Marrying the son of Asraf 2

🪻Sixty~8🪻

The next day in court, everyone was seated exactly like the previous day, tensed and filled with anticipations. The judge asked what they have to present today and Summayyah stood up facing the judge with an unwavering expression. "The footage of yesterday was cut from the original footage and somehow, Maryam must have known about it!" She said and Maryam felt a sudden rush of adrenaline.

Malik got up to cover up for her immediately. "How so? If you have to prove, then show it to everyone!"

"Calm your horses now Malik, it won't take time for you to be silent!" He felt insulted but he couldn't cause more scenes and just then, Arif arrived, making a special appearance. He had the crucial evidence that could expose the real killer. His arrival stirred whispers among the spectators.

Arif, confident and unwavering, stood before the judge."Your Honor, before you conclude, I have a crucial piece of evidence that will change the entire case." He said, showing out a flash drive.

Faisal and Ibrahim jaw dropped. "What is he doing there!?" Faisal whispered.

Ibrahim shrugged "something that has to do with Summayyah I guess!" He whispered. Khadijah hears them and smiled knowing very well that her brother is coming out clean if they could make a scene like that and as smart as Arif is, he won't let his friend lose. She softly rubs her mother's arms and whispers in her ears. "Khalil is coming out clean. In sha Allah!"

The Judge look paranoid. "Who is this?" He asked as Summayyah quickly stood up, "Your Honor, this is Arif, a private investigator who has been following this case. He has crucial evidence." She said. Everyone that knew Arif including Khalil were shocked by what Summayyah had said. A private investigator!? When did Arif starts that kinda job!?

The judge hesitated for a while but then nodded. "Very well. Show us this evidence."

With the flash drive he had come with. They inserted it as the court technician played the uncut, full version of the video on the big screen. Maryam and Malik were so curious at that moment Maryam's strong and cold attitude started to way off and was now replaced with fear.

A hush fell over the courtroom as the screen flickered to life. The footage showed a dimly lit alleyway. Khalil and Harun were facing each other and pointing guns at each other. The tension was palpable because of how heated their argument was. Soon, Khalil started to lower his gun trying to make convince Harun but before he could move any closer, a shadowy figure from behind fired a shot which wasn't from Khalil's gun, hitting Harun in the chest and he collapsed. The footage was paused exactly when the shadowy figure aimed at Harun at a corner.

The courtroom exploded in gasps. Aisha's chest fell and rose at the same time with fear as Summayyah smirked and turned to Maryam. "Your Honor, the footage clearly shows that my client did not fire the shot. The real shooter was someone behind Harun and this footage strongly shows that, it wasn't cut or edited it raw and visible from it source."

The judge looked at the prosecution. "Do you still stand by your claim that Khalil is the murderer?"

Barrister Malik stammered, clearly thrown off having nothing more to say before. Summayyah asked the judge to permit her to perform a cross examination on the plaintiff and he gave her the go ahead. She stepped forward as their eyes met, Summayyah remains composed but Maryam was already starting to break a sweat. What a pity! She thought.

"Maryam, who else would want your brother dead?" She asked and Maryam stiffened. "I—I don't know."

Summayyah nodded, she does have her record because if she could kill her mother, she would kill her brother too. Woah to think of Khalil had been with this woman, he'd be dead and forgotten. "Isn't it true that you had a personal grudge against Harun?" She asked and Maryam hissed. "That's ridiculous!"