When Rivals Collide (Tere Bin AU)

Chapter 3. The Will

Murtasim's deep voice pierced the air as he stood in the doorway of his late father's office. The young girls, Meerab and Marium, froze in their tracks, their faces flushed with guilt. They had been caught red-handed, and his stern demeanor made it clear that he was far from pleased with their intrusion into Malik ShahNawaz's private sanctuary.

"What are you doing in Baba's office?" His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a weight of authority that demanded immediate attention.

"Murtasim Bhai..." Marium, on the verge of explaining, barely managed to utter a word before Murtasim interrupted her with a single, cutting sentence. "Tum tou chup hi raho Marium." Marium fell silent, her eyes cast downward, aware of her transgression.

Murtasim continued, his tone unwavering. "Jab tak ye humare ghar me tumhare room tak mahdood thi tab tak theek tha lekin mei ijazat nahi dunga ke dushman ki beti humare poore ghar me ghoomay. Is that understood?"

The reprimand hung heavily in the room as Marium meekly uttered, "Yes, Murtasim Bhai."

Murtasim watched the girls as they turned to leave, their heads bowed in deference. He allowed them to exit the office, the door clicking shut behind them. In the silence that followed, he sank into his father's chair, a sense of solitude enveloping him.

It was the lack of response from Meerab that struck him the most. In the past, she had never been one to yield easily, especially in the face of his authority. She would stand her ground, argue passionately for her cause, and meet his disapproval with defiance. But today, her submission was a stark departure from her usual demeanor.

For a moment, he pondered the change in her behavior, but it quickly took a backseat to the weightier matters that demanded his attention. In the wake of his father's passing, he had inherited not only the responsibilities of the Malik clan but also the complex dynamics that had defined their village for generations. Now was not the time to bother about the sudden change in Meerab's behaviour with him.

*Sometime earlier*

In the days following Malik ShahNawaz's death, a profound shift had taken place in Badalpur. Murtasim, with an air of practiced authority, had seamlessly assumed the mantle of his father's responsibilities. Yet, one matter continued to hang in the balance, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the village—the fate of the school.

Meerab, however, was unwavering in her mission. The burning desire to unearth the truth about the mysterious "last time" had intensified, and she couldn't ignore the nagging feeling that the answers lay within the confines of Malik ShahNawaz's vacant office. Fueling her determination was her father's plea to delay the school's inauguration, a plea she knew was tied to a past event hidden from her knowledge.

So, a clandestine plan was hatched. Meerab and Marium plotted to raid the office while Murtasim was away, tending to the fields, and Marium's mother enjoyed her afternoon siesta. Their mission was clear – search for any clues that would unveil the secrets hidden in the past, secrets that held the key to the future of the girls' school and the village.

Their plan went into motion as they sneaked into the office. In the dimly lit room, the shadows danced around them as they cautiously began to search. Drawers were opened and files were rifled through, every creaking sound of their exploration echoing in the silence. Hope mingled with apprehension as they scoured the space for any hidden revelations.

But then, just as the thrill of their adventure had begun to overtake them, a stern voice sliced through the air, shattering their confidence. "Daughter of Anwar Khan, didn't I warn you about trespassing on our property."

Startled and caught off guard, Meerab and Marium spun around to find Murtasim standing in the doorway, his face etched with anger. His unexpected presence sent a shiver down their spines, their hearts racing with trepidation.