Allah Rakha, shell-shocked by what he had just heard, interrupted and went on to give a different version of the incident. ‘Sir, Ismail was a known criminal. When he attacked Bibi and tried to molest her, we immediately learnt about it. These wooden roofs aren’t soundproof, you see. I rushed up and began banging on the front door. Ismail panicked and jumped from the balcony. Sadly, he fell on the concrete and got badly injured. We treat Bibi as our own daughter. Out of anger and vengeance, I dragged his body across the road and threw him off the cliff. Therefore, I am responsible for Ismail’s death and not Bibi.’ Allah Rakha drove his point home by banging a tumbler repeatedly on the table.
Jung Bahadur sighed and closed his case diary. ‘Baba,’ he began softly. ‘All my life I have dealt with criminals. Ismail was a history-sheeter. He attacked Bibi and she reacted in self-defence. However, and more importantly, the police are not even sure the body is Ismail’s. What if he returns tomorrow? Two innocent, law-abiding citizens cannot be punished for defending themselves from an attack. I very much appreciate your honesty, but there’s no proof, nor is there any sign of Ismail. I am therefore closing the case here and now. Both the country and our society need people like you. Please look after her. She has already suffered enough. May you all stay blessed. Thank you.’
As an afterthought, he asked Bibi, ‘Ismail was a known gangster. Weren’t you scared of the consequences while counter-attacking him?’
Bibi smiled and replied, ‘Life has taught me that the giant in front of you is never bigger than the God within you.’
Inspector Bahadur stood up and walked towards the exit. Upon reaching the door, he stopped, turned slowly and returned to where Bibi was sitting. Seeing him coming back, she hurriedly stood up. Bahadur went closer, looked into her beautiful, calm eyes and spoke in a respectful tone. ‘I admire you for your courage, Bibi. Even after facing unspeakable brutality, trauma and injustice, you are not scared to speak the truth, nor compromise your principles. Nor are you willing to tolerate injustice. It is a unique gift, bestowed upon the rarest, most special souls. It’s obvious that you’re being tested by God. I shall pray that you emerge with flying colours. May all your wishes come true.’
Then, without waiting for her response, the inspector placed his right hand over Bibi’s head as a mark of blessing and left. Bibi couldn’t help but compare the cop in her new home town in Kashmir with the one she had left behind in Pakistan. One had gone on merits and tried to impart justice after much deliberation, while the other had abused his power to satisfy his own lust, greed and ego. Would it be possible for her family to shift to India? She began thinking and hoping.