Muhafiz-E-Khan (Tere Bin MeeraSim FF)

35 - Sukoon

The house felt still in the absence of the guests that had littered the palatial home with the excuse of the wedding, and even though Meerab spent weeks away at a time in Karachi, her absence was felt that evening. There was an emptiness in her wake that echoed of her faint footsteps.

Anwar sighed with a cigar between his fingers. Its embers fizzled white hot and were tapped into the ashway ontop of his desk, realising that Murtasim had been a trojan horse in infiltrating their home. In deep contemplation, Anwar sat in the privacy of his office after bidding his only daughter goodbye; the girl as ethereally beautiful as her late-mother, as sneaky as he was in his own youth.

Despite instinct telling him otherwise, Anwar allowed Meerab to venture on her own and leave with a man of her own choosing. No punishment could undo her doing, instead it would make an enemy of the most powerful man in Hyderabad; Murtasim Shahnawaz Khan, emboldened by his help. Something opportunistic flared in Anwar when he was swallowed his pride and gave his blessing to her with everyone for witness. He even accepted that there had always been a soft spot for Murtasim, acknowledging his sharp aptitude, but Anwar never anticipated that it'd come back and nab the girl most precious to him — no, rather Murtasim elevated Meerab's position to new heights.

There would have been no other competition either, all it took was a word from Irtaza to sway Anwar into acceptance. Murtasim was as much a Khan as anyone of them, exuding a charm that won the crowd without many words, not to mention the effortless handsomeness that meant he turned heads even when he was supposed to be a silent shadow of a bodyguard.

Yasmin was tucked into bed and the staff settled at the end of the evening after clearing away of the Rukhsati celebration. With a pounding headache from hosting, Gul strutted down the lavish hallways on route to her bedroom, only halting when she saw her husband with phone in hand past the patio doors, grumbling idly.

Sarfaraz stiffened on sighing her, annoyance visible within the crease between Gul's eyebrow. The phone returned to his pocket and he followed her in.

As soon as their bedroom door close, Gul turn on her heel with a deep scowl etched onto her features. ''Kahan the tum?'' (Where were you?)

The sharp tone done nothing to Sarfaraz, knowing exactly what she quizzed about. ''Shisha pee raha tha doston ke saath,'' he lied fluently. Sarfaraz took a grand throne to sit, bend and undo his peshwari chappals as his gaze lingered on her curves, enticed by the sparkles that persisted deep into the night. (I was smoking sheesha with a friend.)

Gul scoffed, her heavy beaded dupatta pulled off before dropping it onto the bed, the beads clanging, the celebration and hosting over with Meerab departed. ''You don't smell like it.'' She smelt distinctively different, making her every hair stand on end.

''Acha, nayi cologne lagaya tha.'' Sarfaraz offered instead. Then, he stood, drawing closer to her with lust. (Oh really, it's a new fragrance then.)

''No, it was women's perfume,'' his wife corrected, tone manifestly accusative. What was once gnawing suspicion had evolved into an unshakeable doubt, the feeling of secrecy was now palpable that evening — it was undeniable. The smell, a blend of lasciviously smoky and sickly-sweet sinful, still lingered around Sarfaraz. Even after pushing aside his pride and ego and complying with niceties for the rukhsati, Sarfaraz appeared like an imposing feudal lord with the power he exuded — it was dark, face imbued with the power of endless luxuriating, of untamed control that clashed on Murtasim forcing their hand and taking Meerab away.

Blithely secure in himself, Sarfaraz tutted without a wisp of guilt, undoing the last button of his dark kameez till it folded rakishly open.

She shuffled vigilantly and Sarfaraz drew closer to hold her affectionately close, both at the foot of the bed. ''Gulmeena, ghar tou auratein se barra hua tha,'' he explained, voice softening as if sincere. ''Kushboo kissi se bhi lag sakti thi.'' (The house was full of women. It could have transferred from anyone.)