Geetha madam and I were ready to meet that bastard, Rakesh. She looked at me with a reassuring smile and picked up her handbag.
“Meera, I don’t know what he has planned, so I want you to be prepared for anything. Don’t give up your self-respect in front of him. You hold the upper hand in this case, and he has no choice but to give in to our demands. We still have some time before we reach his place, so think carefully. I can demand any amount as alimony that would secure your future or even throw him behind the bars. You know I won’t be by your side forever, and you’ll need support financially and emotionally. Considering your current situation, I doubt your family will stand by you, so at least make sure you have financial security.”
I knew Geetha madam meant well, and I appreciated her concern. But I also knew that once the case was over, I’d be on my own. Still, I couldn’t bring myself to live off the money of a man who had used me. I didn’t want to survive on the scraps of those who had taken advantage of my body. If I accepted his money, I’d be branded a slut for life and I’d rather die than live with that shame. I couldn’t blame him alone when my own parents ruined my life for the money he offered them so I don’t want to press any charges against him. I can’t ruin Akash’s life “
My silence was enough for Geetha madam to understand that I wouldn’t change my decision. She simply smiled, and we walked out, locking the door behind us.
An hour later, we reached his office. His car was parked right outside, gleaming as always, a reflection of his arrogance. When we stepped inside, Rakesh was on a call. The moment he saw me, his jaw tightened. I could almost feel the rage boiling inside him, his fists probably clenched beneath the table, restrained only by the presence of my lawyer.
For the first time, I smirked at his helplessness. He was seated behind his desk, and there was only one chair before him. I stepped aside to let Geetha madam take it, but she held my hand and made me stand beside her instead.
“Mr. Rakesh, I think we’ll need another chair. The sooner you arrange that, the sooner we can begin.” she said coolly, folding her arms across her chest.
Rakesh gritted his teeth and called out to the office boy to bring in another chair. Once it was placed, we both sat opposite him. His eyes never left mine, cold, furious, burning with the desire to humiliate me again. But I didn’t flinch. I met his glare with the same fire.
“So, Mr. Rakesh, let’s get to the point. What have you decided?” Geetha madam spoke, her tone crisp and professional.
Her voice sliced through the tension in the room, forcing him to respond.
“I wanted to speak to Meera in private before I told you my decision,” Rakesh said, turning his attention to me.
“There’s nothing left to discuss. I want a divorce, and I won’t take no for an answer. Either we settle amicably, or I’ll drag you and your family to court. I’ll destroy your reputation and you’ll regret ever marrying me.” I shot back.
Rakesh froze, stunned that I could be so direct. Geetha madam gave me a proud, steady smile as Rakesh ran a hand through his hair, visibly rattled.
Footsteps echoed in the doorway and my parents entered, a travel bag in hand, apparently ready to leave for the village. I tried to ignore them, but my mother crouched beside me and began to weep, clutching my hand.
“Meera, please don’t do this, your life will be ruined. Let us go home and talk when you’re calm. I’ll speak to Rakesh and we’ll fix this. Divorce is not the answer. Do you know what will happen if you go through with it? People in the village will curse you—we’ll never have peace. We lived through poverty and shame for years, now that things are better, don’t throw it away. Please, listen to me.” she sobbed and her cries shook the room.
I gently withdrew my hand and wiped her tears. “I know how much you worry for me, and I’ve felt your love all my life. But I’m not a child. I understand the consequences of my decision, and I won’t back down. I refuse to be a slave. If I have to live on one meal a day, I’ll do it rather than live like this.” I said quietly.
My parents stared, stunned into silence.
Rakesh’s voice cut through the hush. “What about the money I paid to marry her?” he demanded, venom in his tone. My parents flinched.
“Do you realize what you’re suggesting? If this goes to court, you face charges of human trafficking and you will not see daylight for a long time. Your own parents could be implicated for their involvement. Sign the papers now and consider yourself lucky my client does not seek alimony or to press charges against you for abusing her physically, mentally and for marital rape. Otherwise, we will meet in court, and you will be ordered to pay a substantial sum. I will recommend that Meera donate that money to the poor if she refuses to accept it. And finally you will forever live behind the bars ” Geetha madam said her voice calm and icy.
Rakesh’s gaze darted helplessly around the room, he no longer looked like the man in control.
He was unraveling, his composure slipping with every passing second. Without a word, he stood up, pulled out a cigarette, and stormed outside. Through the glass, I could see him pacing, puffing furiously while speaking to someone on the phone. His expression shifted between anger and frustration, but I couldn’t tell who was on the other end of the call.
