Pati by Mistake
Episode 1
“Love is blind and marriage is the real eye opener.”
The courtroom was unusually silent.
It was the day the judgment would begin.
Everyone stood as Judge Swara entered the courtroom.
She walked to the bench and took her seat.
Although she had spent years studying law, this was her very first case as a judge.
She looked around the courtroom.
The responsibility resting on her shoulders suddenly felt heavier than ever.
One wrong decision could destroy an innocent life.
She silently reminded herself—
“Justice is not about choosing sides. It is about choosing the truth.”
She adjusted the files before her.
A night before she was reading these files in order to study the case.
Swara (FL)
Please be seated.
She opened the case file.
Swara (FL)
Counsel for the complainant, you may proceed.
Shekhar (Lawyer)
Your Honour, this case concerns Aarush Desai, a fourteen-year-old boy.
Shekhar (Lawyer)
He alleges that his father physically assaulted him after he scored low marks in his examinations.
Shekhar (Lawyer)
The child states that the beating caused injuries and emotional trauma, compelling him to approach the Child Welfare authorities and file a complaint.
Lawyer
The respondent, Mr. Suraj Desai, denies the allegations.
Lawyer
He claims he merely disciplined his son and never intended to harm him.
Swara turned towards Aarush.
The boy sat with his head lowered, nervously twisting his fingers.
His eyes never met anyone else’s.
Swara (FL)
Would you like to tell the Court what happened?
Swara (FL)
Take your time.
No one will interrupt you.
Before Aarush could answer—
Mamta Desai
Your Honour… he’s just a child. He misunderstood everything.
Swara (FL)
Mrs. Desai, you’ll have an opportunity to speak.
Swara (FL)
For now, I’d like to hear from Aarush.
The courtroom fell silent.
Aarush wiped away his tears.
Aarush
I… I filed the complaint because Papa hit me.
Aarush
He was angry that I got low marks.
Aarush
He kept hitting me with a belt…
Suraj sighed impatiently.
Suraj Desai
Your Honour, children these days are too sensitive.
Suraj Desai
I was only trying to teach him discipline.
Swara looked directly at him.
Her voice remained calm but firm.
Swara (FL)
Mr. Desai, discipline and physical violence are not the same thing.
Swara (FL)
You’ll get an opportunity to explain your actions after your counsel has finished.
The courtroom became silent once again.
She lowered her eyes to the file and began writing.
Something inside the medical report caught her attention.
She turned the page once.
The calm expression on her face slowly disappeared.
Even the lawyers exchanged uneasy glances.
Swara (FL)
According to the medical examination, these injuries are not all recent.
She looked at the photos attached to the medical report.
Swara (FL)
When was the last time you physically assaulted your son?
Episode 2
Suraj slowly parted his lips.
He glanced at his lawyer, who gave him a slight nod.
Suraj Desai
Your Honour… I don’t remember.
Swara (FL)
You don’t remember?
Suraj Desai
I… I may have slapped him once or twice after that. Every parent scolds their child. Sometimes we lose our temper. It wasn’t meant to hurt him.
Before Swara could respond, Mamta stood up.
Tears streamed down her face.
Mamta Desai
Your Honour, please don’t misunderstand him. He’s not a bad father. He works day and night for our family. Aarush is our only son. We love him.
Swara looked at her calmly.
Swara (FL)
Mrs. Desai, I understand this is difficult for you. Please be seated.
Swara turned to Suraj once more.
Swara (FL)
Mr. Desai, the Court is not deciding today whether you love your son.
Swara (FL)
It is examining whether your actions caused him harm.
Swara then looked toward Aarush.
The boy was still staring at the floor.
His hands trembled in his lap.
Swara (FL)
Aarush… if you’re comfortable, I want you to answer just one question.
Swara (FL)
Why didn’t you tell anyone before this?
Arush looked at his mother.
Finally, he looked at judge Swara.
Aarush
Because… every time Papa hit me… Mom would hug me afterward and say…
Aarush
…‘He’s your father. He has the right to punish you. Just study harder, and it won’t happen again.
Mamta broke down, covering her face with both hands.
Swara quietly noted his statement in the case record before looking up.
