Kissa

Truth Is Finding Its Way

*KISSA*

*Chapter 9 "Truth Is Finding Its Way"*

Footsteps echoed on the stairs. Ali was coming down.

My heartbeat lost its rhythm. My breath refused to listen to my heart. The air in the room froze. As if time had stolen a single moment.

Ali greeted everyone. His voice carried the same weight. Every word struck straight to the heart.

He pulled the chair beside Dad and sat down. I glanced at him quietly. No fear on his face. No show. Only the confidence of stone.

Dad asked gently, “Son, tell me, how are you? You seem busy. Where does the farmer’s case stand now?”

Ali smiled. He raised his eyes and said, “Uncle, the court system is slow. But I am sure. The verdict will come in the next two or three hearings. Our case is strong. The farmer will win.”

Dad nodded, “Of course, son. Our prayers are with you. May the verdict come before we leave. We will take a feast from you. This will not be a small victory.”

Ali lowered his head respectfully, “Yes uncle. The fight for justice is hard. But as long as there is breath, the struggle will continue.”

My eyes shifted to Haris. He had turned to stone. No movement, no words. He sat with his head down, busy with breakfast.

But I knew. Haris was listening to everything. He was silent. This was the silence before the storm.

Can Noor stay silent? Never. Her laughter brought the walls to life.

Noor said, “Ali, after you win the case, take us to Lahore. Minar-e-Pakistan, Badshahi Mosque. Wow! From now on I will pray for your success every day. Haris, you pray too. People say the prayers of those abroad are accepted faster.”

Haris gave a faint smile. His eyes did not smile. There was something else in his eyes. I could not understand it.

Breakfast ended. Ali stood up. He asked Dad for permission, “Uncle, I have to go to court. Today’s hearing is important. I will try to return soon.”

Dad blessed him, “May God grant you success, son.”

Haris also stood up. He picked up his coat, “I have urgent work too. I have to go out.” Both left together.

Only we women remained in the gathering. Mom, Aunty, Noor, and I.

Aunty lifted her teacup, “May God make these children successful. Amen. Mom said Ali is such a dear boy. These days no one stands up for what is right.”

Mom also said Amen, “My heart prays for Ali. But I am also afraid. Landlords do not let common people live.”

Noor said, “Mom, do not worry. Ali will win. After winning we will all go to Lahore and travel together.”

I only smiled. A fire was burning inside me. Something was about to happen.

Evening began to fall. I stood near the window. A car stopped outside. Ali had returned.

He looked tired. But the same calm was on his face. I was in my room. Haris sat in the lounge.

Ali entered the house. I saw from the window. Haris and Ali were talking. The words were not clear. The tone was harsh.

Then both went to the rooftop. My restlessness grew. My heart said, go and see what is happening.

I followed them. I stood beside the rooftop door and listened to their conversation.

Haris’s voice was sharp, “Ali, you are ruining your future. What will a poor farmer give you? Twenty thousand? I can get you five million from the landlord.”

“Your life will be set. Your career will be made. Understand this.”

Ali took a deep breath. There was no anger. No fear. Only truth.

“Haris, you are making a mistake about me. I did not become a lawyer to earn money. If I wanted money, I would have done business.”

“I only know this. The farmer is on the side of truth. I am standing with the truth. That is my real victory.”

Haris’s anger flared, “Ali, you are not the final word in this case. There are other ways too. I only want some benefit for you.”

“Just think for a few days. Then give me your answer. Otherwise, there are other options.”

Saying this, Haris moved toward the door.

I trembled. He might see me. I turned back.

A voice came from behind, “Haris, wait.” It was Ali’s voice.

It was hard for me to stay there. Haris could come anytime. But both my ears and attention were fixed on Ali’s voice.

Haris turned back. His eyes were sharp.

“If you have understood my words, that is good. I will make the landlord give you six million, not five. This is what wisdom demands, Ali.”

Ali stood straight. No fear, no hesitation.

“Haris, do not even think I will step back. I just want to ask you one thing. What is your connection to this case?”

