Meerab's slender fingers delicately flipped through the papers sprawled across the coffee table. Maryam and Rumi lingered around her, flipping through magazines and chatting about one thing or another. Meerab's eyes focused on the words that blurred together. It was a daunting task, trying to catch up on five years of missed decisions, but Maa Begum had entrusted her with overseeing certain matters and she was excited to help

Lost in her work, Meerab's concentration was only broken by the sound of familiar footsteps, the leather soles of Murtasim's dress shoes clicking against the floor. Her heart skipped a beat even before she turned her gaze towards the entrance to the living room.

There, standing tall and commanding, was Murtasim, a gentle smile playing on his lips as their eyes met.

Her breath caught in her throat as she took in his presence. Murtasim had always possessed a captivating aura, but now, his mere presence, and his smile, had the power to send her heart into a wild dance. It was as if the room lit up when he walked in, filling the space with warmth and tenderness.

A soft flush warmed Meerab's cheeks as she recalled the stolen kiss that they had shared earlier that day before he left. It had been a fleeting moment, their lips brushing against each other in an act of affection and longing as he whispered a quiet goodbye to her in the foyer.

A tingle had lingered on her lips even after he left, a reminder of the tenderness.

Her thoughts wandered, and she wondered if something similar would have transpired in that moment if Maryam and Rumi hadn't been present. For now that she had a taste of what his lips felt like against hers, she craved more.

"Wah bhai, you're home early today." Maryam spoke first, a subtle hint of curiosity in her tone.

Meerab looked towards the window, realizing that it wasn't dark yet, Murtasim was home much earlier than usual.

Rumi, with a playful grin, added. "Couldn't stay away from your Meerab for too long, huh?" The twinkle in Rumi's eyes was infectious, causing both Maryam and Rumi to giggle mischievously.

Meerab's cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and delight. She wished they would stop teasing but at the same time enjoyed it just a bit.

Curiosity filled the room as Rumi spoke. "What's that, Murtasim bhai?"

Meerab followed Rumi's gaze, finding that her eyes were fixated on the long blue velvet box that Murtasim held in his hands. Her eyes widened with anticipation, a mix of excitement and nervousness coursing through her veins, somehow knowing that the box was for her. She wondered what could be inside it. Her mind raced with possibilities, each one more enchanting than the last.

Murtasim seemed amused by Rumi's inquisitive nature. "Don't you have somewhere else to be, Rumi?" He replied, trying to deflect the attention away from the mysterious gift in his hands.

Rumi's giggle filled the room, her eyes gleaming mischievously. "You just want to be alone with your Meerab."

Maryam joined in on the banter, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "It's written all over your face."

Murtasim's eyes met Meerab's, and for a brief moment, she noticed a mix of emotions flickering in his deep brown eyes. There was a hint of vulnerability, a shy bashfulness that she had rarely seen before. It was as if the teasing had momentarily stripped away the armor of his self-assuredness, revealing a more tender side of him.

"A present for Meerab then, isn't it?" Rumi teased. "How romantic!"

Maryam, always observant and quick-witted, spoke again. "Why? To thank her for helping you, or is it for something else?" Maryam waggled her eyebrows suggestively, her playful tone laced with intrigue.

Meerab motioned discreetly with her eyes for Maryam and Rumi to leave, silently urging them to give them some privacy. She knew Maryam and Rumi had a knack for teasing, but she had missed Murtasim all day and was not going to miss the chance to...speak with him before Maa Begum made her way downstairs.

Rumi let out a dramatic sigh, a playful pout forming on her lips. "Fine, fine." She relented, pretending to be disappointed.

"We know when we are not wanted in a place." Maryam added with a playful wink.

It seemed that Rumi couldn't resist adding one final remark before leaving the room. As she got up to go, she turned to Murtasim and Meerab with a mischievous grin. "We'll stop Maa Begum from coming in, but remember, this one's blush usually gives you two away, along with the way she stands against the door with her fingers on her lips!" She said, playfully waggling her eyebrow.

Meerab's cheeks flushed, her embarrassment evident. She knew Rumi had a knack for picking up on subtle cues, especially when it came to matters of the heart – she had squealed and extracted information about her first, second, and third kiss just earlier that day.

With a mix of amusement and exasperation, Meerab swiftly grabbed a nearby pillow and playfully hurled it at Rumi as she made her escape from the room.

Rumi squealed with delight, skillfully evading the pillow and darting out of the room, her laughter, along with Maryam's, echoing through the hallways.

