Untamable Temptations

Chapter Two ( II)

The wind rustled through the trees on the night of the full moon which shone like a glittering diamond in the night sky. The beauty of nature was breath taking.The lilies that were spread throughout the garden swung with the wind and seemed like humming a sad tune.

She closed her eyes and felt the wind, the skies, the trees, and the nature like she never had before. She suddenly felt the urge to sing, to serenade the nature on its beauty.

She bit her lip thinking as then she sang .

Chaudvi ki chand ho

Ya Aftaab ho

Jo bhi ho tum khuda ki kasam

La jawaab ho

..........................................

Murtasim always thought of himself a connoisseur of beauty. He was an avid observer of beauty. He collected the grandest luxurious cars, mansions and sampled the most beautiful of women. In spite of his belief that he was by no means a romantic, beautiful poetry captivated him. Even the guns he used were the best of the best.

Shangrila Resort Hotel - the heaven on earth- sound have been enough to sooth his aching heart. But he was far from peaceful. This entire wedding had been nothing but a roller coaster of stress. He was welcomed warmly by Justice Ali and by the normal words used, no one would think he was being anything but hospitable. But Murtasim was shrewd enough to know that there was a suppressed warning- any retaliation would be frowned upon. It annoyed him to say the least.

Then there was his mother. Begum Khadija had been specially on the edge after the assassination attempt on him. She called him, begged him not to go.

" Woh log waha honge.. Only Allah knows what they are planning." She had pleaded incessantly

He had to be firm though " Mujhe jaana hoga, Ammi. You know the political repercussions of missing out on this connection"

She shook her head " Main abhi bhi tumhare Babajaan ke maut ke sadme se nahin bahar nikli..ek aur sadma meri jaan le lega"

He gritted his teeth,hearing the fear in her voice " I wasn't born to be defeated by them, Ammi. I was born to crush them, once and for all"

And though it seemed he had not a care in the world, as he entered the luxurious resort with his cousin, Musa Ghulam Khar in tow- the truth was that he was on edge. It was not the assassination attempt. It was seeing that family laughing and cheering while his father's life had been cut short.

It was the Qureshis just existing. And in this resort.. the beautiful slice of heaven that he had visited with his Babajaan when he was younger.

His hair sparkled in the sun reflecting a shade of brow in the parting against his forehead. He smelled like the first scent of spring and Murtasim loved this smell. His hazel eyes were soft and concerned as she looked down at him.

"Are you sure you can do this, Murtasim ?" His voice was gentle and melodic.

He was strong and brave. He was his hero.

"I am fine, Babajaan " seven year old Murtasim said haughtily trying to sit up straight in his new horse.

His mother laughed at his curious attempts. Though he loved his mother's musical laughter, he was offended. He tried to imitate his father's proud stance, trying to seem older but somehow the attempt failed to make him look older than his seven whole years of age. Begum Khadija fought back the laughter as he scowled. Instead she leaned across and brushed his hair away from his forehead.

"I am sorry, baache. Did I offend you?"

"Indeed, you did, Khadija. Murtasim is a big boy now" he said caressing the light chestnut hair off the new horse and winking at his son.

She leaned forward and ruffled her son's hair affectionately.

"Ammi please ..." Murtasim protested looking around furtively

It was the last piece of peace he remembers.

And then he was home.

It was a restless night. A night Murtasim spent pacing the grand ballroom and drinking. It wasn't easy. The sight of the joyful celebrations stood in such sharp contrast that he couldn't participate. The last memory- the happy memory with his Babajaan in this very resort- was imprinted so strongly in his mind that it wasn't easy to wipe.

He couldn't socialize. He couldn't pretend. So he had nodded to Musa and escaped out.

How had fate been so cruel? To his mother. Fighting the rage consuming him he sat down, holding his head in his hands. The alcohol induced haze filling his head encouraged the darkness of his mind and the memories flitted back in, compelling him to remember. He fought against the strange delirious mood but it held him back and soon he was drowning in them.

Until .. until he heard her.

Chaudvi ki chand ho

Ya Aftaab ho

Jo bhi ho tum khuda ki kasam

La jawaab ho

............................

