Echoes of Heartbreak- meerab and murtasim 's fate.

chapter -11

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As Murtasim began to walk away, Meerab called out, her voice hesitant yet firm.

“I wanted to speak to you about my exams. I need to collect my hall ticket from the college. You remember the day you made me sign that contract,you said you’d let me attend my exams.”

A shadow crossed Murtasim’s face, a hint of sadness as he thought of the contract.

“You could’ve mentioned it without bringing up the contract,”

he said softly, his tone tinged with regret.

Then, his voice softened as he added,

“Anyway, you don’t have to worry. I’ve taken care of all the arrangements. Just focus on studying. I’ll handle the rest.”

Without waiting for her response, he turned and left the room.

Meerab watched him go, surprised by his change in tone. The man who’d once reminded her of the contract so coldly was now he doesn't want to hear the name of it.
.
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After a few days, Meerab and Murtasim left for Lahore. They checked into a modest hotel, away from the prying eyes of those who might recognize them. Murtasim, as always, remained a quiet and steady presence by her side, offering his support without question.

Meerab focused on her exams, attending to each one without attracting attention. She knew her cousin Mahir would be on the lookout for her, so she took every measure to stay out of sight. She even made her best friend, Saba, swear to secrecy, extracting a promise that Saba wouldn’t breathe a word about her presence in Lahore to anyone.

But Saba, unable to hold back her concern, eventually told Mahir. He deserved to know, she reasoned. And so, on the last day of Meerab's exams, after she walked out of the exam hall to meet Murtasim waiting for her as usual, Mahir appeared in front of them.

"What is this? You've been coming to attend your exams for so many days and didn’t think of meeting me even once?"

Mahir’s voice was thick with disappointment, and hurt lacing every word.

Meerab stiffened, her face hardening as she looked away, feeling the weight of his gaze. She knew he cared about her, but she couldn’t let herself get pulled back into those emotions.

"Please move aside. I don't want to talk to you,"

she replied, her voice flat, though an undeniable tension lingered.

Just as she was about to walk away with Murtasim, Mahir spoke again, and something in his voice made her pause.

"Meerab, your father is back from Australia."

The words pierced through the wall she’d built around herself. She stopped, her resolve momentarily faltering, her eyes softening despite herself. She could feel Murtasim’s presence beside her, quiet yet watchful.

Seeing her reaction, Mahir stepped closer, gently placing his hands on her shoulders, his voice laced with urgency.

"He’s been searching for you since he returned. He’s here now. He’s come all this way to meet you."

Murtasim shifted slightly, a flash of jealousy sparking in his eyes as he watched Mahir touch her shoulder, though he said nothing. Meerab’s heart twisted, emotions she’d tried to bury resurfacing, but she forced them back down, her expression hardening once more.

"I don't want to meet anyone,"

she replied, her tone cool, masking the storm within. She shrugged off Mahir’s hands, watching as disappointment flickered across his face. After a long pause, Mahir took a step back, letting her go.