Hiyaaa... A small disclaimer!
This chapter is about Tara, some of you don't want to read about tara as per the comments I received in earlier chapters, but I can't just remove a character of my story just like that. Tara is also a important character, I have been talking about a cruel side of parenthood through her, so giving her what she deserves is also important to me. If you don't want to read about her, you can skip this chapter and read further chapters coming ahead.. To me, each and every character of the story is important and justifying their part is my role as writer here. Thank you :)
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Aur ek baat, this will have a court session, I don't know much about it. I searched a few and based on some past case history, I have come to this conclusion. Please don't mind 🤭
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Karan and teju were getting ready for the hearing session, they r the main witness from Tara side to provide the necessary information about Mrs. Sharon, Tara mother and her dear boyfriend.
Karan " Hope sab acha ho aaj "
Teja " I hope she comes today to the court and this ends here. That poor kid is suffering admist all this "
Karan took his princess " and my princess is ready "
Teja " can't we take aashu with us "
Karan " she would start crying the minute we step there, she won't handle the new chaotic environment. Mumma will handle her and I have asked nik to be with her "
Teja " Papa is also coming? "
Karan " yes, he knew few people there and uncle also requested his presence, so papa is accompanying us"
Teja " okay, give her to me "
He gave aashu to teja who breast fed her before leaving. Since aashvi is on solids, she drinks mother's milk thrice a day and rest will be her favorite fruit smash, dal rice and so..
They came outside and papa was all ready and waiting for them. Karan took aashu who was blinking at her father.
Karan " princess, Papa mumma and dadu are going out, till then you will be with dadi and nik chachu. He will be here soon, aap dadi ko pareshan mat karna, okay "
He kissed her face and she smiled widely, teju kissed her forehead and they gave her to mumma kundrra. Nik also arrived and they left for the court.
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They reached court and saw Tara's family already there. They moved to them and Tara immediately ran to Karan and he lifted her in his arms, showering her with his kisses.
Karan " kaisi hai meri baby "
She also kissed his cheeks " masstt "
He greeted everyone and they warmly smiled at them and Tara looked at teju who turned her face to other side and looked at her with side eyes.
Tara " ohho someone is angry with tara I guess"
Teju " bcoz Tara didn't hug me first "
She pouted and Tara giggled " aap inni cute kyu ho laddoo baby "
Karan chuckled and Tara jumped to teju who hugged her tightly and kissed her. She made her stand and bent to her level, cupped her cheeks,
Teja " today is very important, hum sab aapko ek ache life dena chahti hai. You just be honest, don't need to think about anyone. Aapko joh acha laga, sach laga voh boldo aap jab judge uncle aapse puche okay.. "
Tara " okay aunty "
Karan kissed her forehead
" everything will be fine soon, trust me "
Tara nodded and held his hand " I trust you "
That word means a lot to karan and he just patted her head. They saw Sharon entering inside with her boyfriend. She rolled her eyes at them and went inside not even bothered to see that kid who at somewhere in her heart wanted her mother to hug her and say that she love her. Tara face fell at her mother's ignorance and she held karan hands tighter. He looked at her and his heart pained seeing the little kid broken.
Karan in mind " how can someone be so heartless, she didn't even bothered to see her daughter, kaisi maa hai voh. Can't she see the longing feeling in her daughter's eyes. Such a neglecting attitude and I will thrash that ugly face of her boyfriend if one more time he put his eyes on my little girl "
T. Lawyer " next is our case sir , we have to head inside "
( T. Lawyer - Tara's side, S. Lawyer - Sharon side)
They nodded and headed inside, another case judgement was being read on, the custody was given to the mother in that case and the child father was crying for his son. Tara looked at the scene and she was afraid what if the same happened with her. She looked at her mother who was glaring at her and the man beside her was smirking. Teja saw the scared look on her and she immediately picked her.
Teja " Tara, no bacha, aap kyu dar raheho. Nothing wrong will happen, you will be with the one you love, don't be scared bacha. Hum haina aapke saath "
She kissed her temple, Tara snuggled to teju feeling her warmth and they seated in the row seat.
The petition of Tara case was read and they called for Tara's grandfather who was the petitioner in this case first.
