Kissa

I Stand With The Truth

_KISSA_

_Chapter 8 "I Stand With The Truth"_

What was it that had disturbed Ali so much?

I knocked on Ali’s room door. A voice came from inside, “Come in.”

I opened the door. Ali sat on the chair. Deep lines of thought marked his face. The room was silent. Only the ticking of the wall clock could be heard.

I said, “Ali… I need to talk. I have questions.”

He looked up. His eyes were tired, but he smiled. “Ask, Kissa. You will get an answer to every question.”

“What were you and Haris discussing this morning? Why did you both walk out? I have been worried since morning. I saw you both leave the room with serious faces. My heart has been restless since then. The house is full today, yet it feels empty.”

“Tell me, Ali. I need the truth. If something is wrong, I will face it with you. If there is nothing, then tell me so my heart can find peace. Do not keep me in the dark. Tell me every single word.”

Ali took a long breath. “Oh Kissa, it was nothing special. Why are you so worried?”

“No, Ali. Do not hide anything. Whether it is small or big, I need to know what happened.” My voice carried the stubbornness for which everyone calls me Kissa Daud.

Ali smiled. “Is it necessary to tell you?”

“Yes, it is necessary. I am Kissa Daud, Ali. I cannot stand half truths. Tell me now.”

Haha… Ali laughed. “As you command, Miss Kissa Daud. I am fighting a case these days. A landlord versus a farmer. I am the lawyer for the poor farmer.”

“The case is in its final stage. God willing, we will win. But Haris told me to lose the case. The landlord will give me a large sum of money as a gift.”

“How can I do that, Kissa? I am a lawyer. I made a promise to God that I will always stand with the truth. Who will tell Haris that honor means more to me than money?”

“Money can buy many things, but not everything. You can buy sleeping pills, but not peaceful sleep. You can buy alcohol, but not peace of mind. Now you tell me, what should I do?”

Hearing Ali, anger rose for Haris. My fists clenched. “Ali, what do you want?”

Ali looked straight into my eyes. That spark was there, the one only a person fighting for truth has. “Kissa, I want peace without alcohol. I want to sleep without sleeping pills.”

“I do not want my conscience to blame me. I cannot agree with Haris.”

I placed my hand on his shoulder. “Ali, you made the right decision. I stand with you in this decision. Consider me your strength.”

“Yes, Kissa. That is what I expected. I know my Kissa very well.” His voice softened, but his trust was clear.

“There is something in Ali’s heart. He wants to say more but cannot.”

I asked Ali, “Do you want to say something?”

“I will, Kissa. I will say it. But when the time comes.”

I said, “Time does not wait for anyone, Ali. If you keep red lights on in your heart for too long, the traffic only builds up.”

“Wow, Kissa, wow. You have outdone me today. You sound like a barrister. I enjoy talking to you. You are a strong girl.”

“I am Kissa Daud, Ali.” I said with a teasing tone, “Be grateful that this brave girl is your best friend.” 😊

We were still talking when Noor burst into the room like a storm. The door slammed open. “So you two are hiding here! I have been searching for you all over the house like a detective.”

I glared at her. “Noor, not police. Say detective.”

We all laughed. The heavy atmosphere lightened. Noor came to me and put her hands on her waist. “Kissa, did you tell Ali about the morning talk?”

Ali immediately asked, “Which talk? Kissa, are you hiding something from me?”

I raised my hand. “No, Ali. I may or may not tell others, but I will tell you for sure. Not now, though. Wait a little. First, let me see what I can do for myself.”

“When I feel weak, I will need you. Just be ready. I will call you.”

Ali nodded, but there was a question in his eyes. Noor interrupted, “Stop with this secret talk. Mother has served dinner. Everyone is starving and you two are playing justice-justice here.”

Mother’s voice came from outside, “Come, children. Dinner is ready.”

Ali leaned back in his chair. “Kissa and Noor, you both go. I am not in the mood to eat. I had something light on the way here.”

I walked to him. “No, lawyer. Come properly or none of us will go. Justice is not fought on an empty stomach.”

Ali raised both hands and gave up. “Okay, Miss Kissa Daud. Ladies first. You and Noor go ahead. I will come.”

I moved toward the door. unease tightened in a corner of my heart. what would happen if Haris and Ali faced each other again at the dining table?

I looked at Noor. Noor was looking at me too. The same question was in both our eyes. We stepped out in silence. Behind us, Ali was closing his file.

I prayed that today’s sun had set, and this bright moon would rise without any new fight.

Thankfully, Haris had not come home yet. Everyone except Haris was at the dining table. I said hello to everyone and pulled my chair a little to sit down.

Then the door opened and Haris walked in. “Hello everyone. I will go wash my hands,” he said and headed to his room. A few minutes later, he returned and sat on the chair next to me.

My worry increased. Haris’s mood did not seem right, and I knew Ali would never agree with him. Thoughts raced in my mind. What would happen now? I hoped he would not bring up the same topic again.

Noor lived in her own world. While my condition worsened with worry, Noor asked Haris a strange question, “Haris, you roam around all day. Are you looking for a job?”

I could barely hold back my laughter at that question.

Haris just stared at Noor without answering. Everyone at the table struggled to suppress their laughter and turned it into a smile.

Footsteps echoed on the stairs. Maybe Ali was coming down. My heartbeat started racing too…

To be continued...