Mukhtalif (ON HOLD)

2

As the sun dipped below the horizon, bathing the Shahnawaz Mansion in a warm, golden glow, the tranquil house that had earlier echoed with laughter now hummed with the sounds of chores and responsibility. It was as if a spell had been cast, transforming Meerab and Zayn from pranksters into dutiful workers for the day. Their first task was in the kitchen, where Meerab and Zayn were assigned to prepare the evening meal. They donned aprons and reluctantly began chopping vegetables, their expressions a blend of annoyance and amusement.
Meerab whispered to Zayn, "Can you believe this? Harmless prank ke liye piyaaz aur aalu kaatne ki sazaa? Like seriously dude."
Zayn replied with "Tou prank karne se pehle sochna tha yeh." Which resulted a  death stare from Meerab.

While they grumbled, the others in the household couldn't help but watch the amusing sight of Meerab and Zayn attempting to cook. Mariyum, who had recovered from her earlier scare, couldn't resist teasing her cousin.
"Meerab Baji, namak ki jaga shakar mat dal dena." Mariyum teased as she sat on the kitchen counter top, swinging her legs while enjoying the sight of her dear cousins.
Meerab took the rolling pin and pointed it to Mariyum, playfully threatening her, "Mariyum ki bachchi, tum he tou mein badme dekhlungi."
Mariym laughed it out, as she jumped down from the counter top and exited the kitchen.
"Mere hisse ka kaam toh hogaya, mein jarahoon" Zayn said amidst the chaos and left to do other work.

Just as they both left, Daniyal ,Murtasim and Mariyam's brother who was at the village for some work, entered the kitchen. As soon as he entered, he broke in laughter after seeing Meerab and the kitchen's state which caught Meerab's attention.
"Oh, Assalamalaikum Daniyal bhai." Meerab greeted Daniyal, wiping flour from her forehead.
Controlling his laughter, Daniyal replied, "Walekum Assalamalaikum" he continued "Kitni dafa kaha meine, apne pranks band kardo. Warna yeh sab karna parega."
"Koi joh bhi kahe, mere pranks kabhi band nahi ho sakte." Meerab stated.
As Meerab continued her culinary adventure, trying her best to prove her skills, an unforeseen mishap occurred. In her haste to pick up a dish, she accidentally burned her finger, causing her to wince in pain. Daniyal, who was nearby, immediately rushed to her side, concern etched on his face. He immediately rushed her to the sink and rinsed her hand there.
"Meerab, you should be more careful." he scolded her in a caring manner. Daniyal fetched a first-aid kit, and treated her small wound.
Meerab chuckled through the pain and allowed Daniyal to clean and bandage her finger. The atmosphere in the kitchen shifted from amusement to concern as the family rallied around Meerab.
"Yaar, tum dard mein bhi kaise has leti ho?" Daniyal questioned softly, mainly putting his focus on her hand.
Meerab smiled gratefully at Daniyal's offer, touched by his concern. With his assistance, she continued cooking, but now with greater caution. The small injury hadn't dampened her spirits, and she was determined to finish her chores.

Unbeknownst to them in the room, Murtasim had been silently watching the entire scene unfold. His emotions were a whirlwind of confusion and frustration. He couldn't quite pinpoint what he was feeling, but an unfamiliar sensation gnawed at him. As Meerab and Daniyal continued to cook together, their interactions filled with camaraderie and laughter, Murtasim couldn't tear his gaze away. He watched as Daniyal's concern for Meerab was evident, and the two of them shared a bond that made Murtasim uneasy. What he didn't realize was that the emotion that churned within him was jealousy—a feeling he had never associated with Meerab before. It was a revelation that left him bewildered and uncertain, and it marked the beginning of a transformation within him that he couldn't ignore.

"Daniyal!" Murtasim called from outside the kitchen. "Tum yahan kya kare ho? Chalo!" he continued.
Meerab assured Daniyal that she can handle her self, and Daniyal left.

***

As the day wore on and Meerab's injury was tended to, Murtasim remained lost in thought, his emotions a tangled web of confusion. He observed as Daniyal and Meerab worked together seamlessly, their laughter and shared moments seemingly oblivious to the world around them. Despite his internal turmoil, Murtasim couldn't help but notice how easily Daniyal had come to Meerab's rescue. The way he held her injured hand gently, the way they exchanged glances and shared laughter—it stirred something in Murtasim that he couldn't quite comprehend. Meanwhile, Meerab had managed to complete her cooking tasks with Daniyal's help. She felt a sense of gratitude toward him for his assistance. After finishing, she stepped away to wash her hands, her thoughts wandering briefly to the unexpected twist of events in the kitchen. As Meerab walked away, Murtasim finally tore his gaze away from the scene. His brows furrowed as he realized the unfamiliar emotion that had been bubbling within him throughout the day. It was jealousy, a feeling he had never associated with Meerab before. But now, it lingered like an unwelcome guest, refusing to be ignored. He couldn't understand why he felt this way. Meerab was his cousin, and he had never paid much attention to her interactions with others. But today was different, and he couldn't shake the unease that had settled in his heart. The day of chores continued, with Meerab, Zayn, and the rest of the family finishing their tasks. As the sun set, casting a warm, orange glow over the mansion's courtyard, Murtasim remained lost in thought, his emotions a tumultuous sea he couldn't navigate. 


Authors Note:

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. My sincere apologies for the delay due to my ongoing exams so thank you for your patience and for being a part of this journey. Chapter 3 will be up as soon as possible!
-msxmirza