💫(6)

Unknown place :

A room was filled with darkness..and two persons were tied to the chair... Their hands were tied to the back of the chair .. following their legs

" Chodo Jane do .. mujhe..tum logo ko pata bhi hai kya ? Mai kaun hu ? Khaani hu ...hone wali khaani "

Haya shouted loudly when suddenly a slap landed on her face and there she saw him.. murtasim..with wide eyes

She got hurt and asked

" Murtasim..? Tum ? "

" Haan main ..koi shak ? "

He said sitting on the another chair opposite to both rohel and haya ..

" Khaani toh dur..mere Ghar ki mulazma ki haisiyat nahi hai tumhari"

He said dangerously coming towards her.

Saying he caught her neck

" Tumhe andaza bhi nahi hai ..tumne kya Kiya hai .. Tumhe toh aisi saza e maut dunga ..Jo tumne kabhi socha bhi nahi hoga "

He said and left .haya was trying to catch a breath..

" Kutte ! Tu kyun bhauk nahi raha ? Hmm ? "

He asked kicking on his legs

" Shayad itne mai hi dum thodne ka soach liya hai tumne ..haina ? "

Murtasim asked pointing a gun towards them ...

Getting up ..he shoots the bullet one in rohel's leg and another away from haya ..just scaring her..rohel shouted loudly feeling immense pain and started crying..

" Yeh maat sochna..yeh goli Tumhare aar paar nahi hogi ...Jarur hogi..baad itni asan maut nahi Dena chahta mai .."

" Jo takleef tum logo ne meri meerab ko di hai ..uske samne yeh kuch bhi nahi hai ..just wait and watch"

He said and left from there saying to bakhtu

" Bakhtu.. mehmaan aye hai ..acche se khatirdari karein..! Kisi cheez ki Kami nahi honi chahiye..aur ha haya ke liye toh ek special insan bulaya hai

maine "

He said and turned to the lady who was renowned mafia

**

Murtasim came home and headed towards his room ..and saw meerab sleeping.. it was 6:00 pm in the evening.

He goes and sits besides her . His heart ached seeing her tear stained face ..He covered her with a duvet and checked her forehead if she had fever .. Assuring that she was fine he cupped her cheeks and admired her .. Remembering her Outburst and her break down few hours ago ..His heart ached seeing her in so much pain .

When maii knocked the door and murtasim stopped her came out of the room

" Khaani ne kuch khaya bhi nahi hai khan ..Unki dawai bhi chut gayi "

Maii expressed her worry. when murtasim saw turning towards meerab and his worry increased as he was not able to understand how to fix everything...

The only thing he can do is confess his every feeling to her ..and truth .

**

Meerab was instructed that some one gonna visit them ..so she was getting ready..still her mood didn't change but she has to act normal in front the guest..so she stared at the mirror..and saw her image ...

She was wearing red outfit which was enhancing her beauty

The mirror was reflecting her smiley face but in reality it was so far .. that it seemed she can never be happy again..

The mirror was still showing her face which held a beautiful smile .. getting irritate meerab took up the vase and broke it into many pieces..

" Khwabon ki koi jagah nahi hai ..koi Khwab nahi dekhna mujhe.."

She said and sat adjusting her fractured arm bandages..and then covering it with dupatta..and rubbing her tears

When she stepped out it was all darkar around...She got scared..And started taking slow steps ..

" Maaiii? Andhera kyu hai yaha ? "

She asked stammering..

" Maaiii..? "

She shouted again but got no response

" Bakhtu ? Bodyguards? "

She shouted but thought that her voice maybe not reachable to them as they were outside..

So she started her flash camera...and tried to dial Maii's number..

When suddenly some one blindfolded her from behind.. making her scare for her life that she shouted..murtasim's name ..every time she gets in trouble..she only remembered his name only ...

" Kaun hai ...kaun hai "

She said getting feared.

" Murtasim... murtasim...kaha ho ..? "

She screamed her name ...

When the person behind her shshhed her and said in her ears

" Yahi hu tumhare pass.."

