A great day could happen only to great people.

The people who were surrounding him. The judge who finally dismissed the case today. The lawyer who fought tooth and nail for his sake. The witnesses whom he had never thought could be the kindest souls.

His father who was there trying to hide his tears the most he could. His mother who couldn't stop weeping when the judge's decision had echoed through the whole court. Getting out, Rishabh was no less when he covered his younger brother from the media only to hide him from the aftermath of such an important decision that came out.

Shrey was out of the court but the voices wasn't leaving his mind.

Please be seated. Today's case is that of Mr. Shrey Malhotra, accused of committing a rape attempt with his friend, Mr. Vikas Kaushik's wife, Myra Kaushik.

"Get away, please." Rishabh was continuously yelling at the reporters, covered him with the help of the lawyer and his Uncle. "We will answer all the questions later. Please."

Shrey couldn't understand this environment. Five years back when he was studying management abroad, all he has this big dream in his mind. To own a successful firm, to make his parents proud.

Never had he thought, he would be taking rounds of the court, dealing with lawyers and the accusations, hiding away from media.

Does the prosecution wish to call any witnesses?

"Get in the car," his father yelled from behind. He could feel Rishabh's hand on his back. "Shrey, hurry up."

They helped with his mother too, getting her sobbing form in the car. And within the moment, the car doors were shut, just like the day.

The prosecution calls Mr. Faizal to the witness stage.

He breathed harshly, blinking slowly as the car started moving backwards away to make a way towards the gates. His heartbeats weren't calming down. They were as fast as the happenings around. It all was going in a blur, except for the voices.

Two weeks before the day of the case, Shrey had mentioned his dilemma of asking for his own money back from our colleague, Vikas Kaushik.

Shrey gulped slowly, blinking at the driver who gritted his teeth while concentrating on taking the car out of the media's reach.

He had mentioned about lending one crore to Vikas for helping him in taking back his ancestral home. It was more than six months and Shrey didn't know how to be polite anymore. Yet he tried his best for the sake of his friend.

"Take the turn direct to home," his father ordered the driver who nodded immediately. His father handed him the bottle. "Water?"

Shrey took it hesitantly, not even realising if he had been thirsty all along. He had spoken less in the trial but everything true and required.

The prosecution calls the suspect's cousin brother, Mr. Rishabh Malhotra to the witness stand.

"Where is Rishabh?" He asked his mother while slowly taking a gulp of water.

His father cleared his throat. "Formalities. He will be home within an hour. He is there to take care if everything's fine. Do not think much, son. Rest."

A quirky smile appeared on his lips. Rest? How could he rest at this moment? His life was to change.

According to the reports from the bank, Mr. Malhotra's account has been continuously used, there are transactions directly debiting to the pubs and bars since last two months. Despite Mr. Malhotra's anxiety attacks' medication.

If he is so careless with the money and health, how can we claim he is not careless with the spending of so much money to offer buying his friend's wife.

He could remember the twitch in Rishabh's jaw. He could remember how red he looked. As if he would punch the lawyer right there. For the sake of prestige and the law, he stayed calm and played smart.

Having sent so much money, being away from home might have influenced my brother. But he had friends there in the abroad. He had friends here too. He helped them by lending that money. It might be carelessness, stupidity, and foolishness. But he was naive.

He didn't tell me, because I am more of an elder brother than a friend to him. He respects me and didn't want to disappoint me. He wanted to handle it by himself-

Mr. Shrey can answer that for himself, Mr. Malhotra. The court wants to know how Shrey Malhotra was still left with morality that his intention behind lending that money was only helping them, not buy the wife.

Shrey closed his eyes, leaning back and taking support of the seat.

Vikas Kaushik had returned a little less than ten percent of the amount, you may check that. We have the proof, sir. About Morality, we have a collection of footages from Company's functions and parties. You can study the body language of my brother and Mrs. Kaushik. You will know who had the morality more in their hearts and minds.

The horn blew repeatedly. Stuck in traffic, the driver twitched his lips. Shrey could hear his mother's faint sobs and his father's silence. Both were looking out of the windows. But Shrey was looking directly at the woman who had ruined his name, his life.

Mrs. Myra, You had three relationships before you met Mr. Vikas Kaushik.

Yes

Shrey flared his nostrils, feeling the car finally moving ahead. The traffic was loosening and he could slowly breathe.

How is your relation with Shrey has always been?

He has always been my good friend. We met before he met my husband. He was more closer to me than to my husband. Shrey has shared all of his deepest secrets with me. One of them was his growing liking for me.

Shrey's jaws clenched in utter fury. He wanted to murder her right there, burn her, rip her hair. But the law would do more, if only he would stay stick to his truth.

You lend the money to save your friend from losing his ancestral home. Just because he couldn't pay you back in time, you took the revenge by attempting to rape his wife, Mr. Malhotra?

That's not true. They had called me, invited me. They lured me into drinking, and tied me to a chair. They beat me until I was helpless to fake confess that I didn't want the money. But they didn't stop even then. I have the marks to tell you what they did afterwards.

