Chapter 1
Author's pov
The monsoon was at its peak nowadays. Flooding roads with water. Air carrying the thick metallic smell of mud mixed with the pollution of Delhi. It was raining continuously from last night and it wasn't showing any sign of stopping anytime later. Flooding roads. Some water getting inside in small area houses. Sky echoing with the thundering of clouds.
In a house~~
The heavy sound of rain was muffled by those closed windows of the bedroom. Water slamming against it was creating a sound like someone was throwing stones at the window. The thick glass prices fighting against the angry rain.
There was a sleeping figure in the bed, covered in a duvet. Murmuring something in her sleep. Maybe calling someone.
"Ishita"
"Ishita"
"don't go. I am sorry."
"Please"
"Comeback"
The sound of heavy breathing was muffled with the heavy sound of water pouring outside and crashing on the glass window.
"I'm sorry." She cried in her sleep.
"Ishitaaaaa?" She woke up as if someone just poured a bucket of icing water on water with hand hanging mid air, as if reaching out to save someone but couldn't.
Another day.
Same dream.
She sighed and looked around the room while wiping the sweat from her forehead with the sleeve of her night gown. She took the glass from the table and gulped it in one go while reaching for her phone to look at the time. It showed 5:30 AM.
"It's still raining?" She stood up from the bed and went to the window.
She opened it just for a second but closed immediately as the heavy rain drops hit her in the face wetting it.
There was still a lot of time before the court session started.
She had the most important hearing till now today as it could either make her career sky rocket or just ruin her reputation as a best youngest prosecutor in the industry.
Either way it's gonna affect a lot. For her, Who haven't lost any argument till now.
She was known for the "No case lost till now" record and that's what got her more clients. People trusted her. Either criminal or innocent. She never failed to prove it. Either it was proving the criminal as innocent or innocent as criminal. These things were like a piece of cake for her.
Because Kaya understood something most people didn't.
The law was never about innocence. It was about proof.
Many admired her. Many hated her for it. Many underestimated her. And that was the fun in it. She liked seeing those reactions on those people's faces when she wins the case, who underestimated her and thought of her any less just because she had the privilege or she was the daughter of a No. 1 lawyer in the country.
There was something dangerously composed about Kaya Khurana.
Maybe it was the way she walked into courtrooms like she already knew everyone inside would underestimate her.
Maybe it was the sharp intelligence hidden beneath the calm expression and professionalism.
Or maybe it was those her eyes. The kind that looked calm even while dismantling someone's entire life with a single question.
Time skipped ~~~
The time she got ready was already 7:30 AM and surprisingly it even stopped raining outside. She opened the fridge to look for something to cook for breakfast.
She took out the bowl of leftover rice from last night and decided to stir fry it with some veggies.
Yeah. it was not the 'ideal' healthy breakfast for her but it was enough to give her some energy and she was used to it.
She sat on the couch to eat and reached for the remote to see some news before going out.
As soon as she opened, the voice of the news anchor bummed in her ears.
"AAKHIR KYA HAI SACH? KYA WAQAI RAIJAZADA LIMITED KE CEO ADITYA RAIZADA NE UNHI KI COMPANY ME KAAM KARNE WALI LADKI KE SATH DUSHKARM KIYA? OR AGAR NAHI KIA TO WO SAMNE AKAR KUCH BOLTE KYU NAHI?"
("After all, what is the truth? Did Aditya Raizada, the CEO of Raizada Limited really commit rape against a girl working in his own company? And if he didn't, then why isn't he coming forward and saying anything?")
She looked at the TV screen where the pictures of Aditya were showing with heavy music in the background like some suspense movie. That's the Media for you. You don't need to tell them the story. Just give them the name, they'll make up the story themselves.
"KAL RAAT HUMARE REPORTER NE UNSE SAWAL PUCHNE KI KOSHISH KI TO UNKE BODYGUARD NE UNKE SAATH BADTAMIJI SE BAAT KI AUR BAHAR FEK DIA. DEKIYE UNHONE HUMARE REPORTER KE SATH KAISE BARTAAV KIA"
(Last night, when our reporter tried to ask him questions, his bodyguard spoke to him rudely and threw him out. Watch how they treated our reporter.)
