I have used Murtasim where it's just him thinking, and Hunaid where Meerab is interacting with him.

Listen to tujhme rab dikhta hai and behka mai from Ghajni while reading this chapter.

____

The carriage moved an hour passed, Hunaid who had brought along his papers was busy writing something and Meerab was lost in her thoughts. She was wearing a beautiful embroidered white suit, with her hair up to fight the summer heat. She looked rather youthful, her eyeline and eyebrows emphasized by kohl.

Carrying her veil with her, her face was covered, and excited to meet Murtasim Khan.

He could only see those coffee brown eyes, engulfing him in them. They say eyes are windows to the soul, Meerab's eyes spoke, accusing him of something she himself had no idea of. She was intruding into his life, and yet he didn't wanted to let go of her. She was both a disruption and a solace.

Hunaid raised his eyes, the outfit she wore was decent but in a tempting way. The past few days the clothes she wore were all loose fits, but this one he had ordered it himself. Somehow the clothes were of perfect size, at the waist the white kurta had a sash that tightened around her waist as a bow. She wasn't dressed in a provocative way, but Hunaid couldn't help but steal glances of her.

He wasn't working on any document, just mindlessly doodling.

He suddenly frowned, when he realised that Meerab had discarded the burqa infront of Hunaid, she wasn't Hunaid Khan's fiance, but was opening upto him. But if she was, it would be easy to execute his plan. She was falling into his trap.

But why did it leave a bad taste in his mouth?

He folded his legs on top of each other, "Meerab..."

She looked up, "Yes?"

He licked his dry lips, and Meerab's eyes went to them, "Are you thirsty?"

The eyes he made at her, it made Meerab chuckle in annoyance. As if he was trying to seduce her, Meerab gave him a side eye, "Why are you like this?"

Hunaid leaned in slightly, a smirk playing on his lips. "Like someone who knows what he wants?"

Meerab's eyes narrowed, not entirely trusting his intentions. "And what is it that you want, Hunaid?"

"You know what I want", she rolled her eyes. This man was a flirt, how would she survive the next few days. The tension between them made her uncomfortable so she changed the subject.

"Well I am thirsty, so pass me some water", Hunaid reached for the water jug on the table, pouring a glass with deliberate slowness, his eyes never leaving hers. "Here you go," he said, handing her the glass. His fingers brushed against hers, sending a small shiver down her spine.

Her eyes burned into his, and he smiled, "Don't judge me with those pretty eyes", her heart fluttered as his cheeks turned, "It burns".

"Hunaid you're a not a bad man but-"

"But? Why pursue a man whom you have never met? If not my mistress, then are you willing to be my wife?"

He was a bad man!!!

She sighed softly, "My heart is fixated on Murtasim Khan but you have the power to sway it, so please stop".

Anger, resentment and jealousy.

"Meerab, why do you resist so?" Hunaid's voice softened, almost pleading.

"I offer you everything—status, security, and my heart."

She looked at him, her gaze steady. "Because, Hunaid, my heart isn't something that can be swayed so easily. It belongs to Murtasim, whether he knows it or not. You deserve someone who can love you fully, not someone with divided loyalties."

Hunaid clenched his fists, fighting the urge to argue. "You speak of Murtasim as if he's a saint. But what if he can't give you what you need? What if I'm the one meant for you?"

Meerab shook her head gently, a sad smile on her lips. "It's not about who can give me more. It's about what my heart wants. And it's Murtasim."

He was frustrated by her rejection, she was rejecting him, for himself.

Hunaid shook his head, trying to dispel the thoughts that were clouding his judgment. He couldn't afford to be swayed by emotions. He had a mission, a purpose that went beyond his personal feelings. Yet, every time he looked at Meerab, something inside him shifted.

As the car continued to drive through the winding roads, Meerab stirred slightly in her sleep. Her hand unconsciously reached out, finding Hunaid's and holding onto it tightly. He felt a jolt of warmth spread through him at the simple contact.

"Meerab," he whispered softly, as if afraid to wake her but unable to hold back his words. "Why do you have such a hold on me?"

