Anwar had known Nadia for as long as he could remember. Probably because she was a distant cousin who lived close by and used to visit a lot with her mother.

His mother had adored Nadia. And Anwar being the spoilt child of the family had not liked her at all.

The moment his mother paid his share of attention to Nadia, he would throw the biggest tantrums suitable for the younger son of Hyderabad's richest family.

On top of that, his brother never missed a chance to tease Anwar about it. To the almost seven year older Shahnewaz, riling up Anwar and instigating a tantrum was the funniest of sports.

And Nadia?

Nadia would not react at all. She would have the haughtiest look on her face with her nose raised high up. As if fighting with Anwar was beneath her lady like behaviour.

Anwar still remembers those Sunday evening family gatherings full of laughter and jokes at their childish squabbling.

Nadia was there in his every memory.

She was in the sad ones starting from the time his father had scold him for the first time to the time he had realized his parents will always prioritize Shahnewaz over him.

She was present in those happy ones when he had come on top of his class to the time his sister in law had asked him to name her new born son.

He had gone through all sorts of baby name books for a suitable name. He was a proud uncle and his little nephew deserved a name suitable for the heir of their family.

After much hardwork which was just him annoying Nadia while she helped him look, he had decided on Murtasim.

Murtasim. Distinguish. Different. The one who is apart from all.

A perfect name for the next heir to their ancestral lands, the one who will rule over their people.

Anwar remembers how in contrast to his pride, Nadia had looked sad.

And when he asked if she didn't like the name he had chosen, she had given her reason.

She had told him how one day when Murtasim rules over all these people, when he is set apart from everyone like his name suggests, won't he be so terribly lonely? Won't he be unhappy?

So Anwar had asked her for the solution since she seemed to believe she knew everything!

Well, her solution was to give him someone he could love without thinking of his status, someone he was free to chase without the chains of his name, someone who challenges him, someone who was his equal.

Someone difficult, someone a bit crooked, someone awry.

Anwar had decided right there that Murtasim's wife would be his daughter if he ever had one.

And her name would be Meerab.

Meaning difficult and awry like the most unexpected adventure.

Years went by and Murtasim grew to be the sweetest toddler. Also the clingiest.

At three years old, he had decided Anwar was his favourite person to hang out with.

Anwar had loved Murtasim. He fully believed and still believes, his love for Murtasim was a strange mixture of a father's affection, a mentor's pride and a friend's closeness.

As his brother was settling down in his various roles, his mother's focus had diverted towards him.

And horror of horrors, she was adamant on making Nadia his bride!

As they grew up, Nadia had grown up to be even more obnoxious. She was fully convinced that she was the prettiest girl within a mile. She would come to all his after school matches just to make fun of him. She would always put salt in his tea for some reason and she was a God awful cook too!!

Of all the sweet sensible girls in Hyderabad, his mother had to chose the most arrogant, rude and annoying girl he knew.

He was adamant not to marry her!

Which was what he thought. Because there was no way, his mother would ever listen to him. So before he could utter the word No, he was engaged to the witch of his nightmares.

Except she didn't feel like one to him anymore. Her rudeness became bashful avoidance, her arrogance became flushed annoyance and her teasing eyes for him became full of love.

And the weirdest part was how it was probably the same for him.

Anwar had simply fallen in love with the girl he had hated since childhood.

Before he knew it, the marriage he was dreading became his greatest blessing.

His Nadia was funny, fiery, sweet, kind and person he loved the most.

The happiness of his wedding day could probably only be rivaled by the day Nadia had informed him about her pregnancy.

The haveli was suddenly full of joy and laughter. Everyone was eager for the baby to come, for Murtasim to have a new playmate!

The happiness increased tenfold when his brother had asked for Murtasim and his unborn child to be engaged if it was a girl.

Impending fatherhood had seemed to be the best thing to happen in their lives.

Everything was set! Everything was going to be perfect.

They were supposed to be happy!

But it all came crashing down in front of Anwar. His happiness came and left like a summer dream. It all ended before he could even comprehend what was happening.

His wife had left him alone, his childhood companion had left him to live in a world without her.

All his joy on hearing Meerab's first cries died along with his Nadia.

Anwar cannot quite remember what exactly he was feeling during those days.

Sadness? Heartbreak? Pain? Confusion?

He doesn't remember what prompted him to be angry at Meerab, the poor child.

It was easy to conceal pain with anger and Anwar a coward. So he chose the easy way out.

And he payed his price.

He refused to see anyone and everything associated with his wife. He refused to remember the girl who smiled in his memories.

He tried to forget her and almost succeeded too until one day he saw Meerab fighting with Murtasim for a doll and the whole family laughing around them.

Just like that, he was back to those days with Nadia and his family. But this time, instead of anger, she had disappointment in her eyes.

And everything came crashing down again. The pain, the guilt, the love.

In front of him was his own daughter. His only child!

But she didn't recognise him. She called someone else Baba. She will probably never know about her mother.

She will probably never accept him either.

So he let her be. With Waqas and Anila because clearly they had adored the little girl. Clearly she was happier with them.

He looked from afar. Sent her gifts, gave her chocolates in secret, listened to her talk about anything and everything.

His daughter was just like his wife. She was beautiful, vivacious and full of life.

Meerab had Nadia's stubbornness and Anwar's head strong personality.

Anwar just knew his poor nephew was in for a life full of adventures.

Meerab and Murtasim were the highlight of Anwar's dull life.

And Murtasim, the bright young boy that he was, had confided in him about his insecurities and problems whilst Meerab regularly butted heads with him about almost everything.

They grew up into two beautiful invidiuals full of kindness right before his eyes.

Murtasim was prideful yet his pride came from his family.

Meerab was prideful too but her pride came from her identity.

And Anwar was scared to break the identity Meerab had made for herself.

One day when she gets to know her truth, will she accept it? Or let the reality break her like Anwar had?

Will Murtasim be able to help her then?

Will Meerab be able to become Murtasim's companion like Nadia had predicted?

Anwar didn't know the answer to all those questions.

But he hoped as a father and a uncle,  that both of these wonderful children will one day get the happiness he had hoped for with Nadia.

And lastly Anwar prayed to God to not give their story the same cruel ending.

************************************

So this was Anwar's pov. As you know, I took a lot of creative liberty because much isn't said about Nadia. But Anwar surely loved her a lot!

I like to imagine that Anwar and Nadia were the older generation's Meerab Murtasim! It's like a sweet parallel.

So how do you like it? Pls leave feedbacks