A sin from the past... Chapter Three, The spark intensified

After the police took Adrian away, we continue the story to find out what happens next... Noor ran after them, but the police car was faster than she was. She couldn't catch up. With trembling hands, she pulled out her phone, trying to hold back the sound of her sobs. Her fingers shook as she searched for her friend, Molan, to tell her what had happened. Noor: Calling... "Answer... please answer..." Finally, the other side picked up. Molan: Molan had no idea what had happened. She was relaxing at home. "Yes, Noor, what is it—" She couldn't finish her sentence because Noor suddenly burst into tears. Noor: Gasping through her crying, "Molan... Adrian and I were..." she cried harder Molan: She became anxious after hearing her friend's voice. "Noor, don't talk like that. Tell me, where are you?" Noor: "The police took Adrian away. I don't know where... but maybe one of Milan's men was with them." Molan: "What? What are you talking about? My brother works at Milan's company!" Noor: Nervously and anxiously, "I don't know, Molan... I really don't know what to do." Molan: "Hang up. I'm going to Milan's company." Noor: "Okay." ـــــــــــــــــــــــــــ At the police station... Adrian: He was thrown into the cell. He looked around and thought to himself, "What's happening? Why am I here? This isn't where I belong... Am I dreaming? No... no, maybe it's just a nightmare!" He sat on the floor, covering his face with his hands in exhaustion. A thousand thoughts raced through his mind. He lifted his head and saw one of the officers. Adrian: "Excuse me." Officer: "Yes?" Adrian: "Why am I here? What am I accused of? And who accused me?" Officer: "Detective Milan gave the order. You're accused of the murders that happened previously." Adrian: He laughed in disbelief. You're joking with me... hahaha... nice joke." His expression suddenly turned serious. "Now let me out of here." Officer: He walked away without saying another word. Adrian: He shouted loudly, shaking the iron bars. "Hey! Where are you going? Get me out of here! Noor is waiting for me! Come on! I didn't kill anyone! I didn't do anything! Can you hear me?!" Noor had heard everything. She had been standing outside the cell. Slowly, she walked closer and spoke in a hoarse voice from all the crying. Noor: "Adrian..." He lifted his head. His eyes widened in disbelief when he saw Noor standing there. He quickly got to his feet and rushed toward the bars. She stepped closer and said, Noor: "Adrian... I don't believe what they're saying about you." Adrian: Trying to wipe away his tears... "Can you believe who put me here? Milan... I can accept anything except this." Noor: She cried as she placed both of her hands over his. "I know... Molan went to the company to find out why." At the company, Molan storms in, furious, causing the employees to instinctively step back. The employees whisper among themselves. "Who is she...?" "Why did she come in like this...?" Molan: She stands in the middle of the company. "Where is the manager of this company? Tell him to come out right now!" Michael: "Miss, you can't speak like that here. This is a respectable company. Please stay calm." Molan: Her eyes blaze with anger. "Then do me the favor of staying silent. Your respectable boss accused my brother and had him thrown in prison." "Listen to me, all of you! Every single person here who had a hand in putting my brother in prison will pay for it. Do you hear me?" Milan walks out of his office. He raises his head and looks at the employees standing frozen in place. Looking around, he notices a young woman standing with her back to him. Milan: "What's all this commotion?" Molan quickly turns around, rushes toward him, and grabs him by the collar. "Talk! Why is my brother in prison? And what right did you have to accuse him? Answer me!" Milan: Trying to free himself. "Let go of me. First of all, your brother is accused of murder." Molan: She tightens her grip so much that she almost chokes him. "And you actually believed that with your own eyes?" The employees quickly rush over and pull her away from him. "Please, step away from him." She steps back and starts walking away in anger. Milan calls out to her. "If you want me to help your brother, then improve your attitude." Molan: She turns around and glares at him angrily. "That's the last thing I'd ever ask from you." She walks out, almost exploding with rage. The very man who caused her brother to be imprisoned was now offering to help. Molan: She walks away angrily, muttering to herself. "That jerk was the reason my brother ended up in