𝘼 𝙑𝙊𝙄𝘾𝙀 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 || 𝖪𝖳𝖧 Halal 𝖿𝗂𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇 ||

Chap 26: The Flag of Defiance

The time had come to bid farewell to Akbar. Four men stepped forward and lifted the coffin bearing his body.The men gathered around, their faces somber, while the females present stood apart, tears streaming down their faces. Akbar's wife was overcome, her body wracked with sobs as she clung to her children.

Taehyung stood at the front, his eyes fixed on the coffin, his heart heavy. Mahad and Jungkook flanked him, their faces etched with grief.As they proceeded towards the gravesite, the reality of the loss hit Taehyung like a tidal wave. He felt the weight of his promise to Akbar, the burden of seeking justice.Akbar's wife stumbled forward, supported by her family, her eyes fixed on the coffin, her face contorted in anguish. With each step, Taehyung's resolve hardened. He would honor Akbar's memory, no matter the cost.The gravesite loomed ahead, a final resting place for a man who had been cruelly taken. Taehyung's thoughts burned with determination. Justice would be served.

All the men were heading towards the nearby park for the performance of Namaz-e-Janaza, a solemn funeral prayer. The four men carrying Akbar's body on their shoulders led the procession, their faces somber and resigned.Mahad followed closely behind, occasionally glancing back to see Taehyung standing near the gate of Akbar's house, watching the crowd of men disappear into the distance.Jungkook emerged from inside, his eyes scanning the emptying street.

"Taehyung, I guess we should go too," Jungkook said, his voice low and respectful. "Only females are left here, and it wouldn't be appropriate for us to stay they all are Muslims." Taehyung nodded silently and turned to leave, but Jungkook's question halted him. "Hey, aren't we going with them to the park?"Taehyung's expression turned thoughtful. "No, Jungkook. They'll be performing their rituals. What if they don't like us being there because we aren't Muslims? We shouldn't intrude on their private moment."

Mahad, sensing their hesitation, turned back and signaled for them to hurry up. His eyes locked onto Taehyung and Jungkook, his gesture urgent. Jungkook looked at Mahad and then back at Taehyung, his brow furrowed. "Look, Taehyung, Mahad is calling us. Let's go. We can show our respect by being there."Taehyung's gaze lingered on Mahad, his mind weighing the decision.

Jungkook held Taehyung's hand, offering silent support as they walked towards the gathering of men in the park. Taehyung's head hung low, his eyes fixed on the ground, his footsteps heavy with sorrow.As they reached the park, the four men gently placed Akbar's coffin on the grass. The imam arrived, standing alone at the front, with the men forming rows behind him. Mahad stood among them, his eyes closed in reverence, his face etched with grief. Taehyung and Jungkook stood at a distance, observing the funeral prayer. Taehyung's gaze drifted to the coffin, his breath catching in his throat. The scene before him was unbearable. The reality of Akbar's passing hit him like a tidal wave.Tears streamed down his face as he felt an overwhelming sense of loss and helplessness.

It was as if something precious had been torn from him, leaving a gaping void. His mind replayed memories of Akbar, their laughter, their struggles, and their unbreakable bond.Taehyung grasped the nearby wall, struggling to compose himself. His breathing was ragged, his heart heavy. He felt like he was drowning in his own sorrow.The words of the mysterious woman from his dream echoed in his mind: "The journey you've stepped on....you'll loss loved ones, and you'll be unable to save them".

The flowers he had picked from the graveyard from that woman still clutched in his hand, now wilted and crushed, but not stale symbolized the fragility of life. As the imam's voice rose and fell in prayer, Taehyung's thoughts wandered to Akbar, to the memories they had shared, and to the promises unfulfilled. His eyes never left the coffin, his heart heavy with grief. The weight of his promise to Akbar-justice, no matter the cost-settled upon him like a mantle. Taehyung's pain ran deep. He felt the world around him was moving forward, leaving Akbar behind, and it was unbearable.