Kaabil

10. A peck vs Kiss

Sorry for the cliffhanger... I am.
Since  each chapter was an end-to-end story, I spiced things up. I hope it was not that bad. Right?

Thank you for the comments and votes. It means a lot, considering I made zero effort to promote this book.

Since I worked a lot on my other book, which is also under editing, I barely had time to promote or fully engage in this book. And now I'm free; you guys might find some reels regarding Kaabil on my Instagram.

I was contemplating posting them because Meerab and Murtasim are not my Characters, but someone really close to me said Kaabil's Meerasim is my work.

Thank you everyone for the love I received🤍

Meerab

It had been over two weeks since I last saw Murtasim. Not that I was interested in meeting him. But he was my husband.

Okay. Maybe I was.

Of course, I felt guilty sleeping in my new room when he was not there. I spent the first few nights there alone. It terrified me. Was this how it's going to be? Is he not coming back to his room?

I asked Bakhtu a few times about Murtasim's whereabouts, but then I stopped. I feared I would appear as a clingy wife, but I was not prepared to stay in his room without him. Whenever Maa Begum asked me about Murtasim, I made up an excuse. I was confident she was catching up on my lies.

Maryam had gone on a trip with her college friends. She wanted me to tag along, but I, again, made up an excuse, saying Murtasim wouldn't like that. We had just married, and now I was gone. The truth was, he was nowhere in sight. I didn't even complain. She believed me, or at least she thought she was playing cupid on our relationship.

I spent the days with Maa Begum, who introduced me to all the staff, which was a lot, and taught me how to run a household. I never lifted a spoon in my house except for baking brownies and brewing tea. However, Maa Begum was obstinate about me learning everything.

She passed me a few registers, "This is our Haveli's account. The other belongs to the village one. Pick one."

I sulked immediately, "I am not good at numbers. You know that."

She gently tapped my cheeks, "I was the worst one. When I first married Shahnawaz, I messed up months of groceries and cash flow. But he helped me. He would secretly teach me how much to order and when to order. And I still messed up Daal's quantity."

I stiffed a laugh. She joined me.

There was pity in her eyes. I could see it. I may not be good at math, but I am great at reading people, except Murtasim.

He is a mysterious being.

Maa Begum held my hands, "I have been informed that you are not sharing a room with Murtasim. I also know that he is not coming to you. He has been busy, and sadly, that's how he is. I will talk with him. How long will this go on for?"

I cupped her hands.

"Thank you for the concern. But I am as guilty as he is. I am not seeking him out, either. Please, I request you. Please don't talk to him. It's my situation, and I know how to handle it."

I bluffed. I don't know how to deal with it because I have never had a husband.

After I talked with Maa Begum two days ago, I was scared to appear before Murtasim. I heard he had cooped his office. I didn't bother checking on him, but Maa Begum sent him his breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I remembered my time with my Mom. Since I was always studying, she would feed me, tend to my needs, and help me sleep.