Veiled Harmonies (Tere Bin AU)

Chapter 10

Murtasim arrived home, his thoughts consumed by Meerab, who had been on tour for nearly a month and a half but was returning in a day or two.

A smile crept onto his face as he observed people praising her online, snippets of her performances making their way onto Instagram and filling his timeline with glimpses of her brilliance.

Murtasim couldn't help but delve deeper into the online buzz surrounding Meerab's concerts.

One particular one caught his eye, the one with the presence of her parents at one of the shows. 

The photos and videos showed her father and brother gleaming with pride, their eyes brimming with adoration as they watched Meerab radiate on stage. These reels were littered with so many comments, most of them adoring the close family bond while some just fawning over Zain.

The most widely shared reel featured Meerab's mother, with audiences scrutinizing her expressions. Many fans interpreted her intense gaze as a assessment of Meerab's performance rather than just enjoying it like the rest. Unease swirled in his mind.

The next day, Murtasim found himself on edge and despite his efforts to focus on work, a sense of restlessness lingered beneath the surface.

"I'm back! See you around 9?" Meerab's text flashed on his phone, a spark of hope amidst his jumbled emotions.

"Yes. See you." he replied.

Meerab returned home, enveloped in a wave of relief. While she cherished the thrill of travel, the connection with her fans, and the energy of performing, there was an indescribable comfort in returning to her own sanctuary, where she could simply be herself.

Grateful for the cleaner who had meticulously tidied her home during her absence, Meerab breathed a sigh of relief as she stepped into the comforting warmth of her shower. 

With a week of blissful rest before her return to work, she decided to make the most of this precious time to relax and rest.

Immersed in the warmth of the shower, Meerab felt the water melting away the layers of exhaustion. With each droplet caressing her skin, she sensed a renewal washing over her,  soothing her tired muscles.

After luxuriating in the shower, Meerab indulged in a pampering session. Putting on a face mask she put on some soothing music and made a steaming cup of tea for herself before she  settled onto the plush comforts of her couch.

Meerab's fingers danced across her phone screen as she wrote a message to Murtasim, informing him of her return. She felt a flutter of anticipation settling in her chest.

Despite her busy schedule, Meerab found moments in between to steal glances at her social media, hoping for a glimpse of Murtasim. However, his public appearances seemed far and few and deep down she wanted to see him again. 

Despite the anticipation that bubbled within her, Meerab hesitated to take the first step. The thought of reaching out to Murtasim stirred a mix of nervousness and a flicker of fear, the thought of potential rejection casting a shadow on her courage.

Upon receiving his prompt reply, "Yes. See you," a flicker of happiness bloomed in Meerab's heart. However, like a cloud drifting over the sun, her mind swiftly plunged into a whirlpool of overthinking and doubt.

As she dissected his words, trying to look for hidden meanings, a wave of uncertainty washed over her. 

Was she imposing herself on him, intruding on his space with her presence? Did he miss her? Was he over her?