Murtasim said and hearing his voice she relaxed and sighed keeping her one hand on her heart..which was beating fast due to fear as adrenaline rushed through her veins..

Getting angry she shouted

" Yeh kya majak hai murtasim..kholo isse "

She said when murtasim made her quiet by keeping his one finger on her lips ..

"Khol dunga...pehle yeh kha lo .."

Making her sit on the table he forwarded a pastry near her lips ...

As their talk gonna be lengthy and she may get upset or sad again ..he is not sure & she may avoid her food too ...so he thought why not make her eat pastry..though the royal dinner was ready on the garden area.

It was all dark ..and some lights were on which were adding the glory to the sight...

when pastry touched her lips ..

meerab's lips curved into a little smile as it was her favourite flavour

But as usual ziddi she won't give in so easily so she said in rough tone

" Rehne do...kitni bhi sweet ho .. kadwi hi lagegi..tumen Jo dilaya hai "

She said but murtasim sighed as if already knew what will be her reaction...

" Theek hai phir... Saba ko bol dunga uska bheja hua gift Meerab ne qubool nhi kiya "

He said keeping it again in plate.. when meerab asked immediately

" Saba ne bheja hai ? "

She asked innocently

"Bahut pyaar se ..aur ek note ke saath"

He said faking the story

While meerab melted and said

" Theek hai..do idhar pastry"

She took it and had it .

Truth to be told she really felt good and contended as if the pastry was directly meeting her soul and giving her peace.. murtasim saw her eating and smile formed on his face seeing her atleast calm for seconds.

" I love it"

She said by sucking the Cream in her fingers

" I know"

Murtasim replied immediately and made her stand on her legs carefully not hurting her injured hand ..

His wound was still fresh but today he was able to move his hands fully due to physiotherapy

Taking her in the garden area..he removed her blindfold and said..

" Yeh sab tumhare liye meri jAan"

He said

Meerab opened her eyes slowly

Only to see darkness around everywhere..

When murtasim stood back of her and caught her both shoulders and rested his chin on her one shoulder shoulder.

Meerab Smiled sarcastically and said

" Majak kar rahe ho ? "

And tried to get rid from his hold while he caught her and said

" Sabr toh karein Mam "

Taking a remote from his pocket he pressed a button lightning the area ..

The little lights, lamps were hanging on the tress adding more glory to the environment..there was a small entrance which was decorated with flowers and lights.

The pleasent smell hits her nostrils..that were making the surroundings more beautiful and peaceful..

The smell of flowers was so strong that it made her mind calm and close her eyes ..

Murtasim was observing her every facial expression..and the calmness and peaceful face he was longing to see was her face ..it was finally on her face ...

Smiling he took her hands and entered the area .

The garden area of his village was so wide and the House was totally surrounded trees and plants

Helding her hands he walked and she followed him wherever he took her ...Meerab was observing every detail of the decorations .

Suddenly the bright light fell on her face and she tried to peep in that direction..it was one corner of the garden..which murtasim utilised smartly..she thought..

The sight itself was beautiful and a smile formed on her face

When she asked

" Yeh sab tumne kiya hai ?"

When murtasim came near her and adjusted her hair strands behind ear and nodded seeing in her eyes ..

To be said ..meerab felt special when he did this much efforts

" Accha laga ?"

He asked when she turned to go from their as she didn't want to give any false hopes to him...she knows she won't be able to collect the broken pieces of her heart..

When murtasim caught her hands making her stop in her ways

" Ruk jaoo meerab "

He said and Meerab could feel his vulnerability in his voice

" Kya Kiya yeh sab murtasim? Inn sab ka kya hi faida hai ? "

She asked

" Tumhare liye kiya ..tumhari Khushi ke liye ..mafi ke liye .. meerab "

He said catching her shoulder and cupping her face by his one hand

" Meri Khushi ? "

She smiled sarcastically..

