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~

"Your Lord does injustice to no one." (Qur'an 18:49)

~

"Use your indicator, you stupid guy!" Zoya swerves, barely missing as she honks her horn and speeds by, overtaking the car in front of her.

A voice blares from the car speakers. "Ms. Zoya, I spoke to Lucas and the directors, and a court hearing — "

"I don't care, Sameer." Zoya keeps checking her rearview mirror, hoping her reckless driving doesn't land her another meeting with the police. "We're gonna bail him out."

"I just need you to think about this logically, Ms. Zoya. If these allegations have been placed on a Zameer employee and in hindsight on Zameer, the press is going to be wild. It already is, from what we're monitoring. And bailing him out is not going to be good for our image."

"I don't care. The damage has been done, so any action we take is not going to be good for our image."

"Just think about it reasonably. If we don't want to look guilty, we'll wait it out. Especially with a charge as serious as sexual assault."

"I am thinking reasonably," Zoya huffs out, impatiently waiting for the red light to turn green. "Waiting it out or not waiting it out doesn't matter. Don't you see, Sameer? This is exactly what they want. Why give them the benefit of the doubt? They've already laid this false claim on us, now no matter what we do, fingers will be pointed our way. Besides, the policeman was bribed, Sameer. Zaki paid him big money to do this. We have to get this policeman to confess his crime."

"You're right, but in everyone else's eyes, this was a lawful arrest. And unfortunately for you, you're not above the law, Zoya Zameer."

Zoya tenses, hand tightening on the steering wheel. This is probably why Lucas and her board of directors had Sameer speak to her. Because he is learning to get under Zoya's skin without getting fired by her. But her mind is too focused on other people to be angry at than Sameer. "Above the law?" She laughs scornfully. "Those who are supposed to enforce the law are the ones violating it. So law is just an arbitrary concept. Nothing means anything anymore."

"I understand, Ms. Zoya, but even in that case, waiting for a properly scheduled court hearing is less risky than — "

Zoya goes ballistic, almost hitting the car in front of her. "Are you insane, Sameer? Like, are you actually right in the head? I told you we're not waiting, so we're not waiting. Do you understand?"

There's a moment of silence before Sameer — voice slightly shaken — says, "Well, in that case, I've already contacted the station and they've scheduled a court hearing for bail in two hours. I've arranged for a bail bond to be purchased. Keep in mind that he will have to attend public court hearings later, which is possibly even more detrimental."

After a pause, Zoya furrows her brows. "If you had already arranged for it, why waste my time by arguing with me?"

"Just trying to talk some sense into you."

Zoya wants to laugh and cry in frustration at the same time. She's about to cut the call when she remembers and blurts out, "Oh, and Sameer? Find dirt on this police officer. A lot of it."

"Got it. Speaking of dirt, I need to talk to you about something else, too. I think I may have found something — "

"Not now, Sameer." She cuts the call before he says anything else. Drumming her fingers on the steering wheel, her mind keeps replaying Haroun's words.

I trust that there is khair in this, too.

His statement bewildered her then and it bewilders her now, hours later. She's always seen his belief as faulty, his blind trust in Allah as strange. She doesn't understand how a human can be so dependent, so trusting of God when he has so much to lose. Zoya herself has been so self-assured for the past few years, containing everything within her and trusting only herself. How, after witnessing the world's horrors and corruptions, can he be so rigorous in his faith, so firm in his belief?

Shaking her head as the light turns green, she begins to speed to Zameer's headquarters. Once there, Sameer introduces her to one of the best lawyers on the East Coast, who will fight Haroun's case. All the while, one vengeful, bloodthirsty thought runs through Zoya's mind.

I am going to destroy you, Zaki Ahmed.

. . .

"Auntie, are you alright?"

Haroun's mother has been staring into the distance quietly for the past few minutes after Zoya explained to the frantic mother and daughters that it would be best for them not to visit Haroun right now.

"She's been like that since she saw the news," Aisha whispers dejectedly.

Zoya sits down next to her. "Auntie?" The older woman finally looks at her. There is no hint of tears in her eyes, but grief is written all over her face.

"Auntie, I promise I will bail your son out. The process is already underway," Zoya assures her.

His mom finally speaks. "Is there any way that I help you?"

"Don't worry about the arrest. I'll take care of it."

"I'm not worried about that. I know you will, Zoya." She sighs shakily. "Haroun is very sensitive to reputations. I don't know if he will be able to handle this. And when his father sees this news . . . " She tightens her hands into fists.

This surprises Zoya. Is that the kind of man Haroun's father is? To reassure them, however, she says, "Your son is very strong. He has firm belief. Trust him."

"Sweetheart, I trust him more than any man in this world. I know he is innocent. I'm just worried about his mental state. And about why somebody would want to lay this kind of accusation on him."

Zoya gulps. How is she supposed to tell Haroun's mother that he has become the collateral damage in a catastrophe that had nothing to do with him in the first place? "I promise you that I will grant your son justice," she affirms. Haroun's mother simply reaches forward and grasps Zoya's hand tightly, a silent thank you written in her eyes.

"May Allah bless you and aid you."

