Raghav was now in a low mood when he came to attend court and started exchanging pleasantries with people. He gave up hope on Sunita getting normal and while expenses on treatment were increasing. He many times thought to withdraw the case visibly and he grew a beard to hide this. Now he was not required to look into the mirror. His thinning hair was manageable by combing with fingers which were lean and long and a great attraction to many women who came in contact with him.
Raghav said, "My wife keeps abusing me unnecessarily and often said I was useless to her. These pungent remarks pierce my head and heart both."
Another man in black coat came and said, 'You are sitting here. The Head Clerk is looking for you. He has to give you some message which may be important relating to your case. But it is of no use, as the District Judge has asked to cut short your hearing. Lot of public grievances are generated. In fact, today's morning meeting was only for this and most judges rejected the idea of special attention to this insignificant case. Many serious cases on murder, riot, loot and social crimes are pending. Many politicians are running around. Their near and dear ones are in jails who want early hearing and release. Also they can spend a fortune."
"You mean they don't get paid and only people who come to court pay them for survival," quizzed Raghav.
The fellow gave a big and voluminous laugh and said, "Listen to this educated and highly qualified man who doesn't understand simple customs of court working. If such people come in numbers, tea shop owners will have to pack up and go."
Raghav was baffled and spoke in a curt voice, "Very few of you are honest in your profession."
Advocate got furious and said, "Your days are numbered when you have started challenging us. You don't know our powerful association which can force you out of this place."
Tea shop owner was not less indulgent. He told the advocate talking loudly, "Before I vacate please pay me one thousand six hundred and eighty rupees you are to pay. You very comfortably come with friends and drink several cups of tea along with snacks. I am not a moneyed man like you. Even otherwise I am planning to close this shop if such dues keep on increasing. It will be better to stay in the village peacefully rather than being among rowdies."
The red faced advocate took out two five hundred notes and threw them on the counter and left in huff. Raghav also got up and walked into court to receive a message and paid money. He reached to head Clerk and enquired who replied in negative and there was no message for him. He customarily asked about the next hearing date but didn't get any reply.
"It may be decided after lunch when the judge will attend court. In the corridor he met the same lawyer who was smiling deliriously. Raghav walked away to spend a boring time with his wife. He thought it was better to listen to harsh words of wife rather than living alone. He was in a very low mood and depressed. He was thinking, "I have unnecessarily taken this burden after selling the car. I could have both cars with me till the case was cleared and run them alternately. He could have given one car to his egoist wife for use."
Suddenly Raghav recalled how his wife damaged the new car ten years back and he couldn't afford to get that in shape. He prompted her to learn driving in a driving school which she passed. But she could never have confidence to drive herself. Her imaginative mind never allowed her to concentrate on driving. She was in the habit of looking into fashion and dresses of other ladies and also promptly reacting. Raghav was to listen or otherwise he could be put into more dangerous situations.
Once she suggested, "Why don't you keep a driver who can drive me around and I can go independently wherever desired?"