SCENE (13) – SAFA GAVE PATRONAGE TO ALAM WITHOUT PERMISSION
Characters
- GANESH
- SULTAN (present, largely silent)
- PHULJANI
- JURIST
- COURT COUNCIL
- SAFA
- NUR QUTBI ALAM
(The JURIST stands before the council, clutching a ledger as if it were scripture. His voice trembles—not with anger, but eagerness.)
JURIST
The records show misdirected grain. Silver diverted beyond the eastern gate. Sent to a khanqah—to the Shaikh.
(A murmur moves through the court.)
(GANESH does not look at the jurist. He looks at SAFA.)
(SAFA sits where she always does—neither prominent nor hidden. Her posture is composed. Her face is still. Too still.)
GANESH
Who authorized the patronage?
JURIST
The women’s quarters, my lord. By custom. But the sums—
(GANESH raises one finger. Silence falls.)
(He turns the ledger once. Then twice. He reads nothing.)
GANESH
Truth does not hide in ink.
Bring the Shaikh.
(DAWN LIGHT. The doors open. NUR QUTBI ALAM enters—without chains.)
(He walks straight because Ganesh ordered it so. He stands straight; he has nothing to hide.)
(GANESH watches SAFA as the Shaikh enters.)
(Not a flinch. Not a glance. Only a breath—taken too carefully.)
(GANESH addresses the Shaikh.)
GANESH
Did you receive patronage from the palace?
NUR QUTBI ALAM
Yes.
GANESH
For teaching?
NUR QUTBI ALAM
For feeding.
GANESH
For influence?
(The Shaikh smiles faintly.)
NUR QUTBI ALAM
If I had influence, my lord, this room would be quieter.
(GANESH turns—not to the jurist—but to SAFA.)
GANESH
Speak.
(SAFA rises.)
SAFA
I authorized the grain.
During famine months. With palace funds. According to custom.
JURIST
Did you receive counsel from this man?
(GANESH raises his hand again. Silence.)
(SAFA looks only at GANESH.)
SAFA
There are lines I have approached. And lines I have refused to cross.
(The SULTAN shifts slightly. PHULJANI lowers her eyes.)
(GANESH dismisses the JURIST.)
GANESH
Leave us.
(The doors close.)
GANESH (ask SAFA)
I do not need your confession.
I need your judgment.
SAFA
If you punish him, you will silence a hundred mouths—but teach nothing.
If you spare him publicly, you will invite imitation.
If you spare him quietly, you will be accused anyway.
GANESH (to the council)
The patronage was lawful.
The khanqah will return half the sum—publicly—so the law is satisfied.
(He looks to the Shaikh.)
(The Shaikh bows—not in gratitude, but acknowledgment.)
GANESH (cont.)
The jurist who brought this charge—remove him from office.
He will administer grain in the border districts.
JURIST
My lord—
GANESH
You mistook zeal for justice.
(The court disperses.)
(Later. A corridor. GANESH walks beside SAFA. Not touching. Never touching.)
GANESH
You crossed the line but you know why I trust you.
SAFA
It is mutual.
GANESH
Yes.
So others don’t have to.
(They walk on.)
(Lights fade.)
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