Meerasim Ki Dunya

Chapter 20. Matters of the Heart

Murtasim awoke to a breathtaking sight: the tranquil face of his wife, her eyes gently closed, and her long lashes resting on her delicate cheeks. A soft, early morning breeze played with her hair, causing it to sway gracefully in the ambient light filtering through the window. The sun's gentle rays illuminated her face, casting a radiant glow upon her features. Her lips, a shade of rosy plumpness, seemed to beckon him, yet he understood the boundaries of their relationship too well. Some things were worth savoring, and the sight of his beloved wife was undoubtedly one of them.

A tender smile found its way onto Murtasim's lips as he reminisced about the events of the previous day. Meerab had looked absolutely stunning in her sky-blue dress, though he couldn't help but notice the underlying sadness that had clouded her throughout the celebration. He had his suspicions about the cause, but he hadn't probed her with questions. He believed that if she wished to share her feelings, she would do so when she was ready.

Although he usually rose earlier, today was an exception. The allure of staying in bed with Meerab beside him was too enticing to resist. It had been a while since Murtasim Khan had indulged in such temptation. He watched a stray strand of her chestnut hair fall gently across her face, and without hesitation, his hand reached out to delicately tuck it behind her ear. This small act of tenderness stirred her from slumber.

Meerab's eyes slowly fluttered open, and in that intimate moment, their gazes met. Murtasim found himself caught in the depth of her eyes, and for a while, the world outside their room faded into insignificance. They exchanged no words, yet a silent understanding passed between them, a connection that transcended the boundaries of spoken language.

Murtasim's hand remained on her cheek, his touch gentle and reassuring. He cherished this moment of intimacy, knowing that their bond was growing stronger with each passing day.

As their eyes locked in that tender morning embrace, Meerab couldn't help but feel her cheeks flush with a sudden rush of shyness. She was usually composed and reserved, but the intensity of the moment, coupled with the depth of Murtasim's gaze, left her feeling flustered in the most delightful way.

Her heart beat a little faster, and she cast her eyes downward, unable to hold his gaze any longer. She could feel Murtasim's hand on her cheek, his thumb tracing those gentle lines along her jawline. It sent tremors of warmth through her, and she bit her lower lip, trying to contain the rush of emotions that swelled within her.

A soft, almost inaudible giggle escaped her lips, betraying her shyness. Meerab was usually composed and collected, but Murtasim had a way of unraveling her in the most endearing manner.

Murtasim couldn't help but be captivated by her bashfulness. Her laughter was like music to his ears, something he hadn't heard in such a long time and he couldn't resist the urge to draw her even closer into his arms. He had expected her to resist but she didn't. He whispered softly into her ear, "You're so beautiful, Meerab," and her blush deepened, her heart fluttering in response to his words.

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Late in the afternoon, Meerab found herself immersed in a sea of files and financial documents that Maa Begum had entrusted to her care. She sat at the desk, her brow furrowed in concentration, but the numbers and calculations seemed to dance before her eyes, defying her attempts to make sense of them.

Everything about the accountancy work felt overwhelming, and Meerab couldn't help but curse her lack of enthusiasm for mathematics. It had never been her strong suit, and now, as she tried to make sense of the intricate financial matters, her frustration grew.

Suddenly, a voice right beside her left ear whispered. "Hisab kitab karte huwe kitni achi lagti ho."

Meerab started at the unexpected voice that whispered near her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. She turned her head to find Murtasim standing beside her, a playful glint in his eyes.

"Hisab kitab karte huwe kitni achi lagti ho," he repeated with a teasing smile.

Meerab couldn't help but blush at the unexpected compliment. Despite her frustration with the accountancy work, his presence always managed to bring a smile to her face. She playfully swatted his arm and replied, "Tum bhi na, Murtasim. I'm trying my best here."

Murtasim chuckled and leaned in closer, his voice a soft murmur. "I know you are, Meerab. You're doing great."

Murtasim's warm smile and proximity made her forget, if only for a moment, the overwhelming task at hand. Their connection, slowly building on trust and understanding, was something she cherished more with each passing day.

His words of reassurance were like a soothing balm to her frazzled nerves, and she found herself smiling back at him. "Thank you, Murtasim," she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude and affection.

Murtasim gently placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch a comforting gesture. "You're welcome, Meerab. I'm going to our room and I expect you to be there in ten minutes."

"But Maa Begum..." Meerab started, her sense of responsibility tugging at her.

Murtasim turned to her with a playful glint in his eyes, interrupting her gently. "I'm sure she wouldn't mind you ignoring your duties to spend time with me," he said, punctuating his statement with a wink before heading towards their room.

"Alright. I'm only coming because all of this is very boring," she called out after his retreating figure.

Meerab watched him go, a smile tugging at her lips. She was quite glad to have found an excuse to leave the task for now so she quickly organized her files, knowing that she could tackle them more effectively with a fresh mind.

By the time she entered their room, Murtasim had freshened up and changed his clothes. He was sitting on the couch going through his phone. Before he could notice the arrival of his wife in their room, a voice called to him repeatedly, the calls getting louder as the caller approached their room.

"Murtasim! Murtasim!" It was Maa Begum and now she had entered their room.

"Ji Maa, koi kam tha?" Murtasim asked her, his attention diverted from his phone to his mother now.

"Han beta. Haya ne apna saman bandh liya hai. Kal subah tum gao jaogay na tou usse bhi lejana sath aur chorr ana," Maa Begum instructed him and left.

Meerab's mouth turned bitter at the thought of Haya accompanying her husband to the village. More so, because he would be staying there for at least a week. Who knew what that minx Haya would do with him in everyone's absence?

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Double update? I'm surprised too. Anyways please vote and comment.