Murtasim’s patience was wearing thin. It had been months of sleeping on that lumpy, creaking sofa, and his back had suffered enough. Every night he watched Meerab curl up under the covers in their luxurious, soft bed while he lay there on that narrow couch, counting sheep that never worked and dreaming of the comfort that was just inches away but impossibly out of reach.
Tonight, he’d had enough. Meerab had fallen asleep hours ago, her steady breaths the only sound breaking the silence. Murtasim lay on the couch, staring at the ceiling, debating his next move. I’ll just…lie down for a little while, he thought, maybe a couple of hours, and then I’ll slip back before she even wakes up.
So, cautiously, he slipped off the couch and tiptoed to the bed, inching his way under the covers beside Meerab, who, thankfully, was fast asleep. As soon as he hit the mattress, he felt an overwhelming sense of relief. The plush softness wrapped around him like a warm embrace, and within moments, Murtasim drifted off into the best sleep he’d had in months.
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Morning
The morning sun began to creep into the room, casting gentle beams across the bed. Meerab stirred awake slowly, her hand stretching out instinctively—and collided with something solid and warm.
Her eyes shot open, and her sleepy gaze focused on the man lying next to her. Murtasim?! She couldn’t believe it. The gall, the absolute nerve of this man! Sneaking into her bed in the middle of the night? What does he think this is, a love story?!
Meerab glared at him, her anger building up as she took in the sight of his peaceful face. He looked so comfortable, lying on her bed like he had every right to be there. Contract? Ha! Apparently, it’s just a piece of paper to him, she thought furiously.
Taking a deep breath, she leaned close to his ear and hissed, “Murtasim Khan!”
He didn’t budge.
Meerab’s eyes narrowed. She wasn’t about to let him get away with this. She cleared her throat loudly and shook his shoulder roughly. “Murtasim Khan, wake up!”
Murtasim finally stirred, his eyes fluttering open. He looked at her, dazed and disoriented, before a lazy smile spread across his face. “Morning, Meerab,” he murmured sleepily.
Meerab’s glare could’ve burned holes into him. “Morning? Really? That’s all you have to say?! Care to explain what you are doing here?”
Murtasim blinked, slowly coming back to his senses. He realized with a sinking feeling that he was, indeed, lying in bed next to her. This wasn’t part of the plan. He was supposed to slip back to the couch before she woke up! But that bed had been so comfortable, and he had fallen into such a deep sleep…
Clearing his throat, he tried to come up with an excuse. “Uh…I just… It’s not what you think, Meerab. I was just—”
“Not what I think?” Meerab’s eyebrows shot up. “Really? Then maybe you can explain exactly what you think this is? Because I think my husband just snuck into my bed in the middle of the night.”
“Meerab, look,” Murtasim began, trying to sound reasonable, “I was just really tired, and the couch… it’s uncomfortable. I didn’t mean anything by it, I swear.”
“Oh really?” She folded her arms, her eyes narrowing further. “Murtasim, you signed a contract, remember? Or did that conveniently slip your mind last night?”
Murtasim ran a hand through his hair, sighing. “Meerab, that contract is… Look, it’s just a piece of paper! And besides, it’s not like I was doing anything inappropriate. I was just sleeping.”
