Meri Meerab *Discontinued*

30 - Haqeekat

Haya got in to the back seat, and because Meerab wanted to confront her- so did she.

The empty passenger seat felt unusal to Murtasim- how quickly he had grown accustomed to her presence next to him. She was just a glance in the rear-view mirror away but it seemed to far- out of his hands reach. Perhaps its was better this way- his hand couldn't instinctively reach out to her leg.

'Bachiyaan kya soch rahee hounge mere baarey mein.' Meerab voiced out.

Murtasim was worried about the same. He just hoped they were too young to understand. Murtasim turned his upper body to face Haya in the back. 'Khabardaar ainda aisay koi baat ki Haya.'

Meerab had never seen him so harsh before. Perhaps because Haya had never made such an accusation before.

'Haya...' meerab wanted to resolve this. Where to start?

Haya reclined slightly and adjusted her dupatta. Her mask of anger hand slipped and beneath it was sadness of betrayal .'Tumnau yeh nahi socha, mujpay kya guzrahoga jab mainay tummay deykya tha.' She was reffering to when Anas had held Meerabs hand. Meerab was grateful she hadent been more specific in Murtasim's company.

Murtasim had just turned the car and he headed out Anilas's gate when he said, 'Bas kardo Haya.'

Meerab needed to explain. 'Anas kithna gira houa insaan hai- tumhay nay maloom.' After all, she had been left out in the dark in Karachi- even if it was her own doing.

'Tou fir samjau.'

'I have never felt anything for Anas more than a friendship.'

Haya rolled her eyes and look out at the houses of Karachi passing her window. The green of the trees and the brown of the stone houses merging into one.

'Anas went behind Murtasim's back and told Maa Begum that he likes me....' She couldnt finnish the sentence there, '...: thats what he came to tell me after the celebratory dinner that evening.'

'Haan, jab woh tumhara ankein mein ankein mila kar, kareeb karey hou kar, haath pakar kar izhaare mohabbat kar raha tha?' Hayas voice cracked. 'Theyka tha mainay.'

Murtasims grip on the streeing wheel tightened at her graphic description.

Well... when Haya explained it like that.. it didnt put Meerab in the best of light.

'Haya, i wasn't there on purpose. He called me.' Meerab pleaded.

Haya replied sarcastically. 'Hou sakta hai.'

'Aisay he tha Haya.'

Murtasim then interrupted them. 'Tell her about what happened at the mahal.'

But Meerab didnt want to go into specifics. The important point was the reason for engagement breaking. 'He was in for the money Haya. Thats why he said that to Maa Begum. He wanted to marry me because he was looking at our haveli.'

Hayas head turned from the window to Meerab.

''Kya?'

Our haveli. Despite the accusation that Haya had made, she was her cousin-sister-friend. She was an insider despite not having any claim to the mahal. They had a bond stronger than biological sisters.

Anas was an outsider and now, would always remain so.

Meerab nodded to emphasise her statement. 'Uska humaray ghar pe nazar the.'

'I dont believe you.' Haya was in denial. The thing she had been obsessing over was entirely wrong- how could it be. Haya started out straight ahead, her hand reaching the the headrest infront of her and picking at the stiching there.