__

This woman was his promise,  a choice made long ago that remained forgotten, Meerab fell asleep and Murtasim watched her head swaying with the motion of the vehicle. The car jolted and before her head could collied against the window, he placed his hand in between. Her face was so soft, the sun was setting, the twilight adorning her face as Murtasim gazed at her.

She deserved love... the image of her vulnerable face consumed him. He dropped the files he was holding and stared upon her fluttering lashes, those soft pink lips, the wind blew hair onto her face and Murtasim pushed the strand behind her ear. An angel.

Stroking her cheek, Murtasim felt something in his heart, an emotion that he wasn't supposed to feel. Murtasim dismissed it as an attachment, a person can get attached to a kitten.

The type of face that could cause the nations to collapse, Meerab stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open.

Her warmth consumed him...
The smell of her consumed him,
He felt like in her presence he could be someone he was not,
He felt as if he could breathe in her presence,
The air wasn't suffocating anymore as he listened to her gentle breathing,
He had no fears, or responsibilities over his shoulder when he was around her,
He felt like he wasn't Murtasim anymore, just Hunaid, carefree and liberated by all the worries.

For a moment, she met Murtasim’s gaze, and  she jumped up.

But he didn't backaway, staring at her intensely, there was guilt in his eyes.

"Don't touch me! You have no right to do so"

She rubbed at her face as if burned by his touch, how Hunaid wished he could tell her that he had the right, that she belonged with him.

"Mujhse durr raho", she glared at him, the light came in through the window, giving him a five o clock shadow.

Her slipper was in her hand as she pointed at him, and Hunaid raised his hands, "Tumhe chuney ka mujhe koi shauq nahi hai, your head was about to collide with the window, I adjusted it so you could sleep comfortably".

The anger radiating off her lessend as she slowly lowered her hand. He saw fear behind that anger and Hunaid had the urge to apologise, "I would never touch you in appropriately".

"I am not weak", she said it with so much intensity that Hunaid felt his heart ache, like a vulnerable kid trying to scare him off.

"You are not." He nodded his head, "Believe me I have no bad intentions against you".

Meerab bit her lips turning her head away, as she closed her eyes, he saw the veil of sadness behind her strong headedness.

Her presence shouldn't affect him, but why did her sadness suffocate him? His mind didn't wanted to accept defeat, but his heart wanted to reach out to her.

And he did, but the more he thought about it, he realised her reaction made sense. Who was he, wasn't he her captor?

He felt an uneasy feeling in his heart, he was the one hurting this innocent girl and he felt like a monster. 

The world had labelled him as a tyrant, but for some reason, he didn't wanted to be one infront of her.

"Murtasim Khan doesn't deserve you", the sentence came out more as an insult, he hated himself for hurting this woman. What was happening to him? He had no idea, but the ache in his heart disappeared when her moist eyes burnt into him.

"Bewakuf ladki", he was hiding his guilt behind those harsh words, but Meerab was unmoved, uncaring.

"Do you even know what kind of man Murtasim is? Why are you after him?"

Meerab blinked but ignored him, giving him the silent treatment, her mouth didn't speak but he saw the warning look in her eyes. Her lips pursed, her brown eyes narrowed as she raised her brows, trying to calm herself.

"He isn't a good man Meerab, he is an evil, ugly monster. He has murdered so many innocent people".

"Rumours. They are just rumours".

Murtasim was frustrated by her stubbornness, "Why lower yourself like that? You are being so delusional for that man-"

"Maybe I am delusional, I accept. I have dreamed of marrying this man since I was a  little girl, is loyalty a foreign concept to you?"

He was jealous of himself, he had tried to sway her heart in so many instances but Meerab had remained resolute. When she talked to him, it felt like she was thinking about someone else.

She was incredibly stubborn yet loyal, vulnerable yet wild and naive yet clever.

Who was this woman?

____

It was getting late, Murtasim opened the window from the carriage driver's side, "Ghodey thak gaye hongey, yaha side kardena".

He exited the carriage looking around, "Suno bahar mat aana tum", he ordered her, she gave him the 'don't tell me what to do' look and he added a word, "Please".

He walked ahead, it had been hours since he went to the washroom. The horses were tired themselves.

He refreshed himself and opened the carriage to find it empty.

"Meerab!"

