TereBin 2

Closing the Gap

Murtasim came into the room to see Meesam sleeping on the bed while Meerub was sitting on the stool next to her. As she looked at Murtasim she softly walked up to him and said,

" I need to change clothes (pointing at the blood stains on her shirt) can u sit with Meesam? "

Murtasim - Of course ( with a smile )

Meerub walked towards the closet, things that she brought with her were still in the suitcase, so she opened the suitcase and took out a dress and walked towards the washroom to change.

Murtasim observed all this, he can see that Meerub was still not settled. Of course, she didn't get a chance to do that since she came, so he made a mental note to make this settle for her.

He took the place that Meerub left and sat next to sleeping Meesam. He kept looking at Meesam and was thinking about how Meerub was so vulnerable and crying while Meesam was with the Doctor. Sadness, emptiness, and frustration started building up inside him.

Meerub came out of the washroom, changed into clean clothes, Murtasim asked her to come and sit with him on the sofa. She, did as he asked. Once they both were seated, Murtasim turned to Meerub and held her hands in his and asked.

"How did u manage Meerub? How did u manage these past 4 years?"

He continued "I searched for you, at every possible place where I could have but couldn't find you but now, I know you left the city. But what happened? How did you manage?"

Before Meerub could answer, there was a knock at the door, Murtasim immediately left Meerub's hand. They looked at the door and saw Feena bringing in a trolley of food.

Maa Begum must have sent their food to their room so that they don't have to leave Meesam.

Feena left the room after placing the trolley near them. She looked very grim and embarrassed, but Meerub gave her a reassuring look.

Meerub got up from the seat and took a plate from the trolley and asked Murtasim what he wanted to eat.

They both ate in silence, making the least noise so that they don't disturb Messam's sleep. Once done with food, they belled for Feena, and she came with a tea and fruit trolley and took the food trolley back.

Meerub served Murtasim Tea and took a cup for herself, but before she could finish her tea, Meesam started crying. They both rushed to bed to attend to her.

She was still sleeping with closed eyes but crying,
Meerub climbed into the bed with her and tried to soothe her. In a few minutes, she stopped crying but cling to Meerub tightly, as if she was scared to leave her. Meerub stayed with her while Murtasim sat there next to the bed looking very concerned.

After a while, Meesam woke up, but she would not leave Meerub, she looked so scared and in pain.

The biggest struggle was to feed her with the cut on her chin and lip. Both Meerub and Murtasim made so much effort to feed her and finally succeeded at least in feeding her enough.

Then came the next struggle part of giving her medicine.

Murtasim: Meerub how did u manage to do all this alone for the last 3 years?

Meerub: Meesam is very attached to her nanny in Islamabad, she was a great help when Meesam used to fall sick. I have never handled her alone.

Murtasim nodded and then decided something in his head. As the day passed and it was time to sleep, Murtasim very matter of factly and firmly stated to Meerub that he will sleep in the same room and will not go to the guest room.

Meerub looked at him and wanted to protest, but before she could say anything Murtasim said, "look, Meesam is very cranky and uncomfortable, and u will not be able to handle her alone, so I will be here to help you. Don't worry I will sleep on the couch, (looking straight into her eyes) it's nothing unusual or new."

Since it all looked logical to Meerub, she did not argue, also she was very tired and sleepy, and a little help seemed very welcoming. So she agreed.

In the middle of the night, Murtasim heard Meesam making some sounds, he immediately reached her, while Meerub was in deep slumber.

He climbed into the bed from the other side and quietly put his hand on Meesam's chest to calm her. She turned and came closer to him grabbing his hand, he made himself slide in a comfortable position on the bed and let Meesam hold his hand while sleeping, after a while he also dozed in the same position on the bed.

The next morning when Meerub woke up, what she saw took her breath away. Meesam was curled up in Muratsim's arms and both were sound asleep. She kept looking at them and didn't realize that tears were making her face all wet. It was such a soothing sight, Meesam in her father's arms and they both looked so perfect and peaceful sleeping together.

Silently, Meerub got up and made her way to the washroom. She realized she had missed her Fajar prayers (morning prayers) due to fatigue. After performing ablution (wudu), she laid out her prayer mat and began offering her prayers. As she raised her hands for prayers, she could only thank Allah for his blessings and Meesam, and secretly for Murtasim.

On the bed, Murtasim felt a small hand on his face with a small voice "Baba", he smiled in his sleep and opened his eyes slowly, Meesam was in his arms and trying to wake him up so that she could come out of his arms that were holding her close.

He playfully squeezed her, and she giggled in response. Fortunately, Meeaam was not in a bad mood and did not make a fuss about being in his arms, rather she giggled.

The laughter sound made Meerub turn to look at the bed where Murtasim and Meesam were being playful with each other.

Meerub folded her Namaz mat and turned to her family. With a bright smile, she looked at Meeaam saying Salam to her and raising her hands calling her.

Meesam broke free from Murtasim and ran into Meerub's arms. Meerub hugged her and kissed her on the forehead. She was inspecting her wound when she heard Murtasim's protest.

"that's not fair Meerub, we were having such a lovely moment, and you took her away from me."

Meerub didn't say a word, just looked at him with sad eyes. Muratsim immediately realized that something is wrong or missing, he thought for a while and then realized he was sleeping on the bed, and she must have not liked it.

"I am sorry Meerub, Woh Meesam was being uncomfortable, and I was trying to put her back to sleep and slept here with her, I am sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."

Meerub: (looking down shamefully, sad, and regretfully) I am sorry! I took Meesam away from you.

She didn't stop after saying that and turned and walked towards the washroom with Meesam in her arms.

Leaving a very stunned Murtasim sitting on the bed, wondering what had just happened.