24. Blossoming Spring days

After two days

Each and everyone present in the court were filled with different thoughts. The press, media were waiting to pen down the hottest news. Business people and entrepreneurs were happy to rush their position to one step ahead. My family members and I were sitting silently and were waiting for the judgement. My only thought was to see Nethra and to embrace her.

A few minutes later, the Judge came. The policemen took Manoj to the court. He passed an aggressive look at my dad and Sanjay

uncle but they didn’t show any sign. The lawyers were ready to proceed the case.

Our lawyer took the chance first. “My lord, as per the last session, my party member, I mean Mr. Rudra had all the essential evidence and proofs. Kindly verify it and declare Mr. Manoj Roy as criminal and give him maximum punishment. Also, ask him to handover all the illegal transacted money with a fine of 20 crores.” He had given all the proofs and evidence to the Judge.

The Judge took around ten minutes to verify all the proofs and evident documents.

The opposition lawyer crossed in between, “Objection, My Lord. Before coming to a conclusion, I wish to tell you that my party member, Mr. Manoj Roy is innocent. The opposite side parties  kidnapped Ms. Nethra Manoj Roy for their benefit. His only loving daughter. Just think, My Lord, what is the reason or benefit to kidnap his own daughter? How cruel they are to blame him unnecessarily? Declare them with maximum of punishment for such cruel actions.”

“Objection overruled,” the Judge said. “I call Mr. Rudra, the senior detective specialist to explain all the proofs and evidence of this case.”

My dad was standing opposite to Manoj. He looked at him hesitantly and pitifully. He was confident. The lawyer got promised from my dad in the name of Bhagavat Geeta. My dad respected the Judge, he was courageous and loyal to bring out the hidden truth in the case.

“The person, who is standing in the opposite cell was none other than my close friend from my childhood not only for me, but also for my brother Mr. Sanjay. He helped us in our early age of our life. He helped my brother to seed an idea regarding the start of business. Our life went very well, it was known by everyone but destiny wished to play another role. I regret to inform you that Mr. Manoj was a good person unless he kidnapped her own daughter. Actually, I was requested to investigate about Nethra’s case secretly. First I will discuss the proof that how I came to the conclusion that Mr. Manoj was the kidnapper.”

Everyone in the court was waiting eagerly to know the hidden facts. The judge showed a green signal to proceed the case, to take it to next level.

“This was love cum arranged marriage with my own son, Rahul. On the wedding day morning, first the bride I mean, Ms. Nethra

reached the wedding hall before we reached. She sent a text message to my son. The time was 8:35 AM. After 15 minutes, the signal was cut. It means she was kidnapped or was about to be kidnapped at that time. I had collected the web cameras used in the wedding hall." He handed a copy to the judge.

“Clearly, it is visible to bring out the facts that in between that 15 minutes of time the person who entered the bride room was Manoj. After entering, he send off her friends through the same door and closed the door. The door was only opened after we reached, no one entered or left the room. Then where was Manoj? He used the door opposite to the front door to kidnap Nethra. He came to welcome us and did all the traditional rituals to Rahul. My Lord, here is the proof for that in the photo we took in the function." He handed over it to the Judge.

“Also, I had many doubts regarding his attitude. Before one week, we got a hectic information from the police department that they found a dead body that resembled Nethra’s features. We rushed to the spot worriedly but Manoj was cool and didn’t show any signs. After some time, the body was examined and it was not Nethra.

To clear my doubts regarding Manoj, I went to his house the next day and fitted a spy camera without his knowledge. There I came to know many shocking things. He was contented at home and had made a lot of phone calls. Many businessmen had visited him. It was a partnership business,  he should have shared the matters with Sanjay but he didn’t. So, I had collected the history of his calls made for last three months. He had often spoken to international businessmen from USA, Japan, and China. He made lot of money transaction without the knowledge of Sanjay.”

"I wish to discuss the business matters with Sanjay. Mr. Sanjay. Please come forward to tell all the facts."

