Tere Bin

Meri Biwi

Meerab watched out her window as the tall buildings were left behind and the roads no longer smooth. 

The bumpy roads replaced the smooth path and made Meerab's head turn slightly side to side, no longer allowing Meerab to rest into the seat comfortably. Meerab viewed the setting in front of her. There were men working in the green fields surrounded by cows and goats. The sun was scorching and Meerab felt bad for the old men to be working under such weather.

Murtasim turned the cars away from the bumpy roads and slowed down in front of a white gate which was not larger than the one in Hyderabad but still large. The gates opened and Murtasim drove in slowly. 

Meerab's eyes scanned the view in front of her and was amazed. This was the first time she had come to the village and she was impressed. This house screamed money too. It was different though. This haveli screamed traditional and royal while the one in Hyderabad screamed modern. Meerab chuckled to herself in her head. The people living in that halve were not modern at all. 

Meerab was in awe at the sight of the beautiful haveli in front of her. 'It's yours?' She turned to Murtasim. 

'Ours' Murtasim corrected. He surprisingly preferred the village house rather than the city home. It was because his work was in the gao and he didn't really ever go to the city haveli because he didn't see a need to but since he got married, he had to make trips home. The village home gave him privacy where he could be away from his mom's constant nagging of marriage and he had nothing to look forward to until.. 

Meerab smiled at scanned the haveli once more. 'It's beautiful' Meerab confessed to Murtasim who too scanned the place like he didn't sleep here almost every day since he became the gaddinasheen. 'It is' He too admitted, remembering all the nights he had spent here.

There was a silence in between them as they just scanned the house. Murtasim then realised that he had to go to work, 'You go have breakfast inside, I'll see you later' Murtasim nodded at Meerab, gesturing her to leave. 

Meerab turned to him with a shocked expression. 'I can't go alone. What am I meant to do?' 

Murtasim shook his head, 'Mai is inside and I've already told her about your arrival. I'll be back by tonight' 

Meerab checked the time on the car screen and then turned to Murtasim, 'Okay but what am I meant to do?' Meerab was confused on what she was supposed to do all day. 

Murtasim scanned her face and then looked ahead, 'kuch b kar lena meerab, mujhe dher ho rahi hai' Murtasim sighed. (do anything, I'm getting late)

Meerab frowned at his sudden rudeness and got out of the car, slamming the door shut. Murtasim turned his head to her and made a 'wtf' gesture with his hand and face. Meerab knew how much he took car of his cars and hated when it wasn't taken care of. For example, now when Meerab slammed the door or when she sat in the car with dirty shoes one time when he picked her up from a college trip. 

Meerab turned and walked towards the house, nervously.

... 

Meerab followed the path that lead to the entrance of the house. At the entrance was standing an elderly lady in a shawl over her head and smiled at Meerab. 

'Asalamualaikum Khaani' The old lady spoke sweetly. (hello)

Meerab smiled at her and replied to her salam. 'Mein Meerab ho' She introduced herself. Meerab scanned the house and was surprised by the dark brown aesthetic of it. It was quite royal like it looked on the outside and there wasn't much gold interior like the one in Hyderabad. The furniture was velvet, bright and crisp clean. (im meerab)