Courtroom

“Your honor, I would like to bring to your notice that this is the fifth time Mr. Abram Aly has not attended the divorce hearing. He deliberately harasses my client Mrs. Myra Nur by delaying the hearing,” Thomas, Myra’s lawyer, accused.

“I object, My Lord. Mr. Aly is going through serious health issues which require him to frequent the hospital and stay for treatment,” the opposition lawyer argued.

“So my friend, Mr. Nathan here is saying, since the day he filed for divorce from my client, he is either not well or out of the city. My Lord, for two years, Mr. Aly has neither attended any single court hearing nor has he responded to my client’s call. In contrast, my client Mrs. Myra never missed her appointment though she has a career which also needs her attention.”

“I would state again that Mr. Aly is deliberately delaying the session as he doesn’t have a valid reason to divorce my client, and she can sue him for mental harassment.” 

“Mr. Nathan, this was the last time I am postponing the hearing. The next session, I want your client to attend it unless he is on a ventilator,” the moment the judge said sharply, some in the crowd chuckled while some snickered, noting the sarcasm in his words. The courtroom was filled with many new lawyers or interns who wanted to learn the art of debating in the live courtroom session.

“Sir, on behalf of my client, I request the next hearing to be held after two months. Till then, he will recover and attend the court without fail.”

“Request granted, next case hearing shall start after the break,” with that, the judge adjourns the hearing.

Myra stepped out of the court along with her lawyer.

“Mrs. Myra, did you try contacting your husband again?” Thomas asked, without looking at her and going through the file his assistant had given for review.

“Yes, but now it says the number is invalid. He is not using that number anymore,” Myra replied.

A pang of despair constricted her heart, making it difficult for her to breathe. She swallows hard the lump in her throat. She was heartbroken—it would have been an understatement when the realization hit her that there was no way for her to talk to Abram. It has been more than 2 years since that fateful day.

“Don’t worry, this time, the judge has given the ultimatum. The case is now in our favor. Plus, he doesn’t have a valid reason for divorce,” Thomas assured her in his professional tone, raising his eyes from the file without bothering to smile at her.  

Myra sucked in a deep breath before forcing her practiced smile and said, “Well, thank you so much. I will take your leave now. I need to reach the office.” 

Without a reply to her, Thomas parted from her, discussing the following case details. Myra’s lower lips trembled slightly, and her unshed tears almost were on the verge of falling, but she held them in. Taking a few more deep breaths, she waited until her ragged breathing evened out. Straightening her back, she made her way toward the cab stand. 

She kept her facade on till she boarded a taxi. The moment she was alone away from the public eyes, her mask fell, and Myra was lost in the past. While she was reminiscing about the past, a lone tear finally escaped from her eye.

Why Abram? What did I ever do to you? You left me when I was vulnerable and needed you the most, she cried, letting her emotions out through her tears. The cab driver gave her a sympathetic look through the rearview mirror.

She was brought out of her thoughts when her phone rang, and when she looked at the caller’s name, she couldn’t help sighing seeing her mother’s name on the screen. She didn’t have to guess why her mother called. 

“No, Mamma, he didn’t come again,” she said nonchalantly. 

She had to pretend to be strong as if it didn’t matter to her even though the sorrow, the heartbreak, was killing her from inside. That would be the last thing she wanted to do, show her vulnerability and make her parents sad. It was not their fault her marriage didn’t work out. It was not their fault when her husband decided to divorce her abruptly without any reason. They only wanted to see their daughter happy, and even though they didn’t show it to her, Myra knew her parents had left everything behind only to support her during her lowest, including her siblings.

“God only knows what that boy is up to. He neither talks to you directly nor attends the hearing. It looks like he is punishing you for no reason,” she could hear her mothers complain over the other side of the phone.

What was ripping Myra from inside was that Abram just left her without telling her anything. It has been two years since she saw her husband, since that fateful night when he looked enraged. She even tried to contact his parents to know his whereabouts. At first, she called her mother-in-law, but even after calling her many times, there was no response. And one day, she was notified the number was not in use. As a last resort, she visited their house only for her mother-in-law to shut the door on her face. Since then, like her mother said, even Myra now felt he was punishing her, but for what? She had no clue.

“Thomas assured me that the case is in our favor because of his absenteeism.” She said, sounding optimistic, which she was anything but. Myra wiped her tears by the back of her hand when she saw the driver glancing at her from the mirror. She could feel pity in his eyes, which was the last thing she needed. Myra knew no matter how much her mother tried covering up, there was a glint of sadness in her voice.

“I always tell you to let us accompany you to the court. Why don’t you let us be with you?” Her mother couldn’t help but complain.

“Mamma, you know how long it will take to get past my hearing. I can’t let you wait for long hours plus, I have to go to the office too from there. I can’t let you and Dadda be on your own,” Myra lied, knowing how emotional her mother would become once the reality of the courtroom hit her.

Before her mother could retort, she immediately interrupted, “Okay, I have reached the office now and need to go. I am already late than the assigned time. Love you, bye.” With that, she hung up the call while, in reality, she was still in the cab.

