Shivaay sat inflexible, as the judge implored the prosecutor, in essence, his opponent lawyer to speak on behalf of his client. Though his lawyer had briefed him of the process and things that would take place in a court, he was scared of the verdict.

"Your Honour, I'm here to represent the case as my clients Oberoi brothers Mr Rudra and Mr Omkara. They have accused Shivaay Oberoi of killing their father and his uncle. Also, my clients want Shivaay to be punished severely for taking extreme steps." The prosecutor later proceeded to appraise the justice about the background story.

Later the justice asked the defence lawyer to speak his opening lines on the case.

"Your Honour, I'm here to represent from Shivaay's side, also my client. My client agrees to fire on a few bullets but they never hit Tej. My client is himself hurt with the hand fight. Also, this false accusation has triggered his mental health and we need righteousness for this, my lord." The defence lawyer, Aron Thomas conclude his opening lines and sat on the chair positioned on ovulate table.

His junior lawyer passed a small packed water bottle. He passed a smile and gulped down the content. His throat was dry as a desert with his long and high toned speech.

"Your Honour, here are CCTV clips, it's clear that Shivaay was with a pistol in his hands and pointing towards Tej." The judge bobbed his head to the prosecutor and looked at the clips displayed on the LED screen. He carefully observed each detail in it and asked to proceed.

"Prosecutor may call the accused to the witness box and enquire relevantly in regards to the case." The Justice announced.

Shivaay sceptically looked at his lawyer, who in return nodded assuring him. Annika sensing his turmoil squeezed his palms and gestured him to go bravely.

"Mr Oberoi what happened that day. How did you both turn into a heated argument?" The prosecutor raised her first question. She was taking advantage of Shivaay's nervousness and unwillingness to speak regarding the matter.

"Please brief out"

"We all were enjoying as my cousin was expecting his first child and we all were organizing for their upcoming wedding. Everyone was present in the hall and I was with my wife in our room, on the first floor when I received a call from my PI." Shivaay inhaled deeply and turned to meet his wife's teary eyes. She raised her thumbs up and smiled through her tears as he strongly spoke.

"What were you doing in your room when all were downstairs, Mr Oberoi?" The prosecutor, Valentina Henry smugly asked.

"Objection your honour. Prosecutor is entering into my client's personal space." Aron Thomas stood and glared at the prosecutor.

"Your honour, this realated ti the case" Valentina added, as the Aron interwined in between.

"Objection overruled. Please sit down let the prosecutor continue." The Justice dismissed him while banging the gavel with the wooden hammer.

"So continue Mr Oberoi." She encouraged Shivaay to speak up.

"I and my wife, Annika were taking Home Pregnancy Test. HPT." Rudra jacked up his head suddenly hearing him, he was hell nervous and confused about his steps. Was he wrong? He was rethinking and analysing again.

"My PI explained to me how my Uncle was trying to get all the shares of the industries. On my way to study I encountered him and raised questions about his deeds. Soon we were into a stronger argument, and he revealed a few things." Rudra was controlling his tears, imagining his brother's personal life spoiled. He knew he was wrong but he didn't have many options to back out. Whereas Om silently sat beside him in the spectator seats keenly listening to his words.

"He revealed that he was the one behind Nancy's murder case and tried to fame me. He expressed his happiness over my fall down, he was happy that I didn't have a child. The arguments grew to wilder as he blackmailed me to crash my cousins who were out to bring the cake in an accident. He was ready to give up his sons for money. He tried to shoot me but, I fought myself in this process I was shot twice to my shoulder. In the heat of the moment, I snatched the pistol and aimed him, but the bullet shot didn't hit him. My aim wasn't perfect. By this time, the whole family reached the spot and suddenly the fire was caught in the corridor and I was lucky enough to be pulled out by my bouncer man,  Nammit Khanna" Khanna shook his head as the scenes flashed his mind.

"Tumne aag laga dee na?" Valentina raised her brows suspiciously.

"Your Honour, she is framing my client. Here are the proofs from the case, the CBI collected." Aron Thomas handed a bunch of papers to the court clerk who in return passed to the justice.

"The defendant lawyer can start over," the justice said as he flipped the reports. And shivaay was asked to get down the platform.

"Your Honour, as per the claims and reports by my client and the forensic department, only 3 bullets are found out of 6. 2 of them were in my client's body and one in the rear wall. As my client says, he fired continuously twice. And also the investigation team has found a sniper bullet that was heavily coated with blood. And the blood sample matches with Tej. That means there was another person who aimed at Tej, due to that he collapsed and not because of Shivaay" Aron passed the evidence pouch to the court clerk.

Later he went on to explain regarding the call records of Shivaay and how the brunt body was misplaced. The bank accounts were not ceased thus conveying that the investigation by the sub-level police wasn't done properly. Also, he argued the magistrate to take action against the police officer who lead the case.

Akash and Amira smiled as hard work was paid off. Omkara and Jhanvi stared at the LED screen where the evidence was enlarged and displayed. Rudra constantly grinned as the truth was out, he knew his brother could never do such things. But also was confused over the other bullet found, his brother didn't kill but someone other has completely utilised the opportunity.

Bloodly Opportunist.

"Shivaay,  aapake chup rahane ka kaaran kya tha?" The justice asked, Shivaay was nervously fiddling with his fingers, looking down at his shoes.

"I was never given a chance to speak completely. I didn't want my brothers-- cousins to know about their father. Even I thought of myself to be a murder until Akash Kamath took himself on his shoulders to solve the case. What I did is for my self-defence." Shivaay completed his part of lines looking at the officers standing formally straight. They smiled as he continues.

"Aap doosaron ke madad karane ke bajaay sabase pahale aapaat sthiti mein apana oxygen mask pahanen." The justice mumbled in his pure Hindi before signing the documents.

"It's proved that Shivaay had fired only for his self-defence, with no other intentions. I also order the same team of officers to investigate the murder case and find the real culprit or tej who is been missing. The Oberoi brothers must pay the penalty. The next hearing of the case will be on 14 January of next year." The judge banged the gavel harder and dismissed the court.

Shivaay happy glanced at the scales of justice in hands of Lady Justice, which represents the notion of impartiality. True to its symbolism, he had got justice. His task on earth seems to be accomplished.

.

"Damad Ji. We shall have a grand feast as the celebration." Chachi Ji tiptoed balancing herself steadily and kissed his forehead affectionately. His smile reached his eyes, twinkling like the stars.

"Chachi Ji, hamane abhi-abhi Christmas celebrate kiya na?" Khanna raised his brows at her over-enthusiasm.

"We would love to join in celebrating the success, but Shivaay is needed for a few papers works" Aron walked into the conversation and pulled Shivaay for time being.

"Annika it's high time you should inform him of the matter, he deserves to know." Chachi Ji spoke with a concerned voice. Khanna's ears perked up hearing, as he was busy gazing at Jhanvi.

She stood with her son, as the prosecutor explained something to them. She didn't dare to accept the truth told inside. She wasn't ready to acknowledge that the chances of her husband being alive was high.

"What matter ma'am?" He abruptly asked Annika. She was all sweating on hiding important matters to her husband.

"Umm... Khanna Ji. He is happy with events, I don't want to sadden him." She lowered her eyes and deeply exhaled. Khanna still doubtfuly looked at her, she was covering up something. He definitely should inform his Shivaay sir about the matter.

*****

I know court proceedings takes months or sometime years. But I wanted to show this with authenticity.

I hope you all will like this and do express your thoughts on this chapter. It was too challenging to write without having any background idea.