The door creaked open.

She peaked out, a relieved breath escaping her lips when she saw the back of his head as he worked at the coffee table, his files sprawled all over.

Slowly closing the door behind her, she tiptoed towards the cupboard. She had only just managed to get the jar of cookies from the top of the cupboard when she heard him-

"Ahem ahem."

Amal swiveled around, her cheeks flushing. The jar of cookies guiltily hugged to herself, she chuckled sheepishly.

Zahid's arms were crossed and he leaned back, his eyebrows curving. "May I ask for an explanation, Miss?"

"I would prefer if you don't-"

"You kick me out of the room," Zahid went on as if he had not heard her, "- just so you can finish your work because apparently 'I am too much of a distraction-"

"That was a compliment you know-"

"Don't even let me take my son with me-"

"He's asleep!"

"- say that you won't step out unless you're done with your work and now you have been caught red-handed... stealing cookies." Zahid's eyes narrowed, "What do you have to say for yourself?"

Amal blinked. "I was hungwy," she tried pouting childishly but Zahid remained unmoved. A sigh escaping her lips, Amal gave in, collapsing down on the carpeted floor next to Zahid.

"Okay, okay, I am sorry na," she said, pulling at his hand, "I could hardly focus 'cause I am already so nervous about tomorrow and I barely get the time to work because of Momin."

At the mention of their son, Zahid's gaze softened slightly, but his tone remained just as monotonous. "The defendant has recognized her fault. We'll need to look into a bit more before deciding whether she deserves forgiveness or not-"

"Zahid," Amal pouted, pulling his arm and resting her head on his shoulder, "And saying that you are a distraction is actually a compliment."

Zahid gave in to Amal's embrace, lightly flicking her forehead. "Not when you get kicked out of your own room," he said, his voice softer this time. "And what do you mean- you're nervous? You'll rock that speech habibti."

At the mention of the speech, Amal let out a low groan, burying her face in his chest. "What was I thinking- agreeing to talk in front of so many people?! Oh, can I take it back-"

"No. Absolutely not," Zahid was firm about this as he pulled away from Amal and squeezed her shoulders. "You've always wanted to do this, Amal. Don't give in to your nervousness."

Seeing the firmness in his gaze strengthened Amal's will and she was about to respond when a cry from their bedroom alerted the two of them.

"Oh no. He's awake," Amal got to her feet, scrambling towards the bedroom with Zahid on her heels.

~~~

A boy who was not yet two laughed in his father's arms. He was a chubby kid with eyes just as hazel as his father's and his wheatish complexion going after his mother.

"Ed! Ed!" the boy continued to call out, trying to escape his father's hold and get to the cat who was eyeing him apprehensively.

"Don't bully that poor cat, Momin," Zahid smiled, watching with amusement as his son managed to climb over his arms in his attempts to pull at Eddie's tale.

Before the poor cat could be discomforted, however, Zahid picked Momin up and swung him in the air. As the boy let out a laugh, instantly forgetting about bullying Eddie, Zahid too, laughed alongside him.

He had only just managed to get Momin to return to their bedroom when the two boys were met with quite an amusing scene. Amal stood in front of the mirror, trying to practice her speech. One second she would be completely normal, talking passionately to her reflection, and the next, she would let out a groan and collapse on the bed- muttering incoherently about being nervous and what-not.

"I know what you're thinking buddy," Zahid whispered to Momin, "Eddie and I are the only adults in this house."

Momin met Zahid's gaze and let out a hearty chuckle as if he fully understood the meaning behind Zahid's words.

The house was chaotic for the next hour or so- and Amal had to change twice because Momin was in an especially playful mood that day and dodged about his mother's arms, his childlike laughter filling in the house.

"He keeps laughing," Amal said when at last the family of three got into the car (I would have loved to say that it was the car with the same 'ole scratch but after the car crash, that car was far too damaged and had to be replaced)

Feeling a bit lighter now as well, Amal could not help the smile that slid on her face at her son's antics. She watched as he managed to get to her bag, but before opening it, he glanced up at her. "Mama?"

"He's asking permission," Zahid chuckled, and Amal too, grinned, wanting to see what Momin would do. At her nod, he proceeded to zip open her bag and take out a lollipop from the few candies Amal always carried with her. Again, like the gentleman that he was, Momin handed it over to his mother to open it, the innocence with which he tilted his head aimed to fool his parents into thinking that he knew of no limited candy rules.

But parents are never easy to fool, Momin learned that day, as his precious lollipop went back to his mother's handbag and he was told of how they were already planning on going for dessert later on.

The whole drive was nothing less than amusing, and both Amal and Zahid felt contentment wrap its blanket around their hearts. Eventually, Zahid parked the car in front of what was once his two-room office, but now held a three-story building at least four times as big as his previous office.

Several cars were parked outside, and a few news reporters did not go unnoticed as Amal and Zahid got out of the car. They were first greeted by Hafsa. With the employee card around her neck, she looked like she had been waiting for them. "Most of the guests have arrived," she said after the salams were exchanged. "I'll get the event started."

With that, she rushed off into the building with a large pylon sign at the top:

H. LAW AND WIDOW WELFARE CENTRE

Zahid and Amal were about to follow suit when a reporter stepped towards them, his microphone in hand. "Sir! Today is the official opening of this center! Can you please tell us what you wish to achieve with this?"

While the publicity Zahid had received after winning the case against Shahid Raza was one he did not respond to- refusing to go on interviews and appear on media, he realized that the publicity of his work-place was only necessary for its success. Thus, he did not leave when the reporter approached him but waited till Amal and Momin had retreated to the building before he answered.

"As a law firm, we will be aiming to fight cases for those who can not afford them, Insha'Allah. In addition to that, we have a widow welfare department through which we intend to provide aid for widows through funds and job offers. Our journalism department will aim at providing honest news and raise awareness about societal issues."

"And what is your ultimate aim?"

"To fight against injustice as much as we possibly can," Zahid answered instantly, "Our motto forever lies in the verse of the Quran: يٰۤـاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا كُوۡنُوۡا قَوَّامِيۡنَ بِالۡقِسۡطِ شُهَدَآءَ لِلّٰهِ وَلَوۡ عَلٰٓى اَنۡفُسِكُمۡ 'O believers! Stand firm for justice as witnesses for Allah even if it is against yourselves.'"

The reporter nodded, impressed. "Our event is about to start-" Zahid excused himself, but before he could walk away, the reporter had stepped in front of him again.

"One last thing, sir! What does the H. in the start of the center name stand for?"

Zahid paused. The nostalgia crept into his heart, but greater than the remembrance was the realization that he had fulfilled his promise. He had continued the legacy. "The bravest man I ever knew," Zahid answered, "A man who lost his life in this war against injustice, and who is forever alive in our hearts."

The reporter seemed like he was going to ask several more questions, but this time, Zahid managed to escape. He met his family at the entrance of the hall. "It's about to start!" Amal said, her cheeks flushed and both excitement and nervousness dancing in her eyes. Zahid felt his heart flutter as he gave her hand a squeeze, taking Momin from her.

"Let's go," he whispered, and hand in hand, Zahid Naveed and Amal Hussain entered the hall with their son Momin Harris Naveed.

While the amount of injustice and evil in the world still prevailed, Amal and Zahid's constant efforts had given rise to a candle that rose against the darkness. Albeit small, the light was there- and the melody of their anthem, no matter how inaudible, echoed through the waves of change.

All that remains now is for you to pick up the tune and sing along.