Astiva

“Don’t worry Mr. Thakur, Your case has been moved to fast track court so it won’t take much time now, I know it has being 4 years without any results, but the thing is that it has being moved here in Mumbai. You would need stay here next 15 days for proceeding. I have asked one of the freelancer lawyer. She is the best lawyer over here in family matters.” Said his office legal adviser Adv. Prabal Singhania.

“It’s ok; I had to stay here only for divorce hearings. Hopefully the last, it has being very tiring 3 years.” Said Kirat Thakur tiredly. “By the way, why a female lawyer. You very well know I don’t trust women and especially you very well know that women are never up to the mark.”

Prabal knew him from last 2 years and in these years; he concluded one thing that was he never thought women to be equal. He didn’t knew what today will happen as the free-lancer lawyer was known to be a big time feminist, Adv. Vinati . Vinati never takes any cases, she is only active in fast track court where she works only 3-4 months then she travels the world with money. She is in early 30s, beautiful but alone and sadden soul, lives in apartment cum office near High Court where people can meet her. She was leaving the nation previous week only for prolonged trip to Italy and Greece, but a last moment her previous case intercepted so she stayed and now is here for a month as she has some personal work too. He contacted Vinati through his wife Tulsi, they were good friends as the girl did her law from Jamai Millia and so did his wife. He was shocked to know that even Mr. Thakur’s younger sister Samistha was there for education.

Mr. Kirat Thakur was business hotshot who was also in his mid-30s. he is basically settled in Delhi, only comes Mumbai for cases, they were two on-going, one was his divorce with his mysterious wife as no one had seen her and they had got no-press permit so none except their family court judge knew about her. Other was a case going on him for sexual harassment of his one of the employees. It was a big media circus. This was also one of the reasons that he wasn’t sure Vinati will take up or not because he is out of paparazzi circle, even so much that even after being practicing lawyer in Mumbai and has being there with lots of celebrity clients. Her recent was a marital rape case which she handled for Bollywood heroine. But she has not being clicked even once. Her statements are released through e mails or her office. He was brought out from reverie by a knocking in door, which notified him that he was in his office thinking about it.   He was informed by the peon that the woman he was waiting is here.

And there entered a girl in grey skinny jeans which had huge slits all over and a baggy t-shirt lying on one her shoulder other showed the open shoulder. With that she had a huge leather bag and her hairs were tied carelessly over the place near nape. With a bit of British tone, she said “Mr. Prabal, its Vinati, Tulsi said you wanted me for one of your client’s case for fast track matter.”

“Ok. Let me call Mr. Thakur, my client till if you want we can have a cup of coffee, what say?” Prabal said, to say he was shocked would be correct as he didn’t expected such renowned lawyer like this, but he had heard that she was different so it was no such big shock to him. He heard her saying “Thank you for offer but I prefer chocolate cup. If it can arranged or else a soft drink, preferably Coke”

“Prabal has your lawyer came?” said Kirat entering and sees her sitting. Both of them were just dumb folded seeing each other. But she recovered first and said that “Sorry, Mr. Prabal I cannot take this case. And I think I must leave. And thanks for hot chocolate.” And she gathered her things was about to leave when Prabal catches up with her and says “Please tell me what’s troubling. May be I could help. I know you have to stay here for next 21 days, so please take the case; it starts on day after tomorrow and its just 15 days. I will highly oblige. I know you are best. Plus this assignment will give you unlimited money.”

After thinking a while, she says “Ok. But you need to visit me; I don’t visit anybody at any case. You know my office address. Pass it on to him. Plus I know this case is a media hotspot but in any circumstance I won’t give my statement in media face to face, I will release it from my office through official note and will leave the court from back door, just after the hearing. If your client agrees. Tonight at 10, before that I am busy winding my precious case.”

At 11, when Kirat enters the office, it was shock for him to see that it was more of cozy home then office. A huge flat where in entrance only he found a smaller room for staff where he saw 3 guys working. After telling them about his visit they left him on middle of a hall from where he saw two openings one to her bedroom, another towards the kitchen as he could see other  2 guys coming out with Maggi. And one glass partition from where he could see her office. In the hall he found many legal books and her photos of life where in all the photos she was wearing something he would consider inappropriate as they all ended inches above the knees or should say only covered upper thigh. Just then he saw Vinati entering the hall from main gate and taking a drag from one of guys cigarette, they were smoking, she quipped “Guys, here’s your ice creams for winning the case and has someone inquired about me.” As she was hugged by all men saying “Thank you, Vins. There is someone who told that he had to come an hour earlier but struck in jam. Waiting in your office and we made some Maggi, would you want some or will you have pasta of morning? Shall we heat it and bring.”

