Qubool Hai (MeeraSim FF)

71 - Bonus: 5 years on

I know Ramadan just started (ramadan kareem to all that will be participating❤️) but the eid wali feeling is ALL there with the Maria B shoot, so the chapter just wrote itself 🙃 ENJOY:

As a child, eid was ALWAYS fun for Meerab, the best day of the year. It was magical. Her mama and baba pampered her endlessly as their only little princess. The cook whisked up her favourite dishes and there was absolutely no care in the world for her, leaving no choice but to indulge and luxuriate as a little princess did in cute frocks, uttering honey-laced giggles whilst stuffing her face with delicacies. Her mind was free of stress and to-do lists.

That changed when she became a mother. That calm background sound had been robbed from her and it never really came back. Now, there was always something nagging the back of the mind: Are the kids getting their nutrients? Where are Murtasim's car keys? Have the outfits been tailored properly, pressed and returned to their almirahs in time? Did I wash my face this morning?

That rush in her head worsened on workdays, relying more on the nannies to hold down the fort, and rest evaded her completely when Khaani duties beckoned her attention — she had sorted that accounting before leaving Hyderabad, sanctioning herself a couple days off in an effort to reset.

From that havoc, she carved out a moment for herself to doll up, taking her sweet time swiping a Dior lip oil onto her pout and dousing the curls in hairspray so they survived a little longer, and then ventured up to the terrace for the BEST lighting for eid selfies. That was the plan, and the mission was successful because the glow was glowing in her camera roll against a gorgeous cloudless sky and burnt bricks.

But now, Meerab was left scratching her head because it was TOO PEACEFUL on the terrace of Naano's sprawling haveli where the entire family had gathered down in the aangan. Something was off. There was no pressing matter to distract her, no whinging or questions thrown at her likes frisbee's. She listened to the balmy breeze whip around her, a tranquil melody that she hadn't appreciated in far too long when reality chimed — WHERE IS MY FAMILY?

Meerab gasped and looked down at the courtyard again. She saw the top of Rohail's head bobble close to Saba, and their little boy lazed on the bench next to then. Their 4 year old girl sat between Naano's knees getting her hair plaited. Anas was there. Mariyum. The neighbours' kids. Staff, cooks, maids.

But her crew was MISSING. Murtasim hadn't taken them out; he always told her before hand.

"MEHEK??! MIRZUUUUU?" She bellowed suddenly, fingers curling around the woven bannister in the terrace.

The family looked up to a frazzled Meerab on the top story.

"I saw them a while ago," Saba called out.

"Where?"

"By your motorbike!"

Her motorbike? Meerab's eyes widened exponentially. They wouldn't dareeee! She told them off endlessly for nearing it, simply straddling the top and twisting the handles excitedly because 6 was too young. "MIRZUUUUUUU?!" Meerab scampered down the stairs frantically, the lace edge of her icy jora grazing terracotta bricks. "Why didn't you tell them off?" Meerab scolded into thin air, her sandals tapping down the next story of stairs that led into the grand entry archway. On the ground level, Meerab looked left and right, the front packed with glossy cars. She panted and pivoted outwards into the shaded side of the house in search of her 'open-secret' motorbike.