prison, and now he's offering to help." After that, she heads straight to the prison to see Adrin. --- At the company — Yan: "Guys... are you really sure Adrin is capable of committing this kind of crime?" Michael: "The evidence is clear, Yan." Yan: "I just can't believe it." Milan interrupts them, looking at them with an icy expression. Milan: "Everyone, get back to work." The employees return to their work... But Yan couldn't stop thinking about Adrin's case. He kept working, but his mind was somewhere else. Yan (to himself): "Is it really possible...? How could Adrin...? I just can't believe it... How can I help him...?" --- In Milan's office — Milan stands in front of the mirror, talking to himself as if his reflection were another person. His hands tremble as he points at his own reflection with a nervous smile. Milan: "Are you happy with what you've done? Yes... yes, I'm very happy... but... I didn't mean to do this... or maybe... maybe I didn't do it." He steps away from the mirror after coming back to his senses. He looks around in confusion. He doesn't even know how he got here in the first place... or what he was about to do. Standing in front of the mirror was never his intention. --- At the prison — Molan finally arrives to see her brother. Noor was already there before her. Molan grabs the prison bars and looks at her brother, who is lying on the floor with his face turned away. She wants to speak... But her tears won't let her. She grips the bars tightly, rests her forehead against them, and hot tears pour down her face. She lets out a sob. Hearing her crying, Adrin quickly turns around and gets to his feet. Adrin: He speaks nervously, trying to calm her down. He holds her hand as tears fill his own eyes. Molan... please don't cry. I can't bear seeing you like this... please." Molan: She speaks in a hoarse, broken voice while tears stream down her cheeks. "I... I... I just don't want to lose you. You're all I have left in this world... You're the light of my eyes. If you leave... who will light up my world?" Adrin gently places his hand on her cheek, smiling through his tears. "I'm sure I'm innocent. It's only a matter of time before I get out of here. I promise." Molan leans her head against the hand resting on her cheek, holding it tightly as she closes her eyes. The guard announces that visiting time is over. Noor had been standing beside them the whole time. When the guard announces the end of the visit— Noor: "We'll come visit you tomorrow." Molan: "Yes." --- They leave the prison as the sun begins to set. They walk silently through the street. The silence fills the air. Noor turns to Molan and speaks in a hoarse voice from all the crying. Noor: "So... did you go to the company?" Molan: She sighs heavily. "You won't believe it, Noor... I went there, and then... I told him everything." Noor: "So... what are we going to do?" Molan: "I honestly don't know... I can't bear losing him... I'm in such a difficult situation." Noor: She gently pats Molan's shoulder, trying to comfort her. "Don't worry... everything will be okay." Then she thinks to herself— Noor (to herself): "I don't want to lose him either, Molan." Each of them returns home. They close the front door, wishing this heavy day would end... And close behind them just as easily as that door. --- At Milan's house — After finishing work, Milan returns home. The whole time, Molan is on his mind. Milan (to himself angrily): "She doesn't even know who I am... How dare she storm into the company like that? But it's fine... she'll come back and ask for my help." He walks upstairs when Stella stops him. Stella: "Wait, brother." Milan: He turns toward her with a gentle expression. "Yes? You're still awake?" Stella: "Yes... Is it true?" Milan: He frowns in confusion. "What's true?" Stella: "That Adrin is the serial killer." Milan: Surprised— And who told you that?" Stella: "The news is all over the internet." Milan: "Yes... it's true." Stella remains silent. Milan continues walking toward his room. He enters his room and quietly closes the door. He doesn't seem alright. Why does he feel this way...? He can't even answer that question himself. He throws himself onto the bed, exhausted. Closing his eyes, he asks himself quietly— "Am I tired because of work... or is it my life that's exhausting...?" "I can't answer that right now..." Finally, he gives in to sleep. His long, eventful day has finally come to an end.. Meanwhile, somewhere else... Someone couldn't sleep. How could he sleep when he didn't even know how he had ended up here? Lying on the floor, he closed his eyes in exhaustion. He kept turning from