Her expressions sobered and said “No guys, no mood to eat but its better you leave, he is the new client, here for case meeting so before leaving close the door properly and lock from outside.” The guys left with urgency and there was only Vinati and him.

He saw she was wearing the shortest possible blue demins with a red checked knot shirt which was up to elbows and only one button closed so gave ample scope towards her cleavage where he saw a red lacy bra and a black thread was tied just above the denims which showed her slim waist. He saw that she has many small tattoos all over body as she had a butterfly in left over breast area; also a sting of stars was following from the nape of her neck to direct right bust. One of her arms had an armband kind of tattoo of wires. Her waist in backward as a wreath of roses and another wrist had an Om in it. Her toned legs also had tattoo as he saw a cat tattoo in her ankle, she had her whole ear length shot where she was wearing small cluster like diamond in each. He presumed it be 7-8 piercings.  Her hairs were up do clutched in a juda pin of strong red colour. She said “I wasn’t expecting you, Mr. Thakur but now if you are here lets discuss the case. ” she said in an ice cold voice. Gone her sweet chiming voice which was just a moment ago.

He found him in unusual situation. Seeing her somewhere chimed his parent’s voice and his sub conscious mind about how a girl should be. For him a woman should never look directly in the eyes of a man. She should always wear decent clothes that cover her body fully. She should be someone who should never be near a man boldly. Tattooing and piecing is prohibited. She should be docile home maker not someone as home runner. She should never go out in nights. Smoking is big No No in the life. In all Vinati was ultimate failure of someone upbringing. He decided to give her some advice, he just said authoritatively “You know Mrs. Vinati, it is not good to have such lifestyle, and you should know that.”

Settling herself in beanbag with legal documents and a red pen, she said “First, its Ms. Not Mrs., secondly you have got no right to call me by my name and as I don’t have surname, for you its Adv. V. lastly, you are no one so please spare your lecture how I should be.”

He just said her challengingly “Vinati means someone who is soft and sweet, like a prayer not a spit fire like you.”

“Sorry, to break your assumptions. But people made me tough in life, so please keep my life out of discussion we better concentrate on the work in hand. ” she said in an even tone.

These 15 days had being very tiring on both of them as both lived different universes and were trying cope with each other for the only reason  of the case because she had a mad gleam of winning, another trait which should not be there in woman. She was ultimate player who can also cheat to win. During this time he always saw that she was most of times visited by men of all calibers even all his staff was men. He had seen her partying one weekend with some friends where they were sharing some gossips and bear. Another trait which reminded him of his factor that he was not very sure of her success because he knew that till now she haven’t even attended any of the proceedings and her assistants use to make submissions. Though for him surprisingly, her every submission was granted.

Today, was the last hearing, he was bit frustrated because his family hearing didn’t go as planned as the judge informed him that after lots of thought process and the constant absence on their both interest on resolution, the judge has decided to meet her alone again and if after that he feels so then the divorce papers will be finalized. He knew that she wont say a word against the factor that was written in the matter. But her couselling clashed with his today’s hearing so he couldn’t be there to see her broken face. The chit of the girl had all luxuries with him yet filed divorce 3 years back after 5 years of married life. First he thought that she herself would withdraw but she handled it very bravely even all questions from his advocates were not enough to let her down, so now he also wanted get free from this relationship. In last 4 years she established herself was now had made herself. But he wanted see her face when finally she signs the paper.

On the contrary, he was shocked to see Vinati in court. She was wearing a blue elbow length blouse with white cotton saree with blue borders, the Mother Teresa saree which tied on her in very decent way. Her hairs were tied properly in tight bun. She was wearing her black cloak and lawyer tie. Her hands had 2-3 gold and silver bangles.  She didn’t look even a bit like what Vinati he had seen in last 2 weeks. She looked more like conventional lawyers. With that entered two of her most loyal and consistent assistants he saw regularly in last 3 weeks. Her eyes were lined  in thick kohl making it look bigger and intruiding. She confidently entered the court and took her place. He saw that all lawyers had eyes on her in admiration for beauty and knowledge. Before the proceeding started he saw even the opposition lawyer is saying Vinati, “Vinati, it is pleasure that we could share even a hearing. I’m absolutely speechless. And thanks that you saved me in last case.”

