Chapter 21

A few days after Chehlum, Akbar's lawyer came to Mehmood's house and Hoorain wondered why he had come here out of all places.

He was sitting in the drawing room and Mehmood was sitting against him. She came in with tea and snacks and then turned around to go back inside but the lawyer requested her to stay. She looked at Mehmood and had to sit there shaking her head. After drinking tea and a moment's silence, he started:

"Mr.Akbar probably knew about his sudden death; that’s why two weeks before his death he called me to compile his will and handed it over to me." Mehmoud shifted uncomfortably on his seat. The lawyer eyed him and then continued:

"Actually, I have come to tell you that according to that will after his death; all of his property and factories have been transferred to Mr.Mehmood, while ..." And a look of surprise appeared on Mehmood's face. They weren’t expecting such a thing as Hoorain also sat staring at his face. The lawyer looked at both of them in turn and then continued his speech and addressed again.

"But his two residential houses - Islamabad and Karachi - have been transferred to Mrs.Hoorain Rafiq Shah." He finished his speech by looking at her.

"Both the houses?" Mehmood asked and the lawyer shook his head.

"Absolutely, all the property and wealth is in your name, except for those two houses. The two houses in which he used to stay, are now transferred to Mrs.Hoorain!"

"Is there any special reason for compiling this will?" Hoorain couldn’t help but ask. She wanted to know why Akbar did that ... did he know what mental anguish she was suffering from that; she felt the need for shelter!

Her thoughts were interrupted by the lawyer as he replied to her: “He said that everything except those houses belongs to his younger brother. As far as the division of the houses was concerned, he did not tell me anything about it, but he wished that if your wife would accept them as her wedding gift, he would be pleased. All other inheritance belongs to his younger brother. "

"Younger brother?" Hoorain muttered lostly. Mehmood looked at her.

"Yeah, which he loved so much!" The lawyer replied softly and then he stood up. "In terms of paperwork and legal proceedings, I will be back in a few days. If you guys have any objections, under any circumstances or if you don't want to accept, it will all go to charity. So do inform me about your decisions, goodbye! " And then the lawyer left.

Hoorain looked at Mehmood, who was in deep thought. Her lips moved as she repeated the words in utter disbelief; "Younger brother".....!!

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After the lawyer left, Mehmood got up and went to the study room while she was busy with her household chores. But the sea of thoughts didn't stop flowing in her mind. She was so preoccupied with her work that when the servant came and told her that the lawyer had left her an envelope which he had forgotten to give her, so he had to return and he hurried to deliver it through the door, she startled. Then she took the envelope and thanked the servant. After he left, she rushed to the room where she tore the envelope which contained the last letter written by Akbar in her name!

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