Murtasim made her sit on the chair and bent on his knees.. Seeing in her eyes he took her both hands and said

" Maaf kardo yaar .. maaf kardo "

He said

" Kis kis cheez ke liye ? "

She asked maintaing her poker face

" Haar cheez ke liye ..jisse tumhe takleef Hui hai "

He said cupping her face

" I'm sorry for doubting you with rohel ..Yeh yek sabsi badi galti Hui hai mujhse...But I really swear I was unaware of haya's intentions Meerab..i swear "

As soon as he said tears escaped from her eyes

" I'm sorry for everything... Starting se .. Jo bhi hua hai ..Kahi na kahi galti meri hai .. Mujhe hamare ya tumhare faisle kisi ko lane ka haq nahi dena chahiye tha ..Chahe woh nikah ho ..ya tumahari studies.."

Murtasim was verge of breaking down ..but he controlled and continued as he was now able to understand the pain she has to go through since she entered his life ..Yes he was with her ..When her parents abandoned..he was with her when she declared that she was not accepting his chacha as her father..

But he never tried to understand her point of view..

He kept his head on her lap and continued

" But meerab yeh bhi sach hai ki

Mai tumse beintehaa mohobbat karta hu .. I love you"

He said and tears escaped his eyes wetting her kurta

Meerab just kept listening him

" Isiliye Mai tumhe kisi aur ke saath dekh kar apne app ko sambhal nahi paya meerab .."

He weeped

" You always Sai that we are mismatched..And are right... humarey thoughts..humare decision.. kabhi yek nahi rehte.. that's because were always an independent and carefree girl ..but I meerab.. I'm the person who has handled this Empire at the age of 17 ..and I've been handling it since 15 years"

He weeped badly again

" Woh Umar jisme ..ek insan ko apni ajadi..apni khushiyan pyari hoti hai ..uss age mai ..mein khan ki gaadi sambhal Raha tha ..Apna parivaar sanjo raha tha ..apni maa ko Sahara de Raha tha ..Aur guidence Dena wala koi nahin .."

He opened his heart to her still keeping his head on her lap

Meerab was shocked listening him but kept mum..

" Isiliye shayad murtasim se murtasim khan ban gaya ..Jo sirf ..siyasat janta ho ..Jo sirf hukum chalana janta ho ..but when you entered my life..i realised Meerab..how I have been working & with what faults..u made me realise.. That's what I liked you and slowly fell for you "

He confessed

" Tum meri jarurat aur khwahish dono ho meerab ..aur inn sab Mai yeh bhul Gaya ki tumpar inn sabka kya asar ho raha hai. .kahi na kahi I failed as husband..but I'm truly sorry Meerab.. I'm truly sorry "

He said sitting straight and looking in her eyes .

" Mai bas chahta hu ki hum phirse start kare ..sirf ek mauka dedo yaar sirf yek "

He said with hope filled in his eyes

" Main badlana chahta hu ...tumhare liye ... Tumhara muhafiz banna chahta hu .. tumahari har ek khwahish ko pura karna chahata hu..Sirf ek mauka ! Pehele hi mere aziz baap ko kho chuka hu...aur mere khwab ..mera sab kuch Maine kurban Kiya hai ..iss gaadi ke liye . Tumhe nahi khona chahta Meerab..I won't be able to tolerate it .. I won't"

He asked almost pleading...his vulnerability, his broken state said it all ...while meerab understood his point of view too....She wasn't aware about his struggles ..yet she knew how many difficult decisions he made every passing minute..but he was wrong..how could she be able to forget that whatever he did unintentionally, that his family harmed her both physically and emotionally..how could she ?

She was still confused..but she too did mistakes or neither tried to make their relationship work ...All the efforts were from his side .. Meerab thought

" Murtasim utho please aur chair pe baitho"

Meerab holds his palm and asks him to take his chair and sits near her ..

Both have an eye lock. .. both were in vulnerable conditions .As tear escaped from her eyes too .and tears fell on his hands ..which were holding her hands ..

Detaching his hands from her's he wipes it and nods in negative

" Don't cry .."

