Tere Bin - A Parallel Universe

Chapter Four

Kabhi main apne hathon ki lakeeron sa nahi uljha
Mujhe maloom hai qismat ka likha bhi badalta hai

(Bashir Badr)

He had taken an exit halfway from the route that led to the Gaon to reach Karachi, his destination several hours away. He wanted to reach Karachi as early as possible. Several thoughts raced through his mind. What if he would not be able to reach Meerab again? What if there was some bad news related to her?

Heck, he did not even know if she was alive or not...

Whenever this thought crossed his mind, he would be on the brink of losing his sanity. He would find it difficult to concentrate on anything and would often hallucinate about her being present by his side.

As Murtasim's car navigated the highway under a brooding sky, the weather took an abrupt turn for the worse. Dark clouds gathered overhead, indicating the imminent arrival of a storm. The rain initially a mere drizzle, intensified into a torrential downpour, reducing visibility to a blurry haze.

Wary of the deteriorating conditions, Murtasim eased his foot off the accelerator, allowing the car to slow down. The musical cadence of raindrops against the windshield filled the car's interior, drowning out the hum of the engine. The highway that once appeared to be smooth was now slick and treacherous.

It was close to five in the evening and the sky once painted with hues of pink and orange was now grey and shades of dark blue. As the car slowed down, he activated the headlights, their sharp beams cutting through the thick veil of rain. The tires whispered against the wet surface, and each splash from passing vehicles painted a transient mosaic on the asphalt. The need for caution was detectable: the red glow of the taillights ahead signaled that the other drivers were also adjusting to the suddenly challenging weather.

Flicking on his hazard lights, Murtasim maintained a safe distance from the vehicle in front, navigating through the reduced visibility with heightened focus. Thoughts, like raindrops, fell relentlessly, each one a unique notion vying for attention.

As the rain intensified, so did the whirlwind of emotions and reflections in Murtasim's mind. In this mental tempest, clarity seemed elusive, much like trying to discern individual raindrops in the midst of a storm. The storm of thoughts, much like the rain, showed no sign of abating, leaving Murtasim grappling with the torrents of uncertainty and contemplation of what was about to happen in the coming hours.

Will he be able to meet Meerab?

His mind only focused on one thing and that was to reach Karachi as soon as possible.

**********

As Murtasim's car approached the familiar house in the middle of the quiet street in a posh area of Karachi, the engine's hum began to subside. The soft pressure on the brake pedal translated into a seamless reduction of speed, allowing the Mercedes to come to a graceful halt in front of the neatly manicured lawn. The car perfectly aligned the driveway, framing Saba's house like a portrait. With practiced ease, Murtasim exited the car with Bakhtu already ringing the bell.

"Kaun hai" The guard spoke from inside.

"Murtasim Khan aye hain, darwaza kholo, unhon ne Saba bibi se milna hai" Bakhtu replied, and the door opened in the next instant.

"Salam Khan, app andar aiye Saba bibi ne apke ane ka bataya tha" The same guard stepped out of the house who had once greeted Murtasim two years ago.

Murtasim nodded his head and looked toward Bakhtu, silently giving his message through his eyes to wait here as he made his way inside.

Upon entering the drawing room, Murtasim's steps suddenly came to a halt when he saw the figure sitting opposite Saba at the far end of the room.