Twin Flames : A Tere Bin AU

Chapter 1 :Stopwatch

A/N: Paragraphs in italics are flashbacks.
Please read the Author's Note published with the teaser before starting this fic!

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Murtasim Khan was a towering figure in the corporate world. He was not only a prominent businessman but also a respected feudal lord, who had reached the pinnacle of success in the corporate world.

It was undeniable that he had the privilege of being born into a family with inherited wealth, but he did not rely solely on that. He worked exceptionally hard to not only preserve his family's reputation in the community but also to establish himself as a prominent figure in the business world. Despite his relatively young age, he achieved remarkable success and is widely recognized as one of the most prosperous businessmen in the country. His dedication, perseverance, and business acumen have been the driving forces behind his meteoric rise to success.

Murtasim had a reliable source of support in his uncle, Sheryar Khan, who was always there for him no matter what. Though Sheryar chose not to marry, he showered Murtasim with love and affection as if he were his own son. When Murtasim's father passed away when he was just 11, Sheryar remained a constant presence in his life and provided him with the care and guidance he needed.
And today, when his uncle again brought up the topic of Murtasim's marriage to Soha Farooqi, daughter of Dilawar Ali, their partner in an upcoming project, he could not say no.

Murtasim was once a man who believed in the power of love. He had a heart that beat with passion and emotion, and he gave it freely to the woman he loved. But that love was not returned in kind. Instead, his heart was stolen by the very person he trusted most, and in an instant, his world was shattered.

He tried to hold onto the love he once knew, but it slipped through his fingers like sand. He was left with nothing but an empty void where his heart used to be. He felt like a shell of his former self, unable to feel the warmth and tenderness that once filled his heart.

As time passed, Murtasim realized that he could no longer afford to be vulnerable to love. He became practical and guarded, unwilling to open himself up to the possibility of being hurt again. He built a wall around his heart and vowed never to let anyone in again.

His heartlessness became a part of him, something he wore like armour to protect himself from the pain of love. He became a different person, one who no longer believed in the power of love. For Murtasim, love was nothing more than a distant memory, a feeling he could no longer experience.

The pain of vulnerability is all too real when we open our hearts to someone only to be left empty-handed. It's often said that love and truth are closely linked, but what happens when the one you love never trusts you? What happens when you were nothing but a pawn in their game, used and discarded at their whim? The feelings of betrayal and hurt can linger long after the relationship has ended, leaving us questioning if it was ever truly love to begin with.

As he gazed out of the window of his cabin, the rhythmic undulations of the waves caught his attention. He held a cigarette loosely between his fingers, its thin trail of smoke curling up towards the ceiling and disappearing into the air. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore filled the room, creating a sense of calm and tranquillity, he was lost in his internal monologue, when suddenly his phone, kept on his desk vibrated.

He took a last long drag before discarding the cigarette into the ashtray, reached out for his phone and looked at the caller ID.
'Jee maasahab' he said as he picked up the phone, knowing very well that his uncle must have shared his agreement on the marriage.

'Murtasim, Sheryar ne btaya muje tumhari razamandi ke baare mein, beta I am so happy for you, finally tum apni life mein aage kadam bhadaa rahe ho", came his mother's excited reply.