Filmon ki Tarah| Completed ✔️

Chapter 14. Part 2 (Aap mujhse dur rahey)

There will be a part 3 for this chapter.

***

Murtasim's gaze shifted from the childhood photos to another picture, capturing the memory of his sister, Maryam. The image brought a rush of emotions, reminding him of the struggles she had faced. Growing up, Murtasim had witnessed Maryam being forced into a life that didn't align with her true desires. At the time, he had believed she was content, but everything changed when she ran away.

While their childhood home had provided Murtasim with a sense of comfort and belonging, for Maryam, it had felt like a suffocating cage. He couldn't help but feel regret for not recognizing her unhappiness earlier and for not being there to support her. As she made the decision to leave, Murtasim chose not to impose his will upon her but instead sat on her doorstep, silently hoping that she would return on her own. Unfortunately, she never did, and that day, he left his ego behind, understanding that he had let his sister down.

In contrast to Maryam, Mahjabeen possessed a different kind of mind. Although not academically inclined, she possessed street smarts and had a unique ability to grasp things that others might overlook. Her creative expressions of thought were a testament to her vibrant personality and zest for life.

Pointing to a photo where she was seen crying, Mahjabeen playfully whined, "Hayee mujhe yaad hai iss din aapne meri saari tofiyan khaali thi"

Murtasim smiled warmly and asked, "Toffee lau kya tumhare liye?"

Excitedly nodding her head, Mahjabeen replied, "Eclairs, Dairy Milk, Kaala Khatta, Chuppa Chup, Opus, Makhan Badami, Caramelo, Milkees, aur Hajmola"

Murtasim teasingly suggested, "Tumne dukaan waaley se shaadi kyun nahi ki?"

Chuckling, Mahjabeen responded, "Haye, bada dil chahta tha bachpan mein, magar ek baar usne mere pair pe paan thuk diya, yaqeen kare do din tak sabun se ghassi hoon main"

Curious, Murtasim asked, "Paan khaane wale pasand nahi tumhe?"

Mahjabeen shook her head, replying, "Nahi"

Continuing his inquiry, Murtasim asked, "Aur cigarette peeney wale?"

"Zeher lagte hai mujhe, har jagah dhua phelate upar se apna hi phepda sadate. Aap peetey haina?"
Murtasim nodded, admitting, "Haan"

Mahjabeen playfully retorted, "Bawle hai aap isliye"

They bickered on as they went through the album, Mahjabeen was enamored by one particular photo. It was her mother's and the thing that struck her was the paint brush in her hand. Their resemblance was almost uncanny as if Mahjabeen was Nadiya's twin. The two were in awe as they flipped through the album and saw older photos. In one of them her mother was sitting on the Khanum's seat, wearing a red dress with a rifle in her hand. Her angelic smile and playful eyes were on someone behind the camera.

"Mere asli Abbu ko bhi photography ka shaukh tha kya?" she asked curiously and Murtasim nodded as he explained to her that Anwar had stopped photography after her mother's death.

"Ek baat bolu?" She asked feeling a little guilty, this thought was disturbing her and she wanted someone to explain these emotions to her.

"Haan bolona, Mahjabeen", Murtasim replied as he closed the album recognising the serious look on her face.

The last photo she saw was of Hasan tying her braids, Mahjabeen felt that Hasan might be behaving in this way because he saw her as a younger sister. But the vibes he gave , the way he talked seemed to put her off.

"Mujhe Hasan bhai se darr lagta", she confessed as the terror of that day rushed to her. The way he had tried to push through the door and stared at her had made her disgusted.

Murtasim's expression turned serious as he listened to Mahjabeen's confession. He reached out and gently held her hand, offering comfort and reassurance as her husband.

