Suddenly, Nasir's gaze fell on the check tucked beneath the tray. It was inscribed with the amount of one hundred thousand, and it bore the signature of his boss, Mahmud Ahmed. Mahmud Ahmed was looking the other way at that moment, searching for a file in the safe. In a fraction of a millisecond, the devil overcame him; he slowly slid the check and transferred it to his pocket. At that very moment, Mahmud Ahmed took the file out of the safe, closed it, and turned toward him.
"Take this, Nasir Sahib... this file should be worked on today," he said, handing the file to him.
"Yes... yes, sir," Nasir took the file with trembling hands and left the room.
Sitting at his desk working, he was surrounded by apprehensions that his boss would call him at any moment to ask about the check. Thus, his ten years of honest service would come to an end. How much trust the boss had in him! Everyone in the office sang praises of his nobility.
"Ugh... what did I do? I betrayed the boss's trust. Should I return the check...?" he thought. But then he remembered his daughter's wedding was only a few months away. The groom's family had provided a list of dowry items, and this check could fulfill those requirements.
The time to leave arrived, and nothing happened. He was surprised that the boss hadn't noticed the check was missing. On his way home, his demeanor was restless. On one side was his lifetime of honesty, and on the other was his daughter's wedding and the dowry list. Lost in these thoughts, he reached home and lay down, using a headache as an excuse.
---
"Did you hear? Nasir Sahib made off with one hundred thousand rupees."
"What... he was such an honest man!"
"Hmph... that nobility and honesty were all a facade. Who knows what he has been doing under that veil?"
"Nasir Sahib..." his boss’s voice boomed. "I considered you an elder. I trusted you with the entire company. I didn't know that beneath the veil of honesty lay dishonesty, and behind that radiant face was a devilish one."
"Arrest this thief... and extract the secrets of his old heists!"
"Nasir Sahib... we didn't know we were getting our son engaged to the daughter of a thief and robber. Consider this proposal broken off."
"No... no..." Nasir cried out. He had been having a terrible dream.
"No... this cannot be. I cannot destroy a lifetime of earnings for one slip. I will tell Mahmud Sahib everything in the morning." Having made this decision, he felt relieved.
---
The next day, he stood in Mahmud Sahib's room.
"Come in, Nasir Sahib, I was waiting for you," Mahmud said.
"Waiting for me...!" Nasir's heart pounded. "So the boss knows after all," he thought.
"Yes... I know your daughter's wedding is coming up. You have served this company your whole life. The company has a duty toward you. Accept this small advance gift from my side," Mahmud Sahib handed him a check. Nasir’s eyes went wide—it was a check for one hundred thousand rupees.
"Sir... I am not worthy of this check," he sobbed.
"What are you saying, Nasir Sahib? Do you not consider me your son?"
"Stop it, sir. Do not humiliate me further. I have already fallen in my own eyes. I... I am your culprit, sir," he said in a choked voice.
"What do you mean!" Mahmud Sahib said in surprise.
Nasir put his hand in his pocket to take out the check he had stolen, but his heart sank. His wallet was missing from his pocket. Someone had picked his pocket on the bus.
---
"Wow, wow! Until today, people only took money out of wallets. Today, a check came out. And that too for a whole one hundred thousand," Rashid shouted happily.
"Really, man? You hit the lottery. But tell me, how much will my share be?" his friend Karim asked.
"What kind of talk is that? From childhood, we have been equal partners. It will be fifty-fifty," Rashid replied.
"Really... you spoke like a true friend," Karim looked at the check with greedy eyes.
"Why do you embarrass me? Today, I am alive because of you..."
"Well, leave the talk and worry about cashing the check. What if the issuer alerts the bank?"
"That's why I didn't waste time. I hit the wallet this morning, and when I saw the check, I ran straight to tell you. It's not even nine yet. We should leave immediately."
Rashid went to change his clothes to look more decent. While he was in the bathroom, Karim went to the inner room and returned with a sharp dagger. He began rubbing his finger on the edge of the blade, making plans.
When Rashid came out, he stopped. "Why do you have that dagger? Are we fighting someone?"
"Where is the check?" Karim asked.
"In my pocket... why?"
"Hand the check over to me, Rashid," Karim said in a cold tone.
"What are you saying?"
"I am saying that the whole one hundred thousand will be mine. I am fed up with this life. I will use this money to start a business and commit major crimes under the guise of respectability."
"You won't get the check. If one hundred thousand rupees made you forget years of friendship, then I am done with you," Rashid said, turning toward the door.
"Beware... don't you dare move," Karim shouted and ran toward him. Rashid tried to escape, but Karim slashed him with the dagger. Rashid fell to the floor, bleeding heavily. Karim, without a second glance, took the check and fled.
Karim walked with quick, heavy steps. The wealth had blinded him. He felt as if everyone was staring at him. Suddenly, while crossing the road, his foot slipped, and a car slammed its brakes. He was hit by the car, and darkness covered his eyes.
---
Back at the office, hearing everything, Mahmud Sahib smiled sadly and said, "Sit down, Nasir Sahib."
"No, do not humiliate me. I have told you everything. Give me whatever punishment you want."
Mahmud Sahib put his hand on his shoulder. "When you picked up the check yesterday, I knew right at that moment." Nasir was stunned.
"Then why were you silent?"
"Because I was sure that you would never be able to cash it. Even the most honest person faces a moment when the devil strikes. But the mark of a true human is that they recover immediately. Their conscience remains alive."
"Thank you, sir... you trusted me. You are very big, and I am very small."
"Forget it. And look, Nasir Sahib, a man's provision reaches him no matter what. What Allah has written in destiny will be his. The check from yesterday was always intended for you. It was meant to reach you, even if the devil misled you for a moment. And do you know why I was sure the check would be returned to me?"
"Why, sir?"
"Because I pay *Zakat* on my wealth every year. Wealth from which *Zakat* is extracted, Allah protects. My check reached back to me through the police, who found it on a pickpocket who had been hit by a car earlier today."
"Indeed, Allah is the greatest," tears welled up in Nasir's eyes. "His promise is true. He protected your wealth."
