Dhaagey: The Ties that Bind Us

19. taking liberties

A/N: THIS CHAPTER IS SLIGHTLY MATURE! Listen, I debated this for a LONG time, and then I saw a tweet that said "I am very very tired of the idea that characters should make perfect moral decisions at all times, like exactly zero people do." And it was like the skies opened and the heavens shined down on me with their approval to do this (in a limited way because this Murtasim would never let himself go all the way with Meerab before getting married). 

Basically, it just more intense kisses and...activity, clothes all stay on folks! Feel free to skip this chapter fully if you're not comfortable with this, nothing else happens in this chapter. Not marking this story as mature just yet because it's something you'd see on a TV-14 American show.

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The night air was filled with a subtle tension as Meerab and Murtasim drove back to the Shah House in Karachi. It was apparent to Meerab that Murtasim's jealousy had been awakened, subtly revealing itself through his actions.

Murtasim's behaviour had started when she spoke highly of Armaan's kindness and his support for Rumi and Hamza. As Armaan had engaged in conversation with Meerab while they all walked out to their cars, their families around them, she had noticed Murtasim's eyes narrowing with each word exchanged.

Even though she could sense his discomfort, Meerab couldn't help but find amusement in the situation for it didn't make sense for him to be jealous of Armaan of all people, he was like a brother to her. She had been rather surprised at the way Murtasim's protective nature surfaced as he pushed her towards his car to drive her back when Armaan opened the door to his own car for her, asking her to get in.

She had looked over at Murtasim in surprise to find his gaze filled with a possessiveness that was hard to miss.

Even as they drove then, she could see his jaw tensing, a clear sign that something was bothering him. The radio played one of his favourite songs, yet he didn't hum along. In the depths of her being, Meerab acknowledged her guilty pleasure in seeing Murtasim display a hint of aggression. There was something captivating about his protective nature, and she found herself drawn to the passionate side of him. It was a look that had fueled her fantasies, igniting a desire within her that she didn't struggle to admit.

Meerab couldn't resist the urge to confront Murtasim about his evident jealousy. Leaning against the door of the car, she watched him intently, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. Sensing her gaze upon him, Murtasim turned his attention towards her, vulnerability flickering in his eyes.

"Why are you so jealous of Armaan?" She asked, her voice laced with genuine curiosity. The question hung in the air, the tension between them palpable. As she studied his face, her gaze involuntarily drifted to his lips, an unspoken desire lingering within her. She yearned to kiss him, to unlock his clenched jaw and ignite a fire that burned with both jealousy and desire, to replicate the moment under the stairs from just hours ago.

Murtasim scoffed, breaking her train of thought. "You're so oblivious." He remarked, his voice tinged with frustration. "But then again you also thought that I didn't love you." His response only fueled Meerab's curiosity further, her desire to understand the source of his jealousy growing stronger.

"He's like a brother to me." She replied, hoping to alleviate his concerns.

But Murtasim's next words shattered her assumption. "The problem is that he doesn't see you as a sister." He asserted.

Meerab's eyes widened in surprise, caught off guard by his statement. "He's never—" She began, but Murtasim's outburst cut her off.

"I don't want to talk about it, Meerab, please. Give me some time to calm down or I will say something stupid." He snapped, his frustration seemingly boiling over. She could sense his inner turmoil, his emotions clashing with his desire to protect her.