side to side, trying to fall asleep, but he couldn't. The long, heavy night slowly passed... And morning finally arrived. --- Molan wakes up after spending the night without her brother. It had been an incredibly difficult night for her. She slowly lifts her upper body, still sleepy. She gets up, goes through her usual morning routine, and heads outside to look for a lawyer. --- Somewhere else... Someone else was just beginning his morning. He suddenly wakes up in fright after another nightmare. Milan: "My God... why do I keep having these dreams lately?" He looks at the clock. "I'm late for work." He gets up, follows his usual morning routine, then heads to work. He enters the company with steady steps and his usual calm expression. He politely greets the employees. Everyone he passes bows respectfully. He walks into his office, sits down quietly, and begins working on some documents. Suddenly, he remembers what happened yesterday. Milan: He pauses for a moment and quietly says to himself, "I wonder... will she come back?" A faint, confident smile appears on his face. "Of course she will." He stands up and walks toward the window, looking out at the city and its buildings. Then he says calmly, as though he is completely certain, "You'll come back. If not today... then tomorrow... but it won't take more than three days." "It's fine... I'll wait." --- Somewhere else... Noor leaves to visit the one she loves. She arrives at the prison and asks for permission to see him. She is allowed inside. Adrin is sitting with his head resting on his knees. He sighs heavily, believing no one would come to visit him today. How badly he wished someone would... Noor: She looks at him from behind the prison bars and gently calls out in her soft voice, "Adrin." He immediately lifts his head, quickly stands up, and walks toward her. Adrin: He places both of his hands over hers and smiles gently as he looks into her eyes. Noor: Her eyes smile before her lips do. "I brought you breakfast." Adrin: He looks at the lunch box in her hands, then back at her with a gentle smile. Is it boiled eggs?" Noor: She laughs. "Yes. You guessed right." Adrin: He gently cups her cheek, softly caressing her skin. She naturally leans into his touch. "Thank you." Noor: "You're welcome." One of the police officers approaches. Officer: "Excuse me, miss. Visiting time is over." Noor turns to Adrin and quickly says, I'll come back later. I'm going to see Molan. She told me she's looking for a lawyer." She looks at him one last time before leaving. "Take care of yourself... I love you. Goodbye." She walks away before he even has the chance to reply. Adrin stands there smiling to himself, unable to stop smiling. "I love you too." He sits down and begins eating the breakfast Noor had brought him. Noor had just left after visiting Adrin when her phone rang. She looked at the screen. It was Molan. She answered while walking down the street. Noor: "Hello, Molan. I was just about to call you. What happened?" Molan: She lets out a heavy sigh. "Where are you now?" Noor: "I'm near the park." Molan: "Don't move. I'm coming to you." Noor: "Okay." Noor stayed where she was until Molan arrived. Noor: She looks at Molan in surprise after seeing her face. "What happened? Why do you look like this?" Molan: She quickly wipes her face, still tense, and says, "Let's sit down first." The two of them sit on a nearby bench. Noor: "Tell me. What happened?" Molan: She speaks angrily, gesturing with her hands. "Can you believe it, Noor? I went to several lawyers. Some of them asked for so much money that even if I sold my kidney, I still wouldn't be able to pay. The others simply said, 'We're sorry, the case is too difficult.'" Noor: In shock, "Really?" Molan: "Yes... I couldn't believe it either." Noor: She stares ahead, thinking. So... what are we supposed to do?" Molan: She sighs, clasping her hands together. "I honestly don't know." Noor: She speaks calmly and firmly. "There's only one person left... Milan." Molan: She looks at her, immediately stands up, and says emotionally, "What?!" Noor: She stands as well. "Do you have any other choice?" Molan lowers her gaze to the ground. She closes her eyes in resignation before saying, "No... I don't." Noor: "I know you don't want to go... but think about Adrin." --- Some time later... Molan stands in front of the company building. She lifts her head and lets out a deep, uneasy sigh. She walks forward with slow, nervous steps. The distance wasn't far... Yet with every step she took forward, it felt as though she was being pulled two steps back. Finally, she arrives. Molan: She pauses before entering