Namal (English Translation) By Nimra Ahmed

Chpt 21: In the distance of a world of passion...!

People say that true love is the kind that makes you sit down, offers you water to drink, and soothingly pats your head. But I say that true love is the kind that lifts you up, igniting a fire within you, making you soar through the skies like a blazing flame, lighting up the night like a phoenix. It is a love that consumes you like a wildfire in a forest, and you... you cannot stop running. You burn everything you touch to ash as you go. I say this is real love-the kind that sets you ablaze, the kind that makes you fly.
And you keep running along with it...

(See "Joy Bell" for reference)

The winter had been blown away by the April sun, turning it into steam as if it had vanished completely. It was gone to the point that no trace remained. The atmosphere was warm, and the air was still. Compared to previous years, this year's summer seemed to be starting right in the midst of spring. The hellish crowd of the courthouse was bustling about, speaking in a multitude of dialects as they passed through the corridors. However, inside this courtroom, the voices were cut off due to the closed doors. Sitting on the high chair on the dais was Session Judge Mr. Abid Agha, flipping through his papers. In front of him, chairs were set on both sides. The court reporter sat ready, fingers poised on his keyboard, eager to capture every statement and lie on paper. An open path led between the chairs on both sides. Hashim Kardar sat, legs crossed, looking quite relaxed. Beside him was Shiro dressed in a suit and tie, while further ahead, Jawaharat was absentmindedly wrapping her necklace around her finger. Now and then, she glanced to her right, where Zumar and Saadi sat closely together, speaking softly. On the back row, haneen and sameer sat silently. Now returning to Hashim Kardar, he still appeared to be sitting comfortably, deep in thought, with a serious expression on his face.

"Zumar, you may begin," said judge, lifting his gaze from the papers to signal Zumar. The trial had begun, and it was time for her to speak. She whispered something to Saadi before standing up, adjusting her coat slightly. A small diamond stud nosering sparkled in her nose. Hashim watched her intently. He was unaware of the stories hidden in that nose ring, but its brilliance stirred some memories. His mind began to drift back, suddenly plunging him into that morning two months prior.

"Dr. Ayman!" he had called, standing beside his car in the green meadow, smiling at the woman adorned with diamond rings on her fingers. "So, you were the one who sent me that passport." Dr. Ayman paused, looking at him, ready to say something else but stopped, her eyebrows knitting in confusion. "Sorry, but which one?"

"The one with Saadi Yusuf's passport..." he had said, approaching her. She shook her head in disbelief, surprised. "No, I didn't send you anything. I called your office a couple of times; I wanted to meet you. If someone has said something against me, I assure you, there's no truth to it." Hashim squinted at her closely, sensing her sincerity. He shook his head. "Why did you want to meet me?" His tone had turned a bit harsh, interest waning.

"I wanted to help you against Faris Ghazi. When you present your arguments against his nephew during the trial..."

One minute, dear. He raised his finger to stop her. There is no trial going on. Nor will there ever be. It's your misunderstanding that we and they will ever sit like two families on the prosecution and defense benches in some courtroom. If I need your help, if I do, I will remind you myself. You may leave now. As he put on his sunglasses and gestured to the driver, he sat inside. The respectful attendant closed the door with black glass. The car zoomed past, and Dr. Aiman, who hadn't been able to say anything yet, watched him leave with frustration.

(Today)

Zumar, you may begin. It was the voice of judge that she had heard. The sparkle of the diamonds dimmed. Startled, Hashim straightened up and then looked around him. He was sitting in the courtroom with his family. And on the other side... He turned his neck to look. There, on the back benches, were haneen and Faris sitting together. He seemed to have just arrived, sitting with his legs crossed and continuously chewing gum while looking straight ahead. He appeared to be the only spectator. Everyone else seemed to be under intense stress. Feeling the focus of Hashim's gaze, he turned his eyes. His golden eyes met the dark ones. Hashim continued to look at him seriously, but the golden eyes smiled. He raised a hand to his forehead and slightly nodded his head (Salam!). Hashim turned his face away with disdain.