Unveiling Meerab [Tere Bin FF]

4. a step forward

Meerab walked through the bustling mall alongside Maryam, her usual companion Haya absent. The constant calls from Haya, filled with tears about being unfairly kicked out of the house, had taken their toll on Maryam. Maa Begum's constant glares directed towards Murtasim, and occasionally Meerab, had made her uncomfortable, and had made Murtasim sigh a million times as he told his mother to stop. It was a silent reminder of the disapproval she faced from the matriarch of the family, this time towards both her and Murtasim.

She desperately needed a respite from the suffocating environment of the Khan House at the moment, so she had suggested accompanying Maryam to the mall. Murtasim, as if sensing her discomfort, had offered to drop them off before his mother could say anything.

Maryam had always been at the top of Meerab's ranking of the members of the Khan Household over the years, ironically Murtasim had always occupied the bottom most spot in that ranking, below even Anwar. She found it ironic that Murtasim now occupied the top spot with Maryam trailing shortly behind him. It was a realization that confused her, adding to the whirlwind of thoughts swirling in her mind.

As they strolled through the vibrant mall, Meerab found herself asking questions about Murtasim to Maryam. She tried to suppress her curiosity, fearing that her mind was becoming consumed by his presence, she couldn't stop thinking about him. But how could she not think of him when his face seemed to haunt her thoughts, he was the last person she saw before falling asleep, she had stared at his face for what felt like forever before sleep had gotten a hold of her.

Her mind continued to oscillate between surrendering herself to give them a try and the lingering doubts, a constant battle for her fragile heart. Her heart had always melted much too fast at his words and actions, but she knew she should wait longer in case something happened again, because his words and actions were always followed by something that negated them.

Meerab hadn't expected anything to change after their heated argument on the rooftop, and when only silence remained between them for the week that followed, she was sure that he had heeded his words, ones that she had repeated, to just let things be. She was sure nothing would change because both she and Murtasim were known for their stubbornness, him especially so if it involved his ego.

But she had been proven wrong.

Just like she had been proven wrong that fateful day outside her house in Karachi when he extended his hand to her and gently invited her into his world, into his house. She had never expected him to do that or talk to her as softly as he had started to then, with his eyes reflecting her turmoil.

Just like she had been when he agreed to the marriage contract, she was sure he wouldn't have given in.

Just like she had been when his affectionate and caring side emerged, shattering the image she had held of him and leaving her confused. She had doubted him at first, for how could she not when he went from the angry man that she had known to the flirty affectionate man that seemed to care. He disoriented her greatly, and she had questioned his motives. She had been sure that he was trying to break her down, to conquer her, so she had refused to budge even though a part of her had melted many times. But somewhere along the way, it seemed that his behaviour had become genuine, that he actually liked her, and she hadn't known what to do with that.

Each time Murtasim stood up for her, defending her in front of his family and hers, her doubts cracked a little. In those moments, she felt her heart thawing, a flicker of hope igniting within her. Yet, the flicker was fragile, easily extinguished by his actions or words that followed. It was this unpredictable pattern that left her in turmoil, unsure of what the future held. She had been burnt badly before and she was afraid of getting burnt again.