Meri Meerab *Discontinued*

7 Yaadein, 8 Tahqiaat, 9/10Khaweebda

7 - Yaadein

As soon as they entered, they were greeted by 2 house staff and were welcomed into the seating area.

The living room was a large room and it was lined with wooden shutters which had been left open, and were covered by a thin sheer veil which allowed the cooler air in. The walls had exposed brick which gave it a rustic feel.

The house was littered with carved furniture that desperately needed a lick of varnish. Meerab drank the cool refreshment they were provided with and Murtasim requested water.

Safdar began rambling with a Meerab, about her studies and the girls in the Khan haveli. He started talking about how Meerab had spent parts of childhood in her maternal ancestoral home and the mischief she got up to, which led the conversation to turn to her to the saint of a woman that her mother was.

Murtasim could see the admiration in her eye but was able to understand that the mahal was only regal in her memories, as she viewed it through rose tinted lenses. He lacked that attachment that she felt to this home.

Murtasim didn't have as many memories attached to this mahal as he spent time with, and idolised, his own father in his childhood. He saw how Meerab was mesmerised by Safdar's words, as fulfilled every questions that Anwar wouldn't divulge her in. It was sweet but he felt like a third wheel.

'Shall we get to business?' Murtasim interjected abruptly not interested in pleasantries.

'Kya jaldi hai Murtasim, abhi tou maine mahal ka tour dena hai Meerab kou aurmerey khetou ki inspection karana hai.' Safdar replied which reclining ti get comfortable. (Whats the rush Murtasim. My niece had just arrived, i need to give her a tour of the estate and my lands.)

Meerab giggled at the way he used Meerab as an excuse to delay the inevitable. It felt nice being the centre of attention, rather than the centre of scrutiny for once.

Just then, a tall man walked through the double doors, he was wearing a loosewhite set of kurta pyjama. He looked as though he had just woken up by the fluffy mess of his hair. Followed by a slightly shorter woman. She had a shoulder bob sleek black hair and was wearing a light pink linen co- ord set, that was flowy on her frame.

They stopped at the sight of Meerab and Murtasim and the guy asked, 'Baba, you didn't tell us that you'd have guests over,' with a lilt of surprise.

Safdar stood up to introduce them, 'Yeh mera beta Rohail hai aur meri beti Saba. Yeh London say aayoy hai, is liye mehmaano say tameez nahi karna aata,' Safdar remarked sarcastically. ( This is my son Rohail and my daughter Saba. Theyve just returned from London, for this reason they dont know how to treat guests.)

'Salaam', (Hi) the girl and sat next to her father. She eyes up the two of them, wondering about the reason for their presence in her paternal home.

'Sorry baba', Rohail spoke before turned towards the guests and said, 'nice to meet you, I'm Rohail.' His eyes flickered between Murtasim and Meerab to try to recognise them- trying to get the itch in his mind that he recognised them from some dream like memory. Then he stepped forward as it clicked and he exclaimed, 'oh my god, You're Meerab, right? Phupo ki beti.' (Aunty's daughter?)

Meerab smiled at the reference and said 'Yep, that's the one.' She turned to Murtasim slightly to try make him feel included, but he had his business face on.'Now let me

introduce you - this is my... taya's son....' ( This is my uncles son...)

'Murtasim.' Murtasim announced himself and Rohail stepped forward to shake his hand. He didn't require an introduction as it was clear he was not here for a family reunion.