the building and quietly says to herself, "This is only for my brother... only for him." She walks inside. From his office window, Milan watches her enter. He sees her looking around nervously, glancing left and right as if searching for someone. Milan: A faint smirk appears on his lips. "She's back... I knew she would." A staff member knocks on his office door before entering. Employee: "Sir, there's a young woman here asking to see you. What should I tell her?" Milan: Still watching her through the window, Let her in." Employee: "Yes, sir." Molan stands in front of the office door. She places her hand over the left side of her chest and slowly exhales the breath she had been holding ever since she entered the company. She raises her hand... And knocks on the door. A voice from inside gives her permission to enter. She steps inside. Standing before him, she takes a deep breath before speaking... While he remains standing with his back turned toward her. Molan: She stammers, swallowing nervously between every few words. I... I was... I was wrong." She pauses for a moment. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it... but you know, he's my brother." She takes a deep breath and continues. "So... please help my brother." Milan listens to her quietly. After she finishes speaking, he slowly turns to face her. Milan: "So... is this an apology?" Molan: "Yes." Milan: "No... You still believe that I wronged your brother." She lowers her head. Without even realizing it, a warm tear slips down her cheek. She doesn't know why... Whether it is because of this moment or everything that has happened before. "I'm sorry." Milan falls silent. He looks at her, and his heart tightens slightly. He never expected her to cry. He lets out a quiet sigh, trying to maintain his usual cold expression. "Sit down." She stops crying. Slowly, she walks forward and sits across from him. She begins speaking again, still feeling nervous. "My brother didn't do anything... I... I'm certain of that." She pauses. She notices that Milan is gently pressing his fingers against his forehead, as though trying to hold back a headache. She asks softly, with a hint of concern. "Excuse me... are you alright?" Milan comes back to his senses and lowers his hand from his forehead. He answers calmly, despite the sudden headache. "Yes... continue." Molan: She looks at him with slight confusion but continues. "Alright." "I know the ring belongs to my brother... but he's innocent. Please believe me." Milan nods in understanding. "We'll continue investigating the case. I'll also visit Adrin myself and hear the details from him." A smile appears on Molan's face, as though she still can't believe he agreed to help. "You're really going to help my brother?" Milan: He nods calmly. "Yes." Molan stands and extends her hand toward him. Milan looks at her and realizes she wants to shake his hand. He reaches out and shakes it. Molan: "Thank you." Milan: He gives a small nod before gently letting go of her hand. Molan leaves the office. As soon as she closes the door behind her, she finally lets out the breath she had been holding the entire time. --- The next morning... Milan wakes up. He looks around his room and quietly asks himself, "Why does this headache keep following me all the time?" The next morning... Milan wakes up. He looks around his room and quietly asks himself, "Why does this headache keep following me all the time?" He sighs and closes his eyes. "It's probably just a headache from work stress." He gets up and goes through his usual morning routine before leaving. But this time, his destination isn't the company... It's the prison. He gets into his car and calmly drives toward his destination His phone rings. It's one of the employees. Milan: "Yes?" Employee: "Good morning, sir. I wanted to ask if you're coming to the company today." Milan: "I'm not coming today." Employee: "What about the deal?" Milan: "Tell Yan to handle everything." Employee: "Yes, sir." Milan hangs up and continues driving toward his destination. He arrives at the prison. He steps out of his car with his usual composed manner and closes the door behind him. Standing in front of the building, something makes him pause for a brief moment before taking another step. He doesn't know what it is. Ignoring the strange feeling, he walks inside. As soon as he enters, one of the officers respectfully greets him and offers him a seat. Milan: "Thank you." "I'd like to see Adrin." The officer looks confused. Officer: "Who is Adrin?" Milan: "The man accused of the serial murders." Officer: "Oh, yes... Of course. Would you like something to