Fated Love

Chapter 33

Even though the reunion with Zain had left him feeling a bit disturbed, Murtasim knew he had better things to focus on. After Meerab had urged him to relive his dreams by gifting him the canvas and paints, Murtasim couldn't help but feel grateful to have her in his life all over again. She was everything he had ever wished for. The nights where his internal turmoil haunted him, he had prayed for a sense of direction, a way of finding his happiness back. He had given up on his dreams a long time back, but the lingering ache of his heart remained, leaving him feeling empty. But Meerab had changed everything. With her presence, Murtasim felt like he could conquer anything as long as she was with him, and that was true.

They had converted the second room in their portion into Murtasim's art room. The room was filled with the enticing aroma of oil paints and the soft, natural light that filtered through the curtains. The walls were adorned with blank canvases, patiently waiting for Murtasim to breathe life into them once again.

However, amidst this determination, Murtasim couldn't help but worry about his ability to paint. He found himself lost in a sea of creative uncertainty. His once-vibrant imagination seemed to have dulled, and the frustration of his creative block weighed heavily on his shoulders. Although he had spent time exploring various art galleries during his stay in America, but he hadn't touched a canvas in nearly 10 years, and the fear of losing his artistic prowess gnawed at him.

Every evening, he would retreat to his art room after dealing with his feudal duties with a hope to paint something but he was left disappointed. He would stare at the blank canvas, brush in hand, but his mind remained stubbornly blank. It had been weeks, and he still hadn't started anything. The disappointment he felt was palpable, and it was as if the canvas was mocking his inability to create anything.

Even now, as the blank canvas stood before him, waiting for him to breathe life into it, an echoing question persisted: had the heavy mantle of feudal responsibilities truly stifled his creative spirit? Had his father succeeded in snatching away the dreams that had once ignited his soul?

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Even though Murtasim tried his best to not make his feelings palpable, Meerab was well aware of it already. The fear of losing one's aspirations and dreams weighed heavily on her as she tried to envision herself in Murtasim's place. The thought of not being able to study law had always lingered in Meerab's life. After she had turned 15, she was convinced that she wanted to become a lawyer, but the traditional ideologies of her parents had left her in doubt. She spent countless nights thinking of ways to convince them, desperate for her dreams to come true. Thankfully, her parents were generous enough to recognize her passion and let her pursue it.

But Murtasim's case was different. He had watched his dreams turn into ashes and was forced into a life he always disliked. And yet, even after sacrificing everything, he was still subjected to Uncle Shahnawaz's irrelevant criticism. That broke Meerab's heart. Murtasim deserved the world, and she was ready to give him just that. That's why she was excited to give him his birthday present. But after seeing Murtasim lost in deep thought for almost a week now, it left Meerab feeling concerned.

She understood his dilemma as he spent hours in the art room and came back with a disappointed look on his face, indicating his inability to paint anything. So she took it upon herself to reassure Murtasim and help him fight his demons. She entered the room, her eyes filled with compassion, and walked up to her husband, who stood still like a statue.

"Murtasim," she spoke softly, breaking the silence, and gently touched his shoulder. Murtasim was startled by her voice as he turned towards Meerab, his gaze meeting hers. The emptiness and fear in his eyes were quite visible as he spoke.