Chapter 1 (The King and the Commoner)

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 06:42:30 +0000

Meher Jaiswal – The Woman Who Fought for Justice The first rays of dawn seeped through the ivory curtains of the Jaiswal residence, casting golden streaks across the wooden floors. The rhythmic chants of the morning aarti from the nearby temple mixed with the faint aroma of sandalwood and freshly brewed chai, marking the beginning of another day. Meher Jaiswal groaned as her alarm buzzed, her hand blindly reaching out to silence it. She wasn’t a morning person—not in the way her mother wished she would be—but years of discipline had forced her into a routine she could no longer escape. She rubbed her eyes before checking her phone. Riya Mehta (6:55 AM): Wake up, future hotshot lawyer! Court won’t wait for your beauty sleep! A lazy smile curled on Meher’s lips. Meher (6:56 AM): If justice moved at the speed of the Indian courts, I could sleep for another lifetime. With a deep sigh, she tossed the blanket aside, her feet touching the cool marble floor. She pulled her dark curls into a loose bun and dragged herself toward the bathroom, splashing water on her face to shake off the sleep. By the time she stepped out, dressed in a crisp white kurta and blue jeans, the house was alive with movement. The clinking of bangles signaled her mother’s presence in the kitchen, while the deep voice of her father, Advocate Arvind Jaiswal, carried through the living room as he discussed a case over the phone. At the dining table, her younger brother Aarav was scrolling through his phone, his face half-buried in his palm. “Finally decided to wake up, Didi?” Aarav teased, not looking up. Meher rolled her eyes. “Unlike you, I actually have work to do.” Aarav smirked. “Oh yes, the great lawyer who fights for justice. So, what’s the agenda today? Saving the world?” She stole a piece of toast from his plate. “Just saving one person at a time.” In the kitchen, Dr. Kavita Jaiswal stirred a pot of chai, her sharp gaze scanning Meher’s face. “You didn’t sleep well,” she remarked, handing Meher a cup. “Had case files to go through,” Meher admitted, taking a sip. Kavita sighed. “Your father was saying the Bar Council is organizing an event next week. You should go—it’ll be good for networking.” Meher hummed in response, noncommittal. She wasn’t the best at small talk or socializing for the sake of connections. She preferred letting her work speak for itself. Just then, her father entered, his voice softer when he addressed her. “You have a case hearing today, right?” “Yes,” Meher nodded, finishing her chai quickly. “It’s a domestic violence case.” Arvind’s expression turned serious. “Be sharp, Meher. These cases are never simple.” “I know, Papa,” she assured him. “I can handle it.” As she prepared to leave, she stopped by her grandparents’ room. Omkar Jaiswal sat on the armchair by the window, reading the newspaper, while Sharada Jaiswal arranged freshly plucked flowers for their small mandir. “Dadaji, Dadiji, I’m heading to court,” Meher informed them. Omkar peered over his glasses. “Stay firm, Meher. Remember, justice is about patience as much as it is about argument.” Sharada cupped her granddaughter’s face. “May Kanha bless you.” Meher smiled, hugging her briefly before stepping out of the house. She was ready to face the world. Because Meher Jaiswal was not a girl who waited for things to happen. She made them happen.