Chess & Checkers

9. The Feudal Chessboard

As the sun ascended, casting its light upon the villages, an ominous air enveloped both realms. Today marked a pivotal moment, like a chess match awaiting its decisive move. Urgent at Murtasim Khan's behest, a special panchayat convened, determining Malik Zubair's fate amid the native clans—a strategic maneuver echoing the perpetual clash between the influential Maliks and Khans.

Under Shahnawaz Khan and Malik Mukhtar's leadership, efforts to uphold peace were evident, yet whispers of skepticism lingered. In the intricate chessboard of tribal dynamics, Malik Mukhtar's son, harboring doubts, found himself summoned for an impartial trial. No legal trappings adorned this confrontation, only the austere presence of village elders and tribal leaders, orchestrating a nuanced gambit in the delicate balance of clan relations.

In a dramatic display, three SUVs screeched to a halt in the Khan Haveli driveway. Swiftly, guards emerged, reinforcing the already secured perimeter. The central vehicle's door swung open, revealing Shahnawaz Khan, donned in a pristine white shalwar kameez and shawl. Stepping onto the porch, the anticipation reflected in the morning-washed surroundings.

The household staff gathered at the entrance, Mai at the forefront, as Murtasim descended the stairs. Adorned in a navy blue shalwar kameez and matching blazer, he exuded freshness, with a neatly brushed slightly overgrown beard and meticulously styled hair—a poised contrast to the dynamic arrival unfolding at the Khan Haveli.

Dismissively, Murtasim signaled the house staff to retreat, creating a cocoon of privacy for him and his father. As Shahnawaz embraced him, patting his head, Murtasim's response was devoid of reciprocity; his demeanor hinted at a lingering hostility. Shahnawaz, pulling back with furrowed brows, met his son's enigmatic gaze.

In a low tone, Murtasim questioned, "Kahan thei aap?" The blank expression belied the fiery intensity in his eyes, evident to Shahnawaz.

"Kya mutlab? Ye kis tarhan se baat kar rahe hou?" Shahnawaz retorted sharply, taken aback by the unexpected harshness in his son's tone. The air thickened with unspoken tension, setting the stage for a confrontation between father and son.

Fueled by simmering anger since the morning notification of his father's impending arrival, Murtasim's frustration reached a boiling point. His thoughts gravitated to Meerab, his wife, peacefully asleep in her hospital bed during his brief return home for a shower and change before the panchayat.

Waking up entangled with Meerab in an uncomfortable yet oddly serene position, Murtasim felt an unusual sense of refreshment, a stark contrast to the sleep-deprived days he had endured. The weight of long working hours coupled with Meerab's recent shooting had taken its toll. However, what stoked his fury was his father's blatant disregard—no calls, no inquiries about Meerab's well-being.

As father and son faced each other, the unspoken tension encapsulated Murtasim's determination to address this grievance head-on.

"Dou din se kahan thei aap?" Murtasim queried, sidestepping his father's initial questions.

Shahnawaz raised an eyebrow, "sheher mei hi tha, kaam dekh raha tha," he replied, a hint of hesitation in his voice as he assessed his son's stoic expression.

"Kal Sunday tha!" Murtasim snapped. "And as far as I remember, we don't work on the weekends. Meerab parso raat se hospital mei hai. Maa and Maryam won't leave her alone for even a second, and you couldn't even call to check up on her?" Hurt resonated in Murtasim's voice and eyes.

"Has Meerab said anything to you?" Shahnawaz inquired, a tinge of annoyance in his sigh.

"When does she ever say anything? She just silently endures everything. Baap maanti hai aap ko..." Murtasim reminded him, casting a momentary cloud of guilt over Shahnawaz. Despite Shahnawaz Khan and Zaheer Ahmed's long-standing friendship and partnership, Meerab had received love and care from only one of the two men. It puzzled Murtasim why his father hadn't reached out to her in the past thirty-six hours.