Episode 27 continuation
(Trigger warning : mention of miscarriage, you may skip the first 3 paras)
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The sun was shining on a lovely day, with clouds scattered across the sky. Meerab sat on a swing in the garden. She was in the first trimester of her pregnancy and Murtasim planned for this quick outing so that she felt refreshed. Her sweet laughter echoed around them as he gently pushed her.
Suddenly, Murtasim disappeared, and a dark figure took his place, pushing the swing much too fast. Meerab sensed something was wrong. Her heart raced as the swing moved too quickly, and her fear for her unborn baby grew. Breathing heavily, she called out for Murtasim, but there was no answer. Panic set in, and she cried for help but there was no escape. The dark figure kept pushing her.
She fell on the ground with a force while holding her belly in order to secure her baby, screaming “my baby, our baby” out aloud. Tears filled her eyes as she was clutched with fear and pain. She was hit with nausea and lost consciousness.
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Murtasim had gone to apologize to Maa Begum. Meerab was feeling guilty and wanted to accompany him, but he insisted that she should rest considering her exhaustion and injury. He laid her down on the bed and sat by her side. His heart ached to see her so vulnerable. She appeared so small that he wanted to hide her from the world. Running his fingers through her luscious hair, he whispered comforting words. He left after she drifted to sleep.
Murtasim urged Maa Begum to understand his feelings for Meerab and not question their relationship dynamics again. He made it clear that there was no room for Haya in their house after what she did to Meerab. He also suggested to her to look for a suitable match and get Haya married as soon as possible so that their responsibility towards her is fulfilled. Maa Begum was very disappointed in him, but she agreed for Haya's marriage because it was about time according to their khandan's traditions.
On his way back to their bedroom, Murtasim couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt wash over him. He recalled the times when he had shrugged off Meerab's insecurity about Haya as jealousy. But what Haya did today left him baffled, and he realized that Meerab's concern was right. He knew he had to make it up for Meerab. She got really weak, both emotionally and mentally after the incident. He hoped that his love would heal her invisible wounds.
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Murtasim entered the room and walked towards their shared bed. The bed which he was able to regain after that accident.
He smiled to himself, recalling Meerab's nervously cute gestures and the way she had said “tum aaj bed pe so sakte ho”. That day onwards, they had slept together. She was a bit hesitant initially due to the intimacy she had never experienced before, but she grew comfortable some days. Although they used to fight almost every other night for the blanket and pillows, they had grown to like each other's company.
As he walked towards the bed, he heard Meerab mumbling something, he chuckled, assuming it to be her usual mutterings in sleep but he was left shocked when he saw her face under the dim light of the lamp.
He noticed Meerab curled up on her side of the bed, her body trembling as tears streamed down her face. Her eyes were tightly shut, and he realized that she was probably having a nightmare. Concerned, he hurried to her side and gently touched her face, trying to help her gain back consciousness.
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Meerab was still lying there, helpless. The pain in her abdomen became unbearable. After what felt like an eternity, she felt a firm hand tapped the right side of her face lightly. She heard a familiar and comforting voice called her name. She gasped for breath and jolted awake, her body shivering. She saw Murtasim and instinctively clung to him, her voice breaking as she cried out for their baby. "Murtasim, my baby, our baby! Sh.. she came back and pushed me!" Murtasim cupped her face with his hands and looked into her eyes, which were pools of tears. He worriedly asked, "Who came back, Meerab? Who pushed you?" She replied, trembling, "Haya. Haya came back, Murtasim. She returned”