With a smile lingering on her lips, Meerab couldn't help but admire the sight before her. Murtasim wore a crisp suit, the tailored fabric hugged his frame perfectly, accentuating his strong physique and bringing out his rugged charm. He was so utterly gorgeous that he always seemed to take her breath away.

"Hi." Meerab greeted him softly, her voice filled with warmth and affection. The word escaped her lips in a whisper.

Murtasim's eyes met hers, a playful twinkle dancing within them. "Hi." He replied, a chuckle escaping his lips. The sound resonated through the room, filling the space between them with a sense of lightness and joy.

Meerab's curiosity got the better of her, and she couldn't help but ask Murtasim about the intriguing box he was holding. "What is that?" She inquired, her heart thumping with anticipation.

Murtasim walked closer to her, a gentle smile adorning his face, and placed the box in her hands.

"For me?"

"Nahi, for the bhoot that lives here."

She rolled her eyes, her fingers trembled slightly as she opened it, her excitement growing with each passing moment. As the lid of the box unveiled its treasure, her smile widened, and a gasp of delight escaped her lips.

Inside the box, nestled against a cushion of velvet, lay a pair of silver anklets. They glimmered in the soft light, their delicate chains adorned with tiny bells that promised to create a melodic symphony with every step. She had always harbored a desire to own a pair of anklets.

Overwhelmed by the thoughtful gesture, Meerab's eyes welled up with tears. She looked up at Murtasim, her voice filled with heartfelt gratitude. "They're beautiful." She whispered, her voice quivering with emotion. "You remembered."

Meerab's heart swelled with love as she realized the depth of Murtasim's thoughtfulness. She delicately picked up one of the anklets, feeling the weight of the cool silver against her palm, the bells making a delicate noise. She imagined the soft tinkling sound they would make as she walked.

As she admired the silver anklets in her hands, a wave of nostalgia washed over her. She remembered the countless times she had picked up similar anklets in shops or admired them from afar, only to be met with disapproval or discouragement. Maa Begum or others would often dismiss her desire, claiming that girls didn't traditionally wear such anklets.

A teasing smile grew on Murtasim's face as she looked at him, one that Meerab had missed a whole lot for it made him look like a carefree man rather than a burdened one. "You walk around like a ghost, but now I won't be scared."

Meerab glared at him, closing the box tightly in her hands. "Keep them then!" She retorted, her annoyance palpable.

To her surprise, Murtasim swiftly reached out, taking the box back from her grasp, pretending to put it away in his pocket. A mischievous glint danced in his eyes as he playfully taunted her.

Meerab couldn't help but let out an annoyed sound, the corners of her lips betraying a hint of a smile at his antics. "Murtasimmmm." She whined.

He chuckled softly, a warm and endearing sound that melted away her annoyance.

"Do you want them?" Murtasim asked, his gaze locked with hers, searching for her true desires. There was a vulnerability in his voice, a longing for her affirmation.

Meerab sighed, her playful facade giving way to sincerity. "What do you think?" She responded, her tone laced with both affection and a touch of playful banter.

Murtasim knelt on the floor in front of Meerab, his eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made her breath catch. With a tender touch, he gently grabbed her foot, lifting it to rest on his knee. Meerab's heart seemed to have lost all sense of rhythm, beating erratically in her chest, threatening to burst with the overwhelming emotions flooding through her.

His voice was a mere whisper, filled with warmth and affection. "I'll be able to find you easily now." He murmured, his words carrying a promise that made her pulse quicken. "Just following the sound of these anklets."

Meerab's eyes were locked with his as he spoke. The intensity in his eyes mirrored her own, reflecting a depth of emotion that words alone could never capture.

As Murtasim looked away momentarily, his attention focused on placing the anklet on her delicate foot, Meerab's smile grew wider. She couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between his broad, masculine hands and her dainty feet. His hands were larger, enveloping her foot with a sense of care.

Veins coursed beneath his skin, forming intricate patterns that revealed his strength, yet he touched her so gently. Tracing her eyes along the map of his veins, Meerab found herself captivated by the rugged beauty of his hands. There was a certain elegance in the way he delicately secured the anklet, his touch both gentle and purposeful.

The sound of the anklet clasping shut and dropping down into position around her resonated in the air.

Time seemed to stand still as Meerab savored the touch of his hands against her skin, feeling the weight of the anklet and the significance it held.

Her breath hitched, caught in her throat, as Murtasim switched his attention to her other foot, his movements mirroring the same gentle caress. Each touch felt like an electric current surging through her veins, igniting a fire that spread from the tips of her toes to the depths of her soul. It was a simple act, yet it set her on fire.