She was busy putting the phone back into her bag when she saw tissue paper in her periphery. When she raised her eyes, she saw the cab driver passing her the tissue with one hand while the other was still on the steering wheel.

“Thanks,” she murmured before accepting and wiping her tears properly.

“God will not burden the soul more than it could handle,” Myra glanced at the driver through the mirror when he said; however, she chose to remain silent. First, he was a stranger; second, he didn’t even know what she was going through.

Letting out a deep sigh, she stared blankly out of the window till she reached her office. It took her nearly an hour to reach the office as the civil courts were located at one corner of the city while her office was in the main commercial area.

Paying the fare, Myra fingered the strap of her bag before pulling them over her shoulder and jogging inside the building. She was panting slightly by the time she dived into the almost closing elevator and glanced at her watch.

Shit! She cursed, realizing she was late. 

By the time the elevator reached her floor, Myra took a few deep breaths before putting on her practiced mask and stepped out of the elevator. She didn’t bother to share pleasantries with her colleague on her way to her desk. A startled shriek escaped her mouth when a silvery voice sounded from behind. 

“You are late. Let me guess, that ass didn’t turn up again,” Sharon, Myra’s best friend, and colleague, said. 

“You scared me,” Myra said, placing her hand over her heart. However, Sharon caught her lie. She rolled her eyes when she noticed Myra’s face. Her eyelashes were still heavy with mist, and her reddened nose showed she cried on her way. 

Anybody can guess what is going on in her mind, and yet she pretends as if it doesn’t affect her, Sharon thought.

“So, what is it? Am I correct, or am I correct?” Sharon said with a smug.

“Well, we should always look for the good, even in bad times. The case is in my favor because he is not attending,” Myra said with her signature smile. 

The unusual part of her smile was her Dracula teeth, which made her smile more charming.

“Yes, Mother Teresa, now move your ass as we have a meeting with the boss. I have been waiting and covering up for you. And before I forget, we are going for a party in the evening,” Sharon said as a matter-of-factly stunning Myra. 

“But—” Seeing that Myra was ready to decline her offer for that party, Sharon interrupted her, “I am not taking no for an answer. Either you come willingly, or I am abducting you.”

“Sharon, you know my family and me, we don’t do parties. We are lower middle class. We value virtue more than anything, remember?” Myra said while flicking Sharon’s head.

“There is a reason I call you mother Teresa. You live for others, and look where it landed you?” The moment words were out, Sharon shut her mouth, cursing inwardly, seeing Myra hurt by her words.

“I am sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you, Myra, but you have to learn to live for yourself. I am concerned about you, babe.”

“I know you are worried about me, but I can’t lie to my family. They trust me, and I can’t break that trust.”

“You are not lying. It’s just you are not telling the truth either, plus we are not going to do anything wrong. Just hang out and have some fun. You need a break, and I will do anything on my part to get you out of your depression.”

“Omission of words is still a lie, Sharon,” Myra retorted, wearing her ID and grabbing her laptop before walking towards the meeting with Sharon.

Sharon was always good at manipulations, and she knew Myra was the kind of person who thinks from her heart rather than her brain.

“I already spoke to your mother, and she is okay with you staying with me for tonight. Now the end of the discussion, or we will be late for our weekly meeting,” with that, Sharon dragged Myra towards the room.

Both worked for a Multinational company that provided finance as a third party and provided customer support services to various clientele companies. They worked as business analysts and mainly worked on managing data for millions of customers and forecasting future hurdles.

“Today’s meeting agenda is a client visit and the joining of a new assistant vice president who will be taking over from John. Basically, he worked in the US branch but has now relocated to our India branch,” Shawn, Myra’s manager, announced to his team.

“Now, I want no mistakes. As a Multinational company, their agenda for visiting the India branch is to revamp our team with new technology. This client visit is essential for us. One mistake and it will cost the company. So pull up your socks and give your best in the coming month,” with that, he concluded the meeting.

After their working hours were over, Sharon took Myra to a nearby mall to buy a new dress for the supposed party night, which Myra still didn’t agree with, and Sharon couldn’t care less. Myra gaped when her friend chose a beige-colored bodycon dress with delicate lace sleeves that could make her fair complexion stand out.

“Are you crazy? I am not wearing that dress. You know, short dresses, and especially body hugging is a big no for me,” Myra said in disbelief. 

She never expected her best friend not to know her clothing preference.

“Oh, you always dress like an old rag with loose clothes. And the place where we are going, my friend, doesn’t even let you linger in their parking lot if you dress like that,” Sharon said, gazing at Myra from head to toe, making the latter flush in embarrassment. 

“Sharon!” Myra said, gritting her teeth, glancing around.

On the other hand, Sharon had her own plan. She picked another short dress, and before Myra could protest, she shoved both the dresses in Myra’s hand before pushing her into the trial room, “We don’t have all day. Try them, will you? We have to buy you sandals also.” 

The moment Myra slammed the trial room door with extra force, Sharon chuckled at her friend’s childish trait. 

You have seen worse in your life. For once, I want to make you forget that ass, Sharon thought. 

Going to the party was just an excuse to make Myra come out of her shell. Sharon had strong vibes; Myra needed more happy moments to relish as the time ahead would be tormenting, drowning her in endless misery.