Meri Meerab *Discontinued*

58 - Taskeen

When Meerab woke up the following day, she opened her eyes to see Maa Begum sitting next to her side with a tight lipped smile.

Meerab was confused at her presence. 'Maa Begum, aap yahan?'

'Tumein phir ulti aaye the.' Maa Begum replied softly as Meerab was still half asleep. Her words hung heavy in the air- meaning the doctor's visit hadn't really achieved anything.

She must have fallen asleep straight after- she barley recalled vomiting again, except for a hazy memory which she assumed was a dream. 'Ab teek hou mai.' Meerab reassured.

The other two girls were no where to be seen, they had already left. She must have had slept in.

Meerab felt her her motherly hand stoke the hair out her face with a tenderness that almost made her forget the nausea brimming in her throat. 'Yeh adrak ki chai laaye thi,' guesturing to the cup on her bedside table.

Maa Begum looked a little worried from the wrinkles in her forehead, so she sat up. Even though Meerab didnt have the appetite, still she thanked Maa Begum for her efforts in trying to lessen her illness. 'Shukria.'

'Chai pelo, fir neechay aajana. Sabra and uska beta aaye hain.' Mee Begum reached down to kiss her head, as a final act of her and then she left.

After having her tea, Meerab changed into a yellow dress that she had gotten made for Murtasim's birthday daawat- it was before everything had happened. But even back then, she knew it was his favourite colour from the way his eyes lingered to they way it swayed around her at every step.

It was becoming a habit now, vomiting, followed by the feeling of nausea. But it always wore off by noon. In all honestly, it seemed to bother Murtasim more than her. Whenever they met, his gaze didn't seem to leave her. Noticing the pale of her skin and her dry lips- Meerab wondered if it was possible that he loved her too much, just from his worry.

Meerab didnt bother with any elaborate hairstyle- she just brushed it through to get the knots out. The final thing she did, was pull the dupatta over her shoulder before making her way out.

After descending the stairs, she found Mariyum, Saba ana Haya and seated with their guest, Naurez in the formal living room. The fan and AC, had been turned on and the room was a nice coolness as she entered.

She saw Mai arranging collecting and putting away used teacups in-front if them. Meerab had missed their little tea party.

They all said their salaams as they noticed her walk in.

All three girls eyed her up- wondering if she was better now after her morning throwing up ritual.

Nauraz asked, 'Kaisey ho Meerab?' He had been informed too- just that she was a little under the weather.

'Teek hou. Tum kaisey ho? ' Meerab answered as she came to take a seat on the other sofa. He was her guest, visiting her residence for the first time, whilst she had stayed in the comfort of her bed.

The room's curtains had been tied back- the through the windows, the buzz outside could be seen. It seemed they had someone to landscape, cut back the grass and trim the bushes. But Naurez's mother and Maa Begum were no where to be seen.

Naurez nodded and smiled. 'Teek hou. Tumhara ghar tou kamal ka hai.' He praised, looking around the room, even though he had adequate time to do so already.

She blushed. 'Jee.' Thats the reaction everyone had given so far. 'Maa Begum kahan hai?'

Nauraz answered, 'Meri Maa kay saath shaadi ke intezamaat mai busy hai.'

Meerab nodded- even though Murtasim had told her not to intervene, she still wandered what they were doing.

They all seemed a little too dressed up. Even as the bride, she looked the simplest.