Namal (English Translation) By Nimra Ahmed

Chpt 6: Thicker Than Water

Thicker than water

"Aur duniya ke pehle qaatil ko saza sunayi thi khud Munsif Aala ne.

Kya woh maut thi? Nahi! Balki woh zindagi thi... aur Khuda ne kaha:

'Ae Qabeel! Tum phiroge zameen mein mafrur badnaseeb nishan zada hokar aur tumhari peshaani ke nishan se pehchaan lega tumhe har milne wala. Aur yeh bhi farmaya ke (koi qatal na kare Qabeel ko kyunki) jo koi qatal karega Qabeel ka, main usay khud saza doon ga, saat guna zyada...'

(Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ki "Table Talk" se makhooz)"

In English

"And the first murderer in the world was sentenced by none other than the Chief Judge himself.

Was it death? No! It was life... and God said:

'O Cain! You will wander the earth as a cursed, marked exile, and every passerby will recognize you by the mark on your forehead. And He also said that (no one should kill Cain because) whoever kills Cain, I will punish him myself, seven times more...'

(Adapted from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's "Table Talk")"

"Jawarahat was looking at Zumar completely sun-drenched . Although she wanted Zumar to arrange matters from Faris, the speed with which everything was happening was unsettling her. She smiled outwardly and looked ahead where the wedding function and lights were visible, including Hamad and Kiran.

'Of course! I will help you, but is this arrangement from Faris or from yourself?'

If the first one is fulfilled, then the second one is acceptable to me too. Zumar was also staring blankly ahead. 'Can't you reopen his case? If the court punishes him, it would be better...

Will you help me or should I go to someone else? You might remember you came to me with an offer that if I ever my change my mind, you will help me with my arrangements?" She looked at her with a stern expression, and Jawaharat immediately smiled. "Sure! I stand by my word. Everything will happen naturally. He will come to your house very soon to propose. Just make sure that your father does not refuse."

She gently squeezed his hand.

"Chinks!" Zumar's tone was cold. Jawaharat silently looked ahead, planning a new course of action in her mind. The function was now nearing its end. Saadi, standing quietly with Haneen, occasionally glanced at Zumar and Jawaharat. When Jawarahat saw him looking at her, she smiled delicately. Saadi forced a smile and turned his face, his gaze falling on haneen. She slightly turned her neck to look at Hashim from a distance. Disdain emerged in his eyes as he moved closer to Haneen.

"In the future, there's no need to talk to them more or trust anything they say." Haneen looked at him with a hint of concern. "They weren't lying. They truly feel sorry. They genuinely regret what happened to Alicia."

"Let it go!" He moved back in annoyance. Then he left the area. He stopped at the door opening into the corner of the hall, which led to the men's restrooms. Inside, there was a glass-covered wall and a row of benches in front of him.

Saadi stood in front of a bench. He turned on the tap, splashed water on his face, turned off the tap, picked up a tissue to clean his hands, and as he lifted his face, he paused. In the mirror, he saw Hashim standing behind him. Hashim had his hands in his pants pockets, buttoned his coat softly, and looked at him with a faint smile.