Unveiling Meerab [Tere Bin FF]

9. photographs

A/N: I think this is my favourite chapter of this fic so far, hehe. 

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The interior decorating duties had fallen mostly to Meerab, her taste exquisite, and her excitement so palpable that Murtasim had willingly left all the decisions to her. Every time she asked him a question, he went with the choice that made her smile bigger and her voice higher in excitement. They had gone from store to store, looking for artwork, and the things she had chosen brought tranquility to their shared space; she had a knack for choosing pieces that subtly complemented the room's evolving décor.

He hadn't anticipated her selecting a photograph, though.

As he strolled into their room, his strides paused at the unexpected sight before him. Meerab stood in front of a substantial, newly mounted frame, taking the spot where his solitary portrait had previously hung as a greeting to anyone that entered the room. His heart fluttered as he noticed the image encased within the modern, white frame. It was them. An enchanting still from their Walima.

Memories flooded back, images of that night flickering in his mind like a reel of a movie. The vision of her in her Walima ensemble still had the power to steal his breath away. The memory of her in the glimmering attire, her beauty rivaling celestial beings, left him spellbound again. He had been utterly captivated when he had seen her, his gaze fixated on her, he knew he was staring but he hadn't been able to force his eyes away from her. She was his wife, the reality had been equally breathtaking as it was baffling.

His eyes flitted between the picture and Meerab, her radiance unfading, as she stood there wearing a tender smile while studying the picture. Someone had skillfully captured their entrance into the venue; her face was lit with a small smile, she looked every bit the radiant bride she was.

The photo spoke volumes, their was a hint of joy evident on their faces, their bodies leaning towards each other subtly, hands locked together. For a moment, they appeared to be just another newly wedded couple, soaked in the bliss of their love, it had been far from the truth though.

Murtasim couldn't help but feel a rush of indescribable emotions as he observed the photograph. Their wedding was a reminder of a time when Meerab had seemed so distant, so vehemently opposed to their union. She had repeatedly claimed that their marriage was merely a transaction, a bond penned on paper with no emotional strings attached. She had refused to accept him as her husband, erecting walls around her heart, inaccessible and impenetrable.

Seeing her now, standing before a visual testament of their union, a picture she herself had chosen, one that acknowledged their status as a wedded couple was a sight that stirred an inexplicable warmth in his heart. It felt like a tiny triumph, a subtle nod to the evolving dynamics of their relationship. The photograph wasn't just an addition to their room decor, but a tangible symbol of a step forward from Meerab.

It was a quiet declaration that their bond was evolving, shifting from a marriage merely of convenience to something more profound, and perhaps, something laden with the potential for a genuine relationship based on love. For Murtasim, it was a large crack in the dam Meerab had constructed around her, allowing hope to rapidly flood in. The reality was heartening and filled him with an unusual mix of peace and anticipation.

"We look happy." Murtasim found himself muttering, his words catching Meerab off guard, her slight jump indicating her unawareness of his presence. Curiosity nibbled at him, he wanted to know what thoughts had her so engrossed. "I am surprised you put a picture of our wedding up." He voiced his thoughts, knowing her initial reservations and refusal to accept their marriage.

She acknowledged his statement with a nod, her gaze remaining on the photo. "Well, it's our room...and I was surprised to find that picture."

"Because you look happy?" He asked, an underlying note of hope tinging his voice.