drink?" Milan: "Thank you, but I just want to see Adrin." Officer: "Certainly. Would you like to speak with him alone?" Milan: "Yes." The officer stands up and walks toward Adrin's cell. Officer: "Adrin." Adrin: "Yes!" Officer: "Someone is here to see you." Adrin: "Alright." Adrin enters the room. He can't see the visitor's face because the man is standing with his back toward him. Breaking the strange silence, Adrin speaks. Adrin: "Excuse me... who are you?" The man slowly turns his head... Then the rest of his body. Adrin's eyes widen in disbelief. He says in surprise, "So... it's you." Milan: "Yes." Adrin: "What do you want? Are you here to—" Milan interrupts him with a small gesture of his hand. Milan: "Calm down. I came to help you." Adrin: His eyes widen even more. "You?! You're the reason I'm here in the first place." Milan: "I know. I had no choice because all the evidence pointed to you. But now... I'm on your side, not against you." Adrin: Confused, "What do you mean?" Milan: "I mean exactly what I said. I'm here to help you." Adrin: "I don't know... I can't believe you." Milan takes two steps toward him and gently places a hand on his shoulder. Milan: "Think about it. Either you accept my help... or you stay here." He turns toward the door. Just before leaving, he stops and speaks in his usual calm voice. "Think it over. I'll come back tomorrow to hear your answer." He leaves the room... Leaving Adrin completely lost in thought. --- The next morning... In a quiet café, Milan and Molan sit together to discuss what they agreed on yesterday. A cup of coffee sits in front of each of them. Milan: He lifts his coffee cup. "I met Adrin." Molan: "Really? And?" Milan: After taking a sip of his coffee, "He refused my help... but..." Molan: "But what?" Milan: "I told him he had two choices... either accept my help, or stay where he is." Molan: She sets her coffee cup down. "And what did he say?" Milan: "He didn't answer. I told him to think about it, and that I'd come back tomorrow to hear his decision Molan: She nods in understanding. Silence fills the café. After Adrin agrees, the investigation continues for several months. Unfortunately, they find nothing. All the evidence still points to Adrin, and Milan has no way to prove otherwise. And now... Today, Adrin stands in the courtroom, waiting for his fate. Everyone is present, including Molan and Noor. Noor can no longer hold back her tears. She lowers her head as tears silently roll down her cheeks. Judge: "All the evidence is against the defendant. Furthermore, you have nothing to defend yourself with." Adrin lowers his head in despair. Adrin: "Yes, Your Honor." Judge: "This court hereby sentences the defendant, Adrin..." He pauses for a moment. The courtroom is filled with tension. Complete silence takes over. Then the judge continues. Judge: "...to death by hanging." He strikes the gavel, declaring the session over. Molan: She looks at Adrin, tears pouring from her eyes as if they would never stop. As for Noor... She gasps, unable to hold herself together any longer, and breaks down into uncontrollable sobs. Adrin looks at both of them... Then he begins crying as well. The two girls run toward him. He welcomes them into one final embrace... A farewell embrace... An embrace filled with tears and heartbreaking sobs. Noor: "Adrin, please... You didn't do anything! Tell them to cancel the sentence!" Molan: "Please... please!" She grabs his hand, desperately trying to pull him with her. But Adrin gently stops her. A faint smile mixed with tears appears on his face. Adrin: "No... I don't want to go anywhere." "I just want to spend my time with you." A few moments after saying those words... He looks at them with eyes that seem to say, "It's time for me to leave." Slowly, he leans toward Noor... His head falls onto her shoulder. Noor thinks he simply needs comfort, so she quietly lets him rest there. Molan watches them from where she stands. A few moments pass... Then she suddenly realizes... Adrin isn't sleeping. She panics and screams. Molan: "Noor!" Noor: "What?" Molan: "Adrin... Adrin isn't breathing, Noor!" Noor: "What?! How?!" She gently pulls him back and checks his pulse. There is nothing. She holds his hand. It's completely cold. Yes... Adrin died at that very moment... Even before his execution. As if he were saying... "There's no need to wait for the sentence to be carried out..." --- End of Chapter Three What will happen to Molan? Where will Noor go? Was Adrin truly innocent? And who is the real culprit? All of this—and much more—will be revealed in Chapter Four, titled: "Love and Spark." Thank you all for reading