Broken Hearts, Hidden Secrets

Chapter Fifty-Five

Trials And The Sentencing Of Qassim 

It has been almost a month, and it was time for the trial to start. This meant Raed, Nadia and a few people would testify.

Even though Nadia wanted to tell the lawyer that she was also involved but Qassim was against it.

Flashback.

Nadia sat down beside the lawyer who took over Qassim's case. He was reviewing the evidence against Qassim.

"I could testify and tell the judge that I was also involved in the shooting. I was the one who was holding the gun..."

"No! I don't want you to do that. I want you to stop saying that, Nadia. I know that you want to make amends to your family but I won't let you get yourself in trouble," Qassim yelled.

"But the judge might send you to many years in jail... I can't have that in my conscious," Nadia explained.

"I understand, the lawyer is here to make sure they reduce my sentencing, right?" Qassim asked the lawyer.

Mr Snow nodded and smiled.

"Yes, you are right. For now, I want you to stop saying those words again, Miss Nadia," he said.

After that, Qassim and Nadia stopped meeting until the trial day started.

End Of Flashback.

In the courtroom, there were murmurs that the trial would be shorter because of the evidence provided. And also, Hussein didn't want to file a case against someone who has been his best friend his entire life.

But what is done can't be undone.

Both lawyers wanted the case to be done in a day as it wouldn't be good for either of them to keep it longer.

"Sir, did you have a motive to kill Mr Hussein?" The lawyer asked.

"No, we are best friends. And I wont want to hurt him even if its just a joke," Qassim said. "It was an accident and I regret it," he added, looking at Hussein, who was sitting beside his children Tayyal and Nour.

Dahlia was nowhere to be seen because she wanted her space and her time alone.

Her siblings respected that and would always check up on her.

"Okay, Sir. What were you doing the day that Mr Hussein wa shot?"

Qassim took a deep breath and started talking about that day, leaving out that Nadia was the one holding the gun. But he did mention her, walking inside the room.

"That's what happened, I accidentally shot him when we were fighting for the gun," Qassim said.

After a few more questions, the lawyer had no more questions. And the other lawyer questioned Qassim again and again.

After what seemed like hours, the judge was ready to give his verdict.

"I listened to the evidence that was shown in the court. Mr Qassim accidentally shot his best friend. I have come to a verdict...Mr Qassim will be sentenced to three years' probation. And you will be required to always check in with your lawyer every day," the judge said. "Court is dismissed, he added.

Hussein walked toward Qassim and stood in front of him.

"I will not understand why or what happened to us. Or why you did what you with her. But all I want to say is that I forgive you but I dont want to be friends with you or even see you anywhere. I know that you and I will share something and that's our grandchild," Hussein said. "I promise that I wont take your time with him/her," he added.

"Thank you. I understand you. And I am sorry about eveything that has happened between us. With Nadia and I want to say I am sorry that because of me, I lost someone who was more than a brother to me," Qassim said, putting his hand forward for Hussein to shake.

"Everything has a reason for happening," Hussein says, shaking Qassim's hand. "All the best and take care of yourself," he added, leaving Qassim to his thoughts.

It was exactly what I was expecting from the man hat treated me more than a brother. I hurt a lot of people with this, especially my daughters and son. I wish that I could turn back time and never go through it again. But I would lose Dahlia and Raed. I love them even though they were conceived through lies and betrayal.

A few days passed Hussein moved out of the house, leaving Nadia.
He didn't want her to be the one to leave, as the house is in their children's names, including Dahlia.

"I am sorry for what I did, Hussein. No amount of apologising would make up for what I did to you and Zianna," Nadia says to Hussein, who was packing his things with Nour's help.

Deep inside, Nadia still hated and despised Zianna for existing, but she also knew if anything were to happen to her, Hussein would blame her.

"We are divorced, Nadia. You are free to do whatever you want with your life. I suggest going to therapy and getting help for your insane thoughts and jealousy. I forgive you because once you were the woman that I loved and who I thought loved me too. But I was wrong when you started hurting Zianna..."

"I hurt her, but you stood there, not doing anything to help her. Yet, I am a bad person. How is that fair? I will apologize to her but I am sorry that I couldn't accept her in my family. Sometimes it's better to let the past stay in the past", Nadia says, interrupting Hussein.
Hussein knew that she was right. He was a coward who let his daughter be hurt when he could have helped her.

That will change now. Zianna will have my unconditional love, and in shaa Allah, I will try my best to be the best father to all my children. Including Dahlia. Yes, she is and will always be my daughter.

Nadia watched as Hussein took his bags to the car. There was nothing she could do to make him stay with her.

"Let it go. Move on and be happy," Hussein says, before getting into the car.
Nadia smiled with unshed tears in her eyes

Learning from your past is something that everyone knows will happen one way or another. In a day, a week or even a month. It is guaranteed that it will happen.