Unveiling Meerab [Tere Bin FF]

44. cravings

Author's Note: Thank you for all the love for the last chapter, I am glad so many of you enjoyed it! Onto the next one! I find myself being rather indulgent with this fic - if it was any other fic, I'd have wrapped it up by now, like I did with MM. But with UM, I feel like I want to write cute little moments and things I wish I had seen on screen - like the two of them just sitting together and talking, going on walks, swimming, eating, cuddling. It just brings my heart so much joy, so I hope it does for you too! 

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Murtasim was startled awake by Meerab's frantic shaking.

His eyes flew open, confusion and panic surging through him as he registered the sight of her distressed face. The room was dimly lit by the lamp on her night-table, casting a soft glow on her tear-streaked cheeks.

His heart plummeted at the sight of the tears streaming down her face.

"What's wrong?!" he asked, his voice laced with urgency as he sat up.

His hands immediately cupped her face, his thumbs brushing away the tears with a tenderness that belied his alarm. "Why are you crying, meri jaan?"

She sniffled, her eyes red and puffy from crying. She looked absolutely adorable in his oversized brown kurta, her hair a little messy, and her nose red from her tears.

Her lips quivered as she tried to speak. "I want dessert," she said, her voice trembling.

He sighed, relief flooding through him as his heart resumed its normal rhythm. "Why would you cry about that?" he asked, his voice softening with affection.

Her tears flowed harder, spilling over her cheeks in a torrent. "I am sorry for scaring you," she sobbed, her voice breaking with guilt.

"Shhhh, it's okay," he muttered, his heart aching at the sight of her distress. He wiped her tears gently with his thumbs, his touch light and comforting. "Don't cry, Meerab."

"I tried not to wake you," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as she placed her hand on her swollen belly, "but she wants mango pickle ice cream." Her voice broke slightly, her distress evident in every word.

He blinked, trying to process what she said. "She wants what?"

"Ice cream...with mango pickle," Meerab said as if it was completely normal.

He nodded, realizing questioning her cravings would get him nowhere. "We have ice cream in the fridge and mango pickle in—" he stopped short when she shook her head.

"We only have cookie dough ice cream," she muttered—it had been her favorite up until last week. "I want plain vanilla ice cream with mango pickle."

Of course she did.

He nodded, rubbing his eyes. "Do you want to come with me?"

She shook her head. "I need to pee every five minutes," she reminded him.

He nodded, understanding that finding a place open at this hour and dealing with constant bathroom breaks wasn't a good idea.

Her lip quivered, and she sniffled again.

"I am sorry for troubling you," she said, her voice small.

He shook his head, leaning in and pressing a kiss to her cute little nose. "Meri biwi aur meri choti shehzadi ke liye kuch bhi," he muttered.

She smiled, cupping his face and pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Thank you," she said softly as she pulled away, her eyes filled love.

She looked absolutely adorable, her sleepy eyes adding to her charm, and the sight tugged at his heart.