Chapter 2 – Rules of the Court

As they left the conference room, she felt the weight of the past pressing against the present. He was still the man she had looked up to… but now, she wasn’t the same girl who hid her feelings in quiet glances.

Anaya: (softly, almost to herself) “This time… I’ll stand beside you. Not behind.”

Vihaan didn’t hear it — or maybe he did. But he didn’t look back.

[Present – District Court, Mumbai]

The hum of chatter filled the courtroom. Anaya smoothed the front of her black gown, clutching the thick file in her hands.

Anaya: (whispering) “First day on a case with him. Don’t mess it up, Anaya.”

She turned when Vihaan approached, expression sharp, voice low.

Vihaan: “Focus. The judge won’t care if it’s your first day.”

Anaya: “You think I don’t know that?”

Vihaan: “I know you do. But nervous people forget the obvious.”

Anaya: (smiling faintly) “Are you… encouraging me? That’s new.”

Vihaan: (deadpan) “Don’t get used to it.”

---

[Hearing Begins]

The judge, stern-eyed and impatient, took his seat.

Judge: “Counsel for the plaintiff, proceed.”

Vihaan leaned forward, his voice firm, slicing through the air.

Vihaan: “My lord, this is a clear case of deliberate misrepresentation by Mehra Industries, designed to defraud our client—”

Anaya followed his lead, passing him documents without being asked. But then—

Opposing Lawyer: “Objection! The learned counsel is speculating without evidence.”

Vihaan: “The evidence is right here, my lord. Page twelve, Exhibit C. Perhaps my colleague on the other side hasn’t read it.”

Gasps rippled through the gallery. Anaya bit her lip to hide a grin.

Judge: “Overruled. Continue.”

---

[Mid-Hearing Whisper]

Anaya: (softly, to Vihaan) “That was savage.”

Vihaan: (without looking at her) “This isn’t college, Ms. Sharma. It’s war.”

Anaya: “And here I thought law was about truth and justice.”

Vihaan: “Truth is a weapon. Justice is the win. Everything else is strategy.”

She wasn’t sure if she admired him or wanted to argue with him.

---

[Her Turn]

Vihaan: “You’ll handle the cross-examination of their junior witness.”

Anaya: (eyes widening) “What? You didn’t tell me that!”

Vihaan: “Do you need a written invitation?”

The opposing side called the young finance officer to the stand. Anaya stood, her heartbeat loud in her ears.

Anaya: “Mr. Bhatia, you’ve testified that the signatures on the disputed contract belong to our client, correct?”

Witness: “Yes.”

Anaya: “Would you kindly confirm… is this your signature on page eight of your own employment contract?”

Witness: (frowning) “Yes, it is.”

Anaya: “Interesting. Because the handwriting expert states both signatures match… and yet, you’ve claimed they don’t belong to the same person.”

The witness stammered. The opposing lawyer objected. The judge overruled. Vihaan’s eyes glinted like he’d just watched a student ace an impossible test.

---

[Break – Outside the Courtroom]

Anaya: “You didn’t warn me you’d throw me in like that.”

Vihaan: “If I had, you’d have over-prepared and lost your edge.”

Anaya: “So you tricked me.”

Vihaan: “I tested you. And you passed.”

She tried not to smile, but failed.

Anaya: “Still the same manipulative Senior Rajput.”

Vihaan: “Still the same stubborn Ms. Sharma.”

---

[Vihaan’s POV]

She was better than he remembered — sharper, quicker, unafraid to challenge a witness. And she looked him straight in the eye when she spoke. Most juniors didn’t dare.

Vihaan: (thinking) She’s not just here to learn. She’s here to prove something.

As they walked back into the courtroom, Anaya caught her reflection in the glass doors. For the first time in years, she wasn’t the girl following his lead — she was walking beside him.

Anaya: (whispering to herself) “Let’s see how you handle me now, Vihaan.”

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***