I've Got My Eyes On You

Chapter 19 - Overview

The soft rays of dawn gently filtered through the curtains, casting a warm and ethereal glow across the room. Meerab, slowly emerging from the realm of dreams, felt the comforting embrace of slumber begin to loosen its hold on her. With a delicate yawn, she blinked her eyes open, adjusting to the subtle dance of light in the room.

As her senses awakened, Meerab's awareness sharpened, and she became cognizant of an unexpected warmth enveloping her hand. Turning her gaze downward, she discovered the source – Murtasim's hand, securely cradling hers. A tender smile graced her lips, and a soft blush colored her cheeks at the realization of their intimate connection. How had this happened? Was he awake before her, or had he fallen asleep while she slumbered? With careful movements, Meerab observed Murtasim, his head leaning against the headboard, the lines of his face softened in the early morning light. It seemed he had indeed fallen asleep, sitting up. Concern etched her features as she considered the possible reasons for his unusual position.

As she continued to study him, a sudden tightening of his grip on her hand caught her attention. His face, previously serene in repose, now contorted with a hint of distress. A wave of worry washed over Meerab as she instinctively leaned closer, trying to discern the cause of his discomfort. Was he caught in a troubling dream, or was there some underlying concern troubling him?

"Baba, no!" He murmured

Meerab sat up, her hand still enveloped in his, and gently called out to him, "Murtasim."

"Baba, put it down," he muttered again, caught in the throes of a vivid dream. Realizing he was trapped in a restless slumber, Meerab continued to speak softly, "Murtasim, uthen."

"Murtasim?" she called again, her voice a gentle caress in the quiet morning air. His name hung in the space between them. She cupped his face with the other hand, her fingers brushing his beard. Her soft hand against his rough beard broke his slumber slowly. Just as she contemplated reaching out to gently rouse him, Murtasim stirred, his eyes fluttering open. His breathing grew heavier, and his eyes, wide with a mixture of anger and disbelief, flickered beneath his closed lids.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, releasing his grip on her hand and rubbing his eyes as if to dispel the last vestiges of sleep. "I didn't mean to fall asleep like that."

"It's alright," she reassured him, a tender understanding passing between them.

Meerab rose from the bed. The unsettling residue of the dream lingered in the air as she moved towards the small table, reaching for a glass to fill with cool water. The gentle clink of the glass meeting the water seemed to echo in the quiet room as she poured a refreshing drink for Murtasim. Turning back to face him, she approached with a mix of concern and care, holding out the glass to him. Murtasim accepted it with a silent nod, his eyes still reflecting the shadows of the dream that had troubled him moments ago. Meerab, sensing his need for reassurance, spoke with a softness that mirrored the dawn's tender light.

"You had a bad dream, it's okay," she reassured him, her voice a soothing melody that sought to dispel the lingering echoes of the nightmarish vision.

"Thank you," Murtasim muttered, his gratitude palpable as he took the glass from her hands. His gaze met hers, and there was a vulnerability in his eyes that Meerab hadn't witnessed before. The lines of distress had eased, replaced by a quiet acknowledgement of the solace she provided. As Murtasim sipped the water, Meerab couldn't help but feel a pang of confusion. What had he seen in that dream? What had the power to evoke such a visceral reaction, leaving him sweating and breathless? It was the first time she had seen him so affected, and the unfamiliarity of the situation heightened her concern.