Sanjay uncle respected the Judge and people who were present there. He said, “I never expected this critical moment in my life. I treat both Rudra and Manoj as my brothers. As my brother said, when I was helpless Manoj

helped me in all the way to start the business. It goes wavering in the early stage of start up of business and now for succeeding years it yielded fruitful results. It was not a one-man success. I trusted Manoj wholeheartedly and

I never used to raise my voice against him. Though I came to know that Manoj had some deal with international people, I believed he would discuss with me sooner. My account was hacked and used by him, I found it out recently. I will forgive him only for the forgery in business but I will never forgive him for kidnapping Nethra. My Lord, I request you to give back our Nethra to Rahul."

The Judge took some time. “The valid proofs and evidence are taken into consideration. I appreciate Mr. Rudhra for his wonderful job of finding the accused within a short span of time. The court declares Mr. Manoj Roy as a criminal. He should produce Ms. Nethra

within two days in the court. Abduction under section 362 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for kidnapping his own daughter), Mr. Manoj Roy

is imprisoned for 5 years. As per Section 420 - Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property, he is imprisoned for about 2 years. Totally 7 years of imprisonment. Produce all the illegal transacted money with a fine of 15 crores within a week.”

The Judge ordered Mr. Manoj to convey his thoughts. “I am ready to face the consequences because I respect the laws of our government but my daughter Nethra was against marrying Mr. Rahul Rudhra. I didn’t kidnap her instead, she eloped with her loved one. She got married before a week and she is now settled in the U.S.”

The court shall be adjourned for two days and would find out the hidden truth behind the case.

I was eager to see Nethra but his statement created a bomb blast in my heart. I couldn’t control my emotions and I was ready to give him a punch. I was dying inside and  tears reached the corner of my eyes. I was very sure that Nethra loved me and something was behind his next drama.

Though I felt insane, I didn’t show it out because It would hurt my family. I blamed my destiny. Why was it showing its cruel faces in my life often? I was more confident about Nethra than me. She would never hurt me and she would never leave me as her dad said today. What if her dad's words were true? No! Never! Why is my stupid mind thinking like this?

I was really scared to attend the next session of the court. I had the fear of losing even though I had convinced my heart for the better. Being an understandable cousin cum brother, Rithick was together with me in all my paths. He gave me enough courage to face everything.

It was the next court session. We were sitting in the front row. The Judge came straight to the point. “As per Mr. Manoj Roy statement's,

Ms. Nethra was eloped to tie the knot with her loved one and has settled in the U.S. The court orders Mr. Manoj Roy to prove his statement true.” Immediately Manoj was taken to the dock.

“Whatever I said was true to my belief and knowledge. Let me make my statement clear, My Lord. You can hear it from my daughter." He gave the mobile number to the Judge. It was the hardest moment in my life. What would be my life if Nethra said YES that her dad was right? It couldn’t happen. I closed my eyes and cupped my face.

They made a call and it was connected. The call was put on loudspeaker so that everyone could hear it and to bring out the truth.

A sweet voice, Yeah, it was my Nethra’s. Tears shed from my eyes at once. I was hearing her voice after three weeks. I thanked God that she was safe. The Judge asked to tell her statement regarding the case.

“I was married before two weeks and please don’t complicate it. Leave me alone and allow me to live happily,” she said and disconnected the call.

Oh God! No! I couldn’t bear it, better you could kill me, Nethra. I couldn’t control crying. As It was a public place Rithick asked me to control myself. He held my hand tightly and hugged me from the side.

Based on Nethra’s statement, she was not kidnapped by her dad. The court declared that Mr. Manoj Roy was an innocent father but a cruel business partner. The court ordered three years of imprisonment and to settle the fine of 15 crores within this week for forgery in nusiness as per section Section 420." The court was dismissed.

I ran out as I couldn’t control myself. Rithick ran behind me and pampered me as a child. I wished to kill myself for being cheated, betrayed and loved fakely. Though I couldn’t forget and forgave Nethra for her actions, I blessed her life to be happier, which I couldn’t give to her. I was deeply hurt inside but how long could I hurt my family for those who didn’t deserve my love? I buried all my pains and sufferings inside me. I tried to smile out to make my family happy but my pain was known only by my pillow and Rithick.

After one week as per court order Manoj

handed over the fine amount to Sanjay uncle. My dad and I accompanied him. We didn't want Rithick to accompany us as he was short-tempered. Sanjay uncle and my dad didn’t want to speak with Manoj. They were backstabbed and betrayed by using the weapon called love. They may forgive him if he cheated in business alone but he played with my life too. That couldn’t be forgiven by both.

