The early morning sunlight streamed through the open window, casting a warm glow over the crisp white sheets of Murtasim and Meerab's bed. It was a perfect day to cuddle under the soft duvet, but their ten-month-old daughter, Meesam, had other ideas. She was restless, kicking her little legs and flailing her arms, determined to make her presence known. Chuckling softly, Murtasim rolled out of bed, careful not to disturb his sleeping wife. As he padded across the carpeted floor, Meesam's big brown eyes fixed on him, her tiny fingers wiggling in anticipation. "Morning, my little love," he cooed, scooping her up into his strong arms.
Meesam squealed with delight, her rosy cheeks flushed with excitement, as her father carried her into the nursery. The room was bright and cheery, adorned with colorful wallpaper and toys galore. A crib stood in one corner, carefully selected by Meerab to be both stylish and safe. As Murtasim laid Meesam down in her crib, she reached up, her chubby fingers grasping at his shirt. "Shh, my dear, it's time for your nap," he murmured, gently removing her hands and tucking her in. "Sleep tight, and daddy will be back soon." With a final kiss on her forehead, he reluctantly left the room, closing the door softly behind him.
Meerab yawned, stretching her arms above her head as she woke up to the sound of Meesam's contented coos coming from the nursery. She smiled, blinking sleepily at the digital clock on the nightstand. It was still early; she had plenty of time to get ready for work. As she rose from the bed, she glanced out the window, admiring the well-manicured gardens that surrounded their mansion. The servants were already hard at work, trimming hedges and watering the flowers. It was another perfect day in Hyderabad, Pakistan.
Meerab padded over to the dresser, opening a drawer to retrieve her clothes for the day. She had just begun to choose an outfit when she heard a knock on the bedroom door. "Come in," she called out. The door opened slowly, revealing their trusted maid, feena. "Murtasim sahib requests that you join him in his study for breakfast, bibiji," she announced formally. "Shall I bring your breakfast through?" Meerab nodded, her stomach rumbling at the mention of food. "Yes, that would be lovely, feena. Thank you."
She quickly finished dressing and made her way down the hall, following the sound of laughter emanating from Murtasim's study. As she approached the door, she paused, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves. She hadn't been in this room since the day they had found out about the money laundering charges against Murtasim's business partner. That had been a difficult time for them all. But they had gotten through it together, and they were stronger for it.
Opening the door, she stepped inside, taking in the cozy atmosphere of the study. Murtasim looked up from his desk, his face lit up with a warm smile. "Good morning, my love," he said, rising to greet her with a kiss. "I hope you slept well." She smiled back, feeling the familiar tug of affection toward him. "I did, thank you. And you?" He shrugged, taking her hand in his. "Can't complain. The day looks promising."
Their breakfast was served on a fine china table set for two: freshly baked croissants, assorted jams, and a pot of steaming tea. They ate in companionable silence, enjoying each other's company and the peacefulness of the morning. It was a perfect moment, one that reminded them both of how fortunate they were, how much they meant to each other, and how far they had come as a couple. They might have faced adversity in the past, but they had always faced it together. And together, they would continue to build a life of love and happiness for their daughter, Meesam, in Hyderabad, Pakistan.
As they finished their breakfast, Murtasim glanced at the clock on the wall, his expression briefly turning concerned. "I should be going soon," he said apologetically. "There's an important meeting this afternoon, and I want to make sure I have enough time to prepare." Meerab nodded, understanding the demands of his job. "Of course, dear. You focus on that. I'll take care of Meesam and make sure she doesn't miss you too much." They shared a laugh, and then Murtasim leaned in to kiss her tenderly before heading off to the study to finalize his presentation.
