Dhaagey: The Ties that Bind Us [Tere Bin FF]

3. warmth

Another two days passed with Murtasim nowhere in sight much to Meerab's displeasure.

He remained at the village and she wondered what he was dealing with that needed his constant attention. Her uncle, Murtasim's father, too went away to the village often to deal with one thing or another, but never for days at a time.

Maa Begum had said that Murtasim would return that day, but the evening had turned into night, and there was no sign of him. Yet, Meerab stood under the covered terrace, her eyes fixed on the driveway that wound its way through the garden, waiting to catch just a glimpse of him, her hand held out to catch the raindrops that fell lightly as the sky roared and flashed with lightning.

The scent of petrichor filled her nose, and she closed her eyes, letting the familiar aroma wash over her. She had missed the smell of the rain, missed the sound of it tapping against the leaves of the trees, missed the way Maa Begum always yelled at her and Maryam when they ran out to play in the rain, their little feet splashing into puddles.

Murtasim had always been the one that came to get them, sometimes joining in on their fun, the three of them running across the wet grass playing a game of tag that he always let her win. When they went inside, they were always greeted by Maa Begum's worries about them getting sick as she forced cups of joshanda down their throats while her uncle laughed at his wife's nagging.

Meerab missed those days, when things were simpler, and the house was filled with sounds of laughter and play. Everything had changed when her uncle passed away. She had left home for Karachi shortly thereafter so the somber mood she returned to during her minimal breaks always saddened her, the innocence of children laughing long gone. Murtasim was usually too busy to spend any time with her or Mariam, but she had noticed that his happiness seemed like it had disappeared too.

Meerab's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a car coming up the driveway, her heart leapt in her chest. Could it be him? She had been fooled before by a driver delivering groceries to the kitchen. But it was too late for anyone else to be visiting right then.

She strained her eyes, peering through the rain, trying to see if it was the familiar black Mercedes. But the sky roared loudly and the rain intensified suddenly, making it difficult to see. She heard car doors open and close, and saw a familiar figure rushing through the garden towards the house, without an umbrella, and her heart swelled with joy.

It was Murtasim.

Her joy at finally being able to see him was palpable and she could hardly contain it. She hurried through the halls, picking up a towel from the linen closet before dashing down the stairs, determined to meet him at the door. She had gone years without seeing him, but the glimpse she had caught of him just days ago had unravelled her resolve, making the two days he was away feel like an eon.

He opened the door as she reached the foyer, she could see that he was drenched by the rain. Her eyes fell on his figure first as he stepped through the door. His hair was slicked back, water droplets trickling down his face, clinging to his beard, and soaking through his clothes. His white shirt clung to his chest, outlining the curves of his muscles. Her heart stuttered at his disheveled state, eyes trailing down his chest, desire coursing through her.

But then Meerab's heart plummeted as she caught sight of a figure stepping in behind Murtasim...her father.

It had been years since Meerab had seen Anwar Khan, yet the pain and hurt remained fresh. Every time she saw him, she felt as though she were back to being a little child who had learnt that her father hated her.

Her father froze as he caught sight of her.

"Assalamu Alaikum." The greeting left her quietly, as if she both wanted to say it and didn't.