T. Lawyer " So tell us Mr. Sharma, why do you want to take your grand daughter custody. Isn't your first daughter in law taking care of her. What made you to take this move, can you tell us your side "
T. Dada " My son's marriage was a arrange marriage, they were a happy family blessed with a beautiful grand daughter, till that tragedy occurs. Unfortunately ( he wiped his tears) he passed away three years before in a accident. We love our grand daughter very much, we wanted to keep her with us but keeping her emotional health in mind, we never stopped our daughter in law who wished to stay in this city. But after few days we started noticing her negligence towards her own daughter, jab bhi Tara humara pass aati thi, voh bas roti hai, uss bechare bachi mujhe puchegi, papa kahan gaye, mujhe Papa chahiye. Mei kya bolungi usko.. Dheere dheere voh bhi samaj gaye uske papa wapas nahi aanewale hai, voh bohot samjadar bachi hai. She never complaints about anything, par uska dhuk hum samajsakte thi.. "
T. Lawyer " So you r saying Tara's mother, that is Mrs Sharon failed to take care of her daughter. Let me ask you the next question, Is the child physically abused my her mother? Do u ever saw any sighs of abuse on her?"
T. Dada " yes, she used to slap her, she used to beat that innocent kid. We have seen the mark on her and that's when we decided to take this step. We don't want our Tara to suffer "
S. Lawyer " Objection your honor, aaj kal ki bache, they r so spoiled, to keep them in track, some parents do beat their children but that doesn't mean that my client don't love her or take care of her. This is not a valid point to accuse my client"
Judge " objection overruled, physical abuse on someone is not encouraged no matter what the situation is "
T. Lawyer " thank you my lord, okay Mr. Sharma, From your petition, you stated that Tara was staying with you from past 1 year and 5 months , does her mother ever tried to take her back and if so, what's her talk about it "
T. Dada chuckled sadly " she tried, she asked her to send Tara to her but the reason was well known to us. She is behind my Son's money which he had ensured on Tara. We have submitted the documents of our son's statement, my son have invested a lump amount for the benefit of his daughter. As per that, every month, Sharon used to get some huge amount for the welfare of the kid, since she is staying with us, lawyer refused to give the money to her and it's added to her bank account which she can access after 18 years "
T. Lawyer " so you mean to say, she want her daughter bcoz she want that money ? "
T. Dada " her action says that...Whenever she calls, she don't even talk to her daughter, she hurls at us and just ask to give her daughter back"
S. Lawyer " objection my lord, my client is a independent women who is working and taking care of herself. She might have asked for money as per Mr. Sharma statement but what's surprising in it, doesn't she have rights on her husband money which he invested on his daughter ?. I would like to question Mr. Sharma from my side , may I my lord "
Judge " objection sustained, you may proceed "
T. Lawyer sat back and S. Lawyer proceeded with the question.
S. Lawyer " aapne bola Mrs. Sharon is behind the money, toh aap kya. Aren't you behind the money, you know if you win this custody the money will come to you every month, that's your plan right ? "
T. Dada chuckled " Do u know who I am, I m an Ex employee of Air Force, India and I don't need someone else money. I own a business firm that runs good and gives us a good profit, my next few generation can live peacefully with our asset and you want to prove that I m behind this money. Try something else. Also Tara's money had been transferred to her account every month and we have submitted the copy of bank statement already "
Karan clapped and teju nudged him to be quiet.
Judge tapped the hammer as a warning to be silent.
S. Lawyer " well planned, I must say. Okay, tell me Mr sharma, how old are you "
T. Lawyer " objection your honor, I don't find any relevance of this case with this question "
Judge " objection overruled "
He sat back and S. Lawyer continued
S. Lawyer " I asked you some question, what's your age and your wife's age too "
T. Dada " 70 years and my wife is 65 years old "
S. Lawyer " you r old already, what if something happen to you and who will take care of Tara, your second son, he already have 2 kids and what's the assurance he will look after her after your dismissal "
T. Dada raised his voice " So what's your say now that I should leave my granddaughter with that women who is busy roaming with her boyfriend now, who doesn't care about her own daughter "
S. Lawyer "Just because a women wanted to move on with her life, it doesn't mean she is a cruel one, she can take care of her daughter. Your honor, my client love her daughter and she is longing to be with her, a daughter need her mother in every step of her life, then how come we separate them and what's the assurance for her future if something happens to her grand parents. Please take this in consideration and my client deserve to be with her daughter, that's all your honor "
He sat back on his seat and T. Lawyer stood up.
