Kissa

"My Auction Never Happened"

KISSA

Chapter 12 "My Auction Never Happened"

After so much exhaustion, waking up in the morning was impossible. The body was broken, and the eyes were begging to stay closed.

The phone rang. A name flashed on the screen - Khushi.

"Hello Kissa! Where have you disappeared? The college feels empty without you. Lectures are boring, the canteen is deserted."

I shifted and said, "Khushi, city life is all rush... twenty four hours of noise, smoke, and tiredness. And the air here? With every breath it feels like some life giving medicine is entering my veins."

"When are you coming back then?"

"Three or four days. I cannot confirm Khushi. My heart does not want to leave."

Khushi said with annoyance, "Come soon, everyone is missing you. The professors were also asking where Kissa is."

I smiled, eyes closed, "Tell everyone... Kissa is in paradise right now. I am just enjoying the air."

The call ended and the door burst open. Noor entered the room like a storm. Hair messy, sleep on her face.

"Kissa! You woke up? Are you crazy? You should have slept more... you could have slept straight till tomorrow morning. You missed breakfast, now it is lunch directly."

I glared at her, "You slept like a dead person in the car all night. You were snoring. If I had slept I would have woken up early too."

Noor's mouth stayed open, "Me? When did I sleep? I stayed awake all night taking care of you!"

My mom called from downstairs, "Kissa! Come down, daughter. Breakfast is cancelled. Come straight for lunch. I made biryani."

I said, "Coming, just two minutes."

I told Noor, "You run downstairs. I will freshen up and come."

After washing up I went downstairs. Hunger was like fire, and the smell of biryani demanded my attention. Mom, you are amazing.

After eating, my stomach felt calm and then I remembered Ali. I dialed his number. It rang, then stopped... No response. I just left a message: Call back. It is important.

I looked at the lawn and Haris's car was parked outside. That meant he was home. But why was he so quiet? He vanished after breakfast?

I called Noor. She appeared like lightning. As if she was standing quietly behind the door.

"Yes Kissa? Orders?"

"Where is Haris, Noor?"

Noor shrugged, "He left right after breakfast. Without talking to anyone."

I frowned, "But the car is still here, right?"

Noor held back a laugh, "Then he went on foot, sir. Walking like a lion."

My mind was shaken. On foot? In this heat? Toward the landlord's place? Or somewhere else?

Alarms started ringing in my mind. The case verdict was near.

At that moment Ali's call came. I went out to the lawn. The sun was harsh, but I found shade.

"Advocate! You promised to meet in the morning... you betrayed me?"

Ali's voice had sleep and a smile too, "Kissa, you were sleeping. I sent Noor to your room."

"When will you come then?"

"I will come soon. Let me finish some work. We will meet in the evening. Promise."

I changed the topic, "Ali, today Haris did not take the car. He left on foot. Something is wrong."

Ali's voice became heavy at once, "Kissa, the landlord's son came from the UK last night. He must have gone to meet him. The farmer versus landlord case is now at the final stage. Everyone is making last minute deals. I need your prayers."

I said, making my voice strong, "Not just prayers Ali... I will become the medicine too. So what if Haris is my brother? Right now he is on the wrong path. And I never stand under the flag of wrong. Should I talk to Haris? Should I make my brother understand?"

Ali said at once, "Never Kissa! Beware! Now words will not speak... evidence will speak. And that too in court. You will not interfere. Promise me."

I promised and cut the call.

I understood why Ali had left on foot. He must have gone to meet someone too. Anyway, whatever happens will be seen.

My dad called out from inside. I thought they would talk about marriage again. The name of Khwaja Alam's son would come up. I closed my ears and stayed silent.

Then Noor came like an arrow, cutting through the air, "Kissa! Kissa! Your dad is calling you! Run! His face is serious!"

I gave Noor a light tap on the head, "Are you WiFi? You catch every signal? Stay a little slow."

Noor made an innocent face and pouted, "Today is a cursed day for me. Since morning everyone is targeting me. Your mom is scolding, your dad is staring, you are tapping me."