Swara (FL)
The court reserves its judgement.
Swara (FL)
The court stands adjourned.
Everyone stood up to leave.
As everyone stood up to leave…Swara was still in her place.
Shekhar pats Aarush’s head and asks him to wait for him outside.
As everyone left…Shekhar walked towards Swara.
She was so engrossed in writing something…That she didn’t even pay attention everyone already left and it was just Shekhar and her.
He halts as she flinched hearing him.
She looked disturbed…stressed………scared?
Shekhar (Lawyer)
What happened?
He could see how hard she was trying to sound normal.
Shekhar (Lawyer)
I just want to tell you that…I want that boy to get justice.
Shekhar was about to leave when he saw her scrambling on paper….She was anxious?
Shekhar (Lawyer)
Are you scared because it’s your first day?
Shekhar (Lawyer)
Dinner is on me today.
Swara takes out a box of pills and consumes a pill 💊.
Swara (FL)
“Takes a deep breath”
She felt so much lighter…Her head wasn’t throbbing anymore.
She took the files and left with a smile.
Episode 3
She gets out of rickshaw 🛺 and pays him.
Swara (FL)
I am late today.
Swara was about to go inside…The security guard stops her.
???
There is a lady…claiming she is your mom.
FL mom
I am her mom…I even showed him photos.
FL mom
He wasn’t letting me inside.
???
Mam we have to follow the protocol.
Swara (FL)
It’s ok bhaiya…She is my mother.
FL mom
I was trying to tell him this for an hour.
FL mom
Why weren’t you picking up my phone?
Swara (FL)
It was on silent…I didn’t notice.
Swara (FL)
Let’s go and talk in my apartment.
Swara opens the door and enters inside.
As her mother enters she closes the door.
FL mom
I came to see where you are living now.
FL mom
If this place is safe.
Swara (FL)
It’s safer than your home.
FL mom
“Glare at her” Ghar jaisa kuch nhi hota…Kuch dino mein tujhe samajh ayega.
(There is nothing like home… you will know this in a few days.)
Swara (FL)
It’s been just a week i shifted here.
FL mom
I know you became judge, independent and all.
Swara kept the files and her bag on table.
Swara (FL)
Do you want something?
Swara (FL)
You came first time here.
FL mom
Did they provide you with all this furniture?
Swara (FL)
I purchased this sofa and table.
Swara (FL)
I am hungry and tired…If you want I can order for you also.
FL mom
Give me a glass of water first.
FL mom
I am so tired…I came all by myself.
FL mom
There is so much traffic in Delhi.
FL mom
And I had hard time finding your address.
Swara gave her a glass of water.
FL mom
“Flinch” Who is it at 8pm?
Swara opened the door to find Shekhar with a bag of food.
Shekhar (Lawyer)
Don’t tell me you forgot i was going to bring dinner.
He was about to go past her…His eyes fell on the lady in the back.
Shekhar (Lawyer)
Do you have guest?
Swara (FL)
“Sigh” She is my mother.
Shekhar (Lawyer)
Namaste Aunty.
He came inside and puts bag of food before touching her feet.
FL mom
You two….live together?
Shekhar (Lawyer)
“Chuckles” No..No Aunty.
Shekhar (Lawyer)
I live on another floor in this society…I just came to have dinner with her.
Swara closes door and was ready to justify before her mother throws questions on her.
Swara (FL)
When I came to study…We were in same institution and became friends.
Shekhar (Lawyer)
I didn’t know she will become judge…And i would become a lawyer.
Shekhar (Lawyer)
But I have an advantage…My friend is the judge.
No one spoke for a moment.
Shekhar (Lawyer)
Food is getting cold…Let’s eat it.
Shekhar (Lawyer)
I didn’t know you would come…I would’ve bought one for you too.
FL mom
You do dinner together everyday?
Shekhar (Lawyer)
Sometimes.
Shekhar (Lawyer)
You know we are away from our home and family so we thought to eat together so that we don’t feel like we have no one.
Shekhar (Lawyer)
It’s good to have a company.
FL mom
“Nod” It is difficult to be alone in a new city.
Swara’s mom signalled her to come with her.
Download NovelToon APP on App Store and Google Play