He says and cupped her face ..

" Murtasim to be honest..I have developed trust issues.. I'm not able to make decision right now.. Please give me some space and some time "

Meerab said seeing in his eyes while murtasim wiped his tears too understanding her views

" Take ur time Meerab, I won't bother you or pressurise you until u are ready to give chance"

He said making her smile again

" Chalo abb ki h kha lo..kuch nahi khaya tumne ..aise theek kise hogi ? "

He said and she nodded

Serving the food in a bowl he forwarded the spoon filled with biryani and tells her to eat directing through her eyes..

" Jab tak tumhara decision nahi atta hum friends ban kar reh sakte hai what's say ? "

He asked while forwarding another spoon filled with biryani .. making her chuckle and she nodded

" Woh kya haina ..Agli baar Saba ka bahana na dena pade "

Meerab's eyes wide grew and murtasim laughed seeing her reaction

" Tum bhi khaoo "

Meerab said trying to forward him a spoon and he helped himself ho eat and she kept admiring him as she didn't thought that he would change this much .. Today he was different murtasim who was broken and vulnerable inside..

" Thankyou murtasim"

She said as his apology and his efforts melted her heart a little bit ..

he nodded

Both started discussing random things..and enjoying their dinner as murtasim fed her until she was full and forwarded her medicines .

**

Reaching near their room he was about to enter the room when she stopped him

" Dost ek room Mai nahi rehte "

She said making him pout

" Haan toh hum kaha sone Wale hai...Hum ajj game kehlnege..movie dekhenge jaise har normal friends karte hai "

He didn't wait for her response and barged in his room adjusting himself on sofa .. making her roll eyes and chuckle at his silly antics

Taking the remote in his hands ..he asked as she adjusted herself on the corner of bed

" Toh konsi movie dekhbo hai rotlu ? "

He said making her seeing him angrily

" Rotlu ? "

She asked

" Haan rotlu ! Har waqt roti rehti ho "

He said and she immediately hot him with the cushion

" Chodo chodo sorry..yaar itna toh chaltay hai na ? "

He asked while making her head in negative

" Dare you langoor "

She gave a savage reply making him twist his eye brows

" Langoor? " He asked

" Haan langoor "

She said and laughed

" Ruko ..abhi batata hu yeh langoor kya kar sakta hai "

Saying so he got up and approached her and started tickling her making her laugh like mad

" Accha sorry..sorry nahi kahungi"

She said and he stopped tickling her .. seeing her smiling and a same radiant face glowing again..he hugged her getting emotional..as he couldn't control himself

While meerab to felt at peace and relieved in the hug ...today his embrace felt so secure and comfortable.

After hugging for a few minutes she said

" Friendship Mai yeh allowed

nahi hai "

She said making him break the hug and he replied

" Meri friendship ki dictionary alag hai samjhi "

Saying so he cupped her face and kissed her forehead ..

Meerab felt so serene..the way he was showing his care and love

" Mujhe nahi chahiye yeh bakwaas dictionary"

Saying in anger .. she left immediately for changing..and blush formed on her face which was noticed by murtasim

" I promise You will be happiest person on this earth Meerab from now on ..I assure that "

He said and laid on the bed thinking everything as sleep slowly engrossed him

Meerab came after changing and saw him laying on bed .. covering it fully..

" Murtasim yaar mujhe bhi Sona hai "

She said and murtasim just hummed in his sleep

" Toh so jaoo "

" Hatoo yaha se phir "

But he ignored royally making her sigh

" Kya Karu Abb ?"

She thought and removed his shoes and adjusted him neatly on one side of the bed and kept pillows in between .. covering him with blanket she too adjusted and started seeing his face who was looking cute in sleep..

She began thinking about what murtasim said and she said ...But shrugging all her thoughts.. leaving it on destiny she smiled as her present time was seemingly beautiful.

Admiring his face she too engrossed in deep sleep ..

•••••••

[ The end ]

•••••••

The longest chapter ever..

Do share ur views..and a short epilogue will be posted