The carriage driver himself went for a walk, Murtasim got terrified. It was night, middle of nowhere, picking his gun he ran towards the fields.

"Meerab!"

Did she escape?

He broke cold sweat, was he losing her again? The thought of betrayal gnawed at his heart. He sprinted through the fields, the moonlight casting eerie shadows around him.

“Meerab!” he called out again, his voice echoing in the stillness of the night. Panic surged through him as he imagined the worst.

Suddenly, he heard a faint rustling sound. He turned towards it, his heart pounding. There, under the canopy of an old banyan tree, he saw her.

“Meerab!” he breathed a sigh of relief, rushing to her side. “Kaha tha na gaadi se bahar mat nikalna, kyun nikli thi?"

"Tum kyun nikley they?"

"Ohh..."

He looked at her clothes, she was shivering, removing his shawl from around his shoulder and tried to cover her, "I have my own shawl in the carriage", but Hunaid ignored her concentrating on covering her with the shawl.

The carriage driver had set up a bonfire, Murtasim who was hiding his trembling hands warmed them infront of the fire, and placing them on his face.

Meerab was wearing the shawl like a blanket, it was on her head and wrapped around her arms. She did look like a kitten, "Why are you laughing?"

He diverted his gaze to the bonfire, arranging more stones by the side. He had that teasing smile, the one that said, 'I know something that you don't'.

As the fire flickered Meerab who was secretly admiring couldn't help but sigh, did he laugh because he caught her looking? That arrogant bastard.

The fire blazed casting a shadow on his tanned skin, those dark eyebrows and lashes that kissed his cheek everytime he blinked. A strand of his hair fell gently on his forehead, making him more alluring to look at, without a smile he gave off the domineering vibe. But the smile brightened up his face, his eyes would squint with a glint, almost as if teasing the person.

"Let's heat up the chicken", he rolled his sleeves and from the compartment underneath the carriage removed a steel box.

Placing it there, he poured some water and wiped it. Meerab sat there observing him, as he removed the vegetables and started chopping them, he would sticking his tongue out from the side while garnishing the chicken.

He smoked the chicken on the fire, putting the vegetables and squeezing the lemon on top. Meerab was drooling at this point, as if realising it, Murtasim turned to her, hungry?

She nodded her head, the rice was still cooking so he, cut a small piece of chicken and brought it to her lips.

"Mai khudse khaasakti hu".

"Garam hai ye khaalo, warna mai khaalunga", Meerab gave in, her stomach was growling, the chicken looked far too tempting. She took a small bite, and was careful enough to not bite his finger. He watched her lips move with a heated gaze, until their eyes made contact, she took the piece in her hand and his eyes shot up at her annoyance. He pulled away her hand, and before she could protest he placed another bite in her mouth, feeding her with his hand. The chicken was juicy, cooked to perfection to outer skin crunchy and it melted in her mouth.

She was frustrated that he wasn't letting her touch the pan, glaring at her when she did so.

This man was too possessive about his food.

She was nervous, and hungry. The type of woman Murtasim liked.

"Aur khaona", he said bridging another piece to her mouth, he was feeding her like a sacrificial lamb. The irony. She gave him the look, "Mai khudse khaasakti hu".

Murtasim didn't reply just brought another leg piece to her mouth, and she couldn't resist taking a bite. That bastard was grinning, as she leaned in to take a bite. He stared at her pouty pink lips as she nibbled on the chicken piece, in his delusion Murtasim assumed that she was deliberately doing so he could admire her face.

She chewed slowly, savoring the flavor, and shot him an annoyed look. “Why are you feeding me like I’m a child?”

Murtasim smirked, enjoying her frustration. But he didn't open his mouth, keeping the thought to himself.

But Meerab huffed, rolling her eyes, as if she heard what he said.

Murtasim finally relented and handed her the plate, "Accha accha haathse khaaloo."

Meerab took the plate eagerly, and dug into the rice and chicken, savoring every bite. Murtasim watched her with a mix of amusement and affection, unable to take his eyes off her. As she ate, Meerab’s gaze softened. "You’re a pretty good cook," she mumbled between bites.

Murtasim's grin widened. "You sound surprised."
"I am," she admitted. "I didn’t expect you to be this good at cooking."

