~A Day Ago~

Yusuf couldn't stop thinking about what Saad had said. But why? Saad, Kubra, Huma, and everyone else on Kubra's side had said similar things to him time and time again. But he hadn't second-guessed his decisions. So why now?

Guess it was because it was the first case he'd handled in which the defendant hadn't pleaded guilty till the end of the trial. Mostly, the criminal gave under the pressure by the end or when he was given his punishment, he admitted his crime. But Kubra or Saad or anyone else hadn't told the truth yet. But what did they hope to achieve now by telling lies? The sentence was given. He'd won the case. The case was closed and reopening was next to impossible, seeing as all the evidence he or anyone had collected all pointed to Kubra. And the possibility of some other evidence turning up was really slim.

And he still didn't know why Kubra would kill his best friend. His sweet, kind Kubra got along so well with Wali. Then why would she do it? Every time he had asked her that, he would receive only one answer, 'I didn't do it.' But the hardcore evidence, the videotapes, the fingerprints on the murder weapon ___ were something no one could ignore, no matter how many times a defendant pleaded innocence.

He threw the softball at the ball once again, watched it bounce on the floor, and caught it with his hand. This movement was on loop while he was trying to wrap his head around the things which had happened. He'd gotten justice for his best friend. But he has lost the love of his life. He still remembered the day he'd fallen for her like it was yesterday. . .

~Flashback - Three Years Ago~

She looked absolutely stunning in a yellow half-sleeved floral printed knee-length frock paired with white leggings, her dark brown hair with balayage highlights looked flawless, falling in soft waves against her waist. She wore big gold hoops in her ears, some rings in her fingers, and white heels.

Seriously, how could someone look so good in such a casual outfit? Since it was just them, she hadn't put much effort into her makeup. It just consisted of a little tint and some mascara.

They all stood up when she reached their table. She hugged Huma and Saad, looking a bit surprised seeing two more men with them, one in a casual white T-shirt and blue jeans, while the blue-eyed one was dressed in a grey suit, the same as Saad's, just a little darker. Well, she had invited Yusuf herself but she wasn't sure if he would come. But the other man, tall, muscular, heavy beard, dark eyes, olive skin, she had no clue about.

"Finally you're here, KB! Fashionably late as always", Saad complained with a big smile on his face.

"Sorry, sorry. There was hell lot of. . ."

"Traffic, I know. Same old excuse." She looked at him sheepishly. "Let me introduce you. You already know Yusuf," she shook Yusuf's hand and he couldn't ignore the spark that set his whole body on fire. "And this is our other best friend, Wali Bajwa. We've been friends since middle school."

She smiled politely at him and shook his hand. "I'm Kubra Shahbaz."

"Considering how much these siblings talk about you, I feel like I already know you."

"All good things, I hope." They all sat down on the square table with Yusuf being opposite her and Saad beside her.

"You wish, Kubra!" Huma teased her best friend.

"Well, I've known them long enough to not believe a word they say. And now that I've seen you, I have all the more reasons to not do so."

She smiled and leaned forward, lowering her voice as if sharing the subject of national security. "Between you and me, this outside is a façade. And I don't know why everyone falls for it. I am that bad as they say."

"Having you as a friend will be all the more entertaining then."

All this while Yusuf kept staring at Kubra, trying to decipher if she was this genuine or were there more layers to her personality than meets the eye. But one thing Yusuf was sure about, he wanted to know all the things there were to know about her. Maybe she'd found his staring weird because she met his eyes and raised her brows in question. And once again, Yusuf could feel the electricity that literally charged the space between them. The intensity of their connection was so strong, Yusuf was sure everyone on the table felt it. He could see the soft flush that spread on her neck, the way she took in a sharp breath, and then the aversion of her gaze, trying hard to focus on what Saad and Wali were talking about.

He knew that Yusuf Bukhari had the same effect on Kubra Shahbaz as she did on him.