Then they showed the footage of Aditya coming out of his office building and the reporter shoving the mic in his face. Just an inch away from hitting him in the mouth. I am surprised how it didn't hit him. Soon the bodyguards rushed to him and started shoving that reporter and cameraman away from him. It was certain that Aditya was avoiding them. I told him it's better that way but these insects...
"Psssh" I hissed and lowered down the volume as the reporter's voice was pricking in my ears.
"Mr. Raizada"
"Mr. Raizada. Answer our questions."
"Did you really rape the working in your girl?"
"Why are you avoiding the media?"
"There are rumors you do this often to your female workers. Is it true?" The bodyguards were trying their best to shove them away. I think physical stamina comes in journalism training. If I was in his place I would've shoved that mic down that reporter's throat and would've given him a good blow job with it. The hearing didn't even happened yet to come to any conclusion.
"Mr. Raizada? Why are-oww." I stopped chewing to not laugh as his own mic hit him in the face and he finally decided to move away from aditya.
The screen moved to the anchor. She cleared her throat to cover up the embarrassment her reporter made her felt before she starts speaking.
"TO DEKHA AAPNE KAISE ADITYA RAIZADA KE BODYGUARDS EK FEMALE REPORTER KE SATH BADTAMIZI SE PESH AAYE AUR JAWAAB DENE SE KATRAATE RAHE. MEDIA DEMOCRACY KA 4TH PILLAR-"
(So you saw how Aditya Raizada's bodyguard behaved rudely with a female reporter and avoided answering our questions.)
I switched off the screen. Whattt? I scowled. Pillar? And behaved rudely? Aditya or that reporter? And this was nothing compared to the bunch of reporters he had to answer yesterday. If I remember she was the same new anchor who was trying hard to get some rumours of her and Aditya dating start after she took his one interview.
And look at her now.
Huh!
Kaya exhaled quietly and looked away from the television. She finished eating and got up to keep the plate in basin. Just as I came out of the kitchen her phone vibrated on the table.
Aditya.
For a second she stared at his name without answering.
Then she picked up.
"You're watching the news?" he asked immediately.
His voice sounded rough. Tired.
"No," Kaya lied, going towards her room to give final touches of makeup to her face before going.
A bitter laugh came through the line.
"They're camped outside my building now."
"You need to stop reading everything online."
"They froze my sponsorship deals overnight. What do you think is gonna happen now? Is this it? My career? My years of hardwork to gain this reputation? All into vain?" He said.
"Adi. I'll ask you again. You are sure you didn't do this? Don't forget I am your lawyer and I'll only be loss for you If you hide anything. Remember that."
"You don't trust me?"
"Adi-"
"My mother called crying this morning."
That made Kaya close her eyes briefly.
Because behind the public image, behind the money and attention and headlines, Aditya was still one of the few people who had remained in her life consistently for years.
She knew his worst habits. His arrogance. His recklessness.
But she also knew he was not violent.
And he was certain this never happened.
"When's the hearing?" he asked quietly.
"Ten."
"And you'll be there?"
The question irritated her more than it should have.
"Of course I'll be there."
Silence.
Then he muttered slowly
"I didn't do this, Kaya."
Kaya tightened her grip around the phone.
Three days ago, she would've answered immediately.
Now?
Now there was hesitation she hated admitting existed.
Not because she believed he was guilty.
But because this case has gotten more complicated than before.
Too public.
Too fast.
Too messy.
The victim's statement had inconsistencies but still parts of it were disturbingly believable. The evidence leaked online before official processing. Someone inside the department was feeding information to the press.
Nothing about this investigation felt clean.
"Kaya?"
"I'm handling it," she said finally.
She ended the call before he could hear uncertainty creeping into her voice.
She locked her apartment and got inside the car, took a deep breath before dialing her assistant. "Hello?"
"Yes mam, I am just reaching there." Her assistant answers.
"Ok. Meet me at the canteen before the hearing." She hung up and started the car moving out of there.
~~
She reached the canteen but her assistant was still not there. She called her.
"Where are you?"
"Mam actually I am stuck in traffic. I'll try to be there in time. " She was sounding like she was on the verge of losing her patience.
"Ok. Ok. No need to hurry. Take your time. there are still 2 hours left." She hung up and decided to order coffee as she didn't drink any at home.
