Unveiling Meerab [Tere Bin FF]

35. a heartbeat

A/N: It's hereeeeeeeeeeee. I am so excited, I am posting this early. 20 pages of these two figuring out she's pregnant and being all kinds of adorable. See you on the other side. 

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The world outside the car window seemed suspended in a stillness, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions swirling within Meerab. The digital clock on the dashboard glowed 1:00 AM, a silent witness to the unusualness of their late-night errand. Never had Meerab imagined that her early hours of Friday would be spent in pursuit of a pregnancy test, yet here they were, navigating the deserted streets in search of an open pharmacy.

The quiet of the city at night enveloped them, the usual hustle of daily life paused, giving way to a serene calm. Murtasim's grip on her hand was firm, a comforting anchor amidst the sea of uncertainty they were sailing through. Each closed storefront they passed felt like a reminder of the oddity of their quest, until the glowing lights of a pharmacy near the hospital appeared.

The car came to a gentle stop in front of the pharmacy. "Are you feeling up to going in?" His question, soft and laced with concern, broke the silence that had settled between them. His lips brushed against her hand in a kiss.

Meerab nodded, her eyes briefly scanning his face. He had yet to say a word about her suspicion that she was pregnant, a silence she didn't probe then. Understanding, perhaps, that confirmation was needed before they could fully process or discuss their potential new reality.

Murtasim was quick to unbuckle his seatbelt and step out, moving around the car to open her door. He offered his hand, not just as assistance but as an anchor, keeping her close as they entered the pharmacy together, his presence a comforting shield.

The pharmacist, a middle-aged man, looked up as they approached.

"We need a pregnancy test," Murtasim stated, his voice steady, betraying none of the turmoil that might have been churning beneath.

"How many?" the pharmacist inquired, a hint of routine in his question. Noting their hesitation, he added, "Most people get three since the tests are not always reliable."

"Seven," Murtasim interjected before Meerab could opt for the suggested three. His decisiveness took her by surprise, a small gesture but one that spoke volumes of his need for certainty, for thoroughness in the face of uncertainty.

The pharmacist nodded, unfazed by the request. "I'll give you different brands and two of the most reliable at predicting early," he said, turning to gather the tests.

"Seven?" Meerab echoed, turning to Murtasim, amused.

"Just to be sure," he muttered, his voice a blend of determination and a hint of vulnerability. It was a response so quintessentially Murtasim, rooted in his desire to leave no stone unturned.

Despite the tension of the situation, Meerab couldn't help the smile that crept across her face at his actions, they were both absurd and endearingly thorough.

With their mission complete and a large bag of pregnancy tests in hand, Murtasim and Meerab quietly made their way back to their car, the night wrapping around them like a secret. Murtasim, ever the gentleman, opened the car door for Meerab, sealing the moment with a tender kiss on her forehead before carefully placing the bag in the backseat. The gesture, simple yet profound, made her smile.

The drive home was enveloped in silence, a shared anticipation hanging between them, palpable yet unspoken. Slipping into their house felt akin to a stealth operation, the desire to avoid prying eyes or questions guiding their quiet footsteps back to the sanctuary of their room.