"After carefully reviewing the petition submitted by Advocate Arjun Malhotra on behalf of Mrs. Madhuri Shukla nee Mishra, the court has issued a summons to the respondent, Mr. Sameer Shukla, represented by Advocate Lalit Sinha. The proceedings are now officially underway," announced Judge Sonal Dutta.

Both attorneys bowed to the bench. Madhuri moistened her parched lips, her eyelashes fluttering as her gaze met the penetrating stare of the man, she had married two years prior. Memories of their tumultuous relationship flashed before her, each tinted with a different shade of red.

There was the crimson hue of lust, the fiery red of resentment, the jaded orange red, almost rust-like, of nostalgia. However, what was conspicuously absent was the vermilion hue of marital bliss. While that hue had adorned the parting of her hair, it had failed to fill the void in her heart.

"Your Honor, the respondent's infidelity and the resultant acquisition of venereal diseases turned my client's life upside down," remarked Arjun, sauntering in the free space opposite the bench as his pitch-black robes billowed behind him.

Arjun handed a green file to the bailiff, who then passed it to the bespectacled Judge. "Respondent's mother, Mrs. Jaya Shukla, subjected my client to physical and mental abuse after she was diagnosed with Gonorrhea and Trichomoniasis. The resulting emotional distress triggered a severe depressive episode, leading to a diagnosis of depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Your Honor, the relevant reports are in your possession."

Sonal, the Judge, skimmed through the documents. "And as I understand, Mrs. Jaya Shukla is currently in custody due to assault charges, with an upcoming court hearing?"

"Yes, Your Honor. The first hearing is two weeks later," said Arjun, pleased to note how the whispers of the rumor mill had reached the ears of the presiding judge.

"I see." Judge Sonal closed the file and trained her eyes back to the towering advocate. "Does your client wish to undergo mediation?"

Madhuri squirmed in her seat, flanked by her brother and best friend. The allure of retreating and conforming to societal expectations was strong, but her heart yearned for the relief that legal separation could offer.

With a sharp inhale, Arjun shook his head. "No, Your Honor. My client considers the marriage irretrievably broken by the acts of her husband and her mother-in-law."

Sonal nodded in understanding, but the masterful mask of nonchalance betrayed little of the ramblings of her mind. Barring the slightest narrowing of her eyes when her eyes flicked towards the respondent's podium, the veteran judge's indifference was an enigma waiting to be unraveled.

"Very well, then. Advocate Sinha, how does your client wish to respond to the allegations brought against him?" Sonal inquired, turning her attention toward Advocate Lalit Sinha and Sameer Shukla.

Arjun settled back in his seat as Lalit stood up and moved toward the center of the courtroom. Clearing his throat, Lalit adjusted the creases of his crisp white shirt. "Your Honor, the petitioner's claims are unsubstantiated and the result of a misunderstanding. Given the nature of the accusations, my client wishes to forego mediation and clear his name."

Arjun arched his eyebrow and exchanged an amused glance with Avantika. Lalit Sinha drowned in the infamy roused by whisper in the dark alleys about how he would trap desperate, gullible, and financially unsound parties as his clients, and his dismal success rate, which was at best in the low thirties, did nothing to elevate him from the tarnishing waves.

Sonal regarded the attorney for a moment before she bobbed her head. "The trial will begin three weeks later, on Thursday, the 22nd. The Court is adjourned."

Madhuri's upper eyelashes entwined with her lower ones, and she let out the breath that kept rumbling in her chest. Aditya wrapped his arm around her shoulder and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

The beginning of the end had arrived, and as the two facets of Madhuri's identity—the one society praised, and the one her heart celebrated—clashed within her, she couldn't help but scoff at the former while rejoicing in the latter.

****

"Madam, are you sure you want me to tutor your daughter? I-I mean, I- "

Vartika, placing her hand on Madhuri's fidgeting shoulder, beamed warmly. "Absolutely, Madhuri. Your kindness and sensitivity to others' emotions make you an ideal mentor for Jiya. Your guidance will benefit her not only academically but in all aspects of life."

A blush warmed Madhuri's neck before spreading to her cheeks. When was the last time someone had acknowledged that she could be a source of learning? Not as a backhanded comment or as a veiled suggestion to conform, but as a genuine expression of appreciation to soothe her parched soul.

"The fees will be ₹1,100 per hour, Madhuri. You are free to negotiate, of course," said Vartika. Madhuri's lips parted when the cogs of her brain turned and estimated her monthly income through the tuition. "₹1,100? That's too much, madam!"

"Not at all, Madhuri. You will find that my daughter is a naughty child. Quick learner, but difficult to start the process of learning."

Madhuri was about to voice her disagreement when Vartika's touch stilled her. "You'll find that experienced tutors can charge up to ₹1,500."

"How could you just give away money without consulting with me, Madhuri? Do you think we have a minting machine to mint money as we please?" demanded Jaya, pinning down the cowering woman with a glare.

"Maaji, the storm... the storm wreaked their home. I gave them only ₹100- "

"Only?" A scoff followed Jaya's huff of indignation. "You never earned a dime in your life, did you? No wonder you lack hesitance or reluctance to throw away money. If you had your blood and sweat poured to earn every dime, you would understand the value of money."

The gentle breeze of Vartika's compassion dispelled the reservations of Madhuri's heart. The edges of her lips danced their way into the apples of her cheeks. "If you say, ma'am. Thank you."

"And I would prefer if you stopped calling me 'ma'am', Madhuri."

Madhuri's eyelashes flickered, and she shook her head in vehement protest. "How can I? You are my doctor and helping me out by going above and beyond- "

"And you are my daughter's teacher, Madhuri. We revere teachers with respect equivalent to God, don't we? Call me by name or 'Di'."

Madhuri had spent countless minutes of the night, tossing, and turning in the bed, fearing the fate that had befallen her tuition teacher to dig its vicious claws into her. But she had found a net of kind consideration, waiting on her to lessen the blow should she fall through a tunnel of powerlessness.

"The honor will be mine, Di."