiha told the judge and Danish glared at Saas with deadly sight. He could murder him right now.

"There are many more call recordings, Sir. The whole home used to echo with Madiha Bhabi's screams for hours." Saad said in a firm voice and the judge picked his pen to write down something, then looked at Danish.

"Shame on you. You're appointed by the government to protect humanity but you're not even practising humanity in personal life."

"Sir it is a trap f..."

"Shut up!" the judge roared. "Take this mobile in custody and send the voice recordings for authenticity test. Reopen the theft case and reconsider the compromise as well as confession statement." The judge ordered and Madiha looked at Athar, her tear filled eyes shrunk which showed that she was smiling behind her veil.

"And..." the voice of Judge grabbed their attention one more time. "Take away all the powers from Danish for the next six months, he is suspended until he proved innocent. Appoint a committee to inquire about his corruption if any and..." The judge again stopped, this time he looked at Madiha's lawyer. "Why don't you file a lawsuit against him for compensation of defamation and harassment under the Section 498-A, section 354, section 499-500, further you also know what can be done."

"Thank you my lord." Madiha's lawyer did a formality and Madiha looked at Danish who was looking red due to anger.

"Sir, there is a request, please reconsider your decision regarding my client's professional life, it has nothing to do with his personal matters." Danish's advocate did his duty and the judge shook his head.

"How can we accept a morally corrupt man in police? The Police are implementers of law not the breakers of law." The judge finished this hearing for today and gave the next date of six months later.

"Athar..." Madiha smiled with excitement after coming out of the courtroom and Athar didn't hesitate to pull her in his arms. "You're my storing lady, my love." the cosy yet tight hug was quick. Madiha was overwhelmed, she didn't know how to react.

"Bhabi,"

"Saad... Shukriya." turning towards him she thanked him but he shook his head. Holding his hands together he stood in front of Madiha, his eyes twinkle with tears in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, I never raised my voice to save you but I won't be able to live guilt free if I would support injustice today..."

"Better late than never but now what? How will you face Danish?" Asked Madiha and Saad shrugged. 

"I'll manage, you have been bearing his brutality for years, I can bear it for some days. And I've decided, I'm going back to my village." Saad wiped his tears and Madiha felt guilty for him. She never wanted to create any problems for this boy. 

"Bhabi aapne mujhe maaf kar diya na? Sach keh rha hu bhabi, aapse zyada mene aaj tak kisi ki izzat nhi ki. Aapki maa ka darja diya hai mene, mujhe maaf kar dijiye." Still joining his hands in front of Madiha, Saad apologized and She nodded while controlling her tears. 

(bhabi, have you forgiven me? I am telling the truth bhabi, till date I have never respected anyone more than you. I have given you the status of a mother, please forgive me.)

This was the second quickest forgiveness of her life, otherwise she neither forgot nor forgave.

"Maine tumhe maaf kra, bas Bhabi kabhi na bolna mujhe." She smiled and adjusted the sleeping Anaya in her arms and Saad smiled at that little girl. 

(I forgive you, but never call me bhabi.)

"Theek hai, phir aaj se mein is pari ka Mama hu, there hai na?"

(Okay, then from today onwards I will be the mama, maternal uncle of this doll, fine?)

"Fine," Madiha nodded. "Saad, contact me if you want to do a job, or if you need any kind of support, just call me." handling a card to Saad Athar smiled and Saad glanced at the card, it was showing a phone number and office address of Athar.

"We should go now." said Madiha and Athar held her hand while walking towards the parking area. Without any discussion, without any words they passed by the market near to their home and Athar stopped the scooter outside a small food court.

"Faluda or ice cream?'' he raised his brow and Madiha pouted, "Such a difficult choice." but Athar secretly ordered both for his wife. 

"This is for your victory." when the order arrived, Athar passed the faloda towards her to give boost to her smile then pushed the cup of ice cream towards her, "And this one is for your husband's success." Madiha's eyes became wide and she gased while smacking her forehead. 

"I completely forgot it... What happened today?" she asked

"Promoted to senior editor." Madiha put her hand on her slightly open mouth and smiled but soon her eyes filled with tears of joy. 

"I'm so happy for you, Sir." instead of a husband she chose to wish her senior who held her hand and kissed the fingertips.

"Yu public place mein junior se flirt karna kuch theek nhi lag rha," They both laughed and started sharing faloda and ice cream.

That little sweets were enough for them to melt sweetness of love and harmony in their lives. 

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