The thought made him smile and to not look like a complete fool, he gestured to the waiter who came at once.

"What will you have, Kubra?" Yusuf asked, once Huma was done ordering.

"We don't have all day. She can never decide. Here. Let me order for her." Saad took the menu from Kubra which she was really glad about because she could never decide what she wanted to have. Everything sounded so delicious.

Yusuf found it hard to believe that the confident girl didn't know what she wanted. Perhaps she felt his inquisitive gaze on her because she said, "Superman just has the best taste in food. So it's easier to let him decide than doing it myself."

He nodded in understanding. The waiter went after taking all the orders and the conversation flowed easily among them.

"So, how come I never knew both of you? I mean, Saad and I are great friends . . . at least I like to think we are. How did I never see any of you in his house or anywhere before?"

"I rarely went to his house. My mom and dad were always busy, and since I am an only child, my home was free. So we usually met at ours." Yusuf explained.

"Oh! So, you're an only child? Me too." Good. Something in common. Wait, Yusuf, why does it matter?

"What? Really? So there's legit only one of you. And here I was wishing for a sister of yours so that I may make a pass on her." Wali, what the fuck, bro? You really have no filter. Yusuf just thought that with an expression that didn't really need words but Saad actually hit his head and said, "Bro, behave. She's going to break all ties with us after today if you continue this."

Kubra, on the other hand, laughed it off and waved away the apologetic looks Saad and Yusuf sent her way.

"My dear brother, if you knew what she's talking about most of the time we're alone, you'll break ties with her," Huma revealed.

"Oh come on! It's not that bad. Anyway, yeah I'm the only one of my kind. I promise that you'll never find another like me." Kubra sang the last part. "So what about you? Yusuf has an excuse. Why have I never known you before? I feel like you're my long-lost brother."

"Ouch! Wounded dead on the first meeting, Kubra Shahbaz? And here I was going to open up to you." Wali clutched his chest and did an Oscar-worthy worst acting of being in pain.

Huma looked between the two of them and said, "No, but really Wali Bhai. Are you sure you didn't have a younger sister or something that you lost?"

"What do you mean by something?" Was Yusuf horrified at the implication or the no filter, one couldn't say. But it was enough to crack them all up.

"Yes. Because you both are the ultimate drama queens", Saad gave them the titles.

"Yaasss, queen!" They both high-fived loudly, loud enough to turn a few heads their way but none of them cared.

"Anyway, I live in Karachi most of the time. That's probably why. Still, der aye durust aye. Finally, we can team up and turn them bat-shit crazy," Wali explained. (Better late than never.)

"Yeah, it's really nice to have more friends other than these two. I mean, Saad is okay, I guess. But Huma is a total crack."

"Just keep in mind who is paying your bill today", Saad warned her, the merriment never once leaving his face, while Huma protested, "Hey!"

"Dude, I'm daring enough to actually leave without paying. And I might actually get away with it." She winked at him.

"I'll be right behind you. These three righteous jerks don't know how to have fun." Yusuf hit Wali on the back at the supposed insult and he just laughed it off.

"I know, right!"

The lunch passed by in a blur, with them teasing each other, and sharing facts and stories about each other.

"Guys, hear me out. Let's go to this birthday party of my cousin. I'll survive the boring twats if you guys go along. What say? And you should agree, Kubra. It's free food." Wali offered them all.

"That's an offer I cannot deny. But I have to. My dad's going to China tomorrow and I have to see him off. Let's meet up some other time."

"That's a shame. It's okay. Let's go, idiots. It's me and you three boring guys now."

"Nope. It's just you and your drama-queen self now. We have to be at the firm now. We could just take a half-day off", Yusuf excused as Saad paid the bill and Huma was busy on her phone.

"Superman? Drop me off too, please. The driver's running late", it wasn't a request. It wasn't an order. And once again Yusuf could see the mutual respect Saad and Kubra had for each other shining brighter than the sun.

