Madhuri quickly enacted her plan. She dished out the food to her mother-in-law, who forced a strained smile that did not reach her eyes, and her displeased husband. Then she excused herself to the bathroom.

The thumping of her heart against her ribcage threatened to burst through her chest, echoing in her ears like a war drum. A torrent of sweat poured from her temples as the weight of her lies crushed down on her, suffocating her with guilt. She scrambled to the restroom and grabbed a sanitary pad, strapping it on with trembling hands as if it were a lifeline to hide her fabricated menstrual cycle.

She headed towards the dining room, already anticipating the disapproving looks from her husband and mother-in-law. "Don't you know it's rude to use the washroom before sitting down to a meal? And who will serve the food now?" scolded Sameer.

Jaya shushed her son and turned to Madhuri. "Leave it, son. They don't have washrooms in her native, do they? They might have to finish their business before the nightfall to avoid wild animals. I am sure she does not intend to be uncivilized. It is merely out of habit, isn't it, Madhuri?"

Madhuri's eyes filled with fresh tears, and she chewed on her lower lip to suppress the sobs which had formed a lump in her throat. Her eyes remained downcast as she gazed at the ground, finding the strength to place her request.

"I-I think I-I need to visit the doctor," she said.

Sameer's narrowed eyes appraised her figure, his incredulous expression revealing his reluctance to comply with her request and his total disregard for it.

"Why do you want a doctor? Do you think we have an endless supply of money to spend on every little ailment? Just ask Maa, she will know some home remedy for whatever it is. You don't need to see a doctor."

"I can ask Papa to send- "

Sameer sprang up from his seat. "Do you seriously think I would let him believe that his son-in-law can't afford to pay for his daughter's medical expenses? Have you lost all sense of decency or has your constant phone use robbed you of it? Do you even care about my reputation in this family?"

"Maybe her mother takes money from her mayka, son. You saw their living conditions, didn't you? Maybe dear Madhuri thinks it is fine to do that. My son is right, child. There is a home remedy for everything."

Madhuri shuddered, and she relinquished her control over her tears. She decided it was the time to deal the blow which would render them compliant. "I may not conceive in the future if I don't go."

"What?" the mother and son asked in unison.

"My friend had said if you get, um, those days of the month earlier than they should, the woman can become barren. It's not the first time it has happened. I am also experiencing pain- "

"Okay. Okay. Sameer. She should go to the doctor. Health is wealth, isn't it? We shouldn't neglect such issues. We will go tomorrow morning after Sameer leaves for his office," said Jaya.

Madhuri's eyes flew open in shock and betrayal, her breath catching in her throat. The realization of her true purpose hit her like a punch to the gut, shattering her naive beliefs. With a nod of forced compliance, she stormed into her room, feeling sick to her stomach at the thought of being nothing more than a pawn in their twisted game for power and status. Appetite lost. Trust broken. Heart shattered.

A searing lump in her throat constricted every breath, a vice grip of agony, anger, and affliction squeezing tighter with each passing moment. She collapsed onto the bed, body wracked with sobs that shook her entire frame, her pillow soaked with tears and muffled screams. The excruciating cramps in her lower abdomen rendered her helpless, a prisoner to her own body and her unbearable circumstances. But as exhaustion overcame her and she drifted into uneasy slumber, a small glimmer of hope remained. A fragile thread of optimism for a new beginning, and a desperate plea for a future free from the chains that bound her.

****

Next Day

Location: Court

"Congratulations, Adv. Malhotra! The Court acquitted your client of all charges!" said Advocate Deepak Mehta, the public prosecutor who had fought the case against him.

Arjun shook his hand with a smile. "Thank you, Adv. Mehta. You did not make my job easier. Full credit to you for that. You did not leave any stone unturned to prosecute my client! Tough luck!"

Deepak chuckled, a hint of sarcasm in his smile as he shook his head. "Why bother blaming luck, Adv. Malhotra, when there are more deserving culprits? Like someone's insatiable greed and another's lack of conscience?" Arjun joined in with a haughty laugh, placing a hand on Deepak's shoulder. "You could point fingers all you want, Adv. Mehta, but it won't change the outcome. Don't be a sore loser now!"

Deepak's mocking expression twisted into a scowl of anger. He lunged forward, his movements like that of a hunter closing in on its prey. But Arjun remained unfazed, his composure unbreakable. His smile, though forced and insincere, stayed firmly in place; a silent taunt to those who challenged him.

"Arjun, don't even think about it! You may have won the case, but you failed as a professional by letting someone like Shashank Gupta go unpunished. Luckily for you, you lack a conscience because any other lawyer would lose sleep over causing such an injustice to a helpless and impoverished woman. Don't act like this is something to celebrate; it's nothing more than a hollow victory."

"I feel sorry for Chitra- "

"Mark my words, Arjun! One day you will see these cases as anguished calls for justice rather than mere trophies to be won by lawyers like you and me, and that day, Advocate Arjun Malhotra, you will lose sleep for the rest of your life!" said Deepak. He turned around on his heel and walked away from Arjun without allowing him to reply.

Arjun couldn't let himself become caught up in the complex tangle of emotions that he saw as nothing more than obstacles on the path to success. He truly did feel sorry for the woman, but it was Arjun Malhotra who felt pity, not Advocate Arjun Malhotra. And he knew the difference between those two sides of himself all too well.

He dug his phone from his blazer and dialed the number of the woman, who would be anxiously waiting to know about the verdict. "Hello! Yes, Di! We won the case! You are doing Pari's Hindi homework today!"