Murtasim walked through the quiet streets of Lahore, his heart racing with exhilaration. He could hardly believe that just a few hours ago, he had been sitting across the table from Meerab, the enchanting film star he had adored from afar. The memory of her laughter, her bright smile, and the way her eyes sparkled when she spoke filled him with an overwhelming sense of joy.
As he approached his small home, he felt as if he were walking on air. The evening had felt like a dream, a moment that others could only fantasize about. He could still feel the warmth of her hand against his, and a dorky grin spread across his face as he imagined the countless possibilities that lay ahead.
But as he reached the door, his excitement quickly morphed into a mix of dread and amusement. His mother was known for her fierce protectiveness, and he could already picture the lecture awaiting him inside.
He opened the door, his heart still fluttering with happiness, but the moment he stepped inside, he was met with a sharp glare from his mother. Her arms were crossed, and her brow was furrowed in concern.
“There you are!” she exclaimed, her voice rising. “Where have you been? I was so worried!”
Murtasim chuckled, the grin still plastered on his face. “Ma, you wouldn’t believe it! I was with Meerab—”
“Don’t you dare mention that actress!” she interrupted, her voice laced with disapproval. “She’s nothing but trouble! I told you to stay away from her!”
He could barely contain his laughter, a mix of disbelief and delight. “But Ma, you don’t understand! She’s amazing! I saved her life and she thanked me! She spent the evening with me?! For that I can jump into the fire a thousand times over.”
His mother’s eyes widened in disbelief and anger at his words, and before he knew it, she had stepped forward, delivering a few light smacks on his arm. “What were you thinking? Jumping into a fire for someone like her? She’s out of your league, Murtasim! Why did you risk your life for her?! Others would have saved her anyways!”
“Ma, please!” he said, still grinning despite her scolding. “It’s not like that! I just couldn’t let anything happen to her!”
“You could have been hurt badly!” she scolded, her concern palpable. “Look at you! You got burned yesterday because of her, and now you’re still chasing after her?”
Murtasim’s excitement dimmed for a moment as he remembered the pain of the burns on his arms, but it quickly faded as he thought of Meerab’s radiant smile. “But she’s different! No one has ever made me feel the way she does.”
His mother huffed, shaking her head in frustration. “Murtasim, she’s a big star. Millions would rush to save her! But you? Who would care if something happened to you?”
At her words, Murtasim’s grin faltered. “Ma, you’re wrong. I mean something to her. I can feel it!”
His mother sighed heavily, her expression softening slightly as she looked at her son. “I just want you to be safe, beta. You deserve someone who is... well, someone who is grounded. Not someone who flits about in the limelight.”
“But what if she’s grounded? What if she wants someone like me?” Murtasim replied, the hope in his voice unmistakable.
“Murtasim, listen,” she said, her tone softening further. “I’m not saying she’s a bad person. I just don’t want you to get hurt, emotionally or physically. You’ve got to be careful with your heart.”
He looked into her eyes, seeing the genuine concern there. “I know, Ma. But I can’t help how I feel. Today was magical! She laughed, she smiled, and she even said I was her hero!”
His mother raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. “And what did you do? You saved her from a fire. You’re lucky she’s even talking to you!”
He took a deep breath, trying to convey his excitement. “But you don’t understand, Ma! She agreed to go out with me again! We had dinner together, and she was so... so down to earth. I think she really appreciates me.”
His mother softened, but the concern remained. “Just be careful, Murtasim. Don’t let your imagination run wild. She’s a star. Her world is very different from yours.”
“I know,” he replied, a hint of determination in his voice. “But I want to try. I want to see where this goes.”
His mother shook her head, but the corner of her mouth quirked up slightly. “You always were a dreamer, my son. Just promise me you won’t forget your roots.”
“I promise, Ma,” he said earnestly, feeling a swell of affection for her. “But this is my chance. I won’t let it slip away.”
With that, he moved past her, heading to his small room. The excitement bubbled up inside him once more, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something beautiful.
As he lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, thoughts of Meerab filled his mind. He replayed their conversations, her laughter, and the way her eyes lit up when she talked about her dreams. He felt a sense of hope that he had never experienced before.
“Murtasim,” he whispered to himself, a smile creeping onto his face. “You’re going to win her heart.”
Little did he know, the journey ahead would be filled with unexpected challenges, jealousy, and the trials of love, but for now, he let himself drift into a peaceful sleep, dreaming of a future intertwined with the star he had adored for so long.
