"We are leaning on your side counsel. Do you now want to take the risk of making that point or do you want to continue with your following submission?"
"I would like to take the risk of making my point here, My Lord"
And the 40 year old burly looking man was baffled at my response. At that very point, it was quite obvious that I was digging my own grave, but since it was my last show (or that is what I am thinking), go-to-hell-with-safe-choices. Lady Daphne Khoo was like, "She has decided to take the risk." Lord Anand Raj broodily gave me 30 seconds to make my submission and having done that, I followed up with my other submissions. By the time the 20 minutes was over, I was practically sweating under that black Nichii pants and white shirt topped with a black blazer and accompanied by a pair of Carlo Rino black cot shoes.
I got back to my seat and felt my blood rushing at a speed of 200kmph and my heart beating faster than it usually did. That was my worst performance ever and I had made a fool out of myself. As my opponent's turn was over, it was then my partners'. He, who always seemed fond of doing the rebuttals (done at the conclusion of moots when both sides have presented their submissions), handed me the job to do it as he couldn't absorb any more of the judges' comments. But eventually, he ended up rebutting as there was a 3 minute break before the rebuttals were on.
After presenting our cases and rebuttals, the judges will proceed to another room and come up with the judgment, in lieu of our arguments. In the meantime, we had a fag break. (duh after that much of pressure put into, a person needs a BREAK!!)
"Hey guys, they are in."
We quickly threw our fags down to the 3rd floor staircase, wore our blazers as we rushed into the deliberation room. The judges had seem to have found their seats.
"Nice of ya'll to join us, counsels." Anand Raj critiqued.
"Apologies, My Lord" we contended.
It was followed by an overall evaluation of both respondents and appellants and the judgment favoured us, purely on the basis of sufficient interest. The royal prerogative argument was stronger by the appellants' but as they lacked this one case : The Fire Brigade's Union, we robbed the win. While on the competition, they were pleased to announce that we too won the moots and to my surprise, they awarded me the best mooter. This was continued with individual evaluation where the judges pointed out my weaknesses when I asked the judge "What do you think?" and used the word "sought" instead of "seek" for judicial review. That officially ended moots, and then came the hand shakes and flashing of cameras.
Just when Penguin and I were wondering where to eat, it was made known that there was food available (yay, free lunch!!) and all mooters were supposed to dine with the judges. I was pretty reluctant as DUH dining with the JUDGES?? I mean they are practicing lawyers at these huge, and I mean HUGE, law firms. KP comforted me that they will not be talking about any law crap and told me to take a chill pill. Since he was going to have lunch together, I felt a little secure.
As the judges were pre-occupied with something else, we were too hungry to wait, so we dug into the 2 pieces of fried chicken topped with chilli paste, accompanied with a small bowl of briyani rice. Mr Anand and Ms Daphne joined us some 15 minutes later, together with the lecturers, Mr Daniel and Ms Irene. The subject eventually evolved around the ex-director of UOL, Mr Wayne Morrison, who once leaked the criminology paper during Ant's year. Mr Anand didn't seem all too surprised about his irresponsible act.
Oh well, lets pack this granpa-granma stories in a box and get to the icing of the cake. The day ended with Penguin driving us to this wonderful place, The Rose, at Ampang Road. There was this beautiful statute of a naked-woman-fountain and huge couches to unwind and relax. We ordered a mix of peach and mint which gave a wonderful smell and that came with a complimentary Arabian tea. Since she hadn't taken her lunch, we ordered a plate of mashed aubergines with plain bread. If you are in search of a place to take a break with affordable food and hookah, Rose is the place. It just unwinds your thoughts and creates this serene addictive atmosphere. Satisfied with our supply of tobacco for the day, we headed home.
The night wrapped herself up after a wholesome dinner at Ash's place and a late night teh tarik at Palani's (alas, I got the name right!) It was quite difficult to swallow the sudden change of situation. Once when I was to the brink of dying out of sheer embarassment that I would pee in my pants, to the serene and comfy surrounding later that day, it comes to show how fast time passes by and that life goes on as usual. You may have murdered the President of the United States or awarded the Pulitzer Price, this will definitely bring the flashing of cameras and the muttering of words, but just for that moment. Then, people move on. Life just goes as usual. Its just you, that need to realise that very fact, and move on too.
"Ambition never is in a great hurry, it merely keeps pace with circumstances and with my general way of thinking" - Napolean Bonaparte
