FF: The Secret Desires (Tere Bin, Meerasim)

Part 12: Bitter Truth

The entire Khan mansion was glistening with lights and flowers.... as if it was sending an invitation to the universe of the grand reception.... the decoration from the main street to the Khan mansion declared the royal power of the family.... "...Good that we postponed the function for a week... your hand recovered pretty well..." Saba gladly exclaimed as she put the ornament around the bride's hand and clipped it properly...

"Oh my my... look at my girl..." Haya was stumped taking a glance at her sister as she almost ran to give her a hug followed by her mother, Anila Gulzar .... "YOU LOOK ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING!" she emphasized... "MashAllah... MashAllah" Mrs. Begam took an instant sadqa of her daughter-in-law as she walked in with the Gulzar ladies.... Meerab was wearing a Kundan net lehenga with peach-colored lining. It had a short overlapping shift shirt with delicate floral hand embellishment, full sleeves, and a tissue cuff finish.... the fully decorated large flared lehenga was composed with various floral and geometrical detailing... the Kundan dupatta had embellished borders with spray and pearl detailing finish.... she donned a voluminous floral bun with twisted strands, the baby breaths tucked over the bun added a uniqueness and calm vibes to her hairstyle.... the emerald & diamond bridal jewellery set complemented her attire and hairstyle, whereas, her little make-up with voluminized eyelashes and dark smudged kohl completed her overall look of an ethereal angel.... the subtle aroma of Jasmine and Rose with an oriental freshness from Coco Mademoiselle Chanel Paris created a bubble of pure fantasy world around her....

"WOW!" Maryam just found herself speechless where Zubair just looked at his baby sister with absolute pride .... if that night the last minute emergency call did not compel him to leave his beloved sister on her wedding night, then things could have been a bit different today...... Would he be able to prevent the entire circumstance from taking a 180 degree turn?.... Was it called destiny? should he be thankful to the one above that he was not present the other night which prevented him from stopping his sister from getting married to Murtasim Shahnawaz Khan? .... He had a different perspective on the marriage until yesterday when he learnt the bitter truth from his chacha saab, Anwar Gulzar, about his sister and his heart sank at the realization.... He was afraid how Meerab would take it but was glad that she was not there to learn the truth.... she would have been devastated.... she would have lost her desire to live knowing how badly she responded to unpleasant news.... it would be better if she did not know.... he wanted his sister to start her life fresh from here, the Khan family...a part of him needed to betray her for her own good.... while the other part was afraid to take the chance of throwing their relationship at a thin layer of ice .... after learning about Murtasim's care and affection for Meerab from Haya, he was more than glad and thankful to the one above that Meerab was in safe hands...

She was sitting on the stool before the vanity desk set looking innocent and pretty ... his heart was overwhelmed at the sight of her as he recalled that he never got to see off his sister at her wedding... Zubair slowly walked up to her and opened his hands before her to which she smiled at him and placed both hands on his open palms.... Haya moved to stand behind Meerab when the brother gently kneeled on his left knee before the bride.... "My Meerab... my sweet little Meerab... I have always promised you that I would be the one to hand you over to your prince charming ... to make sure that you were in safe hands.... would make sure that you would not cry during your farewell..... " his voice was breaking as eyes were filling up ...taking a deep sigh, he continued ..." ...but I failed... I am sorry .... I am so sorry for breaking my promise... " the tears finally rolled down his face and he looked at her hands which were now tightly held by her sister like before when she used to be heartbroken by her baba....

"Bhai" her soft voice expressed the state of her heart.... releasing her hands from the grip, Meerab wiped away the tears on his face when hers decided to escape the eyes... Zubair smiled before taking her small hands in his protective ones "...Today I want to fulfill my promise.... I want to assure you that you are in safe hands...." he proudly said.... taking a glance at the Khan ladies, he looked into her eyes and confirmed, "You are truly blessed to have this family.... and I am sure you already figured" Meerab's eyes twinkled with tears as she nodded with a smile.... "awwww...we love you too" both Saba and Maryam synchronized....