As the proceeding commenced the hustle in court died. And after all the said and done by the opposing lawyer as he had the opening statement that day. He noticed one thing that she passes a lot of stick on notes to her assistants. She stood like a tigress, subtle, fiercy and ready to attack. And said

“My Lordship, it is both a matter for honour and pride for me to be standing infront of the Honourable judge. If you permit before the proceedings end and the verdict is sanctioned. I may like to have last examination of victim and submit a new evidence.” Saying that she moved towards the victim box and asked “ou will agree to me that you have repeatedly said that there was only a single attempt to molest you. And too on 22^nd June 2009 i.e. 4 years back.” Seeing the string willed eyes of her the girl merely nodded. Then Vinati repeated “Are you sure?” the girl again just nodded.

Suddenly, she turned towards the Judge and said “Your lordship, the paper in front you is the new evidence and it is a paper from a leading UAE hospital, that says Mrs. Pragati Dixit, who in turn was Mr. Thakur’s wife’s sister was there admitted for a miscarriage on 22^nd June 2009 and her consent papers are signed by Mr. Thakur, clearly proving that he was in UAE that time period. Though the case was closely woven as he had returned just the next day. But the self-proclaimed victim forgot the minute detail of dates. With that I rest my case.” She said boldly.

There was total silence in Court and the judge said “With the new evidence and witness, the Court comes into the conclusion that Mr. Kirat Thakur was wrongly accused by his employee. The case is dismissed. The Court regrets for the inconvience caused to Mr. Thakur. If required, Mr. Kirat Thakur can file for a suit for defermation against the so called victim. Till then the court is adjourned.”

Media broke through and was trying to capture the lawyers, Mr. Thakur and the girl’s reaction. But they find both the lawyers as they got lost in the maze of courts in minutes. And Kirat realized, like always she left. As he was busy with his side of comments, he heard the buzz that she has updated the mail regarding her views on the case.

On the other hand, the prosecution lawyer was shocked to lose the case and was even more shocked that how Vinati knew such minute detail which no one could produce in last 4 years. Just after the verdict, he pulled Vinati with himself and both of them left together for his chamber in the Court premises. After settling there, she started “I will answer all your queries on condition that none of my words make an appearance outside this room. Actually, Mr. Kirat Thakur is or I should say was my husband. We met number of times when I was in college as I was roommate of his sister. My parents are basically business people hailing from Abu Dhabi. during my graudation, my sister got married to her love to whom my parents gave all business rights as they retired. After my LLM degree, a year or so, that time Mr. Thakur proposed this marriage which my parents agreed. I was married to that man for 5 years.

I cant tell you how worse that 5 years had being the saddest of my life. First, a year so later, my parents died in a plane crash between UAE and India. Then, this man was male chauvinist person, he didn’t allow any body to meet me and I was not allowed to do anything. I was literally forced to wear sarees and act as coy new bride who was not allowed to set out of the house. In front of society he showed a face that he was progressive man but he was anything than that. I just somehow was living with it. That I came to know that my sister is expecting so I kindda wanted to visit her and we both went as he didn’t allowed to let me travel alone. In these years I learned that he considers as I commodity so then also I survived in this regressive environment. But when we reached over there, the scene was horrifying as I saw my sister lying in a pool of blood and my jiju had ran away with all the fortune pushing her down the stairs. We got her admitted and was then he signed this papers. But I wanted to file a police complainant against that man whom I called jiju for more than 8 years.  But he didn’t let me too and as dii was serious so she couldn’t stating that this common in a man’s world. But then it was the limits I decided to separate from him and we had a huge fight over the matter. He returned the following day.

But I stayed some time and during that time my sister also died so I returned broken and shattered to Mumbai to form a new life. And a year later, I filed for divorce. Rest is what you know. I am Mrs. Vinati Kirat Thakur or should say was. For the documents never being known to anybody, a person who didn’t considered me worth it then why would remember such things but for me. It was the last paper which had my siste’s scent so I always kept it and now given this for him” she said bitterly crying.        

“Congrats on winning the case. May life make you a more sensitive and understanding man. Mr. Thakur. And here are the divorce papers Mrs. Vinati Kirat Thakur, in this name somewhere Vinati was lost. I have found my astiva, my identity. I don’t want someone as narrow-minded as you as my husband. I don’t think I am any less than a man and actually I am the one who won the case for you, even when everything was against you. For me I’m off to my holidays” she said giving him papers, as she left the apartment locking the gate and taking a small airbag and a big leather backpack in her halter-neck thigh length jump suit.