“Rudra and Sanjay, don’t be so happy that I am imprisoned. I will be back and I will be top in the business world. Count the days,  Sanjay, one day the business will be on the tip of my fingers and you... under my feet,” Manoj said.

“Why did you do this, Manoj? If you would have asked me, I would have handed over all the property to you. Money is not a matter for me but the relationship matters more. Why did you break the heart of the young, kind-hearted Rahul?” Sanjay uncle said, his face filled with sadness.

“I am not beggar as you think, Sanjay. We both started the business and brought it to the top. But once we reached the top position, the press, media, highlighted only you and not me, but you didn’t respond to it. Also, I don’t want to be in partnership with you anymore. Break everything now itself,” he said coarsely.

“I didn’t differentiate you from me, Manoj as you did. Okay, it’s your mentality. Why did you do such an intolerable offense to Rahul?” uncle asked.

“I didn’t do anything till now, Sanjay. Don’t be too sensitive towards your family. If you can’t bear this, then what will you do if something happened to your own son, Rithick? Wait and see the game. If I touch your son, it means I touch you indirectly, It kills you, right?” he laughed devilishly ..

My dad held his collar and slapped him hard.

“You bloody rascal. You touched me. Listen to me, coward fellows. Each day and every day that you are going to face will be hard and tough. You will be scared to live your life. I bet you that AT ANYTIME I WILL MAKE USE OF THE CHANCE TO ENDANGER RITHICK AND TAKE AWAY ALL YOUR PROPERTY, SANJAY. WRITE THIS DATE IN YOUR DIARY. NEXT TIME WHEN I WILL MEET YOU, IT WILL BE THE MOST UNEXPECTED.” He laughed.

“I respect our friendship that made me patient till now. I have came to know that you developed grudge towards my family. Look, Mr. Manoj Roy. I am ready to face. Don’t be a coward to threaten my family. If you are daring enough, then touch me. ALSO I BET THAT YOU CAN’T EVEN SHAKE A HAIR OF MINE OR MY FAMILY MEMBERS. I WILL PROTECT THEM,” Sanjay uncle said in high-pitched voice. For the first time, I could see fire in his eyes. We then left the place.

As my dad, Sanjay uncle and I knew this, we decided to keep it a top secret. As Rithick being short tempered, he would act immediately. To keep him safe, we didn’t want him to know about the vengeful words of Manoj. Till now he didn’t know anything this.

As days passed and Sanjay uncle’s business grew. He became the topmost businessman in the country. His business started growing worldwide and being a honest and sincere man, Sanjay uncle earned lot of known and unknown enemies.

From that day until now, I was one of the secret bodyguards of Rithick. He met several tough situations after that but we protected him from everything. As he was a bike rider, once he met with a planned accident but he was safe. Till now, he thinks it was an accident. After that Sanjay uncle didn’t permit him to join in bike racing championships. He had undergone lots of tough paths, but he was not aware that his life was in danger.

For the safety of Rithick, Sanjay uncle decided he should be a resident of the Bangalore Guest House. He thought that this place was more secure and we arranged lots of securities in and out of Bengaluru

city so that Sanjay uncle gave him an education to pursue here.

Flashback ends

“I am alive today... it’s only because of Rithick. He changed my life style though I didn't feel like living. I accepted it for my ever loving Rithick and for my loving family. Each and every moment he cares for me much more than anyone. Rithick is such a selfless man and before him, I am nothing. I am happy to protect and pamper him like my child,” Rahul said to Neethu with tearful eyes.

Neethu consoled Rahul and promised him that she would not reveal the secret to Rithick. She felt very sorry for Rahul’s relationship with Nethra. She wanted to meet Rithick immediately now and give him a tight hug as his life was in danger. She didn’t convey this to Rahul, instead asked, “Where did Rithick go now, leaving you alone here?”

“We don’t have any contact with Nethra for about two years. Before two days back, she messaged Riya that she was coming to India for paying respect to her Mother’s 3rd death anniversary. Rithick went to pick up Nethra at Bangaluru airport. I can’t bear the situation... can't see her with another person,” Rahul said worriedly....