Meerab's eyes welled up with tears of joy as she gazed at the anklets adorning her feet. They represented more than just a piece of jewelry. She knew the significance of anklets in traditional customs, a symbol of commitment and belonging. They were meant to "lock" a woman down, indicating that she was taken and not available for other men.

With the weight of that understanding mingled with anticipation, she looked up at Murtasim. The air crackled with a mixture of amusement and intrigue, her heart pounding in her chest. As she uttered the words, "Locking me down, huh?" her voice carried a lighthearted tone, a playful challenge hanging in the air, waiting for Murtasim's response.

But instead of replying immediately, Murtasim's eyes locked onto hers, holding her captive with their intensity. Meerab's heart to fluttered in her chest, knowing that the answer she sought lay within his intense stare.

Murtasim's voice resonated with sincerity as he softly replied. "You can't be held down, Meerab. I would never want to do that." His words carried a sense of reassurance, dispelling any notions of possession or confinement.

Meerab's heart swelled with a mixture of relief and adoration. She knew, in the depths of her being, that Murtasim understood her true essence. The anklets, she knew, were not about confining or restricting her. They were a declaration to the world, a proud proclamation that she belonged to someone who valued and cherished her, someone who saw her as an equal partner in their journey of love and life.

The room seemed to fade away as Murtasim's voice, low and serious, broke the silence. "Never take them off." He uttered, the weight of his words hanging in the air.

Meerab's breath caught in her throat as she looked up at him, captivated by his unwavering gaze. There was an unspoken promise in his eyes, a pledge of unwavering devotion. It was more than just a gift; it was a vow.

"I won't." She whispered, her voice barely audible.

Murtasim's smile deepened, his hand gently came up to caress Meerab's cheek as he moved from his knees to sit on the edge of the coffee table in front of her, his touch tender and reassuring. His touch sent a shiver of delight down her spine, his legs grazing hers as he situated them on either side of hers.

She instinctively leaned into his hand, reveling in the warmth and affection he offered. Meerab's heart fluttered with contentment and longing, the soft touch of his fingertips sending a shiver of delight through her. With a gentle sigh, she closed her eyes, cherishing the closeness she had craved for years.

The distance between them was tantalizingly close. Meerab could feel the warmth radiating from Murtasim's body. Their proximity seemed to create an invisible thread of connection, drawing them closer with each passing moment.

She let out a soft sigh as she felt him move closer, she could feel the warmth of his breath mingling with hers. Before she realized what was happening, he was cupping her face with both hands and angling her face until his lips met hers.

Her body responded instantaneously.

In an instant, she surrendered herself completely, as if she had been craving his touch, his kiss, more than the very air she breathed.

The soft pressure of his lips against hers sent a wave of electric tingles cascading through her nerve endings. She could feel the exquisite dance of their lips, the gentle pressure and release, as they molded together in a perfect fit.

He hummed against her lips, breaking away just a little to let out a whisper, his voice so raspy that it sent a pang of desire through her. "You taste so good." His hands still cupping her face stopping her from chasing his lips like she yearned to.

"Mangoes." She got out, her lips moving against his as she spoke, knowing that the taste of the mangoes she had earlier must have lingered.

A soft, breathy sigh escaped his parted lips before he kissed her again, his hands moving from her cheeks, and into her hair. Meerab groaned softly as his fingers tangled into the strands at the base of her neck, pulling gently. The sensation ignited a fire within her, her hands trailed up his arms, wrapping around his shoulders, pulling him closer.

With each passing second, the kiss deepened, their mouths exploring the contours and textures of one another. Murtasim's lips were warm and velvety against hers, his movements confident yet tender. Meerab's own lips responded in kind, the softness of her mouth melding seamlessly with his, as if they were made to complement each other.

A gasp left her as he traced his tongue along her bottom lip, a surge of exhilaration ran through her body at the new sensation. Her heart pounded in her chest as a mixture of surprise and pleasure washed over her. The soft, wet touch of his tongue against her lip ignited a flicker of heat within her, leaving her yearning for more. The intensity of the moment overwhelmed her senses, heightening the electricity in the air between them.

She instinctively parted her lips, allowing him access, her arms tightening around his shoulders, hands locking behind his neck.

The meeting of their tongues sent a jolt of excitement through her entire being. The intimate dance of their mouths intensified, their tongues intertwining in a sensually slow exploration. Meerab's body trembled with a heady mix of pleasure and uncertainty, her senses overwhelmed by all the competing stimuli – his lips against hers, the way he breathed in every time she let out even the smallest of sounds, the feel of his tongue against hers, his fingers pulling on her hair, his warmth surrounding her.

