T E A R S gathered in Saliha's eyes as she entered her elder brother's bedroom. Tomorrow was the final case hearing. The whole situation had been sped up thanks to an angel they had found. Mustafa Kamal, had been nothing short of that. His economical support helped make everything go smooth. With the session he book for her, Saliha could feel herself losing the guilt she held on to.

Her eyes were filled with tears just imagining the situation that would be faced tomorrow in court. She would have to stand infront of a crowd of men, who would judge her. It was up to the judge to pass a judgement. And she knew, she would never be able to challenge it. In her heart, all she hoped for was justice given to her.

For the past two months, she and her brother Asif, had done nothing but go to hearing upon hearing. Each session, the verdict would be pushed forward. She was tired. Her heart no longer burned with the desire of putting the culprit behind bars. The system had broken her.

"Saliha kia huwa?" Asif inquired, shocked on the state of her sister.
"Bhai agar kal bhi jqwab na mila tou? Mujh mein ab court keh chakar lagany ki himat nahi hai". She told him about her worries.
Asif sighed. He knew she was not wrong to feel that way. Having to recite the incident every two weeks, only helped worsen her emotional stability. Taking her back ten steps each time.
"Nahi bachay. Kal Mustafa bhai saath hon gai. Keh rahay thay apni biwi bhi lain gai tumhari tasali keh liye. Bas Allah par bharoosa karo. Hmm?" The trust filled eyes of Asif, peered down at his sister.

She nodded, believing that her elder brother would always be correct. Her worries started to dim away, like the power going out on a rainy day. She returned to her bedroom, eyeing the white shalwaar kameez placed on her bed. The white of it, a symbolic image of her innocence. Saliha lay down in her bed, closing her eyes. Her lips mumbled countless duas as she let the world of dreams take over.

The next morning, the sun was bright. The wind was cool. The gentle breeze touched the skin, giving birth to a feeling of coolness. A stark contrast to the usual sweaty April days.

Everyone at court sported masks. Making it difficult to identify anyone. But she was glad. At least this way no one would stare at her face. Saliha let out a shaky breath under the surgical mask that covered her heart shaped lips. Wiping her forehead, not because of sweat, but just out of sheer nervousness.

Asif led her into the court room. Shielding her from the many mangnay walay that roamed the area. Hoping to make some cash off of people's miseries.
"Ghabrwo nahi, Saliha. Hum tumharay saath hain," Asif spoke gently to her.
Moving forward to meet Mustafa and Hoor who had already arrived.

The formal greetings were short lived for the judge entered the room. After which, Shahrukh was led in, his hands tied. On the opposite end of the room, Shahrukh's family sat. Eyeing Mustafa, with jealousy. Had he sided with them, he could have easily paid off the officers and the case would have ended before even starting.

Rizwan ignored Mustafa's existence. His heart burning with jealousy. As the case moved forward, Hoor became emotional. And so Mustafa helped console her. In his heart, Rizwan felt wronged. It should have been him who had that. A wife who needed his support. Unlike his own, who was shouting crude words at the victim. Who, clearly was not her brother.

"The court, wishes to end the case today. As the Holy Month of Ramadan begins tomorrow. We would like to give justice today," the judge began to speak.
"The court, under today's hearing. Has found the evidence provided sufficent. And the narration of Ms.Saliha Fahad accurate. Mr.Shahrukh Rehman is guilty of the accused crime. He will be jailed for the next fifteen years. With a fine of five hundred thousand rupees, payable to Ms.Saliha or her wali, in this case Mr.Asif Fahad. By the end of this month. The case is closed. The court is adjourned!" The judge hit is hammer on the wooden block.

Shahrukh's fate was sealed. The smile on Saliha's face never ending as she hugged her brother and thanked Mustafa. Hoor moved forward. Congratulating her on the victory against an abuser.

Meanwhile, Munazza and Abdul Rehman were devastated. Their son was going to jail. By the time he would be out, he would already be in his mid-forties. His life was ruined. Then also was the problem of arranging the fine money.

"Allah ghark kare uss haram zadi ko. Mera masoom bacha!" Munazza cried.
Her heart sending out truckloads of bad duas. She refused to find the problem in her own son. To her, he was a child. He would never harm anyone. Instead, the world was out to get him for absolutely no reason.

On their way back, Saliha could not help but wonder if it was the makaafat-e-amal of her father's actions. Her father, had married his cousin, Laraib. He had treat her like trash and then had married their mother. Soon after, her elder sister was born and Laraib vanished. Her family was told that she had passed away.

Over time, her father started to suffer losses. He soon realised his mistake. What he had done was wrong. He should not have treated someone else's daughter like that. He joined the police and shifted to Lahore. He taught his son to always be kind and helpful. Lest he repeat his mistakes.

Saliha thought perhaps, she was paying the bill of her father's sins. She had heard that Laraib's  brothers had not had kids immediately. And now they were in the pre-teens.

K A M A L M A N S I O N, D H A LHR
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"Hayeee Mustafa mein apkay kaam sai behad khush hun! Ap nai na jo bhi kia na Saliha aur unkay bhai keh liye. Allah apki dheer saari khushiyan dei!" Hoor smiled at him.
She had just finished her Isha prayers. And Mustafa had returned from the mosque five minutes earlier.
"Meri Hoor. Ap hi meri khusi ho. Allah na ap de di. Ab aur kuch nahi chahiye," he smiled.

Mustafa extended his hand towards her. Hoor gripped it tightly. Finding home in his lap. Resting her head against his toned chest.

Hoor had successfully brought Mustafa back to his religion. She had shown him that deep in his heart, he had still believed in the power of Allah. For otherwise, it was impossible to have faith or hope.

"Musi?" Hoor looked at him, her hazel eyes opened wide.
"Ji jaan?" His smiling face, gave away the fact that he knew she wanted something.
"Ap mujhe batain gai keh ap ko yeh chot kaise lagi?" Hoor finally asked the question that had been on her mind.

They had been married for four months. However, she refrained from asking this question. Knowing that their relationship was not so open. But today, her heart was full of love for him and she could no longer hold back her question.

"Mujhe inteezar tha ap kiss din yeh poochein gi. Tou sunain. Mein jab 10 saal ka tha, tab accident huwa tha. Hum eik dur ki shaadi sai wapis arahay thay. Eik dam sai eik troller nai take over kia. We did not have enough time. Soon, the car was crushed underneath. Jab mein hosh mein aya, tou eik mahina guzar chuka huwa tha. Uss raat mein nai apnay maa baap aur apni taangein, sab kho diya," his eyes reflected the pain he felt.

Hoor's heart went out to him. Here was this man, who had suffered alone for ages. She thought of a young Mustafa, her Mustafa going through the pain all by himself.

"Musi ap bohat brave ho. Koi aur hota tou yeh bardasht na kar pata". She smiled.
"Agar mein na bardasht karta tou ap jaisi Hoor meri zindagi mein kaise aati?" Mustafa turned the topic around.

No longer able to hold herself back. Hoor pushed herself forward. Kissing his soft lips. Letting the words she did not have be spoken. Her lips caressed his as she ran her fingers over his face. As if trying to learn the geography of it. Imprinting it to mind.

"Mujhe ap sai mohabbat ho gai hai Mustafa," Hoor whispered, her minty breath touching his closed eyelids.
"Aur humein ap sai," Mustafa opened his eyes.
The hazel eyes no longer holding pain, instead, filled with love and warmth.

The couple had passed the night in talks and confessions, not realising, that the first rays of sunshine had touched the horizon.

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