Tere Bin - A Parallel Universe

Chapter Five

The room was bathed in a soft, silvery glow as moonlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a gentle luminosity in the room. The night was quiet, with only the occasional distant sounds of the city filtering in. Murtasim and Meerab were seated on a plush couch, a serene atmosphere enveloping them.

Meerab lay nestled in Murtasim's arms, her head resting comfortably on his chest. Murtasim's right arm was draped tenderly around her shoulders, creating a protective cocoon. They sat in a serene tableau, a silent connection between them. As they shared a warm embrace, Murtasim couldn't help but inhale the enchanting fragrance of Meerab's hair. The subtle scent of sweet lavender surrounded him, creating a sensory experience that was uniquely Meerab's. Inhaling deeply, Murtasim was momentarily captivated by the delightful aroma.

Murtasim's gaze was fixed on Meerab's peaceful face as she now slept soundly in his arms. His fingers gently traced patterns on her right hand, a tender expression on his face as he reveled in the quiet intimacy of the moment. While Meerab was lost in the embrace of dreams, Murtasim remained awake, his mind meandering through the conversations they had shared earlier. The echoes of their words lingered in the air, a blend of sorrow, shared secrets, and the sweet promise of a shared future.

As Murtasim stared into the night, he couldn't help but replay the moments they had spoken about—the dreams they both held, the challenges they wished to conquer together, and the unspoken understanding that bound them.

In the quiet of the night, Murtasim shifted and held Meerab a little tighter, savoring the warmth of her presence. They had talked for several hours after coming to the couch and when Murtasim had revealed that Waqas Chahcha was no more, Meerab had just looked at him with blank eyes. Her eyes, which were initially filled with curiosity, had slowly turned blank as Murtasim disclosed the heartbreaking news. A heavy silence enveloped the room and as realization dawned upon Meerab her composure crumbled once again and she cried in his arms. Murtasim had held her and allowed her to grieve. She had kept crying for God knows how long and eventually drifted off to sleep in his arms.

As they sat now, Murtasim couldn't shake the ache in his heart as he reflected on the pain she had endured, especially the loss of their unborn child. The shadows of her resilience and strength played out vividly in his mind. He took in his surroundings. This was a one-bedroom apartment that was fully renovated and had a contemporary touch. The TV lounge had simple yet comfortable furniture with large windows that seemed to open into a balcony. One look at the apartment and anyone could tell that she was paying a handsome amount to live here. He could not get everything out of her but she had told him upon his insistence that she worked online and was also left with just one year off her LLB program. To say that he was impressed and immensely proud of his wife was one thing but he had felt several emotions in the moment when she had shared this with him.

She was a Khan, an owner of an enormous wealth she inherited from her father's feudal legacy. On the other hand, Waqas Ahmed had left all of his properties to Meerab. She was his wife, she did not need to lift a finger or earn a dime to live a lavish lifestyle. He understood her need to be independent but she had endured these harsh conditions and struggled in their time apart despite her being a multi-millionaire. His heart ached for her.

As Murtasim contemplated Meerab's journey, he couldn't help but feel a profound sense of empathy. The feeling of abandonment she had weathered, the solitude she navigated through, and the challenges she faced in securing a stable future weighed heavily on him. It was as if her struggles were etched on the walls, a silent mural telling a story of resilience and quiet endurance. 

In the moments of solitude, Murtasim questioned the unfairness of the world that had pushed Meerab to endure so much on her own. The hollowness of her past echoed in the room, and he couldn't help but marvel at her ability to keep going, to rebuild, and to face each challenge head-on. His mind constantly drifting back to their conversation from some time ago. He had never thought from Meerab's perspective in such detail as he did in the moment and this was enough to make him understand why Meerab decided to leave the Khan Haveli.