When Rivals Collide (Tere Bin AU)

Chapter 7: Inauguration

As the first light of dawn painted the sky with delicate strokes of pink and gold, Meerab felt a thrill run through her as she sat up in bed, her heart pounding with anticipation. Sleep had evaded her throughout the night, her thoughts consumed by the significance of the day ahead. Today was no ordinary day; it was the culmination of years of effort, perseverance, and a dream she had nurtured since childhood—the inauguration of the girls' school in her village.

The air was cool and crisp, carrying with it the scent of dew-laden earth. Meerab rose from her bed and moved to the window, her gaze sweeping across the village, where the early morning light bathed everything in a soft glow. She could see the distant figures of villagers already bustling about, preparing for the grand event. Colorful banners fluttered in the breeze, and the chatter of excited voices echoed through the narrow lanes. The village was alive with energy, a testament to the importance of the occasion.

Her heart swelled with a mix of pride and nervousness. Today would be a turning point, not just for the village but for the girls whose futures would be forever altered by the education they would receive. As she began to prepare for the day, Meerab's mind wandered to the unexpected twists of recent weeks—especially to Malik Murtasim, the man who had become an enigma to her.

Murtasim had always been a figure of authority in the village, a feudal lord with a reputation for being unyielding and traditional. Meerab had known him for years, but their interactions had been few and far between, colored by the distance that his position and her ambitions created between them. But since his father's passing, something had shifted. The once aloof and seemingly impenetrable Malik had shown a side of himself that Meerab had not thought possible—a side that was willing to support her cause.

The thought of Murtasim attending the inauguration filled her with a strange mix of excitement and apprehension. His presence had taken on a new significance, and she found herself questioning everything she had previously believed about him. There was more to him than met the eye, and the layers of his character seemed to unfold with each passing day.

Dressed in a traditional attire that mirrored the vibrancy of the day—an emerald green shalwar kameez with delicate gold embroidery—Meerab descended the stairs of her home. Her mother, bustling about in the kitchen, paused to give her a look of approval, a silent acknowledgment of the momentous occasion.

“Beta, sab kuch theek se hoga,” her mother reassured her, sensing the undercurrent of nerves in Meerab’s demeanor.

Meerab smiled, though her mind was already far ahead, at the school grounds where her dream would soon become a reality. As she stepped out into the village, the sounds of celebration grew louder, the air thick with anticipation.

The school was a modest building, but it stood proudly at the heart of the village, its newly painted walls gleaming under the morning sun. The paths leading to it were lined with colorful streamers and flowers, each step toward the school marking a journey toward progress and change.

As Meerab approached the gathering crowd, her eyes instinctively searched for Murtasim. The Maliks had just arrived, their presence commanding immediate attention. Murtasim, in particular, drew the gaze of many, his tall figure clad in a stark black shalwar kurta that contrasted sharply with the lively surroundings. The white shawl draped over his shoulders added a touch of solemnity to his appearance, a reminder of the responsibilities he now bore as the head of his family.

Meerab's heart gave an involuntary flutter at the sight of him, a reaction she had begun to notice more frequently in his presence. She exchanged a glance with Marium, who stood beside her, the silent communication between them acknowledging the journey they had undertaken together. Marium's eyes sparkled with pride, reflecting the shared triumph of the day.

As the crowd settled and the moment arrived, Meerab and Murtasim found themselves standing side by side, poised to cut the ribbon that symbolized the opening of the girls' school. The air around them was thick with anticipation, the villagers watching with bated breath. As they reached for the scissors, their fingers brushed against each other, the contact sending an unexpected jolt through Meerab. The touch was fleeting, yet it left an impression that lingered, a current of electricity that seemed to pulse between them.

For a brief moment, time seemed to stand still. Meerab's breath caught in her throat as she looked up at Murtasim, searching his expression for a clue to his thoughts. His gaze met hers, and in that instant, she saw something flicker in his eyes—something that went beyond the formalities of the occasion. It was a look that spoke of an unspoken connection, a recognition of the shared journey that had brought them to this point.

The scissors snapped, the ribbon fell, and the crowd erupted in applause. The school was officially open, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the village. Yet, as Meerab stood there, her heart still racing from the unexpected charge of emotion, she realized that the day had also marked the beginning of something else—something between her and Murtasim that neither of them had anticipated.

The ceremony continued with speeches and cheers, the villagers celebrating the realization of a long-awaited dream. Meerab, however, found her attention divided. She couldn’t help but steal glances at Murtasim, her mind replaying the moment of their brief contact. There was something about him that was different today—something softer, more approachable. The hardened exterior she had always associated with him seemed to have cracked, revealing a glimpse of a man she had never truly known.

Murtasim, too, addressed the gathering, his voice carrying the weight of his newfound responsibilities. He spoke of the importance of education, particularly for the girls of the village, and the role it would play in shaping the future. His words were measured and deliberate, but there was a sincerity to them that resonated with the crowd. Meerab found herself listening intently, surprised by the depth of his commitment to the cause.

As the formalities came to a close and the villagers began to mingle, congratulating each other on the success of the day, Meerab found herself face-to-face with Murtasim. The crowd seemed to fade away as they exchanged words, the atmosphere between them charged with a subtle tension.

"So finally you got what you wanted, Meerab. Congratulations to you, I must say," Murtasim said, his voice steady, though there was a hint of something in his tone that Meerab couldn’t quite place.

"Thank you, I guess. Though you also played quite a role in this matter, unlike your earlier reservations about the school," she replied, her words sincere, wanting to acknowledge his contributions.

Murtasim shrugged, pulling a cigarette from his pocket with a practiced ease. He lit it with a match, the flame briefly illuminating his face. "Becoming a feudal lord made me realize that I am responsible for the women as much as I am for the men," he said, the cigarette now between his lips. There was a note of introspection in his voice that caught Meerab off guard. He exhaled a cloud of smoke and turned to walk away. "Now, excuse me, Miss Khan."

Meerab watched him go, her mind swirling with confusion and curiosity. His words, coupled with the gentler tone in which he had spoken, left her wondering if she had misjudged him all these years. Before she could dwell too long on her thoughts, Marium appeared beside her, pulling her back to the present.

"Meerab, we need you to lead the tour of the school for the elders," Marium said, her voice filled with excitement.

Meerab nodded, forcing herself to focus on the task at hand. As she led the group through the newly opened school, explaining the layout and the plans for the future, her thoughts kept drifting back to Murtasim. The day had been a success in more ways than one, but it had also left her with questions she couldn’t ignore—questions about Murtasim, about the unexpected connection they had shared, and about what the future might hold for them both.

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I have an exam tomorrow and my mind had to get creative right now :)
Anyways it's been a long time since I updated any of the stories. This one's a little short I know but some interesting things are about to come so stay tuned.