"Of course." Saad agreed at once, even though he would have to go an extra mile to her house and then back at his firm.

"Why don't I drop you off?" Yusuf found himself offering. "He has to drop Huma off as well and he has a meeting with his client."

"Are you sure? I don't want to be a bother."

"Please! You were so carefree all this time and now you worry? It's no hassle. Come on. Unless you're not comfortable which I totally understand." It was normal if she did feel uncomfortable being alone with him. This was only the second time she was meeting him.

"Oh no! I didn't mean that at all. Let's go."

She stood up and put her purse over her head, resting it on her hip. Huma looked at her with raised brows, teasing her with a look that said, eager much to be alone with the crush? Which she royally ignored.

"Bye, everyone. It was once again, a great pleasure to meet you, Wali."

"Same here, Kubra. Same here."

They went outside and the valet brought his car forward. Of course, it was a fancy one. A Porsche. One that Yusuf was proud of, though he hadn't bought it completely on his own. Half of the money was contributed by his father but whatever.

"Nice ride." She complimented, even though low-key, she wasn't much fan of fancy cars, nor did she know anything about them. She appreciated beauty, yes, but it was a waste investment, she believed. You couldn't even speed in Lahore because of its traffic.

"Thanks." He opened the car door for her, dismissing the valet, and it made butterflies go frenzy in her stomach. He was such a gentleman. Wait, why are my standards so low? He just opened a car door!

She put her home address in the GPS but really, who followed it completely? The GPS lady had the knack for making people go round in circles sometimes.

He turned up the music, some old Bollywood classic was playing on it. She smiled because this was just the kind of vibe he gave. A great taste but one who stuck with the classics, someone who wasn't really into rock.

She started humming to the tune, low enough to blend with the song because that was best for everyone. They didn't appreciate their ears much but the value was incomparable to everyone.

Chookar mere mann ko, kiya tune kya ishara. . .

Badla yeh mausam, lage piyara jug saara. . .

"So what kind of music do you like?" Yusuf asked her, looking briefly at her.

"A little bit of everything. Depending on the mood. I'll jam to almost anything. From old classics to the latest song. As long as the lyrics are good and the tune is catchy. What about you? Though I think I know the answer."

"And what would that be?"

"You are the old classics one. You'll listen to the songs of today but only the ballads or something soft which have some depth to it. You can't bear the Kakkar siblings' stuff."

"That's quite impressive. I'm not gonna deny, I am that guy. But I think most people can't bear the Kakkar siblings. Especially that Tony guy."

She laughed. "Not really. Their songs hit millions of views on YouTube."

"Really?" He actually looked distressed by that fact and seemed like plotting to file a case about all those who listened to these songs. "What has happened to this world? No recognition of art."

"They are good jams for parties. As long as you don't care about the lyrics."

"I guess so."

He slowed the car and stopped in front of her house.

"How was this the shortest yet the longest ride of my life?" What was she even saying? She had no idea. The time had passed quickly with the easy conversation. But the fluttering butterflies in her stomach which were raging simply because of his deep voice never seemed to stop, making it longer than imagined.

"I know exactly how you feel."

She removed her seatbelt and opened the door. "Would you like to come in for a coffee?"

"No, some other time maybe. I have to head to the firm."

She nodded but didn't make any attempt to leave. She cleared her throat. "So, I'll see you around?"

"Sure." She turned. "Kubra!" She turned back. "I'm really glad we met. I have a new purpose in my life now."

Her lips turned up in the most beautiful of smiles and her eyes shone with happiness while her cheeks were kissed by a deep red. It was clear as day to him now. He was truly and completely in love with Kubra Shahbaz. . .

~End of Flashback~

Yusuf dropped the softball from his hand and grabbed his phone from the table, dialing a number of a friend who worked as a policeman. He picked up on the second ring.

"Yusuf, hey man. How are you?"