As their tongues continued their gentle dance, Meerab surrendered to the moment, her inexperience mingling with her innate desire. She allowed herself to be carried away by the passion of the kiss, losing herself in the sensation of their connection, letting him use his hands in her hair to angle her face to kiss her deeper.

The world around them faded away, leaving only the intoxicating taste and sensation of their kiss.

The rhythmic motion of their lips, the subtle graze of their tongues sent shockwaves of pleasure coursing through her entire being in way she hadn't felt before.

Her heart raced in her chest, her breath quickened, and a delicious warmth spread through her, radiating from the point where their lips met. She ached for him, she didn't know what -

Murtasim broke away, gasping for air, pulling his body back, her hands dropped away from around his shoulders.

Meerab's eyes flickered open.

Gasping for breath, her chest rose and fell rapidly, her lips slightly parted, craving the oxygen her body demanded. She gazed at Murtasim, her eyes wide with a mixture of desire and anticipation.

Murtasim's dark eyes met hers, their depths filled with an undeniable hunger. The desire reflected in his gaze sent shivers down Meerab's spine, electrifying her senses. It was a look that spoke volumes, conveying a raw passion that had ignited between them. In that moment, everything seemed to pause, the air thick with unspoken words and unfulfilled desires.

As Meerab's breath began to steady and her heart raced in her chest, she found herself consumed by the memory of Murtasim's words. His voice echoed in her mind – he had said his self-control was barely hanging on by a thread in his office.

The thought of him losing that control, of giving in to the overwhelming desire that pulsed between them in that moment, sent a surge of anticipation coursing through her veins.

She yearned to see his eyes, those deep pools of desire and longing, no longer masked by self-restraint. She craved to witness the raw intensity that she knew lay hidden behind his dark gaze. Meerab wanted to know what his eyes promised her in these stolen moments of vulnerability.

Murtaim groaned, the sound escaping his lips as a raw expression of the overwhelming emotions that swirled within him. With a hint of vulnerability, he uttered. "Don't look at me like that."

Meerab figured that her eyes likely reflected her own hunger, mirroring the desires that burned deep within her soul. She held his gaze with unwavering determination, her longing unapologetically laid bare.

"You're going to be the death of me." He sighed, as he got up, taking a couple steps away.

Meerab's cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and delight, her gaze shifting to the ground for a moment as she processed the implications of her own wanton behavior. Her eyes caught sight of the anklets he had put on her.

With a newfound sense of excitement, she decided to put them to the test, to see how they felt and how they sounded as she moved.

Gracefully, she rose from the sofa, the anklets chiming softly with each step she took. Her movements were filled with a mixture of curiosity and delight, as she glided across the room, reveling in the melodious symphony that resonated with each stride.

Each step seemed lighter, as if she was floating on a cloud of pure bliss.

As she tested the anklets, Meerab couldn't help but steal glances at Murtasim, who stood a few paces away, watching her with a mixture of admiration and desire. The way his eyes traced her every movement, his gaze lingering on the anklets, sent a thrill of excitement coursing through her veins.

"Do you like them?" He asked, causing her to stop and look up at him.

She nodded. "I love them."

As Meerab and Murtasim stared at each other, completely engrossed in their own world, they were interrupted by the sudden return of Rumi and Maryam. The door burst open, and Rumi's voice pierced through the room, resonating with excitement and surprise.

"He got you anklets, my heart!" Rumi exclaimed at the top of her lungs, her words echoing in the air.

Meerab's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, her eyes widening at Rumi's exclamation.

Meanwhile, Maryam stood beside Rumi, grinning from ear to ear, clearly enjoying the moment.

"DID HE PUT THEM ON YOU? DID I MISS THE MAGICAL MOMENT?" Rumi screamed.

"You should come with an injurious to ears warning." Murtasim quipped.

"And you should come with an injurious to heart warning, Murtasim bhai, this is so romantic, I could kiss your brain." Rumi swooned.

Meerab knew it was coming before she even said it, because Rumi always got a look on her face before she said something utterly shocking. "You have some lipstick..." She trailed off while moving her finger around her own lips while looking at Murtasim.

Rumi and Maryam both burst out into loud giggles as both of their hands shot up to their own lips, giving them away.

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A/N: I basically wrote this whole story to write this scene, haha. Let me know what y'all think (and thank you for all the support and kindness thus far)!