"So, what's the big surprise?" Meerab's eyes gleamed with excitement as she stepped into the candlelit living room, her hand nestled in Murtasim's.
"You'll see," Murtasim smiled, leading her to a beautifully set table. The scent of her favorite Italian dish filled the air. It was Meerab's birthday, and he had planned the perfect evening for them to reconnect. They hadn't had a date like this in what felt like forever. With each step, Meerab's heart raced faster, eager to find out what Murtasim had been hiding behind his secretive grin all week.
As they sat down to eat, the tension between them was palpable, but it was the good kind, the kind that comes with excitement and anticipation. They talked about their days, avoiding any serious topics that could dampen the mood. The candlelight flickered across Meerab's cheekbones as she laughed at Murtasim's stories, her eyes sparkling like the diamond necklace he had given her earlier that evening. The wine flowed freely, loosening their inhibitions and allowing them to slip into a comforting ease.
But their romantic bubble was abruptly pierced when Aliya strutted into the restaurant, her eyes immediately locking onto Murtasim. Meerab stiffened beside him, noticing the way Aliya's gaze lingered on her partner. Murtasim felt a knot form in his stomach as he recognized his ex-girlfriend from college. She was dressed to kill, her hair cascading down her back like a dark waterfall. He had hoped never to see her again, especially not on a night like this.
"Murtasim!" Aliya's voice was like a siren's call, filled with a blend of surprise and pleasure that didn't quite match the occasion. She sailed over to their table, her heels clacking against the marble floor. Meerab's grip on her wine glass tightened as she watched the unfolding scene.
Murtasim forced a polite smile, his eyes darting to Meerab for a brief moment before addressing Aliya. "Aliya. It's been a while." He hoped his voice didn't betray his annoyance at her untimely appearance.
"Oh, it certainly has," she purred, leaning in a little too close for comfort. "You look great, Murtasim. I see you've moved on," she added, her gaze sliding to Meerab with a hint of challenge.
Meerab felt a flash of heat run through her. This wasn't how she wanted to spend her birthday, with Aliya's unwelcome presence intruding on their private celebration. She took a deep breath, trying to keep her emotions in check.
Murtasim's eyes narrowed slightly as he replied, "Yes, I have. Meerab, this is Aliya. We were friends back in college." He hoped his curt introduction would send a clear message, but Aliya was not easily deterred.
"Oh, college," Aliya said, her voice thick with nostalgia. "Remember the time we got locked in the library stacks overnight? We had some wild times back in college Meeral" She winked at Murtasim, who felt his cheeks heat up. He had hoped those memories were buried deep enough that they'd never resurface, especially not here, not now.
Meerab's jaw clenched as she watched the interaction. The way Aliya flirted so openly in front of her was unbearable. "It's Meerab," she corrected coolly. "And yes, we're quite happy together. Murtasim's been telling me all about your wild college days."
Aliya's smile faltered for a split second before she recovered, her eyes flicking to Meerab with a glint of spite. "Well, I'm sure you've heard all the juicy details," she said, her voice dripping with condescension. "Murtasim was quite the catch back then. Couldn't keep his hands off me, could he?"
Murtasim's heart sank. He knew Aliya was trying to stir up trouble, to make Meerab jealous. He reached for Meerab's hand under the table, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Aliya, please," he said, his tone firm but polite. "This is a private dinner."
Aliya ignored his plea, leaning even closer. "You two look so cute," she cooed. "But I'm sure Meerab knows that you and I had something special. Something that can't be replicated."