His lawyer was proud at his fearlessness. He had smiled at him, nodded to remain courageous. The day could be theirs.

Shrey didn't lose hope because someone special had said that there was more to see, more to live ahead. He couldn't just give up. He couldn't just stop.

Mr. Vikas Kaushik, from where did you get the money to gift such a luxury car to your sister in her wedding. Comparing to others wedding functions of your family, this one was the more extravagant. We have found out by contacting the passport office, you were applying for new Visa to United States Of America. You were even applying to resign from the Malhotra's ltd.

Shrey could remember the bastard's face. Even then, he seemed confident of winning the case. Winning over the truth.

My wife and I had been working for three continuous years. We have earned enough to organize such an extravaganza in our family. My sister is most loved one and I didn't want to break the promise I did when we were children. It all was from my savings. The one I had saved from earnings.

Yes, I had been applying for Visa because my maternal uncle lives in USA. He is very sick from past two years. Being employed in a private firm, I couldn't get the time to visit him. Myra and I wanted to take a break this summer and meet him. But of course, if Mr. Rishabh would have accepted my leave. But unfortunately, he didn't. The company isn't doing well at the moment. He couldn't be lenient and I completely understand. Though, resigning from my job was a decision that came from my wife's suffering when she finally told me how one day, Mr. Shrey had caught her in the ladies toilet. His lustful gazes had us all worried and respecting our friendship and to avoid his continuous offers to buy my wife, I wanted to leave the job.

The car stopped finally.

"We're home. Shrey, come on, son." His father spoke from behind, getting out of the car, and coming around to help his mother. But Shrey couldn't move. "Shrey?"

He turned his head slowly, watching his father through the glass window. His father's eyes seemed dull yet relieved.

He nodded slowly, opening the door. Stepping out, he sucked in a huge breathe, taking in the sight of his home, he could have lost seeing for years.

His eyes burned in sudden realisation. How he had taken this things for granted for so many years? How much he was scared to lose them yesterday? His throat tightened as a hard sob stubbornly shot out through his chest.

"Shrey?" His Aunt was there, being always loving towards him than her own son. She stayed home to be with his sick Uncle. Seeing them, she had come running towards the car, hugging her father and mother. But seeing tears his own eyes, she couldn't resist pulling him in his arms.

He squeezed his eyes shut. "Why me?"

"No," she scolded immediately, her own voice cracking. "This is all over. You don't have to remember it all now. Take it as a lesson. See, you are home. Everything is fine. You are all fine with me, us. Shhh. . ." She hugged him tightly.

His sobs sounded worst then a wailing old woman.

Do you want to say anything before the closing statement, Mr. Shrey Malhotra?

I did the mistake of lending so much money to con-artists like these. I did the mistake of trusting two strangers thinking they were my friend. I did mistakes in my life before. I am stupid. I am an idiot. But I am not a rapist, sir. I have the truth with me even now. I have never forced on a girl who wasn't interested in me. My ego was bigger than my desire, sir. My morals, my reputation has been more important.

I attempted to kill myself because I didn't know if there was a hope in this court. Now, I know the justice would be served. Fair and Fearlessly. You have all the proofs and I am here with all my might to respect any decision you will take. I am not a rapist, Sir. I was a friend. Just a good friend.

"Take this," his Tai ji said while offering the orange juice. Taking a box of sweets, she opened it, putting the first one in his mouth. "This is for the new sweetness that must come into your life. It already is there, waiting for you. Chew and forget, Shrey. Take into the sweetness."

She wiped another tear that fell on his cheek. He sniffled slowly, chewing the barfi to celebrate it with his soul.

"We will have a Pooja tomorrow," his mother told his Tai ji who smiled politely.

"That's good. We all need to save our gem and get the God's blessings. Don't we?" She said, side-hugging him. "Now, I am making some food. Rishabh is also about to come. You rest until then. All of you."

The sweet taste spread so easily in his mouth, reminding the new sweetness that truthfully had brightened his life. It truly had already arrived.

He got up. "I must go," he announced.

His parents looked up at him in shock, so his Tai ji.

"Someone who helped me through this. Not giving up all the time. I have to tell them the good news," he explained. "They deserve to know."

His mother shook her head in disbelief, looking all worried for him. His father was about to make excuses when his Tai ji smiled.

"Friend?"

Shrey shook his head. "Someone special."

His Tai ji gave her parents a quick glance who were already denying her but she smiled all of a sudden.

"Come back soon. Okay?"

Shrey breathed heavily, gasping in excitement. Taking the keys from the table, he hugged his Tai ji.

Sniffling slowly, he pulled back, still not being able to control his tears.

"Thank you for always trusting in me. I will come back soon. They need to know," he told them, staggering back while taking out his big handkerchief.

Getting out of the house, he ran towards his car. He could already hear his parents asking his Tai ji for her actions. But at this moment, all he cared was about sharing the good news.

He hurriedly opened the door and sat inside, driving out of the lawn.

