Dhaagey: The Ties that Bind Us

13. a partnership

With the Shah Brothers' departure from Hyderabad, Murtasim's presence becoming increasingly scarce due to his demanding responsibilities as a feudal lord, on top of dealing with the outcome of the trafficking ring that they had disrupted, it was all over the news. A political storm had been created, the fallout of which was more far reaching that Meerab could have imagined. With the local elections around the corner, it seemed like everyone had something to say.

Over the next four days, Meerab caught only fleeting glimpses of Murtasim. His workload was etching dark circles under his eyes that mirrored her own growing concern. Yet, despite his busy schedule, Murtasim made it a point to join them for dinner each evening, their eyes locked in a silent understanding that brought her immense joy, and made her flush because the way he looked at her stirred something deep inside her.

Rumi, always attuned to the unspoken chemistry between them, delighted in teasing them playfully along with Maryam. Maa Begum often cleared her throat to stop them when they got too comfortable, or left them at the dinner table to engage in their biting banter.

She never wanted to retire to bed, hanging around the table as long as she could with Murtasim, taking him in like a starved woman. He always gave her an apologetic look before reluctantly going to his office to continue his work day.

Meerab had observed the patterns in Murtasim's routines since her return, marveling at his unwavering dedication. It was similar to the role his father had occupied yet it seemed like the burden on Murtasim was greater.

Some mornings, he would rise before dawn, preparing for a day filled with visits to the farms, meeting with estate managers, and addressing land disputes. On these days, he would don her favorite outfit on him – a shalwar-kameez, his attire mirroring the earthy connection he had with his land and its people. Her eyes lingered on him a lot during dinner on these days, for he had a habit of unbuttoning the top few buttons of his kameez and her eyes found themselves straying to his neck and how wonderfully the kurta stretch across his broad chest.

There were other occasions when Murtasim would dress in crisp suits or shirts, an indication that he had important meetings with local leaders or discussions concerning finances and investments. Those encounters seemed to delve into the intricacies of revenue management, for he returned home with a plethora of files which he meticulously reviewed. Her eyes had a hard time staying off his arms on those days because he always rolled up the sleeves of his shirt to his elbows, leaving her to marvel at his muscular forearms and the veins that she yearned to trace with her fingers.

After dinner, he retired to the sanctuary of his office, bringing his work with him, pouring over financial documents, assessing the revenue generated from the farms, rental income, and scrutinizing investments. Meerab marveled at his ability to navigate the complex world of finance, a testament to his astuteness and dedication to preserving their wealth and the well-being of their community.

And there were other ongoing duties that unfolded behind the scenes, and urgent matters that called for his attention. He would hold meetings with the local police, ensuring the security of their land and the safety of their tenants, resolve disputes, deal with crises – all to fulfill his responsibilities as a guardian and protector.

Meerab held onto the knowledge that while she may not fully comprehend the intricacies of his daily obligations, she wanted to be there to support and cherish him, to be an anchor in the turbulent sea of his responsibilities.

She took a deep breath, clutching the cup of steaming tea in her hands as she approached Murtasim's office, pushing the door open with her foot to let herself in. The soft glow of the desk lamp illuminated his features, accentuating the handsome contours of his face. His beard was a little longer than he usually kept it, but she rather liked it, along with his messy un-gelled hair. He had changed into sweatpants and a t-shirt, the fabric stretching deliciously across his broad chest.