As the wind blew into the car, the sun dipped behind the mountains, casting its reflection onto the serene lake. The car steadily climbed up the narrow, foggy road, with Murtasim navigating it with precision. Mahjabeen admired his skillful driving, grateful for his ability to handle such challenging conditions. Although she knew how to drive, she felt uneasy on hilly roads shrouded in thick fog. Murtasim's mathematical prowess seemed to extend to his driving skills, making him an impressive husband in her eyes.

"Aapko raasta dikh raha?" Mahjabeen asked, her voice tinged with admiration. She turned to face the window, fascinated by the way Murtasim effortlessly maneuvered the car, anticipating every turn and adjusting their speed whenever another vehicle passed by. It was clear to her that he was no stranger to this route.

"Haan mai yaha bohot aata hu", he replied nonchalantly, his words striking a chord within her.

"Ohh... Akele?" she asked casually, but inside, she felt a surge of curiosity. She knew very little about Murtasim's personal life beyond their own relationship. His handsome appearance made her wonder if there had been someone else before Haya. Mahjabeen knew he didn't actually love her, they didn't share the same bed or talked about anything other than maths. That's not how couples in movies interacted, they didn't even rolled in the grass or wrote a letter to each other. She understood that their marriage lacked the romance she had always dreamed of, but she still considered Murtasim her husband.

"Hmm," he responded without clarifying further. The ambiguity of his answer bothered her. Was it a yes or a no? Secretly hoping it was the latter, she reminded herself that Murtasim belonged to her, regardless of whether he loved her or not. Satisfied with this she didn't press on the matter further, and they drove in silence except for the parts where Mahjabeen would point at goats and sheeps.

Maryam had made sure that they were twinning and even told her some pointers on how to start the romance from her side. First she had to be subtle, gentle and allow Murtasim to do things for her, like lead the way as they ran through the jungle. Second they had to hold hands throughout the journey, which they weren't because of safety reasons. Third they needed to talk, share each other's fears, secrets and past.

"Mujhe Maths se bohot darr lagta", she confessed starting from the last pointer. Murtasim glanced at her and laughed, at this point their entire family knew how much Mahjabeen hated Maths. Maa Begum had even said once that the two siblings had turned the Khan mansion into a tuition center.

"Kyun?" Murtasim humoured her with curiosity.

"Pehle toh mujhe pass honey nhi deta tha, saare mazmoon mai pass hoti thi magar ye ek wahid tha jo mere raaste mai kanta bankar raha. Ab hum dono ke beech kanta bangaya hai, romance ka toh the end hogaya", she complained truly sounding upset as if she was wronged by a mere subject.

"Romance? Woh kya hota", Murtasim joked acting innocent as if he had never heard that word before

"Aapko romance nahi pata!" she exclaimed in disbelief looking at him as if he was an alien. Murtasim just blinked innocently and said "Nahi Pata".

"Toh pata kya hai bawle!" she taunted giving him a last glance and then turning the window. Mahjabeen knew now she had to teach him romance like he had taught her Maths.

"Fikar na karo seekh jaoge dheere dheere", Mahjabeen tried to motivate him, Murtasim was biting his lips to stop himself from laughing. He nodded and she smiled brightly for a moment taking his breath away.

"Filme dekhte ho?" She asked curiously bending her head as if she was asking a student.

"Nahi", Murtasim lied straight through his tongue and earned another look of disbelief from Mahjabeen.

"Ya Allah tumhe toh zero se hero banana padega", she said to herself planning in her mind what to do next. Murtasim who had heard this nodded his head and replied.

"Shayad"

"Ek kaam karo koi bhi jungle dikhey toh gaadi rok dena", Mahjabeen suggested with a thousand volt smile on her face, her eyes shone with mischief as she thought of the perfect revenge plan on Murtasim for tormenting her the last few days.

"Kis liye?" Murtasim asked now a little unsure as her expression made him a little nervous, she was staring at him like a predator while rubbing her palm with an evil grin.

"Mai bol rahi huna isliye", she ordered in Maa Begum's tone, the last few days she had learnt this as well.

"Ji Madam", Murtasim replied as he suppressed his laugh, but couldn't hold it back. He was laughing with tears running down his eyes as Mahjabeen stared at him and then mirrored his actions clueless to the reason of his adrupt laughter.

An hour later they were parked outside a jungle, the road was empty and quiet. Mahjabeen got out and went to his side, helping him out of the car while holding his hand. She didn't leave his hand as she lead him inside the forest. Murtasim quietly followed her with a joyful expression, till they reached a beautiful big tree with large trunk.

"Yaha par haath pakadkar bhaagna hai", Mahjabeen explained with a serious expression, Murtasim held back his laughter at this point his stomach was aching. She would slowly kill if this went on but he was here for it.

"Aise?" He asked as he played peek a boo with her from behind the tree. And Mahjabeen nodded clapping her hands as they continued dancing around the tree.

Murtasim was giggling as he lead her to different trees, twirling her around and then peeking at her from different angles of the tree. At last when they got tired he climbed the tree and helped her up making her sit beside him. They held hands watching the sunset with serene smiles on their faces.

Murtasim didn't need a song to dance, as Mahjabeen was the music of his life and the reason behind his smile.

Murtasim discovered an overwhelming joy he had never felt before, and it was all because of the person peacefully sleeping beside him. Genuine happiness radiated from his eyes, as they sparkled with a foolish delight and spoke volumes of their deep connection. He couldn't help but realize how incredibly fortunate he was to have found someone like her - perfect in her own unique way. Sweet, charming, and exuberant, she stood in complete contrast to him and the harsh reality they both faced. How could such an extraordinary person exist in a world so often plagued by cruelty?