"Yeah, hi. I'm good, you?"

"Can't complain."

He didn't have time to beat around the bush. "Bhai, I need a favor. I need you to arrange a meeting with one of the prisoners, Kubra Shahbaz. Urgently, please."

•~•

~Present Day~

Her legs were tingling as if the ants were crawling on them. Her ears buzzed from the lack of sound, the constant headache banging at her door louder than ever. She waited for him to answer her question wanting nothing more than to run away from here and into the solace of her cell.

That wasn't entirely true. A small part of her stupid brain still hoped that he was here to tell her that he believed her. That he was going to get her out of here. That he knew she was innocent. Maybe if she hoped it enough times, it'll come true.

But it wasn't.

"Kubra," he started. But instead of answering her, he countered her with his own. "How are you?"

A chuckle escaped her lips. She couldn't help it. Did he really just ask her about how she was? Where did he get the nerve? She hit her head with the end of the receiver lightly and even that caused her head to spin but she ignored it. Shaking her head, she put the receiver back on her ear, a look of unbelieving amusement on her face.

"I'm still breathing, much to your disappointment."

"Don't be like that. It doesn't give me any pleasure seeing you like this."

Don't be like that? Did he just say that? What the fuck?! He puts me behind bars and says DON'T BE LIKE THAT?!

She exhaled heavily, not having the energy to argue.

"Why are you here and not my parents? Get lost from here and send them in." She snapped at him. She craved her mother right now. If he was allowed to visit her today, surely her parents were also outside waiting for their turn.

He hesitated to answer and she knew she wasn't going to like what was going to come out of his mouth now. "Haven't they informed you?"

"Informed me what?!" Her non-existent patience was running thin.

"You're only allowed to have visitors once every six months."
"WHAT?!"

No. no. no. no. NO! This couldn't be happening. They can't do that to her. She was fucking innocent for goodness sake! How could her country's judiciary be this cruel and unjust? First, they wrongly convict her and now she can't even see her parents?

It was suddenly all too cold for her. The cotton clothes weren't able to keep the cruel cold of the harsh reality out. A bead of sweat formed on her forehead and began to trail down tantalizingly slow, slower than the breaths she was drawing in.

"This is all your doing, isn't it? You promised revenge for that piece of shit. And now that you've had it, it's not enough for you. You're just like him." She wasn't thinking straight. She didn't know what she was saying. The unforgiving path in front of her was too daunting for her and she wasn't strong enough to brave it.

Was that dirt on the glass or a reflection of something?

"Please Kubra. I know you hate me. I don't want to convince you otherwise. But I brought your art supplies to help you pass time." Was that a peace offering? Was it supposed to make her look forward to her punishment? Has this man always been this vain? "Whatever the circumstances may be, I never wished this for you."

She looked at him sharply looking away from the shadow on the glass. "No. You wished to see me executed!"

It seemed as if his patience was short-lived too because he sighed having had enough of trying to convince her that he wasn't the villain here.

"You don't want to talk to me but I want to ask you a question. It's really important to me."

"I'm not taking any interviews as of late, Mr. Bukhari!"

"Why did you kill him?" He asked, silencing any protests or insults she might have had. "I've asked you a hundred times already but you never admit it. It's killing me Kubra, please. I beg you. Why did you kill Wali?"

She laughed without any amusement when all she wanted to do was cry.

"You tell me," she replied softly. "You've made me a murderer. You tell me why I did it because God knows I need to know that more than you ever would."

She removed the receiver from her ear once again. She could see him shouting, "Listen to me! Kubra! Get back here!" She mouthed some last words to him of her own. Don't ever come here again, Yusuf Bukhari.

•~•

Assalamualaikum!
How are you all?
Did you guys like the chapter?
What's your first impression of Wali? Do you guys think he deserved to die?
And what about Yusuf? Had you been in his place, do you think you can justify his decisions?
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Lots of love♥️♥️♥️
Javeria.