Chapter 31: Court Case

A quick note before we start: I don't know much about legal things, how the court works or what kinds of cases can be filed against a person. I apologise if my information or the way I've put things in the chapter is wrong. But also this is a work of fiction, so just keep that in mind when reading. I had no idea what I'm writing about.

Okay, happy reading <3

It had been three days since the Singhania's were called to the police station to identify the pieces Priya admitted to stealing and were retrieved from her room. Everything was present except for Aarav's cufflinks and two of Riya's Swarovski bracelets. Priya confessed to having sold them and using the money for new clothes.

The same day Rohan had given Priya divorce papers. There had been a change in him ever since the day police took Priya into their custody. The woman he spent years loving was only after his money. He had begun to doubt if she even ever loved him.

There had been a change in Reema, she was quieter. Not speaking to anyone, only joining the family when necessary. Raj had convinced Neel to not send her to her brother's house, so Reema stayed home. But now her room was separate. Neel doesn't even look her way. For him, she's not the woman he was in love with and married.

Today was Priya's court case's first and final date. She had admitted to all her crimes, therefore they would gather to hear the verdict. Neel had worked alongside the lawyer to ensure their case was strong and she would get long enough in jail. Rohan had also insisted on suing her for fraud and emotional damages as her confession states her reason for marrying Rohan was primarily due to his wealth.

Everyone was there at court, waiting for Shourya and Meera. The media had gathered outside, trying to get a scope of the Singhania's drama. Their car parks in front of the entrance and a bodyguard comes out of the front seat, opening the door at the back.

Shourya comes out before turning to help Meera out. He wraps his arms around her and quickly walks in, not wanting her to be overwhelmed by the mics in their faces and the questions being shouted at them. She was already nervous about today.

Once he gets inside, he helps Meera onto a seat next to Riya, kissing her head and sitting next to her. He nods at the rest of his family before waiting for the judge to make an appearance. With special request, they were going to sort out the divorce here as well.

Priya's parents were too embarrassed to come here, they had met Priya earlier to let her know they don't want her back. She was on her own now.

The judge makes an appearance and they begin.

"Shall we begin with the stealing accusations, before moving onto the fraud and emotional damages put forward by Mr Rohan Singhania? Then we'll sort out the divorce of Mr Rohan Singhania and Mrs Priya Singhania."

Throughout the proceedings, Reema is in tears, and Rohan is frowning, almost crying. Neel tries to portray himself as unaffected but his shaking leg gives away his emotions.

"As Miss Priya accepts all accusations put forward. This includes fraud and emotional damages. And as the marriage has not been completed one year, Mr. Rohan Singhania is entitled to divorce without having to provide compensation to Miss Priya and vice versa. He also has the option of asking for payment for the emotional damages caused to him and his family. Mr. Singhania, would you like any sort of payment from Miss Priya?"

Rohan leans forward and replies to the judge, "No, I would just like the divorce to go through as soon as possible. I would like to be free from this relationship as soon as possible. Thank you."

Once the divorce papers are signed by the two, Rohan turns and heads straight out as a single man. He spent the rest of the day in his room, re-evaluating his decisions and actions and how they had hurt his family, especially his father. That day, Rohan decided that he is never falling into the trap of a woman ever again. Even his mother had changed her tunes so quickly.

He is never trusting a woman again. Ever.

The next morning, he woke up and began making a resume. He was going to submit it at his father's company start working at a lower ranking and work his way up, he was going to make his father proud. What he should have been focused on doing from the start, instead of wasting time on girlfriends.

Once he was done with his resume, he decided to check up on his accounts to see how much he has left. He ordered two Swarovski bracelets for Riya and cufflinks for Aarav, as they had lost them due to Priya. Once that was done, Rohan took a long shower before making his way out to the living room.

Everyone was present so he took it as the perfect chance for an apology.

"Ummmm, everyone I would just like to say sorry for my stupid and childish behaviour. The whole situation with Priya and my carelessness with her resulted in us being here."

Neel gazed up at his son, Rohan tried to look put together, but clearly couldn't. He had dark circles under his red eyes, his face was dry and flaky, with chapped lips.

"Aur Meera, aapko especially sorry. I know ki aap bohot khuch hain, as you deserve to be. Lekin meri wajah se aur meri maa ki wajah se aapne bhi bohot kuch face kiya hai. Mein aap ko bata nahi sakta ki mein kitna sharminda hun. Shourya bhai, aapko bhi sorry. Mujhe lagta tha ki Priya mujhse pyaar krti hai, mein aameer hun, mujhe kisi cheez ki tension lene ki zaroorat nahi hai. Aur us ego ke chackar mein I hurt my entire family. I'm sorry. Mujhe please maaf kr dein. Mein aaj ke baad woh sab krunga jo mujhe krna chahiye. You'll see a changed man very soon."

(And Meera, especially to you, I'm sorry. I know you are very happy as you deserve to be. But because of me and my mother you had to face a lot of things. I can't even explain how ashamed I am. Shourya bhai, I'm sorry. I used to think Priya loved me, and I was rich, didn;t have to worry about anything. And because of that ego I hurt my entire family. I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I'm going to start doing everything I should have from the start. You'll see a changed man very soon.)

Reema looked away as Neel stood up and hugged his now crying son.

"Mere bete, I'm so happy and proud of you. As long as you know what you did wrong and how you are going to fix it, mujhe aur kuch nahi chahiye."

(My son. I'm so happy and proud of you. As long as you know what you did wrong and how you are going to fix it, I don;t need anything else.)

And like that the family witnessed a strong drift in Rohan, he began working in the finance department of his father's company after clearing the interview. Everyone could see how hard he was working yet how humble and down-to-earth he had become. Something else everyone noticed was the distance he had created between him and his mother. The father-son duo never acknowledged her when she was present, which is why Reema began to stay away as well.

She never admitted to being wrong or apologised, but you could see she felt guilty for her doings.

So guys! What do guys think of Rohan's character shift?

Do you think he's changing for the better?

And what do you think of Reema? She's not being acknowledged by her husband and son. Do you think she will finally realise her mistakes?

Let me know what you think!

And also don't forget to vote, comment and share!

PLEASE READ:

One more thing before I go, the story is now coming to an end in a few chapters! I don't want to drag the story too much, because then readers get disengaged. I feel like we've had some problems, that are now solved, negative characters are getting what they deserve, and our protagonists are in love! So yeah. . . We're getting close to the end.

But no need to be sad! I do have another story ongoing as you guys know "Desi Short Stories." And I'm thinking, depending on your guys' response to Rohan's character shift, I might do a book on him and his second, arranged marriage. And that would also mean more of Meera and Shourya.

So please do respond here, so I know if that is something you guys want! But that is a long way away!

Anyway, that's all for today!

Love you guys <3