It was an unusually chilly morning at Khan Haveli. The kind of day where the cold seeped into every corner, making it hard for anyone to leave the warm comfort of their beds. But the usual hustle and bustle in the house was absent.
Murtasim, already awake, sat at the edge of the bed, trying to slip into his shoes quietly without disturbing Meerab, who had tucked herself under the blanket, only a tuft of her hair visible. He had an early meeting in town, and it was one of those rare days when he needed to be out before the sun fully rose.
Just as he leaned down to grab his shoes, he felt a tug on his kurta. His brow furrowed in confusion as he turned his head, only to find Meerab's hand clutching his sleeve tightly, as if her life depended on it.
He smiled, amused.
"Meerab?" he whispered softly, his tone affectionate. "What are you doing?"
"Don't go..." she mumbled from under the covers, her voice sleepy but firm.
Murtasim’s smile widened. This was new. Meerab was many things, but clingy wasn't one of them. She was independent, strong-willed, and more often than not, happy to have her space. But now, she was holding onto him as if she didn’t want to let go.
He gently tried to pull his sleeve from her grip, but she only tightened her hold, her fingers clutching the fabric possessively.
"Meerab, I have to leave. Important meeting," he said softly, still trying to wriggle out of her hold without waking her fully.
"No," she muttered stubbornly. "You're staying."
Murtasim blinked, taken aback. He leaned closer, peeking under the blanket. Her eyes were closed, but her pout was evident. His heart melted at the sight.
"Staying?" he chuckled. "Since when do you want me to stay? You’re usually trying to push me out the door."
She grumbled incoherently, half-asleep but persistent. "Today’s different. Stay with me."
Her grip remained firm, and now her other hand joined in, tugging him closer to her. Murtasim couldn't help but laugh softly. If anyone ever told him Meerab would one day beg him to stay close, he'd have called them crazy. But here she was, pulling him into bed, her voice low and demanding in the most adorable way.
"Alright, alright," he said, giving in. He kicked off his shoes and climbed back into bed, settling next to her. As soon as his head hit the pillow, she shifted, her arms wrapping around him, holding him like a human-sized teddy bear.
Murtasim smirked, his heart soaring with affection. He gently stroked her back as she snuggled closer. "Are you feeling alright, Meerab?" he teased lightly. "You’re not coming down with something, are you?"
She buried her face into his chest, sighing contentedly. "Shh. Just stay."
He chuckled under his breath, loving every moment of this. He couldn't remember the last time she had been this open with her affection. Usually, she was reserved, more comfortable showing her love through sharp words and sassy remarks, but this... this was a different side of her, and he was more than willing to enjoy it.
Murtasim closed his eyes, relishing the warmth of her embrace, the way her body was so perfectly pressed against his. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her impossibly closer, if that was even possible.
But Meerab, as it turned out, wasn’t done. As she shifted, she lifted her head and gazed at him with sleepy but determined eyes. "You're mine today," she declared.
"Yours, huh?" Murtasim couldn't hold back his grin. "And what exactly do you want to do with me now that I’m all yours?"
She pouted again, clearly not appreciating his teasing. "I don’t know," she mumbled. "Just stay here. Stay close."
