Echoes of Heartbreak- meerab and murtasim 's fate.

chapter -21

* please do inline comments and don't forget to vote*.

Nine months had passed since Meerab had left Khan House with her parents and brother for Turkey. Life in the Khan household had gradually settled back into routine, yet an unspoken void lingered, noticeable to everyone but discussed by none. Mariyam left for college every morning, Haya was immersed in her hospital duties, and Murtasim, along with Shahnawaz, managed their thriving family business. Salma maintained the warmth of the household, and Jalaluddin alternated between overseeing the family lands and spending quiet days at home. Despite the usual hustle and bustle, there was a sense of incompleteness, as though something essential was missing.

On the other side of the world, the family in Turkey had also adjusted to their new lives. Anwar was busy at his new office, while Nazia kept their home running smoothly. Mahir had enrolled in an MCA program, while Meerab pursued a one-year fashion design course. It was during these classes that she met Umeed, a lively and cheerful young woman who quickly became her closest friend. The family’s happiness seemed intact, yet Meerab often felt a gnawing absence she couldn’t quite place.

The families frequently stayed in touch through video and voice calls, bridging the distance between them. Meerab and Mahir often called Salma, Shahnawaz, Jalaluddin, Mariyam, and Haya, ensuring the familial bond remained strong. Even Murtasim made regular calls to his aunt, occasionally joining group calls with the younger ones. However, one peculiar fact stood out—Meerab and Murtasim never directly spoke to each other. Their interactions were limited to hearing each other’s voices in the background. Each time this happened, both felt their hearts skip a beat, though neither admitted it, even to themselves.

One afternoon, Meerab was on a video call with her grandfather. She was seated on the couch, surrounded by sketches and fabrics. Salma sat beside Jalaluddin, her knitting needles moving in a rhythmic motion.

"Assalam alaikum, Nanu,"

Meerab greeted, her smile bright.

"Walekum assalam, beta. How are you?"

Jalaluddin’s face softened as he saw his granddaughter.

"Alhamdulillah, I am perfectly fine. How are you and everyone else?"

"Alhamdulillah, everyone is fine, beta. What are you working on?"

Meerab adjusted the camera, showing her work.

"I have to submit a few designs tomorrow. Just pray that they get selected."

Jalaluddin nodded, his pride evident.

"Insha Allah, beta. Don’t worry; they will definitely get selected."

Meerab smiled sheepishly.

"Insha Allah."

"Where is Mahir?"

he asked, his tone curious.

Meerab rolled her eyes.

"I don’t know, Nanu. I haven’t seen him in a while. He’s probably in some corner of the house, doing something ridiculous as always."

Just then, Murtasim walked into the Khan house living room, where Jalaluddin was on the call.

“Assalamualaikum,”

he greeted, his voice steady yet warm.

Meerab didn’t hear him. Her attention was diverted as she spotted something out of place.

“Mahir, Hannan! That’s mine! Don’t you dare touch it!”

she exclaimed, her voice sharp and commanding.