DECEPTION

14

The wild and baseless allegation which has recently been levelled against me has no basis in truth or reality. Since the beginning of my career, I have always followed the law in it's true letter and spirit and done my utmost to protect my people and have never knowingly deliberately hurt another human being.

No words can express how shocked I am by the brutal murder attempt on Ms GulBahar and let me categorically say that I had no involvement whatsoever in the gruesome act committed against Ms Gulbahar.

I am sad that no commission has yet been formed and instead the opposition has been holding multiple press conferences, the social media rumour mill is rife with outlandish insinuations implying that I am part of this heinous plot. It is disgusting to try and politicize this brutal incident in such a way.

The door creaked open interrupting Zarar's speech and he shuffled inside, his hands she assumed were tied behind his back as usual. Raha's heart lurched at the sight of him but she quickly turned her attention back to the television, ignoring him.

Asim stood quietly by the door, admiring the swift rush of color in Raha's fair cheeks. It's been a few days since she had regained consciousness and he had only just visited her. Raha bit down on her healing lip to keep herself from speaking, she was angry. No, she was fuming mad.

I fully intend to institute legal proceedings against the perpetrators of this crime and have instructed my legal team accordingly.

It has been stated that I should be included in the investigation into the murder the attempt of Ms Gulbahar. I will of course answer any questions put to me and provide my full cooperation to any such investigation seeking to get to the full truth behind the murder attempt of Ms Gulbahar to bring those responsible to justice.

"How are you?" he asked, moving closer to her side.

Raha turned to face him,"Why didn't you come, sooner?" She allowed her anger to get the best of her.

"You told me you didn't want to see me after it's over," Asim replied, patient. His gaze shifted from her fair cheeks to the plastered arm and leg, extended over a pillow, and then to the fading bruises on her face.

"I almost died," She reminded him, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of the bandage on her head.

"That should have never happened. I misjudged him, I failed you when I failed to realize the depth of his-" Asim faltered, "-contempt for you. It was a grave mistake to involve him."

Raha chuckled, humorlessly. "How is he?"

"Suffering in a hell of his own making." He replied, his eyes hardening."I swore no harm would come to you but he hurt you. He will pay for it."

He held her eyes in a silent promise.

He hurt you. I hurt him.

"You hurt me, too," Raha said.

"I know and I am extremely sorry for that," Asim said, reaching out to cradle her face in his hand.  She pulled away from his touch. Nevertheless, he wiped a single tear that had fallen with the pad of his thumb. "How can I make it right?"

"Did you succeed then?" She asked him, her eyes fixed on the flashing headline. She gasped in disbelief when someone hurled an egg at Zarrar Alamgeer. They had shattered his pride in a single moment. "I know who used to visit me and it's not him, he is innocent. Why did you do this to him?"

"I didn't do anything," Asim said, his lips thinning. "None of this was supposed to happen. I had a plan. Your father ruined everything for me, beginning with you."