Khaani ka Khan - Tere Bin FF

Chapter 6 - Soul's Tempest

In the early hours of the morning, Meerab nestled in Murtasim's embrace, savoring the intoxicating fragrance that emanated from him. Her hands lovingly encircled his bare torso, while her lips formed a smile as they gently brushed against the hollow of his neck, attuned to the rhythm of his soft and tranquil breaths. As Meerab's body molded against his, the cries of her little toddler pierced the air, signaling the wake-up call. Despite her efforts to disentangle herself from Murtasim's embrace, his arms clung tighter to her. It had become a recurring pattern since her return – he wouldn't let her leave the bed in the mornings. Each day, his grip seemed to grow stronger, making it increasingly challenging for her to break free. Meerab mustered the strength to extricate herself from her husband's firm grasp, gently pushing his chest to the bed, as he reluctantly released her in his slumber, emitting a groan of protest. With Meesam in her arms, Meerab hurriedly moved around, gently caressing the little one's back and softly patting her to soothe her back to sleep. Meerab glanced back at Murtasim and noticed the frown etched on his sleeping face, and her heart sank with a mix of concern and uncertainty. Inwardly, she smiled contemplating how similar Meesam was to Mutasim. However, the smile that briefly appeared was replaced by a somber expression as she pondered the possible pain, he might be enduring behind that furrowed brow and evident stress.

His recent silence troubled Meerab. Though she couldn't pinpoint the exact reason, she sensed a subtle emotional distance from him that left her uneasy. She wished she could better understand what he was going through, but the walls he seemed to have built around himself made it difficult for her to connect with him fully. After carefully settling Meesam in her cot and ensuring her comfort, Meerab returned to her husband's side in bed. Her palm wandered gently over his chest, as she drew herself closer to him, seeking the warmth of his embrace. In response to her touch, his arms immediately wrapped around her, pulling her even closer, as if trying to bridge any emotional distance that may have existed between them.

Meerab traced her fingers soothingly over the lines etched on Murtasim's forehead, she couldn't help but recognize the lack of communication that had plagued their relationship. Despite their deep love for each other, their egos had often hindered honest conversations. Her mind wandered back to the night of their Walima, reminiscing about the conversation they had on the terrace—a moment so precious and impactful, yet one that remained isolated and unrepeatable.

That conversation had been transformative, fostering a newfound trust between them. Meerab had opened up and let herself trust Murtasim for once, even if it was for mere moments, a vulnerability that both elated and frightened her. The fear of putting her faith in someone else, especially Murtasim, the man she was married to, because of whom her life, her dreams had been snatched away, had shaken her to the core. But now, things had changed. Now, she longed to have that connection and openness with him once again, realizing that they both needed to overcome their egos and fears to rebuild their bond.

Her fingers delicately caressed his cheek, grazing the ruggedness of his beard, a sensation that instantly brought back memories from the night before. She recalled the juxtaposition of roughness against the velvety smoothness of her skin, sending a shiver down her spine. As her fingertips traced his impeccably perfect lips, she couldn't help but fixate on their irresistible allure and how they had felt against her own. The allure of his presence and the memory of their passionate kiss lingered in her thoughts. She couldn't help but move closer in his arms, feeling his breath against her lips. Her mind wandered back to the day he had opened up about his dream to become a photographer—a moment of vulnerability and shared sense of loss that had drawn them closer. She fondly reminisced about the night she had gathered the courage to confess her love for him, and how their love had blossomed into a profound bond. The night they had consummated their marriage remained etched in her heart as the most exquisite and cherished memory of her life. In those intimate moments, she had glimpsed his soul, knowing and understanding him on a level that transcended words, forging an unbreakable connection between their hearts. But just a day later, her life was tragically taken away from her, plunging her into the depths of darkness in the world. The painful memory still held the power to bring tears to her eyes. Her eyes vividly recalled every expression on his face as he uttered those words to her that night outside her parents' home: "Tumhe tumhari marzi ki azaadi mubaarak"