Veiled Harmonies (Tere Bin AU)

Chapter 18

Meerab's eyes widened, and her lips trembled as she spoke. "What did Ada say exactly, Murtasim?"

He gently brushed a tear from her cheek, his heart aching to see her so distressed. "She said it's chaotic out there. The media is swarming, and it's overwhelming. But, Meerab, we'll figure this out together. We'll stand strong."

Meerab's hands clutched at his shirt, her fear palpable. "How did it get so out of control so quickly? We were always so careful."

Murtasim pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her protectively. He rested his chin on the top of her head, creating a cocoon of warmth and safety around her. He didn't rush to answer her question with words; instead, he let his actions speak for him. His embrace tightened, solidifying his promise to shield her from the chaos outside.

Gently, he stroked her back with steady, rhythmic motions, each touch radiating reassurance and comfort. Murtasim's fingers brushed through her hair, an unspoken gesture of tenderness meant to ease her trembling.

Meerab's breathing began to calm, matching the rhythm of his own steady breaths. The panic in her eyes slowly ebbed away, replaced by a glimmer of reassurance. She felt his heartbeat against her cheek, strong and constant, like a lifeline in the overwhelming sea of uncertainty.

In that moment, Murtasim knew that all he cared about was Meerab's well-being. The world outside could wait; she was his priority. Everything else faded into the background as he focused on comforting her. His concerns about the media frenzy, the wild speculation, and the roaring crowd outside paled in comparison to his need to make sure Meerab felt safe and supported.

She was his priority and he needed to. had to protect her through this storm.

Moments later, the doorbell rang. Murtasim reluctantly let go of Meerab, keeping her hand in his as he moved to open the door. Ada and Ahaan, both looking stressed and frazzled, stood on the other side.

Ada immediately rushed to Meerab, enveloping her in a hug. "Meerab, we're here. We'll get through this together," she said softly, her voice filled with empathy.

Meerab took a deep breath and pulled back from the hug slightly. "Thank you, Ada. Zain's on his way too. He told me about this.."

Ahaan glanced at his phone, scrolling through social media, and his eyes widened. "It's trending everywhere, and comments are pouring in. The fan responses are intense—most are backing you, but others are demanding answers. There's a very small section thats furious."

Ada added, "People are posting their own theories and making accusations. We need to clear this up before it spirals even further out of control. Some fans even started coming up with conspiracy theories. We can't let this narrative get away from us."

Hearing this, Meerab's breaths became more ragged, her grip on Murtasim's hand tightening. She felt overwhelmed, the weight of everyone's scrutiny pressing down on her. Her eyes darted around the room, struggling to focus, as a distinct sense of panic began to re-emerge.

Murtasim noticed the signs immediately and wrapped his other arm around her, pulling her close once more. "Meerab, look at me," he said softly, his voice a calming balm against the rising tide of her anxiety. "Breathe with me. In and out. We'll handle this together. You're not alone."

Meerab forced herself to match his steady breaths, her fingers gripping onto his shirt as if he were her lifeline. "I just don't understand how it got so bad," she whispered, her voice shaking.

The doorbell rang again, this time more furiously. Murtasim helped Meerab to her feet and moved towards the door. When he opened it, Zain practically burst through, his face a mix of concern and urgency.