A Court's Maim

عدالت | Court

Chapter 4.

What made Barekhna, Barekhna was not her degree nor the family name she carried. It was not even the senile smile she passed her enemies nor the flick of her wrist as she threw the middle finger in the direction of a snob. None of it even scratched the surface of the kind of woman she was. It was abhorrent. Her friends, her family and even her foe knew. Barekhna Saleem was herself, wholly, behind the wheel of her claret red Mercedes. In it's glossy coat, the crystal red of the E200 bit at the eyes of the passerby's. The sun's glare reflected off of the wide side mirrors, into the retinas of those who tried to steal a glance inside the tinted windows. Seated inside the smoky leather seats, her fingers tapping away at the steering wheel on a red light. That was Barekhna.

The ac vents threw spurts of chilled air at her face as she steered into the High court with one hand. A high profile case. Paparazzi ran to her car and snapped pictures of her, of everyone that walked into the courtroom. Parking her car under the shade of a large tree, the engine still roaring. Barekhna fixed her maroon lipstick, sliding one toned leg after the other. The black mariposa heels with tiny butterflies of gold on each side made contact with the tarmac, her thin fingers pushing the silk pressed hair behind her ears. Pearls hanging from hoops of yellow gold weighed down her ears. With a calm air around her, not an ounce of worry marring her features she walked into her rented office. An opulent charcoal silk gown hid the crystal bow mini dress she wore underneath. Her proof and case would create enough drama for the day.

The small room was covered in files. Thrown around the desk in a lazily attempt to straighten out the room. Rolling her eyes, she frowned dragging a finger across the dust covered desk. So, this was their way of showing her down. Pushing her into a corner for being a woman. Pursing her lips she took a small sip of the bitter coffee out of her red tumbler, frowning as the lack of creamer and sugar instantly filled her mouth — she'd have to buy some more, instantly. It would not do. The atmosphere was painful, to the point it had her heart bleeding. Cries of mother's and father's, screams for justice outside the barred windows of her room would haunt her for a few days. This was life though, she reminded herself. Win a little. Loose a lot. Today, was not a day for her to attempt to make things better. She wasn't an angel. No. Never would be ; and she was okay with that.

This world had offered her pain and nothing more. Why then — did they expect her to be kind?

"Malkah."

Barekhna spoke with a curbed strength. Just with the footfalls she could make out it was her assistant. A woman that had worked for her for well over two years.

"Can I do something for you?" Her assistant whimpered, afraid of her boss's temper.

"Not at all!" She grinned, walking up to her, pinching her chin softly, emphasizing each word as she spoke, "you could have though, gotten this place dusted before I arrived. Well, no worries! Collect the proof from my car and come meet me outside the courtroom. Our client is here." With a snap of her fingers, she brought the conversation to it's end.

Barekhna giggled to herself as her assistant scurried out of the room. As if dog's were hot on her tail. You're cruel, she thought to herself. With nothing but her hands around her coffee cup she slid out of the office, rented by the firm she worked under. She sighed in relief, walking under the cooling shadows of the trees. Stares. Full of animosity, stares crawled up her skin and pinched at the back of her soft neck. It irked her more than anything to have them stare at her as if she were an animal. Not that she wasn't. She was animalistic, she could hunt for her prey and fight with all kinds of predators. He used to call her a lioness — her goal was to prove him right. A sudden pang burnt the front of her chest, the ribbed stockings on her legs suddenly to thin to keep the fire from spreading. Allowing herself a last sniff, Barekhna fought through the crowds of the news personnel, finally face to face with her clients.