Life Sentence

CHAPTER 3

~A Day Ago~

Yusuf couldn't stop thinking about what Saad had said. But why? Saad, Kubra, Huma, and everyone else on Kubra's side had said similar things to him time and time again. But he hadn't second-guessed his decisions. So why now?

Guess it was because it was the first case he'd handled in which the defendant hadn't pleaded guilty till the end of the trial. Mostly, the criminal gave under the pressure by the end or when he was given his punishment, he admitted his crime. But Kubra or Saad or anyone else hadn't told the truth yet. But what did they hope to achieve now by telling lies? The sentence was given. He'd won the case. The case was closed and reopening was next to impossible, seeing as all the evidence he or anyone had collected all pointed to Kubra. And the possibility of some other evidence turning up was really slim.

And he still didn't know why Kubra would kill his best friend. His sweet, kind Kubra got along so well with Wali. Then why would she do it? Every time he had asked her that, he would receive only one answer, 'I didn't do it.' But the hardcore evidence, the videotapes, the fingerprints on the murder weapon ___ were something no one could ignore, no matter how many times a defendant pleaded innocence.

He threw the softball at the ball once again, watched it bounce on the floor, and caught it with his hand. This movement was on loop while he was trying to wrap his head around the things which had happened. He'd gotten justice for his best friend. But he has lost the love of his life. He still remembered the day he'd fallen for her like it was yesterday. . .

~Flashback - Three Years Ago~

She looked absolutely stunning in a yellow half-sleeved floral printed knee-length frock paired with white leggings, her dark brown hair with balayage highlights looked flawless, falling in soft waves against her waist. She wore big gold hoops in her ears, some rings in her fingers, and white heels.

Seriously, how could someone look so good in such a casual outfit? Since it was just them, she hadn't put much effort into her makeup. It just consisted of a little tint and some mascara.

They all stood up when she reached their table. She hugged Huma and Saad, looking a bit surprised seeing two more men with them, one in a casual white T-shirt and blue jeans, while the blue-eyed one was dressed in a grey suit, the same as Saad's, just a little darker. Well, she had invited Yusuf herself but she wasn't sure if he would come. But the other man, tall, muscular, heavy beard, dark eyes, olive skin, she had no clue about.

"Finally you're here, KB! Fashionably late as always", Saad complained with a big smile on his face.

"Sorry, sorry. There was hell lot of. . ."

"Traffic, I know. Same old excuse." She looked at him sheepishly. "Let me introduce you. You already know Yusuf," she shook Yusuf's hand and he couldn't ignore the spark that set his whole body on fire. "And this is our other best friend, Wali Bajwa. We've been friends since middle school."

She smiled politely at him and shook his hand. "I'm Kubra Shahbaz."

"Considering how much these siblings talk about you, I feel like I already know you."

"All good things, I hope." They all sat down on the square table with Yusuf being opposite her and Saad beside her.

"You wish, Kubra!" Huma teased her best friend.

"Well, I've known them long enough to not believe a word they say. And now that I've seen you, I have all the more reasons to not do so."

She smiled and leaned forward, lowering her voice as if sharing the subject of national security. "Between you and me, this outside is a façade. And I don't know why everyone falls for it. I am that bad as they say."