Muhafiz-E-Khan (Tere Bin MeeraSim FF)

28 - Raaz

On his rush back, the G-Wagon's steering was erratic. Murtasim's spare hand was on his phone to call her — to warn Meerab not to open the door for everyone, to barricade herself in the bathroom. ''Phone uthau yaar,'' Murtasim cried to himself when she didn't pick up, assuming the worst. His heart lacked any coherent pattern. (Pick up the phone.)

It was eerily dark despite the bright yellow street lights lined the roads. Signs flashed past, blurred coloured melding into each other until everything lost meaning. ''Meerab, please, please, meri jaan,'' Murtasim choked out to himself, hoping the soundbite would somehow save her. The shops were closed. Pedestrians were on drunken nights out, blithely unaware as Murtasim's entire life threatened to crumble. The abyss above was only lit by a slither of a crescent.

Blood pounded dangerously loud past his ears, his vision blurred as he missed an exit. ''I'm sorry, Meera—'' Murtasim skidded into a wall so hard that his forehead slammed on the steering wheel and banged onto his rib, silencing everything for a second. A darkness eclipsed his mind, pain ricocheting through his body. Breaths were heavy. Murtasim was left disoriented.

Battling the weight of his eyelids, Murtasim blinked through the blinding pain. He groaned, his lungs burned and his stomach felt like he had been kicked again, mirroring the abuse that Sarfaraz had subjected him to in the den.

The one-way road was quiet in the aftermath of the collision. Murtasim's hand wound around the steering wheel and pushed himself off groggily. The airbags hadn't exploded. The high-up vantage point afforded him a view of his front right corner being crumpled. The night felt salvageable.

''Fuck,'' Murtasim croaked. His bruised state didn't change the fact that his wife was unguarded and possibly hurt -- his conscience didn't allow self-pity. The key twisted in the ignition whilst pain sorted through his bones and made his joints grate, all smoothed over with the rush of adrenaline.

He gulped down the thick lump of panic in his throat and accelerated, the surrounding of the crash site and shattered glass were left behind without a care. Murtasim's foot pressed down hard, leg tensed rigid, fingers locked on the steering wheel to race back to Meerab. She was supposed to be wrapped in pretty red laces for him, freshly showered and ready to be indulged. Guilt clouded Murtasim's mind, blurring any coherent thought as she drove to her; Meerab depended on him and Murtasim failed her.

Promising freedom and safety throughout her internship, Murtasim had brought her to the other side of the world. It was supposed to be a dreamy little honeymoon amongst days in the office, an escape to live out their wishes of simply being husband and wife, to love each other without worry of being caught. Murtasim had given her flowers, lovingly tied the ankle strap of her heels and fastened a rope of diamonds upon her collarbone to convey apology.

Then, she was left to be prey.

Car keys were shoved into the doorkeeper's hand and Murtasim ignored the burning pain in his chest as he took long strides through the hotel's entrance. The wait for the elevator was endless and he raced out to her hotel door with a swollen heart. Fingers twisted around the silver knob and it was rattled. It was stiff, locked shut. He called out, ''Meerab?'' It was sharp and impatient. Equal parts concern and dread made Murtasim's hands tremble when he swiped the key card and entered. 

The room entered was dark and still. He forgot to breathe with trepidation. Heavy footsteps led inwards, finally turning the little corridor to find her on the sofa, bare legs outstretched, her calfs dramatically resting on the armrest. Meerab was laid out for the taking, wrapped in diaphanous lace, a dream, a mirage for a man who had expected her to be hurt or gone.

''I've been waiting so long, every moment spent thinking about you, Murtasim,'' she purred seductively. Candles flickered amber on the side table and dresser, dancing elegantly till whisps of grey smoke wafted off the apex of each peak.