She ordered her coffee as her eyes fell on the television mounted inside the canteen. There were words displayed in big, bold letters as breaking news.
TECH CEO ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
INSIDE THE NIGHT THAT DESTROYED ADITYA RAIZADA
THE WOMAN SPEAKS OUT
Kaya stood near the counter waiting for her coffee. Her sunglasses hiding tired eyes after three sleepless nights, while the entire cafe buzzed with noises of people discussing. Sound of typewriters.
Just then she heard the man bruing coffee talking to his partner.
"Iske jaise ameer jade to asaani se nikal jaate hai in cheezo se."
(Men like him always get away with it.)
"She looked terrified in that interview." His partner replied.
"I heard there's video evidence."
"Video? Fir to iska ho gya ab"
(Video? Now He's done for sure.)
Heard.
Interesting word.
No trial.
No facts.
No evidence presented in court.
Kaya exhaled quietly and looked away from the television.
This was exactly why she hated high-profile cases.
Not because of the media. Not because of public pressure.
Because once the world decided who the villain was, the truth stopped mattering. Even if he's provem innocent, he'll not be innocent in these people's eyes. Once stained. It never goes to how it was before.
Outside the cafe, rain soaked the streets in shining as black SUVs lined the courthouse entrance three blocks away. Reporters crowded the stairs despite the weather, umbrellas colliding while cameras flashing nonstop.
Seems like aditya came. Now it was time for her to go out amd discuss with him.
She took her coffee and came out of the canteen. Upon reaching the court hallway she saw the other party was already there and there was also the investig team of police officers.
Aditya was still not here so she leaned against the wall away from them and sipped her coffee. The bitter sweet taste soothing her tongue.
She was just looking at everyone's faces. There was 5 or 6 man police man standing there. One was talking to the victim. His face was on other side so she couldn't see it. The girl was standing in front of him and beside her was standing her mother while joining her hands in front of him as pleading or requesting.
She was sipping her coffee quietly. Silently trying to understand what they were planning to do. Looking at his back she can tell he was some senior officer. Now she was curious to see him. She moved to the left side to see him but only could see the faint side profile of his. Soon the same man turned around.
As soon as she saw the face. She felt her whole world froze.
That man.
That face.
What is he doing here?
She swore to never see this face ever again in her life.
Her hold tightened on the plastic glass, almost crushing it. Never in her life she imagined she would see this man again. She wanted to look away from him but it seemed like her body was not ready to listen to her.
The world can't be that small,right?
But apart from shock it was. What frustrating and irritating her more was
Just why the hell is....
RUDRA RAI SINGH handling to this case.
He stood near the entrance of the hallway speaking to another officer. His tall frame is dressed in uniform. The stars on his uniform have increased. The last time she saw there wasn't any, and now... well, now he was wearing an Ashoka Emblem and one star in his uniform? One hand rested inside his pocket while the other gestured while talking.
He was calm. Unreadable.
Even after 6 years she still recognised him instantly.
His uniform was a bit damp from the rain earlier. It darkened his hair a bit. Time had only sharpened him. The softness she remembered from his twenties was gone now, but still no one can tell this man is in his 30s. Still carrying that ability to command a room without raising his voice. A droplet from his still damp hair slid across his sharp cheekbones she once used to trace her fingers on. Strong jawline. Straight nose. Dark brows usually pulled together like he was constantly thinking three steps ahead of everyone around him.
And his eyes.. god! Kaya hated his eyes the most. Pitch black.
They were rare.Not many people have exactly black colour but he had. They were almond shaped. Slightly hooded. They were light dark circles under his eyes showing the load of work he has.
His body had changed too.
Police work had built him into something harder. solid muscle beneath beneath that Khaki uniform. Strong hands. Veins visible beneath rolled sleeves. The kind of physique that came naturally from physical work rather than vanity. He looked like a man used to chasing criminals through alleyways and standing for hours under interrogation room lights.
She still can't believe they met again. She was lost in his eyes. Coffee was long finished but she was still sucking on that empty straw. Mind somewhere else.
And then he looked up.
Staright at her.
Their eyes met for a second. She was startled but didn't show it.
Then his eyes moved somewhere else. Like when your eyes meet those of a stranger while passing by on the road.
She snapped out of it.
Yeah.
Stranger.