His world, encompassed by darkness, cruelty, and bloodshed, had thrust Murtasim into its unforgiving embrace from a young age. As the sole son in his family, the burden of caring for his father's property, land, and assets fell upon his shoulders. Complaints were never an option, as these responsibilities had been expected of him from the day he was born. Life had never been easy for him, as he encountered a diverse array of individuals along his journey. Desperate farmers struggling to survive, landless families desperately seeking shelter, orphaned children left to fend for themselves, and those sadistic tormentors who reveled in their power, manipulating others like mere puppets. They would ruthlessly seize lands, abduct women from their homes for blackmail, and even resort to cold-blooded murder. To counter such heartless individuals, the world needed someone equally strong and powerful, someone who wouldn't hesitate to eliminate these tormentors.

Malik Mukhtar and his son represented the embodiment of torment in their village, continuing a legacy of cruelty passed down through generations. However, Malik Mukhtar's brother, Hasan, possessed a noble spirit. Recognizing that the family's dominance over the majority of the village's land would only lead to increased suffering, he selflessly renounced his share of the land, which accounted for fifty percent, in favor of Shahnawaz Khan. Upon learning of Hasan's decision, the family resorted to violence, attempting to kill the farmers who now occupied Khan's land and threatening to abduct their daughters unless they evacuated the area.

It was during this tumultuous period that Murtasim confronted these oppressors head-on. He understood that they would never comprehend the language of justice and reason. Therefore, he chose to speak their language, teaching them a lesson they would never forget by shooting Malik Zubair in the hand.

Murtasim's world remained dark and treacherous, but Mahjabeen was the beacon of light that illuminated his path. In her presence, he discovered solace and respite from the hardships he endured. She personified kindness amidst a world plagued by violence and corruption.

The stark contrast between Mahjabeen's genuine warmth and the bleakness of their surroundings only deepened Murtasim's wonder at her existence. Her sweetness, charm, and infectious zest for life remained untouched by the darkness that surrounded them.

Amidst his responsibilities and the horrors he witnessed, Mahjabeen provided Murtasim with a sanctuary. Her unwavering presence served as a reminder that love and goodness could flourish, even in the harshest of circumstances. When he looked into her eyes, he beheld a profound happiness he had never experienced before.

Despite their disparities, Mahjabeen accepted Murtasim wholeheartedly, unburdened by judgment for his origins or the actions he took to protect his family's assets. Instead, she saw the inherent goodness within him, the love and compassion that lay concealed beneath his hardened exterior.

Murtasim understood the profound fortune he had in finding someone like Mahjabeen. He smiled and glanced at her sleeping comfortably beside him, her hair covered her entire face and she was murmuring sentences like,

"Mera shohar hero hai"

"Woh Filmon wala"

Murtasim couldn't hold back his laughter, he gently tucked her hair behind her ear and stared at her lovely face. Mahjabeen was his wife , till the day of judgement they would be together.

***

Murtasim was called by Anwar Khan as soon as they arrived at the mansion. He quickly assisted Mahjabeen and then hurried to his room, sensing the urgency of the situation. Anwar Khan had been like a father to Murtasim, guiding him and shaping him into the person he had become, especially after the passing of his own father.

Upon entering the room, Murtasim found Anwar Khan seated on the sofa, looking visibly upset. Their eyes met, and Anwar spoke in a gentle voice, "Aagaye tum?" Murtasim nodded and took a seat beside him, his concern growing.

"Murtasim dekho tum mere bete jaise ho", began but halted, unable to finish his sentence. Murtasim noticed tears forming in his eyes, a rare display of vulnerability from a man who believed tears were a sign of weakness, especially in a world full of enemies.

Worried, Murtasim asked, "Kya hua Chacha?" Seeking to understand the reason behind Anwar's distress. Anwar Khan remained silent but handed him a stack of papers. Murtasim read through them carefully. They were property papers, indicating that Anwar Khan was transferring all his land to Mahjabeen. Surprisingly, this news didn't upset Murtasim. He placed his hand on the table and rose, walking towards the window.

"Chacha maine aapki beti se shaadi majburi mai nahi ki hai", Murtasim confessed, revealing the truth. He could have easily declined the proposal.

"Zameen ke liye ki na?" Anwar Khan asked, frowning, as he stood up. He struggled to grasp where this conversation was heading.

"Nahi Chacha, mere paas kaafi hai jitna hai", Murtasim quickly dismissed that notion. He knew that his mother and uncle believed it was his interest in the property that led to his agreement to the marriage.

"Tumhe zameen chahiye thi ya Mahjabeen?" Anwar asked, now sensing the underlying sentiment with a smile playing on his face. Murtasim turned to face him and placed his hand on Anwar's shoulder. Maintaining unwavering eye contact, he admitted his true intentions.

"Mahjabeen"

Anwar Khan's face softened as he heard Murtasim's words. A mixture of relief and joy spread across his features. He had always seen Murtasim as his own son, and now, hearing him prioritize love over material possessions affirmed his belief in the man Murtasim had become.

Anwar Khan placed his hand on top of Murtasim's, his eyes gleaming with pride and gratitude. "Murtasim, mujhe tum par fakhar hai aur agar Shahnawaz Bhai zinda hotey toh unko bhi tumhe dekh kar fakhar hota" he said, his voice filled with emotion.

Murtasim smiled back at Anwar Khan, grateful for the bond they shared. "Chacha, maine aapse bohot kuch seekh hai Abbu ke inteqaal ke baad aapne hi mujhe sahara diya, mai humesha aapka shukar guzar rahunga. Mahjabeen meri dunya hai, aur mai uske saath apni puri zindagi bitana chahta hu."

Anwar Khan nodded, his smile widening. "Allah tum dono ko khush rakhein"

Anwar Khan's trust and belief in Murtasim's decision had solidified their bond, making them not just family but also trusted allies.