Fanaa - Tere Bin Au

chapter three

another short chapter :( ,, i realised i can't write all the date details in one go bc i need to study (boo) so i'll try to wrap it up in another one as quick as possible 

also i have a big fat question, do we want a halal love story (no kisses before marriage) or not halal. + feedback appreciated  🗣🗣

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A silence engulfed the four walls that surrounded them, as if stranded in space, with no air for their words to travel through. The flicker of candlelight and the tearing wax hardening on the candelabra. They had decided to go to a restaurant nearby Karachi, it seemed like a perfect first date. Murtasim took the initiative to order for both of them, a gesture that Meerab found exceptionally romantic. Meerab was the first to speak, breaking the silence they had reformed since their arrival.

"How many kids do you want?"

Murtasim was taken aback by the sudden question, how could she so innocently ask him that? He chuckled at her, just now they had been melting in each other's gaze, her gaze flickering back and forth from his eyes to his lips so innocently yet so seductively. Did she know what effect she had on him?

"Well however many you're willing to give me, might be too early for that though we haven't even gotten married?" The corners of his mouth couldn't help but curve, had she always been this adorable he wondered.

It was at that moment Meerab had realized that her intrusive thoughts had come out of her mouth, even more surprised at the fact that he replied. If it had been another man, surely he wouldn't have answered with such ease and simplicity. Although when she thought about it, having kids with Murtasim seemed right, they weren't even married yet, but it just seemed correct. Just like it was meant to be.

Would our baby have the same comforting hazelnut eyes as him?

Would our baby have the same lustrous hair, loomed of silk as she does?

Two different people yet the same thoughts.

To Meerab's surprise, the brunch wasn't the only thing Murtasim had planned for the day, he in fact had told her that he had come prepared but Meerab didn't know what she was in for. They seemed to be driving for ages, and she was getting a bit restless, Meerab wasn't fond on long drives even though Murtasim had managed to keep her engaged with his stories of the village she couldn't help but fidget.

"Are you okay? You seem a lot quieter than before", Murtasim had noticed the agitated and fiddly Meerab. Was she already bored? Was he speaking too much? A bundle of thoughts suddenly wrapped around his head, but before jumping into his own conclusions he better ask her. Communication was a sole principle of Murtasims, one which he stood by in any relationship he had. After growing up in a household where it was normal for small misunderstandings and miscommunications to exaggerate into intense fights he made a vow he would never repeat the same mistakes as his parents. And what's its cost? A little 'are you okay?' or 'can I talk to you?' In Murtasim's perspective, if he was going to establish this relationship, he was going to do it right and make it last.

"I'm alright, don't worry, it's just that I get nauseous if I'm in the car too long, I'll manage though."

"Oh, I had no idea, if I had known I would've planned somewhere closer, my apologies for not asking you first, do you want to go back?" He asked with genuine concern, lacing his warm voice.

"No, oh my God, of course not. We've already driven so far we couldn't turn back now, and plus I'd feel bad, you've made such a big effort."

Meerab suddenly felt a pang of guilt, she'd made him think it was his fault for her inability to be in the car for so long. Instead of appreciating his efforts, she was pouring water on his work. Which is why Meerabs impulsive thoughts took over as she placed her hand on Murtasims. Her pale hand which was barely the size of his palm contrasted with his tan and veiny one yet they so beautifully looked like they belonged together.

Murtasim jumped at the sudden physical contact, he noticed her little thumb swirling in a circular motion which gave him all sorts of butterflies in his stomach. What had this girl done to him in a single day?

Meerab's heart sank a little when Murtasim abruptly raised his hand but not even a millisecond passed by when swapped his hand with hers. Now her hand was touching the gearstick of the car and his hand completely engulfed the sight of hers. There was a mutual understanding between them, the hands had their own language with each caress of the finger or every time Murtasim would change the gear he'd squeeze her hand a little, they seemed to be communicating something far beyond the world's comprehension. It was for them. Their little secret.