Zoya's gaze flicks to young Aisha, who harbors no trace of her usual happy-go-lucky demeanor. Then to Naima, who is quiet as usual but has a sullen expression on her face. "I know this is a tense situation for all of us but I need you all to relax, okay?" She stands. "I have to get going now." At the door, she says, "Don't cook anything. I'll send food your way." And before they can protest, Zoya spins around and walks away.

Back in her car, she orders food for Haroun's family, then inputs the address to the orphanage in her GPS. Once there, she enters, shows her ID and proof of her acquaintance with Haroun, and introduces herself to the manager and the other sponsors. She explains that she is present on behalf of Haroun. The manager discusses their partnership with an orphanage overseas and potential sponsors for them. When Zoya hands the manager her card, his eyes almost bug out. She tells him she is willing to contract a deal with the orphanage and be on the lookout for sponsors. Besides, after the emerging news of Zameer, this humanitarian work might lessen the blow on the business somewhat.

After the meeting, Zoya returns to the police station with Sameer, Lucas, Farhan, the lawyer, and the bail bond agent. There she sees the police officer Zaki bribed. She walks up to him, her eyes turning into slits.

"Funny you're still wearing that uniform."

He looks down at himself. "Just doing my job."

"Really?" She folds her arms and his eyes trail down her shamelessly. She snaps her fingers. "Eyes up here. And you have some nerve telling me you're doing your job."

He folds his arms as well. "You don't scare me."

Zoya snaps her fingers again. "Sameer?" He approaches her and hands her a file. Zoya opens it nonchalantly, humming. She turns the file around to the police officer and points to an image of a woman.

His eyes immediately widen and he darts his head around quickly. "She look familiar?" He watches her speechlessly, body vibrating with anger. "Do you have any idea how easy it was to make your victims talk?" Zoya brings a nail up to her chin thoughtfully. "Apparently, you've terrorized more than just one innocent person. Surprise, surprise."

He tries to reach forward to pull her aside but Zoya steps back. "Don't you dare touch me. What, are you afraid your coworkers will see this?"

"What do you want?" he says through clenched teeth.

"You know what I want."

"I've already given it to you."

Zoya throws him a quizzical look.

"He wasn't officially arrested — just under custody. Detained. Nothing's on file. He's free to go."

Zoya experiences a moment of fleeting relief. So there won't be any public court hearings. This will eventually be buried by some other news. They can all regard it as a really bad memory and an urgent lesson.

But then simmering anger boils to the surface.

So everything was a show. The public accusation on Haroun, the "arrest", all of it was carefully planned so that the blame would forever tarnish Zameer's reputation but Haroun would still be free to go.

With the burden of this accusation and a ruined reputation on his shoulders.

It is a huge threat. A "try me again" from Zaki Ahmed.

And a "yes I will" from Zoya Zameer.

Yet it still infuriates Zoya to no extent. Especially the unlawful detainment of Haroun. Something her hands are tied in front of because there are people more powerful than her in the world, she realizes with a start.

At this thought, that voice that has been nagging her for the past few weeks awakens again: Now you see how everyone else feels around you.

"So you took heed of my previous words?" Zoya finally says to the policeman, shaking her thoughts out of her head.

He continues to watch her with piercing eyes.

Zoya hands the file back to Sameer. They share a silent nod before Sameer walks away.

"So what are you going to do with that?" The policeman nods to the retreating file and shoves his hands in his pockets, attempting to remain nonchalant. But Zoya can sense the tension rolling off of him.

She shrugs lightly. "That's for me to know and . . . " She backs away with a smirk playing on her lips.

After Sameer and Lucas dismiss the bail bond agent and the lawyer with profuse apologies, Zoya and Farhan accompany Haroun home. When they're standing in front of the door to his apartment building, Zoya's eyes darting warily around, Haroun turns to her.

"Ms. Zoya, thank — "

"I spoke to the manager of the orphanage. So . . . don't worry about that." She doesn't tell Haroun she met the manager and contracted a deal with him because she senses her help will further stress him out.

"Thank you so much. Really. You've done too much for us. We're indebted to you."

She waves a hand. "I don't expect you to return any favors, Haroun."

He shakes his head. "I will, Insha Allah." Pause. He focuses his attention on both of them. "You guys should join us inside. You look exhausted. Eat with us."

Zoya shakes her head despite him continuing to protest. "It's late. I have to get going. And . . . your family is worried. You should go to them."

Farhan nods. "I should get going, too. But I'm always here if you need anything." After a minute of silence, he reaches forward and embraces Haroun tightly. Haroun stands still for a moment before wrapping his arms around his friend's torso. "You remember what you told me, buddy?" Farhan mumbles. "You said to trust. I know this is a crazy situation, but I also know you of all people have it in you to trust."

Haroun smiles slightly and says something back to Farhan. Something inaudible to Zoya.

Zoya feels as if she is encroaching on this scene and turns to leave when behind her Haroun says, "Thank you, Ms. Zoya."

She freezes in her spot, then resumes motion as she descends the stairs and climbs into her driver's car. Her knee bounces up and down in the backseat as she waits for Farhan.

He enters a few minutes later and despite her dislike of him, Zoya refrains from passing any snarky comments.

And quietly they are driven back to their houses.

. . .