"I have a few hidden talents," he said with a wink. "Maybe you'll discover more of them if you stick around."

"Koi zaroorat nahi," Meerab blushed slightly and focused on her plate. She didn't want to admit it, but there was a warmth in his presence that she hadn't felt in a long time. Despite their constant bickering, there was something comforting about him. As they finished eating, Murtasim started cleaning up. Meerab stood up to help, but he gently pushed her back down. "I got this. You just relax."

"I can help," she insisted, but he shook his head.

"Not tonight. Just sit back and enjoy the stars."

Meerab sat on the carriage looking at him, cleaning the dishes by himself. He looked like a sweet man, not the arrogant man she had met.

When he was done, he stood at a distance as if she would attack him if he sat beside her. Meerab glanced at him and maybe it was the magic of the good food that made her scoot to the right as she asked for him to sit.

The stars were especially beautiful and Murtasim had read that it would be a meteor shower so he had stopped the carriage to witness it.

It got darker, and colder, the moon disappeared behind the clouds. Meerab frowned, then she saw the first shooting star.

A giggle broke out as she stepped out of the carriage as if she could catch it.

"Hunaid, dekho!"

The way she called his name, he had wished it was Murtasim instead. He walked after her, the starry night and the moon disappearing. He couldn't look away from her, how naive and adorable she was.

The meteor shower began with a dazzling display of light streaking across the sky. Meerab twirled around, her laughter echoing in the still night.

Hunaid watched her, a mix of longing and contentment in his eyes. As another shooting star passed, Meerab made a silent wish.

"Hunaid, tum bhi dua maango!"

"Puri hojayegi?"

She sighed looking at his curious face, for some reason she wanted to defend herself, "Depends on the person, if you work for that dream to come true then maybe it will".

He suddenly became serious and Meerab felt the change in his demeanor, "Khan Sahib dua na maangey kam se kam taarey toh dekhle. You will get wrinkles if you frown like that".

He stared at her smiling face, the dimple on her right cheek. Meerab closed her eyes, and started wishing, although she didn't believe in wishes coming true, but a person can hope.

She was innocently childish yet mature, another contradicting side of Meerab was revealed to him, this young girl was neither spoiled enough to be ignorant nor entitled enough to be ungrateful. Murtasim felt a pang of admiration mixed with an unspoken sorrow. He wondered if he could ever be the one to make her wishes come true.

She turned to Hunaid, her eyes sparkling with joy. "Isn't it beautiful?" she whispered.Hunaid nodded, stepping closer. "Yes, it is," he replied softly, though his gaze was fixed on her rather than the sky.

The cold air made her shiver, and without thinking, Hunaid draped his coat over her shoulders. She looked at him, surprised by the gesture. "Thank you," she said, her voice barely audible.

"Why don't you make a wish?"

"My wish is already coming true", she leaned on the carriage as he passed her some water to drink.

"Kab tak pohchenge Punjab?"

"Teen hafte", Meerab's eyes widened, "Tumne toh kaha tha ek hafta".

Hunaid wanted to delay this a little, he wanted to live a little. That night as he laid by his side, a curtain seperating the two. He couldn't fall asleep, his heart had fluttered , what did he feel for Meerab? Was he attracted to her?

Murtasim turned his head to look at her shadow through the white curtain, she seemed asleep, and here he was restless.

He exited the carriage and stood there, peering at the stars, and then to the innocent girl behind the curtain.

"Huh and people said she was a seductive witch", it was sarcasm dripping from his tongue but then his eyes squinted, what if she was a seductive witch who wasn't interested in him?

This could be the case, another blow to his ego. Murtasim Khan had never doubted his charm, or appeal but around Meerab it seemed like he disappeared. Was it because he was Hunaid and not Murtasim?

What was this attachment to a man she had never met? He found it ridiculous and childish of her. But it made sense, because this was the same woman who was wishing upon a star.

Murtasim who was in his own zone, suddenly heard the sound of horses. He moved first into the carriage waking the driver up, the driver reacted and started speeding up, the carriage lurched forward, jolting Meerab awake just as Murtasim heard the ominous sound of galloping hooves closing in on them.