PROTECTOR OF KHAN- AU Tere Bin universe where Murtasim is Meerab's bodyguard.
The Khan family established its reign over Hyderabad as land owners, whilst keeping an iron grip on their rivals to maintain political control. Anwar Khan is the embodimen...
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The hospital room was cool and the air was crisp, set off with disinfectant fumes throughout. It was past noon, sun rays mellow as if they knew he was still sensitive and needed to be gentle. Tiredness weighed Meerab's waterline from a wrecked sleep schedule and her mind was still rife with restlessness and concern for Murtasim's health; Murtasim was well, glancing down at his hand.
Meerab peered over his phone to see the picture he started at. It was obviously clicked at the award show from the background of deep green chairs, but in a moment of quiet when Murtasim focused on something past the photographer's shoulder. On reading the subtext, Meerab's eyes widened with surprise. ''Secret wife?'' In public, he was now considered a married man. Meerab turned and thwacked his arm despite him being sore all over, mind now filled with a mixture of shock and anger at finding their relationship the subject of public gossip. ''I told you. Itna shauk tha 'biwi, biwi' kehne ko, ab dekhlo!'' (You had enjoyed introducing me as your wife to everyone. Now look what's happened!)
''Speech mei bhi kaha tha...'' Murtasim winced in remembrance, the entire night with her on his arm was a blurred high -- Murtasim had finally secured her forgiveness; he had gifted her a string of clear diamonds to adorn her clavicle and then kept her close as he mingled with esteemed colleagues. He had succeeded, and his partner was the single most important thing to him that evening — Meerab was due praise. He didn't think of the consequences in the moment of flashes, only about enjoying the moment and bragging about his achievements after years of tiresome struggle. (I said it in the speech too.)
A part of him knew the truth was bound to come out soon, they were both tired of having to hold back the need to consume the other. For a single night, whilst the rest of their lives continued blithely unaffected in Hyderabad, Murtasim craved to be freed from the shackles of a private marriage -- it was a point of pride, a fact of truth and a law that dictated him; Meerab was the love of his life. The loose tongue had knocked a domino whilst he lay unconscious, now the truth was out of his sphere of control.
Broken little exhales left Meerab's lips, annoyed with his lack of filter. ''Well done. Loagon ko patta hai ke tumhari aik biwi hai. Abb kya karrengye?'' (People now know you have a wife. What will we do now?)
''Dua karro ke tumhare baba ko patta na lag jaey.'' With irony, the remark about living in a 'global village' rang through his mind, praying that the village in question was so fucking big that the circles never overlapped, that her family would never glean the truth together. (Pray that your father doesn't find out.)
A streak of anxiety flared up in Meerab's lungs at the idea of Murtasim being married, casting doubt on her too. ''How will we go home now?''
The expression of uncertainty etched into her features was utterly endearing, working as a healing ointment for the pain coursing through Murtasim's veins; not regret, but the want to appease both her father and him at the same time, held Meerab captive. ''Yahan rahe lete hai?'' Murtasim proposed with drawn-together eyebrows, coaxing her to visualise a life off course and bereft of any loose threads. ''Hamesha ke liye? We have a house and each other. Aur kya chahiye? Main kaam karounga. Tum dou chaar bachey paida karlena, kaafi hoga aik zindagi ke liye.'' (Shall we stay here, forever? What more do we need? I'll work. You can have 2-4 kids. That'll be enough for one lifetime.)