I hugged her, "I was joking, dear. You are my heartbeat. Come, let's go to him now."

I went to my dad. There was worry and tiredness on his face.

"Yes, what is it?"

He smiled, but there was pain in the smile, "Sit, daughter, sit close. Not about marriage... about returning. I am thinking of going back to the city. Tomorrow or the day after."

Second shock. My heart sank.

"Return? So soon? What is the plan?"

"Just tomorrow or the day after. Work is done."

I took a breath and said, with pleading in my eyes, "Your two days... add one of my days too. Let's leave after three days? I am enjoying it here."

My mom said from the doorway, "Add one of my days too. Lock it at four days."

Then another shout came from far, Noor's voice, "And Uncle, add half a day of mine too! Not in the morning on the fourth day... leave in the afternoon. Lock it at four and a half days, Uncle! Final promise!"

Everyone burst into laughter. The mood lightened.

I thanked in my heart... my dad did not bring up Khwaja Alam's son. Otherwise this would not be a shock, it would be an earthquake. Today would have ended.

Evening was falling. The sun was turning red. It was time for Ali to come. I went to the lawn. A cool breeze was blowing.

"Noor! Two cups of tea. Bring them hot to the lawn."

Noor appeared at lightning speed. Two cups in hand, victory on her face.

We sat on the bench and there was peace. Tea was hot, talks were light. Birds were returning.

The door opened. Ali's car arrived. It stopped at the side. Ali came down from the car with a file in hand, wearing a coat, smiling. Despite the heat, his face was cool. And his direction was straight toward me.

Ali came closer and asked, "Did I make you wait too long, Kissa?"

I raised my hand and showed the watch, "Right on time, Advocate."

Noor said in between, "Ali, sit. I am making tea for you too. Hot."

Ali nodded, "Sure, Noor. Thank you."

Ali also sat on the bench with me. I was at one corner of the bench and Ali at the other corner. Between us... a bridge of silence. Breaths were fast.

I asked, keeping my voice low, "How was your day today, Ali?"

Ali hid his tiredness and said, "Just the daily drama. Same order, same judge, same issues, same decisions. Routine kills you."

I asked directly, "That will keep going. What happened with the farmer and landlord case?"

At that moment the door opened again and Haris entered with a proud smile. There was dust on his feet, arrogance in his eyes.

Ali and Haris's eyes met. The air stopped. Haris changed his direction while moving forward and started coming toward us. Steps were heavy.

And as soon as he came, Haris looked straight at me and said, "Kissa, do not take the words of these lawyers too seriously. Along with an LLB degree, lawyers also have a PhD in lying. They weave a web of words and hide the truth."

Ali struck back without lowering his eyes, "Those lawyers must be different, Haris, who sell their conscience by counting notes like you. I am in love with my own limits. My wealth is my faith. Stepping beyond my limits is not my nature. I am not for sale."

Haris smiled, "I have brought good news for you, Ali. You will not dislike it."

It slipped from my lips, "What kind of good news?" I felt strange, my heart panicked.

Ali asked, his voice cold like ice, "Speak, Haris, what have you brought? What conspiracy now?"

Haris said, puffing his chest with arrogance, "On the next court date, a warrant of your defeat will be issued. The landlord's son is also my friend and he has come. Game over, Advocate."

Ali stood up. His height seemed taller. His eyes turned red.

"Whether I win or lose, Haris... I am not for sale. If I get justice for the oppressed, that is victory. If I fall after fighting, that is also victory. My pride is that my head did not bow... my auction never happened... I am not market goods."

Then Ali shot his last arrow into Haris's eyes, each word piercing:

"In the next and final decisive hearing, you will find me stronger than before, Haris. I am ready."

Then Ali looked at me and said,

"I am leaving, Kissa."

Ali turned and walked toward the house.

Will Haris's conspiracy succeed?

Or will Ali win the case?

Watch all this in the next chapter.

To be continued...