By all the proofs and witnesses, the court has reached the verdict that Mr. Vikas Kaushik has cleverly manipulated Mr. Shrey Malhotra in lending the amount. . .

His heartbeats fastened again as he drove safely out of his sector. Checking the rear-view, he corrected the cloth on his face, hiding most of it under the nose so one could recognise.

He checked the time, it was three in the noon but weather had started to cool down. What she must be doing? Should he directly go to the flat? No. He should check the University first. He thought about calling the oh-so-chill best friend of hers, but thought, he would be surprised too.

. . . To hide her husband's fraudulent act, she took the advantage of being a woman and accused an innocent man of the crime which is highly punishable in the eyes of law, in the heaven, in the hell. . .

The University gates arrived, he showed the company's card to the security guard, making him allow to enter. Shrey looked around desperately, thinking stupid at looking for her when the whole campus was filled with so many students.

"Where are you, Sakshi Singh Rathore?"

He bit his lip, looking everywhere, slowing down the speed. Just then, he saw a boy raising from the picnic seat near a spot on the left wing of the lawn. Hands full of notes and a bag. It was the smarty pants.

He chuckled.

The boy recognized the car number and Shrey could already see him recognizing who he was.

Aarush looked back and shook a girl's shoulder, stealing her attention. Shrey looked around and noticed that some of the students had started to look at his car.

Shrey smiled and finally stopped the car. Slowly opening the door, he looked at the direction of the Aarush, catching the sweetness of his life standing right there, staring at him in shock.

He removed the handkerchief from his mouth, smiling widely and nodding at her.

. . . The accusations put on Mr. Shrey Malhotra have been called off with him proven innocent. Therefore, I shall declare—the court is dismissed.

Sakshi gasped, stopping right in her tracks seeing him standing there with that brightened smile on his face. Behind her, she could hear Aditi muttering, "Oh my God."

Sakshi couldn't believe her eyes until Aarush jumped from behind her. "Yay, my man did it."

She didn't even realize when she found herself running hurriedly towards him, jumping in his arms, hugging him tightly. Shrey laughed loudly, hugging her closer, feeling her face pushing into his cheek, her fists clutching on his shirt.

"Life gave me another chance. God gave me, Sakshi. It happened. It really happened," he murmured in her neck, breathing in.

Sakshi closed her eyes, feeling all of the frustration from the whole days draining out through her eyes. Her voice shook as she whispered back, "I knew it. I knew, it would happen. It did. I am so proud of you, Shrey. I am so thankful to you, you don't even know that."

Aarush came bumping into them, hugging Shrey from behind, laughing widely. "Come on, it's not the time to weep and sleep. Let's have some celebration for the new phase. Shrey, my man!" He chuckled when Sakshi pulled away, sniffling slowly.

Aarush wrapped his arms around hers. "Numb from all the day. Now, see. She is alive, so are you."

Shrey smiled, feeling his eyes burning painfully. He breathed slowly, giving her a loving look when she lowered her eyes shyly.

"Congrats, Shrey. We all are so happy for you," Aditi said, while coming closer and giving him a bear hug. Shrey smiled back, enjoying the still-so-surprised look on Sakshi's face.

He knew what she was thinking. He remembered it all.

'The day I win the case will be the day life gives me another chance. To be with you. To win you. Will you wait for me, Sakshi?'

He gave her the look that said it all. He had the chance, so the new life. All that was left, was her answer.

And she did.

I waited.

Her eyes were telling when they filled up instantly.

Aditi pulled away slowly, patting his back, standing beside Aarush who wrapped his arm around hers. Shrey reached for Sakshi, holding her hand. His eyes showing the happiness he felt by the touch of hers.

"Let's celebrate," suggested Aarush. "We need to make this a memory. A good one. For the Victory."

Aditi chuckled, adoring her boyfriend so much, yet equally happy for the man who was close to losing the rest of his life in jail, for a crime he never did. "For Shrey's Victory," she truthfully cheered.

Shrey intertwined his fingers with Sakshi's, giving her a smile that reminded her of the boy she had fallen for years ago.

"Of course," said Shrey with a wide smile on his face. "Let's get in the car." He opened the door for Sakshi who couldn't stop feeling overwhelmed as her eyes would fill up again and again.

"I am so happy for them," muttered Aarush, cringing when he thought, he sounded like a girlish girl.

"Uh-oh," muttered Aditi, smiling awkwardly. "Someone else is not."

Aarush's eyebrows furrowed when she nudged her shoulder, making him look back at the right side. The pathway to the library. His eyebrows raised at seeing Mr. Nair standing there, looking blank as ever.

"We should take a picture. Oh wait! There are going to be so many times, we will see him like that," laughed Aarush. "That not something new, though. I expected him."

Aditi smiled cheekily. "What about him?" She nodded at the left side, making his smile flying thousand miles away when standing there was none other than famous dork of the University, Ronnie Shekhawat.

And he too didn't look happy which was the sight Aarush hadn't really expected.

______

"What do you think?"

Please vote and comment.