That's what they were now.
There was nothing to feel special or mend over now. Just some legal proceedings and work. She still hasn't moved on from what happened years ago. She still remembers how he-
"Kaya mam?" Just then she heard a voice calling her.
She saw her junior assistant coming her way.
"I'm sorry. Did I get late?" She huffed like she came running all the way.
She finally looked away from him. "Let's go. I have to go through the file again." She turned around to go giving a final glare at his side.
"Yes mam." Neha, her junior assistant followed with files tightly tucked under her arms.
Time skipped~~~
Kaya's heels clicked against the marble floor as she moved toward the designated courtroom. Her mind reeling again and again through the things she read in the file. Courtrooms always felt the same to her, like truth had to pass through layers of procedure before it was served.
And today was the first trial.
Section 376 IPC.
Rape.
A charge that didn't just accuse a man. An accusation that could erase the man before conviction and Aditya Raizada was accused of that.
Many people judged her for taking his case. How could a woman go against a woman? But other than women, she was a lawyer whose work is to argue for his client. They are guilty or not, that's for the court to decide. No one else.
And standing near the entrance of Courtroom No. 4 was him.
Again.
And the moment his eyes landed on her. Everything else faded. Kaya hated that it still happened. That her body still registered him before her mind could remind it not to. He didn't smile.
Of course he didn't.
Rudra Rai Singh didn't waste expressions.
This time she was the first one to look away.
She looked away and saw aditya coming towards the courtroom with his secretary on the side.
"Good morning, Kaya." He greeted. She did the same before everyone entered the courtroom.
~~~
Inside, the courtroom was already packed.
Media presence was restricted but not eliminated. Some reporters were still sitting in the room but a camera was not allowed so they kept a notepad with them. Lawyers, clerks, observers, all pretending not to stare too long at the accused sitting in the room.
Aditya Raizada.
India's golden businessman.
He was charismatic. Influential. Untouchable. Until now.
He stood confidently despite the eyes around him, dressed in an expensive suit, with a calm and controlled expression but she could see the nervousness behind them. As she knows him very well.
When his eyes met Kaya's, he gave her a small nod.
Across the room, she felt a pair of eyes on her. She didn't dare to look that way. Because... maybe she knows whose it is.
Soon the magistrate entered. Everyone stood up. He gestured for everyone to sit down and the proceedings began.
The courtroom settled into silence as the magistrate adjusted his glasses and looked through the file in front of him.
Kaya stood calmly beside Aditya while the prosecution began presenting the preliminary details of the case.
"The complainant has alleged sexual assault under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code," the public prosecutor said.
"The incident reportedly took place on the night of 14th September at the Imperial Crown Hotel during a private after party hosted by the accused."
Kaya listened carefully, expression unreadable.
"The victim's statement has already been recorded under Section 164 CrPC before the magistrate," the prosecutor continued. "Medical examination and electronic evidence are currently under review."
Aditya leaned slightly toward Kaya and whispered, "They're making it sound worse than it is."
Kaya didn't look at him. "Don't speak in court."
He leaned back immediately.
The prosecutor continued, "Considering the influence and financial power of the accused, there is concern regarding witness intimidation and tampering with evidence. We requested continued police custody for further investigation."
Kaya finally stepped forward.
"With due respect, Your Honour," she began smoothly, "my client has fully cooperated with the investigation from the beginning. He presented himself voluntarily before the police, surrendered his phone records, and complied with every notice issued."
Her voice remained calm and clear.
"There is no prior criminal history. No evidence has been presented before this court proving any attempt to threaten witnesses or interfere with the investigation."
The magistrate looked toward her briefly.
Kaya continued, "Media speculation cannot replace legal procedure. My client's reputation is already being destroyed publicly while the investigation is still incomplete."
A few reporters sitting behind quickly began typing notes.
"The prosecution is asking this court to treat accusations as conviction," she said firmly.
"That cannot become the standard."
The prosecutor immediately objected. "Nobody is claiming conviction, Your Honour. But the seriousness of the offence-"
"The seriousness of an offence," Kaya interrupted professionally, "does not remove the accused's legal rights."
For a moment, the courtroom became tense.
The magistrate looked through the file carefully.
"Investigation officer?"
For the first time since entering the courtroom, Kaya's attention shifted toward him properly.
