Mian Shehzad was sitting in front of me, whom friends used to call “Yar Shehzad” or “Shehzada.” My first meeting with him was today. A few days earlier, through an old friend, he had called me and said that there is a government officer in my city whom you know, and he has made my life miserable. Please recommend me to him so that I can meet him through your reference. My friend had said that he is my brother-in-law; it is a matter of family honor, so please make a strong recommendation so that my respect is restored.
When the matter of sister was mentioned, I properly submitted a request to the government officer. Then that officer met him and promised that he would not trouble him anymore. When the government officer said this, he came to my house with gifts as a gesture of thanks. He brought expensive gifts. I said, “You are my friend’s brother-in-law and therefore very respectable to me as well. There is no need for these gifts; why have you gone through all this trouble?” Shehzada said, “Sir, you are my benefactor, so I must thank you. Please include me in your friends’ list; you will find me very loyal and obedient.”
I still refused, saying that he should not bring gifts again in the future. During the conversation, I noticed that he wanted to get closer to me. He knew the art of conversation very well and began talking about his high-level connections and how he takes care of influential government officers. He said that on an annual basis he gives them grain, fruits, animals, desi ghee and various gifts. In this way, he was also trying to tempt me.
After his crafty conversation, I started observing him carefully, because studying human character is my favorite hobby. He was over fifty years old. His stylish appearance, expensive clothes, costly watch, polished shining shoes, big luxury car, traveling with security guards and servants, and his fluent conversation all showed that he takes special care of his lifestyle. Because of his royal lifestyle, he was known among friends as “Mian Shehzada.” He would sit with me for a long time, praise me a lot, but he could not impress me at all. I clearly understood that he was only trying to get close to me because of that government officer.
He kept coming again and again with gifts. I kept refusing, but when he came for the third time, I seriously thought about him. Then after two days I also spoke to that government officer again. I told him that I regularly visit Professor Sahib. This statement did not sit well with me.
Another thing I noticed was that despite four meetings, I still felt strange discomfort, boredom, and irritation in his presence. I meet people day and night and remain cheerful till the end, and I meet everyone with politeness and happiness regardless of background or temperament, but after these four meetings I still could not feel comfortable around him. Though he was handsome, fair, well-dressed, well-spoken, and known as Shehzada among people, and had a large circle of friends who liked his company, whenever he came to me or his name appeared on my phone screen, I felt irritation and avoided him.
Outwardly he was a charming personality, the life of gatherings, everyone’s favorite, but something about him disturbed me internally. My investigative instinct was activated: why did I feel aversion toward him?
I called my friend; he was very happy that Shehzada praised me a lot, and in return his respect was increasing. After casual talk, I came to the main point and asked, “What kind of person is this Shehzada?” He said, “Sometimes there are rumors about immoral activities, but otherwise he is very successful and intelligent.”
Then he added, “By the way, Shehzada’s wife and my sister also want to meet you. I have given them your number; she will call you.”
Soon after, Shehzada’s wife called me. After initial introduction, I took a guess and said, “Sister, what kind of man is Shehzada? I see some flaws in his character. Is he loyal to you? Is he involved with other women?”
As if she was waiting to burst out, she said, “You are my brother’s friend, promise me you will not tell anyone. The man who appears in society as successful, noble, and intelligent is actually a sexual predator. There is no sanctity of any relationship in front of his lust. He is a sexual deviant. For fulfilling his desires, he can go to any extent. Outwardly he looks like a Shehzada, but inside he is completely black-hearted.”
She said he had not even spared her younger sister. She told me a long story of his immoral acts, which she already knew. She begged me for help, saying he is very impressed by you, for God’s sake bring him onto the right path. I promised her.
When Shehzada came to me, I lied and said, “A jinn has told me all your dark deeds.” Hearing this, his face turned pale, and he got scared, but without saying anything he left.
A month passed; he did not come. I called him and asked, “Have you repented?” He said, “Sir, you are mistaken, I am a respectable man.” I said, “You may deceive people, but divine accountability will leave you humiliated.” Then I ended the call.
A year passed. Whenever I remembered his wife, I prayed for her and waited for divine justice.
Then eventually the hand of fate moved. After many months, Shehzada called me, crying bitterly. He admitted, “You were right, I was wrong. I was drowned in immoral acts. When you warned me, I ignored you. Later I committed a crime against a girl. Her brothers kidnapped me, stripped me, made indecent videos and photos of me, and then made them viral on social media. Now I am hiding my face, wandering from city to city, living in disguise in shrines. I may commit suicide out of shame. Please forgive me and pray for me.”
Then he ended the call crying.
And I remained astonished at divine justice—how sexual predators who appear attractive on the outside, but are black inside, eventually become walking examples of punishment, and how God’s justice manifests itself in this world.