The voice was soft, hitting the correct notes. It was a voice that flows effortlessly and has a pleasing texture. Like a siren, it called to him.

And he stood up, suddenly oblivious to the darkness in his heart, to the beauty that surrounded them.

Jhulfe hai jaise

Kaaadho pe badal jhuke huye

Aankhein hai jaise ke peyale bhare huye

She was sitting in a protruding rock staring at the open sky, her back to him. Her long hair veiled her face as she played with a long stemmed leaf. Murtasim gasped the moment he saw her. He wasn't sure what happened to him, but he was sure he had never seen someone more beautiful than whoever she was. . Her petite stature embodied a natural ladylike grace. But from there, she was mysterious. Her skin was the color of ivory, seemingly untouched by the sun's rays. Her hair was dark, darker than any girl's he had seen before, and it cascaded down her back in a way most women didn't dare. The long curls brought a spotlight to her face. Her lips stood out, a natural ruby red and her dark eyes looked out through the thickest of lashes. A man couldn't help, but be drawn to her. She was mystifying.

It was a surreal vision; a beautiful statuesque girl in a glorious setting as her angelic voice echoed around them. A scene out of those fairytale books where a man encounters a beautiful divine being.

Except the divine being was making a mistake.

...............

Chehra hai jaise jheel mein hassta huya kamaal

Ya zindagi sanj pe chehri huyi ghazal

Maasti hi hai jis....

She stopped when she heard a distinct laugh. The laughter was low and Meerab stood up, squinting in the darkness. She grimaced.

" Kaun hai?"

There was a small beat of silence before a deep voice said " Main"

She squinted again.She could make out an expensive pair of black shoes but the man was hiding in the canopy of darkness by the trees. It was creepy, and she felt annoyed.

"Main matlab? You are not a filmstar or a famous singer that you will say gruffily it's me and people recognise you.Aapki Awaaz apni pechaan toh nahin hai na?"

The man laughed - a dry chuckle. Meerab huffed and decided to leave.

"Aap jaa rahi hai?" He asked. The voice was dark and velvety and it made her shiver.

Meerab nodded " Ji. I don't like the way you... don't like the way you are behaving.Don't you know it's wrong to eavesdrop on people's conversation?"

He chuckled again

"And you were having a conversation with..?"

Meerab flushed at the mocking tone of his voice and her loss of head. Before she could answer, he replied

"Wait, let me guess.. Yourself?"

Meerab had the urge to throw something at him.

"There is nothing wrong with having conversations with myself."she declared trying to maintain some semblance of dignity.

" Really?" His voice was deep as before but she could detect an inflection of something in it.

A question or challenge? Was he doubting her sanity?

" I was only singing"she said on the defensive suddenly.

"Haan...and I was laughing you were singing it wrong." He said watching her color rise.

Meerab shook her head. This was one of her favorites and she couldn't sing it wrong " Nahin.."

" Nahin, Kya?"

" I wasn't singing wrong" she said mullishly.

He chuckled again " The lyrics weren't right."

Meerab's eyes narrowed " I think I know the lyrics.." she began politely

"Sing it again then.." he commanded.

She wasn't one to jump up at commands so she chose to recite it softly

"Chehra hai jaise jheel mein hassta huya kamaal

Ya zindagi sanj pe chehri Huyi ghazal

Maasti hi hai jis...."

She recited slowly and when she reached the last line he interrupted again.

"Nahin !"he said slowly and began reciting it

"Chehra hai jaise jheel mein hassta huya kamaal

Ya zindagi sanj pe chehri Huyi ghazal"

And as he recited he stepped into the light, and she saw him. Dressed in all black, with sharp features and a very handsome face was a man in his late twenties. He had a very commanding presence and arresting eyes.

Eyes which were now scanning her head to toe in a way she wasn't sure was appropriate. But the appraisal made her shiver. She could hear her heart going haywire.A small sane part of her was hoping she wouldn't faint.

He stepped closer, his eyes holding hers for the first time as he said huskily.

"Jaane bahar tum kisi shayer ka khwaab ho."