Rudra stood from the second row near the prosecution side, posture straight, expression unreadable.
He stepped forward immediately.
Every eye in the courtroom shifted toward him.
"The investigation is ongoing, Your Honour," he said.
"Digital evidence is still being examined. Statements from additional witnesses are pending. Considering the accused's influence and public reach, custodial interrogation may still be necessary."
He kept his tone professional.
Neutral.
He didn't look at them once.
Silence followed while papers were examined.
Aditya looked calm on the outside, but Kaya noticed his fingers tapping nervously against his knee.
That was the first genuine sign of fear she'd seen from him since this case started.
Interesting.
After nearly ten minutes, the magistrate finally spoke.
"Police custody is extended for three more days. The accused will cooperate fully with the investigation. Media interaction regarding case details is restricted until further orders."
The gavel struck lightly.
"The next hearing will be on Monday."
"Court adjourned."
The courtroom immediately erupted into movement.
Lawyers gathered files. Reporters rushed outside. Police officers moved toward Aditya.
Kaya closed her file, though internally her mind was already running through the next steps.
Three more days of police custody.
Kaya closed her folder quietly and turned toward Aditya.
"Don't speak to the media," she said immediately.
He nodded his head.
"You say one wrong sentence right now and every channel is gonna make a story out of it."
Aditya gave a tired smile.
"You always assume I'm about to create a disaster."
"Because you usually are."
That earned a soft laugh from him for the first time all morning.
For a moment, he almost looked normal again. Like the Aditya she had known before this mess began.
"Ma'am."
One of her junior associates hurried toward her with a worried expression. "The media is waiting near the main exit."
"Of course they are." Kaya muttered.
"Should we use the back corridor?"
She nodded once. "Get the car around."
Aditya leaned closer slightly. "You know this is ruining your image too, right?"
Because every news debate somehow dragged her name into it too.
Why would Kaya Khurana defend him?
Are they more than friends?
Did money influence the case?
People expect women to think emotionally all the time rather than rationally. People loved turning women against the moment they stood beside the accused.
Kaya had stopped caring years ago.
At least, she tried to believe she had.
Kaya looked at him flatly. "I'm a criminal lawyer, Aditya. I've seen these types of things before."
~~~
As she stepped out through the side corridor, her heels slowed for half a second.
There he was. Again.
Standing near the staircase speaking to another officer, files tucked beneath one arm.
He still hadn't looked at her once since proceedings ended.
Good.
That was better.
Safer.
Because the last thing Kaya wanted was to reopen whatever existed between them years ago.
That chapter was over.
Buried.
Exactly where it needed to stay.
She kept walking. Unfortunately, her mind didn't cooperate.
Because memories had always arrived without permission where Rudra Rai Singh was involved.
The police academy farewell party.
Rain outside his apartment.
Fights that started small and ended brutally.
The way he used to look at her like she was the only person in the room.
Kaya pushed the thoughts away instantly.
After that incident. People had started showing their true colours to her. Her reputation was in question way before. She pushed the thoughts away instantly. People changed. It was pointless thinking about it. And he had changed the most.
The man she once loved had believed in emotions too much. He believed what he saw too deeply.
Time skipped ~~~
By afternoon, the city had become even louder.
Every channel covered the hearing nonstop.
Outside her office in Defence Colony, reporters remained parked near the gate hoping for statements.
Her receptionist looked exhausted by the time Kaya finally entered.
"Mam, you have six missed calls from news channels," she informed immediately.
"Ignore them."
"and your brother called twice."
Kaya sighed softly at that.
"of course he did. I'll see that." She nodded and went to her cabin.
~~~
Inside her cabin, she finally removed her heels and leaned back against the chair, exhaustion settling into her shoulders.
The silence lasted barely thirty seconds before her phone buzzed again.
It was Abhay. Aditya's secretary.
"What now?" She answered.
"Kaya they are searching for Aditya Sir's Gurgaon properties.
Kaya straightened immediately. "When?"
"This morning."
"Did they have the warrant?"
"Yes."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"That was fast."
Too fast.
The FIR had barely been filed.
"What exactly are they looking for?" she asked carefully.
"That's the thing," Aditya replied quietly. "I don't think this investigation is only about the rape allegation anymore."