“Why do you keep coming to me? Why are you pleading for the landlord? Tell me the truth today.”

Haris smiled and said, “There is a connection, that is why I am trying to make you understand. It is better for you to accept my words.”

“I know where cases like this get buried. I also know how a lost case is won. I only want your benefit.”

Ali’s voice grew heavy, “Forget my benefit. Tell me why you came from the city to this village?”

Haris stepped forward, “Listen Ali. I am also an owner of that land. The landlord’s son is my friend.”

“We both want to build a tire factory here. All legal papers are clear. The only obstacle is you.”

Ali let out a bitter laugh.

“How can this be, Haris? The owner of the land is standing in court. He is against the landlord. He is demanding his land through the law.”

I heard everything. Two faces appeared before me. One was Haris’s, the other was Ali’s.

Haris was proud. He was harsh. But could he be a traitor? My brother?

Ali? He stood alone. Facing power. Where even the law could be sold.

Haris laughed loudly, “Which law are you talking about, Ali? Our law is a spider’s web.”

“Only small insects get trapped. Big animals tear the web apart. If you continue with this case, you will lose more than the case, Ali. You will lose a lot.”

“Do not appear in court at the next hearing. We will meet again in a better place.”

Saying this, Haris moved toward the door.

I rushed downstairs, shaken. My soul was trembling. My heart said, go and ask Haris now.

Ask how he could fall so low. Could hunger for money make him forget right and wrong?

No. I will talk to Dad. Right now.

Mom was coming out of her room. I asked about Dad.

Mom said, “He has gone to the fields with Masood uncle. The sun is setting. They might return in a while.”

“Is everything alright, Kissa?”

I avoided the question, “No Mom, I just asked.”

Anger filled me. I could not decide. Should I go to the fields or wait?

Just then Ali also came downstairs. The same stone-like confidence was on his face. The decision for war was made.

I grabbed Ali’s hand and pulled him toward the lawn.

“Ali, what do you think you are? I heard everything. Every word between you and Haris.”

“Let us talk to Dad. Right now. Before the water rises over our heads. You cannot fight this battle alone.”

Ali laughed. My anger grew more.

“Ali, have you gone mad? Haris threatened you. I am a witness.”

Ali did not lower his eyes, “Kissa, I grew up among these problems. A way will be found.”

“I know the judge. This is his eighth transfer. Do you know why? Because he does not take bribes. That is why he was sent to this deserted village.”

Ali looked at the sky, “He was not sent here. He was sent from above. Everything will be fine. I swear to you, Kissa. Do nothing. Do not talk to Dad or Haris. Just wait a few days.”

Seeing Ali’s confidence gave me courage.

“Alright Ali. Do not think you are alone. I am with you.”

Then Noor’s voice came from behind, “And I am with you too, Kissa! Where are we going? Give me one minute, I will get ready.”

I could not stop my laughter. Hahaha.

I called out, “Noor, come here. We are not going anywhere. We were thinking of having tea.”

“Make three strong cups of tea. We will sit and drink together.”

Noor said, “Oh, is that it? Alright then. I will bring it in two minutes.”

I shouted, “The weather is nice. The air is cool. If we have hot fritters with tea, that would be perfect.”

Noor shouted back, “Ok boss! Two minutes!”

The evening grew darker. The coolness increased. I sat on the lawn bench. The sky was turning red.

Ali stood beside me. His eyes were still fixed on the door where Haris had left.

I said softly, “Threatening is easy, Ali. Standing firm is hard.”

Ali replied without blinking, “Even if the whole world changes, I do not care, Kissa. Fighting your own people is what is hard.”

Noor shouted from the kitchen, “Fritters are frying! Smell them! Kissa, if you want anything else, say it. Today you will get whatever you ask for.”

I smiled faintly. There was anger. But there was peace too. The soil, the air, and two people standing with me.

It seemed like tea time. But perhaps this was the moment. This was where a new turn of the war was beginning.

To be continued...