The next morning felt different than any other morning. Sunlight hit his eyes hard — a feeling he hadn’t known in years. He was so used to waking up to darkness, to the sound of his own alarm to know the time.
He squeezed his eyes shut first. The light stung. Then slowly, carefully, he opened them. At first everything was hazy.Then it cleared. The first thing he saw was the chandelier above. It was glistening in the morning sun, throwing tiny rainbows across the ceiling. He just stared at it, breath caught in his throat.
Roshni. Asli roshni.
He turned his head. And there she was.
Meerab.
Asleep beside him in an uncomfortable position, like she’d spent the whole night making sure he was okay before finally letting herself rest. Her eyelashes rested on her cheeks. One small curl had fallen over her face, disturbing her sleep. Without thinking, he reached out. His fingers were careful, trembling a little. He tucked that curl behind her ear.
The moment he did, a soft "Ahh..."left her lips and she shifted. Panic flickered in him. He immediately moved his hand to her back — to the exact spot he’d pressed t last night to ease her into sleep. He started rubbing it in slow circles. Soothing. Apologizing without words.
Her frown eased. A soft smile touched her lips and her body relaxed again.
Murtasim couldn’t look away. This was the face he’d only ever felt in the dark. The warmth of her, the sound of her breathing. Now he could see her.
And he couldn’t help it. He leaned down and brushed his lips slowly against her pink ones.
Gentle. Lingering. Like a thank you and a promise all at once.
Her eyes fluttered open. "Kya dekh rahe ho?" Her voice was hoarse from sleep.