Fated Love

Chapter 3

The dinner unfolded with ease, as Waqas and Shahnawaz strolled down memory lane, sharing stories of their cherished childhood escapades. Meanwhile, Anila and Salma engrossed themselves in a familiar gossiping sessions. On the other end, Meerab and Mariam forged a growing friendship, delving into each other's likings and interests. They discovered a shared love for crime and mystery TV shows, igniting an instant connection between them.

Amidst the lively conversations, Murtasim assumed a quieter stance, offering occasional input when questioned by Waqas about work-related matters. However, for the most part, he seemed engrossed in his phone, scrolling through its contents. At times, unintentionally, his eyes met Meerab's, resulting in fleeting moments of eye contact that left them both feeling awkward, causing them to swiftly avert their gazes.

As the night drew to a close and Meerab settled onto her bed, she mentally preparing herself for the tomorrow's activities. She jotted down ideas for potential outings with Mariam and Murtasim, opting to embrace spontaneity rather than overthink the plans.

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Morning emerged with a day that was predicted to be hot. Which is why, Meerab chose a comfortable yet elegant outfit: a light and breathable white kurta adorned with subtle embroidery. Paired with white straight-cut trousers, the ensemble allowed ease of movement and temperature control. A sheer white dupatta with delicate patterns, and a pair of simple silver jhumkas completed her look. As she descended the stairs, she noticed that everyone had already gathered at the breakfast table.

Meerab passed a warm smile to Mariam as they made eye contact. Her attention then shifted to Murtasim, who sported an outfit similar to hers – a white kurta and trousers – but was immersed deeply in his phone. "Meerab, you're finally here. You should take out murtasim and Mariam and show them around. We'll just be at home. You kids can go and have your fun" her father addressed her, going on to remind her of her task for the day. "Baba, you owe me big time for this" meerab whispered, settling down aside her father, who passed her a grateful smile.

As everyone started eating breakfast, as Murtasim hesitantly excused himself, "I apologize, but I believe I should withdraw from the plan," Murtasim expressed his reservations. "I'm quite certain I won't have much in common with these ladies." He added trying not to intrude a girls day out. But, Shahnawaz stepped in, encouraging Murtasim to not backout. "Murtasim, don't be rude. You should join them, as Waqas said. Who else is going to drive otherwise? We don't want any accidents happening now, do we?" he chuckled, sarcastically poking his stereotypical ideologies.

Murtasim, disappointed with his father's comment and wishing to avoid an argument, simply nodded and said, "Okay."

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In the midst of this exchange, Meerab found herself seething with anger and disgust at Shahnawaz's "joke." The assumption that Murtasim, just because he was a guy, should automatically drive, and the audacity to comment on women's driving abilities struck her as utterly pathetic. Amusement sparkled in her eyes – if she was the guide, she would take on the role of the driver, since her navigation skills weren't exactly great.

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As they stepped into the fresh air, Murtasim appeared ready to assume the driver's seat. However, before he could get settled, Meerab's voice sliced through. "I'm sorry, Murtasim," she began, her tone both polite and tinged with irritation. "I truly appreciate your willingness to drive, but as the guide for today, it seems more fitting for me to take the wheel. Plus, I'm not exactly a pro at giving directions, so it might be better if I handle the driving, if you don't mind."

Behind her words lay a clear undercurrent of frustration stemming from the gender biases Shahnawaz had earlier emphasized. Meerab's voice carried a blend of annoyance and courtesy, reflecting her standpoint on the issue.