Veiled Harmonies (Tere Bin AU)

Chapter 3

The First Meeting

They had first met at Sameer's studio, a common friend who was a prominent producer in the music industry.

Sameer had been Murtasim's old friend from his days as an underground rapper, someone Murtasim was trying to recruit for his growing company.

Meerab had come to know Sameer through her brother Zain who had worked with Sameer on one of his indie directorial projects , a chance encounter that had blossomed into a professional relationship.

She had for the longest time been thinking of launching her songs with Sameer's help, something she had kept hidden from most people around her.

Coming from a prominent family, her upbringing had instilled a deep sense of responsibility and high expectations. The burden of maintaining appearances and embodying the ideal image of an affluent family's daughter and a successful 'angelic' idol had led her to keep her personal ambitions and vulnerabilities closely guarded.

Sameer was helping her refine her songwriting skills, a side project she pursued with quiet determination, shielded from the prying eyes and premature judgments that often came her way.

The first time she had walked into Sameer's studio, she had been filled with a mix of excitement and nerves. 

She wanted to explore this hidden talent of hers, and Sameer's accpetance of taking her under his wing was invaluable.

She hadn't expected to run into Murtasim there. 

He was lounging casually on the studio's worn-out couch, looking every bit the rebellious rapper and a complete bad boy she had heard about.

His demeanor exuded a laid-back confidence that sharply contrasted with Meerab's usual reserve, often misconstrued as an 'ice princess' persona.

She had always seen Murtasim from afar at formal events, where he commanded attention with his magnetic persona and a reputation that preceded him. His wild so called 'a supposed playboy' image, coupled with his roguish charm, had painted a picture of a man untamed and unpredictable. It was an image she steered away from,—his world and hers seemed light-years apart.

Encountering Murtasim in Sameer's studio had initially unsettled her meticulously curated facade. His reputation as a charismatic rebel and his effortless charm posed a stark contrast to her reserved nature.

Their initial meeting had been marked by a guarded exchange of pleasantries. Murtasim's sharp gaze assessed her constantly, his manner initially distant and curious about her presence.

In those initial meetings, Meerab had been cautious, hesitant to reveal too much of herself. Her interactions with Murtasim were polite yet tinged with a subtle curiosity on both sides.

But despite her turning up at Sameer's office at different times, they seemed to bump into each other more frequently than mere coincidence would allow.

It started with passing encounters in the hallway, where brief smiles and exchanged greetings hinted at a growing familiarity, though Meerab made it her mission to keep their interactions as formal as possible.

Meerab had always in her own way grappled with a profound sense of isolation—a lingering ache born from the burden of privilege and the weight of unspoken expectations. Her journey toward self-discovery unfolded against a backdrop of societal scrutiny, a relentless reminder of the facade she perpetually maintained. The fear of being misunderstood, of falling short of the lofty ideals imposed upon her, fueled a relentless pursuit of perfection—a pursuit that often obscured her true desires and aspirations.