Meri Meerab *Discontinued*

33 - Khanum

The very next morning, Meerab approached Maa Begum in her bedroom and intended to inform the woman of her decision to marry her son.

Meerab didnt bother to ask Anwar as she knew he had no reason to reject the proposal. Maa Begum confided in him and surprise surprise- he had no objection.

Maa Begum sat at her desk, flicking through accounts books. She had several in a stack and seemed she had quiet a few more to go. But when Meerab knocked and entered, Maa Begum prioritied her and closed the book, her pen inside as the marker.

She stood up to greet her. 'Kaisay hou meri beti?'

'Teek hou.' Meerab was wearing a periwinkle two piece suit, with flowery lace and pearls along the border and sheer white dupatta draped over one shoulde. She fiddled with the end of it, lifting it up off the ground.

Maa begum gestured over to the sofa iand then she herself joined her there. Maa Begum's room was particulary large, like an apartment- similar murtasims living quarters but with a mature, femanine touch. They were in the the study/living room, by entrance door. Her actual bedroom off to the left.

There was silence as Meerab was apprehensive to start. It was a big decision and she was the first girl in their familiy to be given that authoirty. She looked around the room taking it in, despite being in there hundreds of times before. The window was open and the smell of freshly cut grass had wafted it- it smelt clean and fresh.

So Maa Begum began instead, 'Tumnay faisla kar liya hai?' She gave no indicatiom of her preference, despite wanting her as her own daughter in law.

Meerab sat up tall. 'Jee Maa Begum.' Perhaps other girls would have had their mother and father sat at either side of them on an occasion like this, but despite her wealth, she had not been afforded that luxury.

'Kis hou haath dougey?' She twisted her hand outward with the index and thumb extended- as to question who. She looked over at the girl, eargerly waiting her answer. Maa Begum supposed she might have discussed the issue with Haya and Mariyum over the night but there had been none.

There was no need, as Meerab had made her mind up a long time ago.

Instead of words, Meerab placed her hand into Maa Begum out turned hand and then she understood that Meerab had chosen her- her son and her family. She clasped Meerab's hand in both of her and tried not to cry in happiness but her efforts were in vain as a tear slipped down. Her sons wife- Meerab. 'Allah tum dono ko kush rakhe.'

She then wiped her tear and saw the ring on her own hand and an idea came to her mind. It was huge green diamond ring, with smaller white diamonds around the circumference. She was gifted it when her parents accepted her proposal with Murtasims father. She took it off her finger and and and placed it on Meerab's. It fit perfectly. There- now it was official. She would be their daughter-in-law.

She admired the way it looked on her hand and then gazed up at her face. Meerab was smiling shyly. She was happy. Thats all that Maa Begum wanted after her failed engagement with Anas which she caused herself. She wanted for her to move in with her life- and now, that will be as Murtasim wife.

Then Maa Begum called out, 'Feena!'

The door opened and in rushed Feena. 'Aap ne bulaya Maa Begum?'

'Mou meeta karwou , Meerab ka rishta pakka hou chuka hai.' She informed with a wife smile.

Feena smiled at the news and saw Maa Begum's green ring on Meerab's finger. She had grown up before her eyes and now she was to be wed to their very own Khan Murtasim Khan. 'Bohat Mubarak Meerab bibi.'

'Khair mubarak.'

Maa Begum opened her draw and took out some money and then handed it over to Feena. With that, she rushed out and ordered some sweets to be delivered to their house- to be distrubted amongst family, friends and the village people.