A few minutes later, he returned to his seat, looking slightly calmer, and took a long sip of water.
“We don’t have all day to watch you smoke and gossip over calls. Why did you even call us here if you hadn’t made up your mind? Geetha madam has court hearings to attend, she doesn’t have time for your tantrums.” I snapped before Geetha madam could speak.
Rakesh clenched his jaw. His hand twitched in the air, the same way it used to before he hit me but my glare stopped him cold. His eyes flickered toward Geetha madam, and he lowered his hand, taking a deep breath.
“Fine, I’ll sign. But I’m not giving you a single rupee.” he said at last.
I smiled, a calm, victorious smile that made his nostrils flare with rage. Geetha madam stood up, adjusting her saree pleats.
“Good decision, Mr. Rakesh. I’ll prepare the papers and inform you of the date and time. You’ll appear at the court, and we’ll settle this matter once and for all.” she said firmly.
We turned to leave. My parents hurried after me, panic written all over their faces.
“You should be glad this is ending peacefully, If it hadn’t, you would’ve been arrested too for selling your own daughter to an old man as his third wife. So be thankful, and go back to your village. I can take care of myself.” I said, stopping just before the exit.
My mother grabbed my hand, her eyes brimming with tears. “I’m sorry, Meera. Please forgive us. Come home… don’t shut us out completely.”
I looked at her for a long moment, then gently pulled my hand away. “It’s too late for that, Amma,” I whispered and followed Geetha madam to the car.
Inside the car, I leaned my head against the window, closing my eyes as the city blurred past. The weight of years lifted from my chest, replaced by a strange, quiet strength.
Geetha madam was on a call, speaking briskly to someone. When she hung up, I turned to her with a soft smile.
“Thank you so much, madam. I’ll forever be grateful for what you’ve done for me. You’ve given me a strength I never thought I had. I want to start fresh and build a life on my own. Could you please help me find a women’s hostel? I’ll find a job soon and once I start earning, I’ll repay every rupee I owe you,” I said, nervously fidgeting with the end of my saree pallu.
Geetha madam gently lifted my chin, her eyes warm and kind.
“I’ll help you find a place in a women’s hostel, Meera and no, you don’t have to pay me back. It gives me a sense of fulfillment when I fight for girls like you. Live your life exactly the way you want, that will be my fee. Now come on, let’s have lunch. I have a hearing to attend this afternoon. Once I’m back in the evening, we’ll talk about the hostel arrangements.” she said softly.
I nodded quickly, wiping the tears that slipped down my cheeks. God truly does exist, in the form of people like Geetha madam and Radhika Didi.
When we reached home, she left almost immediately left for court, and I locked the door behind her. Sitting on the floor, I looked up at the dreamcatcher hanging on the opposite wall.
I needed a job but with only a higher secondary certificate, what kind of work could I even get? Still, I had to try. Tomorrow, I would step out and look for something that could at least cover my hostel and food expenses. I glanced at the gold bangle on my wrist my grandmother’s gift from my wedding. I could sell it if needed, that would get me through until I earned my own money. The world was vast enough, surely, somewhere out there, there was a place for me.
By evening, I brewed some tea and searched the kitchen for ingredients to make dinner, not out of obligation, but just to pass time productively. When Geetha madam returned, I offered her a cup. She paused, inhaling the aroma of chapathi and dhal.
“Please, madam, I was bored, so I made dinner for us. It’s not a favor, I just wanted to make myself useful.” I said quickly.
She smiled, taking a sip. “The tea is fantastic, Meera. I spoke to a women’s hostel, they have a spot available for you. We’ll go visit tomorrow.”
“Thank you, madam,” I said earnestly. “But I’ll go on my own and handle the process. I’ll mention your name, of course. I also need to buy a few clothes and essentials, so please don’t worry about me. You must be busy with your work.”
She nodded approvingly, sensing the confidence in my voice. “Alright, go ahead and call me if you need anything. Just understand, if I’m in court, I might not be able to answer immediately.”
I nodded again, waiting for her to change before we had dinner together. Later, she opened her laptop and immersed herself in her work, occasionally pausing to call her family. The happiness in her face as she spoke to them made me smile, she had a loving, understanding family.
That was once my dream too… but not anymore.
Now, I just wanted to live my life, pamper myself, love myself, build myself.
I wouldn’t pray for my future anymore.
I would work for it with passion, strength, and dignity
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A/N:
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