T. Lawyer " I m glad with the defense lawyer's argument, your honor, I would like to cross question Mrs. Sharon "
Sharon came to the witness box and T. Lawyer came to question her.
T. Lawyer " Hello Mrs. Sharon, how old are you basically "
Sharon " I m 31 years "
T. Lawyers " young age and already a widow, sorry for your loss. How is your life and may we know your relationship status "
Sharon " I m in a relationship with my friend and I m a working women "
T. Lawyer " how is your relationship going and let us know the equation between your current partner with Tara "
Sharon " Y r u asking about my relationship, this is about me and my kid and that is nothing to do with Kishore. As far as equation, yes he also love Tara like me. I love my daughter and he also love her like a father "
T. Lawyer " Oh I see but the people from the society you live have different opinion. They say you leave Tara alone and go with him, you hit her and he used to be quiet and he is also drunkard who have been accused of harassing a girl already. How are you sure that your kid is safe around him "
Sharon got agitated listening the accusation on her boyfriend " shut up, just shut up. She is my kid and I will do anything with her. My boyfriend don't even look at her and we don't even be around her, then how her safety is affected. No one have rights to talk about my life , not even so called neighbors of mine "
T. Lawyer " exactly, you don't be around her , you r so busy in building your life with someone, you forgot you have a daughter and you come home late, you leave the daughter of yours with that maid who leave the kids to starve and beat when she ask for food. You hit the little girl if she nags to come with you and your so called boyfriend bcoz she was just scared staying alone. Mrs. Sharon, we have no rights to talk about your life, yes but we have every right to question someone who is abusing a child in front of us. The one whom you said the so called neighbors of yours are the one took care of your daughter when u didn't turn up leaving the crying kid "
Sharon " you r lying, I don't abuse her, i love my daughter and I need her. Everyone want to separate me and her, why.. "
She shed her fake tears making the opponent rolled their eyes.
T. Lawyer " We r lying, Is it, we have submitted CCTV footage of the parking where she hit her daughter once. We submitted the photocopy of complaint against her boyfriend on harassment case in local police station. we have witness for this Mrs. Sharon, your honor, I would like to call Mr. Karan kundrra on witness box "
Karan came to the box and lawyer moved to him.
T. Lawyer " Mr. Karan, so you also live in the same building where Mrs. Sharon lives "
Karan " yes, I reside in the same place"
T. Lawyer " how long you know Tara and her parents "
Karan " I shifted to this building 4 years before and from the time I know, within one year's, Tara father passed away and I have witness the kid going through bad times. She is very dear to her and she shares everything with us "
T. Lawyer " so tell us the equation of her mother and tara "
Karan " Tara is a very pure and innocent kid, with her we feel blessed and loved, she is very understanding in nature. I have seen Tara crying, she used to cry alone in park and she used to be sad and alone. Me and my wife always comfort her, those tears break our heart. One day we saw her with swollen face, she said her mother hit her. We tried to explain her but that day she felt her mother doesnt like her and she said that for first time. Then, one day we saw Sharon beating her in parking bcoz she nagged to take her with them, she pushed Tara and I was there, I held Tara and that's when I informed her grandparents about the situation "
sharon " jhut, sab jhut... I don't hit her like that, they wanted to separate her from her, they always take my daughter and keep her with them. They poison my daughter mind against me. They hate me and want to take my daughter away from me.. Please understand me sir, give my daughter back to me "
Karan " Why will i hate you Mrs. Sharon, I m just concerned about Tara, I don't want her childhood to be ruined and I have seen her suffer around you. She used to cry for her mother but you were never there for once. Did you ever acted like a mother to her, if you did, she would never be close with us. She wouldn't crave for that love from a outsider like me and my wife ,that's shows everything. Look I love Tara and this is just for her future, you are no one to me. "
Sharon was quiet after this but was shedding tears.
T. Lawyer " that's all my lord, our intention was not to separate a mother from her child but we can also not let a child grow in a filthy environment. Mrs. Sharon has a boyfriend and she is busy spending her life with him, she don't even turn up to see how her daughter is, how she treat her daughter is well known to the society they lives in and in the matter of this case, keeping in mind, for the betterment of the kid and her mental health, we request you to give the custody of Tara Sharma to her Paternal grand parents, Mr and Mrs. Sharma who is dearest to the kid and also we ensure to take care of her financially well. "
Judge " Is the child present here "
T. Lawyer " yes my lord, we will bring her "
Tara hugged Karan when her name was announced, he picked her up and brought her infront of the judge.