"What do you mean? Is there more to this mess?" She questioned.
The line went silent.
She looked at the screen if he had hung up but he was still on call.
"Hell-
"Kaya there something aditya sir has still not told you and I doubt it can turn the case against us if it came out."
Her ears perked up listening to this. Aditya said he is NOT hiding anything.
"What exactly did they search for?" she asked.
"I don't know yet. They took hard drives, files from my study, and some financial records"
A knock interrupted him.
Muted voices sounded from his side of the call before Abhay spoke again sounding distracted.
"Kaya, I'll call you back."
The line disconnected.
Kaya stared at her phone for a moment before tossing it onto the desk.
Something was definitely off.
Outside the glass walls of her office cabin, phones rang, keyboards clicked,
She palmed her face feeling the exhaustion settling into body and mind. She leaned back on the swiveling chair and turned around looking outside the glass wall. Delhi traffic roared endlessly below.
When she read Aditya's case file the first time carefully, she sensed this matter was something much bigger than the rape allegations.
Agar gawahon ki statements ko dhyan se dekha jaye to ye saaf saaf pata lagta hai waha pe or bhi bahot cheeze ho rahi thi aur aditya isme involved tha aur wo ladki bhi, shyd aisi kisi cheez me jise wo dono samne nahi Lana chahte the. Khiar, ye cheeze file mentioned nahi thi to kaya ke matlab ki bhi nahi thi. Bas uska kaam tha aditya ko innocent prove karna. Isse aage use interest bhi nahi tha.
(If the witnesses' statements are examined carefully, it becomes quite clear that many other things were happening there, and Aditya was involved in them, along with that girl. Maybe something they both didn't want to bring into the open.
Anyway, those things weren't mentioned in the file, so they weren't relevant to Kaya either. Her only job was to prove Aditya innocent. Beyond that, she had no interest in it.)
She decided to get her mind off it and took out some client's file to look into.
Time skipped ~~~
The time her work wrapped up was 8:30 pm. The office was almost empty by now. Only her junior associate, and some other workers were here and the media outside their office was also gone by now. It was time for her to go home.
She placed back the files in the drawer. She grabbed her coat and phone.
~~~
Neha looked up in surprise as Kaya stepped out of her cabin. "Ma'am? You're leaving?"
"Yes. It's getting late. You should also go now. What are you doing at this hour?" Kaya questions.
"I was also just wrapping up things." She answered.
Giving a nod, kaya came out of the building.
~~~
By the time she reached the basement parking, rain had started again.
"Hello ms. Prosecutor." A deep yet soft voice called her out from behind.
Godd! Please not him at this hour.
She turned around and greeted him back.
"You sound tired." He said concerned.
Of course idiot. It's late office hour.
"Yeah, just some work load."
"I think a tasty dinner can help with that. I know a very good japanese restaurant. It just opened-
"Vikram. Vikram." She interrupted not having enough energy to deal with him.
"I am tired right now and not in the mood. Can we some other time?" She asked cautiously trying not to sound bad.
"Ok. But.. just don't push yourself too much. Huh! I am just one floor away if you need anything." He said not taking her words too seriously and this time genuinely concerned. Maybe because...he was used to it?
"Thank you. Have a good night." She smiled at him and turned to her car. "Good night to you too." not noticing the smile wiping off his face gradually.
Vikram was the son of her father's best friend. His father had a major part making what Khurana Law Firm was today. And also had a major share. Vikram was also working here.
He was also a very good friend of her just like aditya but she had known aditya longer than him.
She would've considered dating him. It's not like he is not good enough. He was more than good. Tall. Handsome. Gentle. Everything. In fact, he has pulled more female employees in the firm.
There is something that is still stopping her from moving forward.
The engine roared to life as she started the car.
Delhi looked blurred beneath streetlights and traffic noise as she drove toward her apartment.
Just then her phone buzzed. She looked at it. It was her assistant.
She picked up.
"Mam" his voice sounded nervous. "Tomorrow is the interrogation day. You have to present there with Mr. Aditya. Senior SP rudra Rai Singh will lead the interrogation." He said.
So he was a senior SP now.
"Okay. I'll be there. Send neha there with Aditya's case files." I said before hanging up.
She inhaled deeply and sighed.
Tomorrow is going to be such a long day.
