Life Sentence

CHAPTER 1

The courtroom was dead silent as everyone awaited the final statement of the judge. One could even hear the sound of a pin dropping. But it was not like that at all to Kubra. It was all too loud for her. The blood rushing to her ears, the pounding of her own heart, the accusations people were throwing at her with their eyes, the sympathies some were sending her way ___ they were too much for her to handle.

She gripped the side of the chair, the wood biting into her palms but she couldn't care less. Though everyone kind of knew that she'd lost the case, the stupid bud of hope was still in her heart. Perhaps she had too much faith in the justice of her country. Saad Mirza, her lawyer patted the top of her hand, a silent request to calm down.

But it wasn't possible for her. The only thing she could see herself doing in the next five minutes was either passing down or screaming on top of her lungs that she didn't do it. Relaxing was the last thing she'd do. She looked over to the plaintiff's table where he sat, Yusuf Bukhari, looking calm as ever. Though his face was impassive, no trace of emotion on his face, she knew he was rejoicing over the fact that he had won.

And his victory was only affirmed when everyone stood up and the judge spoke.

"Keeping all the witnesses and evidences in consideration, I hereby declare the defendant Kubra Shahbaz guilty of murder of Wali Bajwa."

"No!" A whisper escaped her lips. It couldn't happen. Why didn't these people understand? She didn't do it! This time, Saad gripped her hand, warning her not to say anything.

"The court sentences her to a lifelong of solitary imprisonment. Till death."

Till death.

She breathed in.

Guilty of murder.

She breathed out.

Someone behind her in the spectators cried in relief, no doubt Maryam Bajwa, mother of the deceased. Someone behind her in the spectators cried in protest, no doubt Sonia Shahbaz, mother of the guilty. But she didn't pay heed to any of them. Her attention was on Yusuf, who was gathering the files in front of him, now that the judge had gone out of the courtroom.

Why isn't he celebrating and cheering right now? He's won the case after all.

Maybe she thought too soon. He turned, now facing her and she could see the happiness on his face. The challenge in his eyes directed straight at her saying, I've won and you've lost. Got nothing to say?

And she did not. She couldn't even find it in herself to glare at him. He passed her and went behind her, to his best friend's family and hugged his father, Jamal Bajwa.

"Thank you so much, beta. You've done what you promised. You have avenged your brother."

She couldn't breathe. The room spun around her. Her parents were blurry in front of her eyes. The fresh tears threatened to spill from her eyes. She was about to fall when Saad caught her from her waist. Instantly, her gaze was on Yusuf, who was already looking at her. Or rather at the hand that was around her. He looked into her eyes, accusing her of something she knew he had no right of now, and then looked away.

Saad made her sit on the chair and offered her a glass of water. Tremors ran down her body, causing the water to spill and wet her clothes, the swelling wetness catching her attention more than the sobs of her mother. Her best friend, Huma consoled her mother, patting her shoulders. Her father, Shahbaz Baig tried to maintain his composure, but anyone could see that it was already crumpled.

Two policewomen broke the crowd of four that was around her and one of them grabbed her arms and put handcuffs on her. They began to take her out of the courtroom and only then did she find her voice.