Murtasim and Meerab made a quick stop at a nearby restaurant on their way back, both needing a moment to compose themselves and create an alibi for their tardiness. They decided to pick up kulfis for everyone, using it as a reason for their delay.
As Murtasim held her door open, helping her out of the car, Arslan and Maryam approached them, as if they had been loitering by the door waiting for them.
"What kept you so long?" Arslan quipped, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes.
Meerab pointed to the bag of kulfis that Murtasim held. "Kulfis." She replied, trying to not sound nervous, just hinting at the time it took to acquire the delicious treats.
Maryam joined in the teasing, her eyes twinkling. "That long? Are you two sure you weren't enjoying other desserts?" Her comment carried a playful insinuation, testing the boundaries of their secret.
Murtasim's voice held a hint of warning as he interjected. "Maryam, don't." His words were a gentle reminder to tread lightly on the topic that was better left unexplored, especially in light of what had happened between them.
Maryam's gaze shifted between Murtasim and Meerab, her expression softening. "You know I'm just teasing." She reassured them.
Meerab nodded, grabbing Murtasim's hand and squeezing it inconspicuously.
"Let's go, all the oldies are asleep, we didn't tell them you two were missing." Arslan whispered as Maryam led them upstairs.
"Rumi came with you, right?" Meerab asked, she hadn't been able to ask Rumi what had happened with all the people around them earlier that night. But when Rumi had requested Meerab's help in persuading her parents to allow her to stay for one more night with Meerab and Maryam, she had complied.
Maa Begum, had managed to convince Anila Chachi to grant Rumi's wish for an extended stay, reminding her that they too were young once. She was glad because she wanted to hear all that Rumi wanted to tell her, and knew that it would give her the opportunity.
"You're here!" Rumi squealed quietly, rushing into the hall, changed out of her party clothes like Maryam and Arslan. "We stopped by my house to pick up some stuff, so I left you some pajamas in the room, we're in that one." She said pointing to the end of the hall.
Meerab's gaze narrowed, eyebrow arching, silently questioning Rumi.
Rumi, sensing her curiosity, mouthed "later," indicating that they would have a chance to talk privately.
Sighing softly, Meerab realized that amidst the bustling crowd of her cousins, she wouldn't be able to ask Rumi about what had happened.
She walked to the room that Rumi had pointed to freshen up, rushing to the bathroom as soon as she entered the space. Her face flushed when she caught sight of herself in the mirror, she still looked like the same Meerab but she could swear there was a lightness in her eyes that hadn't been there before.
She quickly showered and changed into the clothes that Rumi had so kindly brought for her, a loose-fitting lavender suit that felt so much comfier than the clothes she had been wearing earlier. She sighed in relief and rubbed her ears, the earrings she had been wearing were rather heavy, the necklace had not been any better.
When Meerab returned to the main living room, she found the room in disarray, pillows and blankets were thrown all around, and the coffee table was ladened with snacks. Rumi insisted that they all stay up to watch a movie together, and it seemed that all of them were nostalgic enough to do so.
Rumi's choice was Hum Saath Saath Hai, a film that elicited groans from everyone. Except from Hamza, who simply shrugged and commented, "It's a good movie."
YOU ARE READING
Dhaagey: The Ties that Bind Us
RomanceTere Bin AU: What if Meerab hadn't been given away to Waqas & Anila but was raised in the Khan Mansion with Murtasim and Maryam? What if she fell in love with the boy that stood over her shielding her from the sun on tepid days while they pooled the...