Asifa took the stand, her posture reflecting both her physical state and the immense emotional weight she carried. She was sworn in. š¤°
Ms. Maria began gently. "Ms. Asifa, can you state your relationship to the defendant, Mr. Hasan?"
"I was in a relationship with him for over two years. He was my boyfriend," Asifa stated clearly, though her voice was soft. š
"And are you currently pregnant?"
"Yes. I am five months pregnant." š«
"Who is the father of your child?"
"Hasan is the father," she said, looking directly at him. A collective murmur rippled through the courtroom. š
Ms. Maria then guided her through a timeline how they met, the nature of their relationship, Hasan's promises of a future together, and how he began to distance himself after his engagement to Anisa was arranged. She presented the medical reports, including the ultrasound, as evidence.
Then it was Mr. Peter's turn for cross-examination. He approached with a dismissive air. šŖ
"Ms. Asifa, you claim a two-year relationship. Where is your proof? Where are the photos, the messages, the witnesses to this alleged long-term affair?"
"We were private. He didn't like taking photos. But I have call logs, and... he visited me often at my place," she replied, her confidence wavering under his aggressive tone. š
"Visits prove nothing. You are a single woman, now pregnant, and seeing a wealthy man on trial. Is it not convenient to name him as the father?" Mr. Peter insinuated.
"Objection, Your Honor! Counsel is badgering the witness and making prejudicial statements," Ms. Maria interjected. š£
"Sustained. Mr. Peter, stick to factual questions," the judge warned.
"Very well. Ms. Asifa, did Mr. Hasan ever explicitly promise to marry you?" š§
"He... he said he loved me, that we would be together. He said he would take care of me," she said, her voice breaking.
"But did he ever formally propose or set a date? Or were you, perhaps, aware of his family's arrangement with Ms. Anisa from the beginning?" š„
Asifa looked down, tears falling. "I knew about it later. He said it was just for show, for his family's business. He said it didn't change anything between us."
Mr. Peter nodded, as if this confirmed his theory. "No further questions, Your Honor. The witness's testimony reveals a one-sided infatuation and a desperate attempt to secure a future with a man who was clearly committed elsewhere." š
After Asifa stepped down, visibly shaken, Ms. Maria addressed the judge. "Your Honor, I call my fourth witness: Mr. Yugh Singh."
All eyes turned as Yugh stood and walked purposefully to the witness stand, ready to add another crucial layer to the damning case against Hasan. š£