Inhaling close to her ear, he assured her, "I can guarantee you a lifetime of adventures."
Meerab clutched her hands together but smiled and replied, "You better be sure, otherwise I'll be coming back for a refund!"
When she looked up not getting an...
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Meerab sat on the small charpoy in the garden, her secret place which nobody knew other than Murtasim and her. She would come here to just sit and think, the peacefulness of the garden calmed her mind. She would write down the thoughts that came to her in her diary, never to be shared with anyone. But she would break this one rule for Murtasim often and share her musings with him. He was her confidante, her friend, and her companion. He knew her better than anyone else. They would sit in the garden for hours, sharing their thoughts and ideas, and in the process, creating a bond between them that was unlike anything else. They were two souls that were connected in a way that could never be broken.
And it was just another day that was special. It was Chaand Raat. The men of the house had walked to offer Isha prayers. The women of the house after completing their prayers prepared for the festivities of the night. The moon was witnessed and it was Eid the next day. Excitement and anticipation filled the air, as everyone was in a joyous spirit with the promise of Eid celebrations in the morning.
The sky was clear. Meerab sat in the garden in solace. The whole Haveli was surrounded by friends and family, and the air was filled with laughter and joy. All the relatives arrived to celebrate Eid together. Meerab enjoyed moments of peace and tranquillity, away from the hustle and bustle of the festivities. She sat with a Mehendi cone that she had secretly taken from the basket that was bought for chaand raat. She wanted to make her henna design herself this time. She applied mehendi carefully with an untrained hand and watched as the intricate patterns began to take shape. She smiled to herself, marvelling at such a great accomplishment for a twelve-year-old. She was especially proud of the way she had drawn the flower in the centre of her palm. As she waited for it to dry so that it wouldn't smudge when she applied it on the other hand, she felt a pair of hands wrap around her eyes. She giggled, already guessing who it was. "Murtasim!" she exclaimed, turning around to hug him. He nodded and patted her head.
The aura he carried was no were like a sixteen-year-old, it was like he was born to be a feudal lord. He was wise beyond his years and could sense the emotions of those around him.His presence was commanding, and his words carried a weight that made every one pause. He seemed to understand the world around him more than those twice his age, and his confidence was unshakable.
He walked around and sat down next to her. She smiled at him, showing her palms to him. He looked curiously at the henna design that has dried by then. He traced the intricate design with his finger, feeling the curves and swirls. He looked into her eyes and said
"Where did you learn this from?" She smiled and said, "You mean to praise me. But you can't find words right?"
He raised an eyebrow
"No, I'm trying to figure out if I should be worried or impressed!"
"Huh...you can never talk straight Murtasim". She faked her anger and turned her back on him.
