Chapter 37

                                    

                                          
Shivaay's heart hammered like a drum as he sprinted down the limestone hallways of the Supreme Court. The sound of his hurried footsteps boomed through the enormous hallways, blending with the murmur of people and the constant hum of activity. He was wearing a long black advocate's gown that flowed behind him and periodically brushed against the pillars' rough corners. 
Tugging at the thick cloth that tried to slow him down, he swore beneath his breath. He was late, and the seriousness of his current situation weighed heavy on him. 
He couldn't afford to give a poor impression because it was his first time appearing before the Supreme Court bench.
Though he had spent countless hours going through case files and memorising every detail and argument in his curiosity, the thought of facing the esteemed judges and standing in front of the nation's highest court made his stomach turn. 
"Calm down," he muttered to himself, trying to slow his racing thoughts. As he ran, he could feel the nervous energy building up inside him, threatening to cloud his mind.
He turned a corner too quickly and almost ran into another law practitioner, who gave him a sour look. 
Shivaay apologised quickly, not pausing for even a second. He staggered a little when his robe stuck under his foot, but he managed to catch himself in time to prevent a complete collapse. 
Grasping the gown's edge with his fingers, he lifted it just enough to avoid another accident.
The sensation of being burdened by the weight of his black gown, black boat, and white neckband was a palpable representation of the strain on his shoulders.
As he reached the courtroom, Shivaay could see the big oak doors towering ahead. A beat skipped in his heart. He was close, but not close enough to put aside the sense of crisis looming. What would happen if he forgot something? What would happen if the judges found fault with his arguments? What would happen if he embarrassed himself in front of everyone? Why was his senior stuck in personal issue!!! 
Damn! He cursed him out internally in every possible way.
But then something inside Shivaay changed as the doors became more visible. He breathed deeply, slowed down just a little bit, and straightened his back. He was no stranger to obstacles; he had entered courtrooms with a straight face despite the overwhelming odds.
It was now time to put his trust in his homework, which he had completed.
When Shivaay heard his case number called out in the order of serial numbers, his pulse quickened. The courtroom, filled with the quiet rustle of papers and the low murmur of voices, suddenly seemed to grow quieter. 
With a quick, nervous adjustment of his collar, he gathered his files and hurried towards the front of the courtroom. He gently set the files on the wooden stool next to him as soon as he arrived at the table. 
He moved consciously, attempting to give off a calmness that he didn't feel.
He was being observed by the two justices who were occupying the upper bench. Their looks as they looked down at the text in the file before them were expressionless and incomprehensible. As they quickly perused the materials, the minutes appeared to drag on forever, he glanced at the lawyer from the other side, who appeared to be a short distance away. 
The senior advocate was an accomplished lawyer who was well-known for his quick wit and sharp mind. 
The opposition counsel exhibited a confident familiarity with the courtroom, but Shivaay, making his very first Supreme Court appearance, was still frightened.