Unveiling Meerab [Tere Bin FF]

28. untamed affection

A/N: Over 10K words of fluff and smut because our MeeraSim deserve it! Enjoy!

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The previous day's exhaustion from their long journey hung over Meerab and Murtasim like a heavy blanket. They had stayed awake just long enough to marvel at the encroaching darkness of the African wilderness, snuggling together on the plush sofa outside their villa, the stars their only light. The world had felt so vast yet so intimately theirs in that moment. Eventually, though, the travel fatigue had won, pulling them into a deep, restorative sleep until the wake-up call for the morning game drive jolted them awake.

The ring was insistent, a soft but firm nudge from the lodge staff reminding them of the adventures awaiting just beyond their door. Meerab, nestled in the comfort of high thread-count sheets and the warmth of Murtasim beside her, groaned in protest. She reached out, fumbling for anything to shield her from the inevitable start of the day, and settled on a pillow which she then yanked over her face.

"Too early," she mumbled, her voice muffled and tinged with the remnants of sleep.

Murtasim, already stirring, let out a deep, warm chuckle at her antics. "I seem to recall someone saying they would be up and ready before the wake-up call," he teased, his voice rich with amusement. He reached over, gently tugging at the pillow she clutched like a lifeline.

With a soft, resigned sigh, Meerab released her hold on the pillow, her eyes meeting his in the soft glow of the bedside lamp which he had turned on somewhere between her picking up the pillow and letting it slip away. The warm light cast a gentle halo around him, highlighting the tousled hair and the sleepy yet amused glint in his eyes. He was unfairly charismatic, even at this ungodly hour, making her own disheveled state feel all the more pronounced.

"You're lucky I love you," she muttered, sitting up and rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "Otherwise, I'd push you out of bed and go back to sleep." Her words carried a mock severity as she yawned, she couldn't help but note the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, the sight stirring a warmth in her that pushed away the morning chill seeping through as the covers dropped off her upper body.

"I love you too, meri jaan," Murtasim retorted playfully, swinging his legs off the bed and stretching his arms above his head, the muscles along his arms flexing enticingly. Meerab wondered why they couldn't just stay in bed, he could lose the t-shirt and she could curl up into his warmth and sleep more. "Let's go, we need to get ready."

"And make coffee." She muttered, she needed it.

He laughed. "And make time for coffee." He promised.

"To make time...I'm going to the bathroom first," she declared with a sudden burst of energy, swinging her legs off the bed and onto the cool wooden floor. "And you have to keep your hands to yourself, Murtasim!" she called over her shoulder as she sprinted towards the bathroom.

Murtasim, with a mischievous sparkle in his eye, pretended to chase after her, his feet padding softly against the wooden floor, the sound growing louder as he neared. Just as Meerab thought she might make it, Murtasim's hand gently caught her wrist, halting her escape with a gentle tug that pulled her back towards him.

"You're wasting time now," Meerab pouted, looking up at him with mock annoyance, her eyes softening at the edges.

Murtasim's response was tender as he pushed a stray lock of her hair behind her ear, patting it down with an affectionate touch. "I have to look at you properly before the day starts," he murmured, his voice low and filled with warmth.

Meerab's attempt at sternness melted into a soft giggle. "You're so cheesy," she accused, though the sparkle in her eyes betrayed her delight. Murtasim leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead, sealing his cheesy declaration with a loving gesture.