I've Got My Eyes On You

Chapter 42 - Unveiled

Hello my lovely people!!! Yes another song inspo.
I listened to "Toh phir ao" by Mustafa zahid while writing and now I feel it has nothing to do with the chapter that deeply so y'all can just put up. "Dil hi mera dard hai"

Don't forget to take a look at the header!!

A goodbye to angst.
___________________________________________________

As the plane touched down in Pakistan, Meerab's thoughts were a jumble of confusion and anxiety. The entire flight had been a tense, silent affair, and Murtasim hadn't even offered little explanation for their sudden return. The moment they landed, Murtasim was on his phone, speaking in low, urgent tones that only added to her sense of unease. They exited the airport and got into the car that was waiting for them. Meerab glanced at Murtasim, hoping for some hint of what was going on, but his face remained a mask of stoic determination. He stared straight ahead, his jaw clenched tightly, leaving her to drown in her thoughts and worries.

After a seemingly endless drive, they finally pulled up to city hospital. Meerab's confusion only deepened. She looked at Murtasim, silently begging for answers, but he simply nodded, his expression grave.

"Murtasim?"

Meerab stepped out of the car as the guard opened Murtasim's door. Murtasim quickly rounded the car, not allowing the guard to open her door. He did it himself, his eyes briefly meeting hers with a look that made her heart clench. There was a softness there, a hint of the turmoil he was keeping under wraps.

"Come," he said softly

She narrowed her eyes, her mind racing with questions as he led her inside the hospital. The sterile scent of disinfectant hit her as soon as they entered, adding to the sense of foreboding that had settled over her. She felt out of place in her pink shalwar suit, her flower printed dupatta hanging over her right shoulder a stark contrast to the clinical surroundings. Her heart pounded as they walked through the corridors, her confusion mounting with each step.

"Murtasim, why are we here?" she finally asked, her voice trembling slightly.

He didn't answer immediately. They passed by nurses and patients, the usual bustle of hospital life. Everything seemed surreal, like she was in a bad dream she couldn't wake up from. The fluorescent lights cast a harsh glow on Murtasim's face, highlighting the tension etched into his features. Meerab's eyes narrowed as she spotted Dua across the hallway. Her gaze instinctively again turned to Murtasim for answers, but he had already averted his eyes, avoiding her questioning look. With a sense of urgency, she walked towards Dua, her steps quickening with each heartbeat.

"Dua? Why are you- Kya hua hai?" Meerab asked again, trying to look around.

Dua caught her gaze and nodded, tilting her head to gesture for Meerab to follow her. Without a word, Meerab dropped her hands to her sides, trying to steady her breath. Her heart pounded in her chest as she approached Dua. "What has happened, Dua?" she asked, her voice trembling despite her effort to stay calm.

Dua didn't respond immediately. Instead, she led Meerab down the corridor, stopping outside a room with a glass window in the door. The knots in Meerab's stomach tightened as she glanced back at Murtasim who stood tall yet his features were a mix of stress and tension, the sleeves of his black t-shirt rolled up. He had followed her, standing a few steps behind, his expression unreadable yet heavy with unspoken emotions.

Taking a deep breath, Meerab moved forward, her steps faltering as she neared the window. Her eyes widened, and she suddenly felt as if the floor had been snatched from under her feet. Her breath hitched, and she exhaled sharply, stumbling back a step. Inside, Dadi lay surrounded by an array of machines, tubes snaking around her fragile form, the rhythmic beeping of monitors a stark reminder of her delicate state. Her wounds didn'y do unnoticed by Meerab.