Dhaagey: The Ties that Bind Us

outtake: meerab's birthday

Author's Note: Hi everyone! Surprise? I know it seems like I've forgotten about Dhaagey, but I've just been focusing on finishing up my other fics. With Meri Musibat done and Unveiling Meerab coming close to conclusion, I'll switch over to Dhaagey. For now, here's a quick outtake - a lot of you always requested that I write about Meerab's birthday in Karachi (where Murtasim visited and it was very obvious the two of them wanted to kiss). Hehehe. Enjoy! We start off with Meerab's POV but also get Murtasim's POV at the end. This would be set much before the start of Dhaagey! 

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Meerab sat in front of the mirror, her fingers trembling slightly as she applied a final coat of deep red lipstick. The rich, bold color was a stark departure from her usual subtle choices, making her heart race with a mix of excitement and nervousness. She pressed her lips together, spreading the color evenly, then leaned back to examine her reflection.

The lipstick had transformed her appearance, making her lips look plumper, shiny, and inviting. The deep red hue matched her suit perfectly, a shade she had chosen with deliberate intent. Her eyes flickered over her outfit, double-checking every detail, hoping it would make the impression she desired.

Turning her attention to her hair, Meerab's hands moved to her curls, fidgeting with them in an attempt to set them just right. The soft waves cascaded down her back, a marked difference from her usual straight and simple style. She twirled a lock around her finger, then let it fall, watching it bounce into place.

The clock above her dresser reminded her of the passing time, each tick amplifying the butterflies in her stomach. Meerab had spent more time getting ready tonight than she ever had before. Every movement, every choice in her preparation was laden with an unspoken anticipation that made her pulse quicken.

Her eyes drifted to the stuffed lion on the dresser, the fabric faded, but the smile on the lion's face was as comforting as ever. It reminded her of Murtasim, the man who had given her his favorite toy to comfort her during a difficult time. The memory made her smile, a bittersweet pang of longing tugging at her heart.

"How do I look?" Meerab muttered to Sher, seeking reassurance from the inanimate confidant. She reached out, gently picking up the stuffed toy and holding it up in front of her face. Her voice dropped to a whisper, betraying her vulnerability. "Do you think he'll like it?"

She hugged the stuffed toy tight, her arms encircling it as if it were Murtasim himself. The soft fabric pressed against her cheek, a poor substitute for the warmth she longed for. "Do you think he's missed me as much as I missed him?" she muttered.

Reluctantly, she placed Sher back on the dresser, but couldn't bring herself to fully let go. She rested her chin on the soft toy, looking into its glassy eyes as if they held all the answers she sought. "Do you think he's missed me as much as I missed him?" she muttered, her voice barely audible.

She missed him – a lot. The days had felt endless without his presence, each one marked by a growing ache in her chest. But tonight was different. He was coming today, for her birthday. The thought made her heart race with joy. The anticipation was almost unbearable, the hours ticking by so slowly.

Meerab looked up in the mirror, registering the smile on her face. Before she could fully react her own expression, she caught sight of Rumi leaning against her doorframe, grinning mischievously.

"Mere piya ghar aaya oh ram ji, mere piya ghar aaya..." Rumi sang teasingly, dancing into the room with exaggerated movements.

"Stop it, Rumi," Meerab whined, though her heart was somersaulting in her chest, betraying her true feelings.