Meri Meerab *Discontinued*

31 - Uns

The drive back to Hyderabad was alot less stress ful than the ride there. They had their Haya and were returning home. There was no bad blood. Haya had finally udnerstood Anas and she had apologied for her accusation. Haya and Meerab felt like sisters once again.

'Tumhari chaddor bohat pyra hai, kahan say liya?' Haya said as she looked over at it. It was wrapped over Meerab's shoulders. It was new- Haya had never seen it before. Her eyes were drawn to the intrecate threads weaved into it- hand embroidered perhaps.

'Tum lay lou.' She hadent asked for it, yet Meerab wanted to give it to her.

Haya shook her head and smiled at her baji. 'Mainay tumpar itna ghatiya ilzaam lagaya, and you want to gift me the chaddor?'

Meerabs hand came up to stroke the side of her face. She hadent seen in her 3 weeks- she had missed her sister. 'Tum meri behn hou. Main pehnou ya tum pehno, aik hi baat hai.'

Haya surprssed a smile was was unsuccessful. 'Really?'

'Haan.'

How did she ever believe her sister could cheat her like that. The anger had blinded her. Her Meerab baji was so sweet and forgiving. How she had stressed over Haya's feelings when she failed to return home and personally undertook the journey to bring her.

'But really, where did you get it from?'

'Aik goan.' Meerab informed. She remembered that it was a village in which she had pretended that she was Murtasim's wife.

'Kounsa gaon, kab gay thay?'

' When the car started slowing slow, we got off the motor way. Patha nahi konsa goan tha. The ladies there gave it to me as i didn't have a dupatta. ' she took it off her shoulder and placed it in Hayas lap- it was hers now. She then turned her hands out to show her open palms- stained a deep maroon . 'They did my mehndi too.'

'Its nice- dark.'

'Hmm'

'You know what they say.... ' she eyed meerab cheekily.

'Kya?'

'That a dark mehndi stain means .... that your husband will love you very much.' She giggled.

Murtasim grinned- was was looking out straight onto the road ahead so they couldnt see facial reaction. He loved her. It was a matter of fact- he didnt need some mehndi stain to tell him. But it did feel good that the universe was confirming it.

'I dont believe in superstitions,' She blushed and didnt dare look up to the rear view mirror. Haya didnt know about them- and after that incident... it wouldnt be right to tell her yet.

'I do... its very probable... you're very easy to love and hard to stay angry at.' She interlaced her fingers. They remained like this, hand in hand for the rest of the drive. They had a catch up on each others lives for the past three weeks. Meerab told her about the haveli and Haya told her about her antics in Karachi, with Anilas daughters.

The ride home was short- or maybe it felt like that perhaps there wasent a heavy weight on Meerabs heart. Her mission had been accomplished.

As soon as the havelias gate had been opened for them, Murtasim drove his car in and parked, noting a new car parked in the driveway. He didnt recognise the numberplate.

As they exited the vehicle, the girls began to make their way inside.

A member of their house staff was tending to the plants in the garden, triming the brushes. Murtasim called him over with the gesture of his hand and in a few steps, the labourer stood before him- watercan in hand.