Kissa

Storm Uproots the Tree Not the Roots

*KISSA*

*Chapter 16: "Storm Uproots the Tree, Not the Roots"*

The court proceedings had been adjourned.

The echo of the gavel still rang through the walls. "Judgment will be delivered at the next hearing."

But the moment I stepped outside, a storm of questions rose inside my heart.

I stood up from my chair. My legs were trembling. I clutched the edge of my burqa tightly in my fist.

Ali gathered his files. Fatigue was hidden in the rustle of papers. He walked toward the door, then stopped. He turned and looked at me.

"Come, Kissa."

Just two words. But those two words carried the weight of the whole world.

I followed him. The sound of our footsteps echoed alone in the long hallway. With every step my heart repeated one question: whose side would the verdict be on?

Outside the sun was harsh. Ali opened the car door. I sat down silently. The heat of the seat burned my skin.

The car started moving. I gathered courage and asked, "Ali... what will happen now?"

Ali's face was like stone. His eyes were fixed on the road ahead. He stayed silent for a moment. Then he spoke, his voice so low it was swallowed by the engine's hum.

"I have done my part, Kissa. I spoke the truth. I placed the evidence. I exposed the witness's lie. Now the rest is for the scales of justice."

I looked out the window. Trees were racing past behind us.

"Ali... what if the weight of money is heavier? What if a bundle of bribes tips the scale?"

Ali glanced at me for a second. There was exhaustion in his eyes, but also faith.

"No, Kissa. My heart says the verdict will be based on justice. Because the light I saw in the judge's eyes today... that light cannot be bought."

Soft music played in the car. Fresh air came in through the window. But the storm inside me did not stop. Question after question.

Ali was silent. As if he was praying silently too.

Near the house, Ali stopped the car some distance from the back gate. It was caution. Caution was the only reason we were alive until now.

I got out quickly. My heart was pounding hard. I pulled my burqa tight over my head and ran along the wall. My breath was heavy. Sweat had soaked my clothes.

I had already messaged Noor. The latch clicked open. I slipped inside and rushed straight to my room. I leaned my back against the wall. My chest was beating fast.

Noor was sitting huddled in a corner. Her face was pale. Her eyes were fixed on the door. The moment she saw me, life returned to her face.

I forced a smile on my lips.

"I am back, Noor. Now turn red again. Yellow does not suit you."

Noor glared at me. Anger and fear were mixed in her voice.

"I have been sitting here holding my breath and you think this is the time for jokes? Ammi came to the door twice. If I wasn't here, your verdict would have been decided today."

I laughed and put my hand on Noor's shoulder.

"No, Noor. You really have turned pale like a lemon from fear. But don't worry. I am here now."

Noor pulled her shoulder away.

"Enough of this. Tell me what happened in court today? What was the verdict?"

I removed my burqa and sat on the bed. I looked at the ceiling.

"Today truth stood at its full glory in court, Noor. The head of truth was high and the lie was torn apart. Ali cut the witness's lie with two papers. One was a stamp paper, the other was a Dubai boarding pass. The witness had been abroad for twelve years. His signatures were fake."

Noor's eyes widened.

"Then what was the verdict?"

I took a long breath.

"The verdict will be on the next hearing. The judge closed the files and said, 'Judgment is reserved.'"

Noor slapped her forehead.

"And if you go to court again next time, your verdict will also be decided here on the next hearing. Ammi is suspicious now. She was asking where you were. I said you were unwell and sleeping."

I laughed and hugged Noor.

"Noor, I will never forget this favor. If you were not here, I would have been caught today."

Noor muttered as she walked out of the room, "Crazy girl."

The room became empty. I lay down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Today even the ceiling felt very close. As if it was listening to my questions.

I looked out of the window. My heart sank.

On the road outside... Ali was surrounded by the landlord's son and four men. The distance was there, the voice was not clear. But the scene was screaming.

The landlord's son... that same face, that same arrogance. His finger was waving in front of Ali's chest. The men with him had their hands in their pockets. Maybe a knife, maybe a pistol.

But Ali... Ali's chest was still broad. His height was still tall. His eyes were still high. He was alone, but he looked like a whole army standing there.

The landlord's son said something I could not hear. There was no fear on Ali's face. No panic. Only a calm smile. A smile that said, "Do whatever you want to do."

The landlord's son spat on the ground in anger. Then he turned and got into the car. The tires screeched as the car sped away, raising dust.

Ali kept watching the car until it disappeared. As if he was saying, "Do whatever you want. I will stand on the side of truth."

Then Ali started the car and came inside through the back gate.

At the same moment Haris's car also came in behind him. Both cars stopped face to face in the courtyard.

The doors opened. Both of them got out together.

There was tension in the air. Even the walls seemed to hold their breath.

Haris stepped forward. He stopped right in front of Ali. His voice was soaked in poison.

"The next court date will decide many things, Ali. Your law practice, your stubbornness... and your breath too."

Ali took one step forward. Only a hand's distance remained between him and Haris. Then he smiled. That smile... that smile was more dangerous than death.

"I have burned all my boats, Haris. Whatever the verdict is, I am ready to face it. I have nothing left to lose. Except the truth. And truth never loses."

Haris's eyes turned red. He gritted his teeth.

"A storm will come, Ali. A storm that will not let you stand your ground. Your law practice, your truth... everything will be blown away."

Ali lowered his head. Then he raised his eyes and looked into Haris's eyes. His voice was steel.

"Then let it also be decided whose roots are stronger. Yours of wealth, or mine of truth. A storm uproots the tree, Haris... not the roots."

Ali shrugged his shoulder. He crossed Haris and walked ahead. There was confidence in his steps. There was no fear on his back.

Haris stood behind, fists clenched. The shadow of defeat was on his face.

I was standing behind the window watching all this. There was only one prayer in my heart.

"Oh God... let the scale of justice tip toward truth."

Ali came inside. His eyes met mine for a moment. He said nothing. He just nodded slightly. As if he was saying, "Don't be afraid, Kissa. The war is not over yet."

Outside the sunlight was slowly fading. And inside... inside the ashes of judgment were still smoldering.

Was a new war about to begin?

Find out in the next chapter.

To be continued...