Judge " Hello Tara baby "
Tara turned her face and looked at judge.
Karan " say hi to mam baby "
Tara slowly " hii mam"
Judge smiled at her " How r you, are you happy with your dadu and dadi, tell me honestly bacha"
She nodded " yes I m more happy with them, they take good care of me, they love me.. Dadi always hug me when I sleep and dadu take me to everywhere I want. Chachu chachi also love me. I love playing with my brother and sister. And.. "
She turned to Karan " I love uncle and teju aunty, you know mam they have a baby, my cutie sister. I love her so much. Uncle and aunty treat me like their daughter, K dadu and K dadi also love me "
She said everything in a go and everyone smiled at her innocence.
Judge " Tara, were you happy with your mumma. Did mumma took care of you , did mumma beat you..? "
She looked at her mother who was glaring her, she hugged karan tightly who calmed her down.
Judge who was observing everything
" bacha you don't need to get scared, tell us the truth "
Karan " baby, what I have told you, sachai hamara sath hai toh kisise nahi darna.. Bolo mam ko "
She slowly nodded looking at the judge who understood the unspoken words.
Judge " you want to be with your mumma or your dadu dadi "
She looked at her mother and then at her dadu, they smiled at her which reflected in her face. Teju gave her thumps up and she smiled widely, her family, they love her and that matters to her more. She looked at karan who kissed her forehead.
Karan " Aapko kya chahiye, mam is asking na "
With a genuine smile and after taking deep breath, tara " I want to be with dadu dadi, karan uncle and teju aunty"
Sharon " noo.. Tara what r u saying, I m your mother , bacha I love you, please don't leave me. I will take care of you, I promise I won't hit you ever. Your honor, please understand, I can't be away from her, don't separate me from my daughter "
Then judge kept writing her judgement and everyone wait for her to announce the judgement.
Judge " Today's case was definitely a rare one which we have faced earlier, child custody is usually filed by a divorced parents, or by relatives over a deceased parent. But today's case was different, grandparents of a kid had filed a petition on her custody over her mother. From hearing both sides, this is clearly evident that the child had suffered under her mother's, she faced both emotional and physical abuse and a worst can she face was negligence from her own mother after she lost her father. We could understand the child mind and keeping in mind about her mental health , she need to grow in a healthy environment. Taking the cue of her grandparents financial condition and also the way the kid behaves around them, it's clear that they r dearest to her. But also considering that they r old now, this court take a precaution over the child future and gives this judgement that Ms Tara Sharma's custody is been given to her grandparents Mr and Mrs sharma, if something happens to them before she turns 18, second choice of her custody would be transferred to the person whom her grandparents truston. This court advises Mr and Mrs Sharma to provide their second choice person details, with respect to their preference legally. We give Mrs. Sharon a chance, she can visit her child if the kid wants to, she can't pressurize the kid, if she does so, it will be punishable offense. The court is adjourned now "
The row seat erupted with joy and congratulations all over, Tara smiled at their happiness. Teju lifted her up and kissed her whole face. Sharon was verbal abusing them and the guards took her out.
Karan held Tara hands " are you happy baby "
She nodded " can we leave from here"
He nodded knowing what's the little baby is going through.
Teju " uncle, can she stay with us today. She will also feel okay with aashu around "
T. Dadu " of course beta, take her with you "
They nodded and left the court while T. Dadu smiled at the trio leaving. He had decided something even before the judge gave the choice.
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Hiyaaa.. Hope you all like this chapter. Please share your views . This is the first time I m writing on court session so please bare with the mistakes.
Tejran can't adopt tara because it's difficult legally when her mother is alive and the custody won't be given to a outsider just like that , so I have taken this decision. They will always love her like their own daughter and she will always be their priority. For her, they will always be more than parents.
Some bond don't need a name, they just grew beautifully with each and every second and Tejran's relationship with Tara is one of a kind.
She is like their daughter, they r more than parents to her and this bond doesn't need a custody papers to define their love..
Thank you for all support and love
Santhiya Suresh