"Uska andaza hua tha mujhe," Murtasim said empathetically. "Tumhe ghar isiliye aana tha na? Kal raat ko tum isliye itna ghabrayi hui thi na"

He paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "Hasan mere bhai hain, shayad unke bolne ke andaaz se tum ghabra gayi hogi. Mai unse baat karunga, Mahjabeen fikar mat karo. Mai chahta hu ke tum us ghar mai aaram se raho, kyuki ab woh tumhara ghar hai. Jo karna hai karo, Mai humesha tumhara saath dunga aur tumhari hifazat karunga"

Murtasim's words conveyed his commitment to protecting Mahjabeen and addressing the issue with Hasan. He reassured her that she didn't have to face this alone and that he would take appropriate action.

"Mai tumharey saath hu," he added.

Mahjabeen felt a sense of relief knowing that her husband, Murtasim, was standing by her side and taking her concerns seriously. She knew she could rely on him for support and that he would address the issue with Hasan. With Murtasim's assurance, she felt stronger and more determined to assert her boundaries and protect herself.

**

Murtasim kept his promise, he discussed this issue with Hasan and they came to a settlement to never cross paths. Murtasim had changed a lot, Hasan realised the way he talked was respectful but he sensed the anger in his eyes. Hasan had reassured him that he had no ill intentions and Murtasim had nodded his head slightly. He simply told him that his wife felt unsafe in his presence, so he needed to set their boundaries. For the first time it felt as if this wasn't his brother but Mahjabeen's husband speaking to him.

Murtasim walked away and tucked Mahjabeen in the bed closing the sketchbook. He laid there thinking what a mess his home has turned into, his eyes went to Mahjabeen and realised maybe he too should give her some space. Collecting his blanket and pillow he decided to sleep on the sofa, so that Mahjabeen could rest peacefully.

As Murtasim settled down on the sofa, he couldn't help but reflect on the events that had unfolded. He had always thought of his home as a sanctuary, a place of comfort and safety. But lately, it seemed like their peaceful haven had been disrupted. The situation with Hasan had shaken him, and he felt a deep responsibility to protect Mahjabeen and ensure her well-being.

As he lay on the sofa, Murtasim's mind wandered, contemplating the complexities of relationships and the challenges they presented. He realized that he needed to give Mahjabeen the space and time she required to heal and feel secure. It wasn't just about physical boundaries but also emotional ones. He wanted her to know that he respected her feelings and was willing to do whatever it took to make her feel safe and valued.

The night passed slowly as Murtasim's thoughts raced through his mind. He found solace in the fact that he had taken a step forward in addressing the issue with Hasan. Although he still felt a mix of emotions, including anger and disappointment, he understood the importance of finding a resolution that would bring harmony to their home.

Meanwhile, Hasan contemplated Mahjabeen, visualizing her sleeping figure. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of satisfaction, knowing that his presence had provoked fear and unease within her. He relished the power he held over her, relishing in the control he exerted.

As he watched her through the window, his gaze intensified, taking in every detail of her movements and expressions. He was drawn to her vulnerability, finding pleasure in her discomfort. Hasan had always enjoyed playing mind games, manipulating others for his own amusement.

But there was something different about Mahjabeen. Her resilience and strength threatened his sense of superiority. She possessed an unwavering determination that both intrigued and challenged him. He knew he had to tread carefully, maintaining his facade of normalcy while subtly undermining her confidence.

Hasan's mind raced with twisted thoughts and schemes, envisioning the ways in which he could further exploit Mahjabeen's fears and insecurities. He reveled in the control he had over her, relishing in the power dynamics of their interactions.

Deep down, Mahjabeen's instincts told her that Hasan was not to be trusted, that his actions and words carried an underlying darkness. She couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling that lingered whenever he was around. But for now, she had to bide her time, silently gathering evidence and fortifying herself against his manipulations.

Little did she know, their paths would intertwine further, and the true extent of Hasan's malevolence would be revealed. In the face of adversity, Mahjabeen's resilience would be put to the test as she confronted the subtle creep who had infiltrated her life.