"This court has a duty to explore all possibilities of reconciliation before granting a decree of divorce. Given that there is a child involved, and given that the respondent is willing to continue the marriage, I am inclined to give this marriage another chance."
My heart sank.
"Therefore, I am ordering both parties to resume cohabitation for a period of six months. During this time, you will both make genuine efforts to reconcile your differences and rebuild trust in your marriage. The court will appoint a marriage counselor to meet with you both monthly to assess progress."
"But Your Honor—" Mahesh started to object.
Judge Desai held up her hand.
"After six months, if Mrs. Khanna still wishes to pursue divorce, this court will reconvene and consider the petition with full seriousness. However, I will not grant a divorce today when there is a clear possibility of reconciliation and when an unborn child's welfare is at stake."
She looked directly at me.
"Mrs. Khanna, I understand you are hurt and angry. But I am giving you six months to determine whether this marriage can be saved. Use that time wisely. If after six months you still wish to divorce, I will grant your petition. But give it a genuine chance. For your child, if not for yourself."
She banged her gavel.
"Case adjourned for six months. Next hearing scheduled for six months from today."
I stood there in shock as the judge left the courtroom. This could not be happening. I was supposed to get my divorce. I was supposed to be free.
But the law was clear. The court could order reconciliation attempts. And I had no choice but to comply.
I turned to leave, needing to get out of that room, needing air and space and anything but the sight of Armaan's face.
But he moved quickly, intercepting me before I reached the door.
"I will come to pick you up at five o'clock this evening," he said, his voice low and firm. "Be ready."
Then he turned and walked away without waiting for my response, his lawyer following behind him.
I stood there, trembling with anger and fear and something else I did not want to name.
???
Puneet was waiting for me outside the courthouse. I told him everything that had happened, and I could see the frustration and concern in his eyes.
"Six months," he said. "Viya, are you sure you want to do this? You could file an appeal, argue that the judge's order is unreasonable."
"And lose," I said tiredly. "Mahesh already explained. The law favors reconciliation, especially when there is a pregnancy involved. Fighting it will just delay everything and cost more money I do not have."
Puneet drove me back to his apartment in silence. When we arrived, I went straight to the small guest room that had been my sanctuary for the past two weeks and began packing my few belongings back into my suitcase.
Puneet stood in the doorway, watching me with sad eyes.
"I want you to know that if you need anything, anything at all, you call me. Day or night. I will come get you."
I looked up at him, tears blurring my vision.
"Thank you, Puneet. For everything. I do not know what I would have done without you."
"You are my best friend, Viya. That will never change, no matter what happens."
At exactly five o'clock, the doorbell rang.
Puneet and I looked at each other. He squeezed my hand once, then went to answer it.
I heard Armaan's voice, cold and commanding.
