I strode back into the drawing room, fuming with suppressed rage. I just didn't know how to deal with her—! How the hell am I supposed to keep my cool with her when she purposefully does everything just to piss me off—!

As far as I have come to know Hoor, I can bet that she won't sit this one down. Best prepare myself to deal with the embarrassment of her father's rebuke when she refuses to go back with me tonight—-

While, sitting down besides her Dad; I answered his questions regarding the updated details of her kidnapping which had just come in. Without realising it, time to leave had come and returning to the lounge besides Uncle, I anticipated the worst of her, yet.

However, she was sitting with her Mom ready to leave. Only for the smallest part of a second did her gaze meet mine and even more coldly did she avert it. Inspite of her attempts to keep up the happy act, I knew she had been crying by the slight redness of her eyes that makeup had failed to conceal.

A pang of guilt stabbed me and even after my constant efforts to dismiss it, I couldn't shake it off. Somehow, watching her say goodbye to her parents so joyfully made me realise something very important—

She loved her parents—so much, that just to ease their worries and put a smile on their faces, she was willing to sacrifice her own happiness. And it won't be wrong to think that the only reason she had decided to marry someone she so strongly hated, was to not let their head bow down with shame that people's gossiping might cause.

Sneaking a glance at the quiet and angry figure besides me in the passenger seat; I couldn't help but feel somewhat ashamed of myself. I felt myself bowing with respect for her sincerity and sense of duty towards her parents. Unlike me, she was really doing justice to her obligations.

Clearing my throat, I tried to get her attention; only to see her flinch but not turn away from the window where her gaze was fixated since she came to sit in the car with me.

God! This is so hard—! I have never apologised to anyone—! I sure as hell didn't think, she out of all the people in this world was going to be the first one—Damn, Hadeed—! Curse you and your big mouth—! Who told you to talk so big in the room back then?!

"Ahem—That—" I stammered while watching her from the corner of my eyes while focusing my attention on the road infront of me. However, she didn't even so much as turn to me.

"Um—I—I think—I might've been a little tiny bit—harsh—even though you really did do something wrong—but—" I stuttered nervously, something which was also happening for the first time in my life.

'Good job Hadeed! Why don't you just go ahead and say_'Hoor, you were an idiot and I am willing to forgive you for your mistakes because I am a man full of kindness.' What a load of crap—!'

"Ahem—! What I am trying to say is—I think, I should—-" Before I could go on, she sharply turned to face me. Her voice dripping with loath.

"Why don't you save your pathetic apology for someone who might give a tiny. little. bit of crap for it—!" She seethed through clenched teeth with a voice laced with venom. I gaped her aghast and at a loss of words but before I could retort, she had averted her gaze back to the window, leaving me fuming by myself. I chose to release my anger by tightening my grip on the steering wheel.

I take it back.

'The only feeling this impossibly rude and spiteful woman can inspire in me is of boundless resentment—!!'

—————————————

"Hadeed are you freaking nuts?! Why would you even say that—?!" Ignoring the wailing of Salman sitting beside me, I kept my gaze fixated on the pool in front of me.

It had been a week since that incident and in that time duration, the only thing we had done except for giving eachother the silent treatment and turning away disgusted on the other person's sight, was growing deep rooted hatred for one another. I've had bloody enough of her treating me like a crook.

This was the first time in the entire week that we had willingly agreed on something. Salman's parents had invited us for dinner at their place and I had exploded infront of him at the first chance.

"You've been married for only a week, Hadeed! A freaking week! And you're already talking about divorce—?!" Hearing the disbelief in his tone made me snap and I turned to my friend with anger burning behind my eyes.

"So what else should I say?! Huh?! The woman freaking hates me, Salman! She thinks that I am the biggest misfortune to befall her! Behaving like, I am the one who has ruined her life through this marriage! Does she think she is the only one who had to compromise?! I wasn't exactly jumping at the idea of marrying her either—! If we're going to do it later anyways then might as well get done and over with it now. Also use this opportunity to confirm her suspicion that I did marry her for her money. It will give her a reason to celebrate—!" Heaving for breath, I turned away gritting my teeth in anger. For a moment, Salman went silent, only to continue with a sigh.

"Look, Hadeed—I think, you guys need to talk it out. Maybe, clear out the misunderstandings between you two. Also, you can't blame Hoor for hating you and doubting your intentions, you know—You did create the worst first impression by telling her that, you've no intention to marry her. It's only but natural for her to assume that you might've ulterior motives—" He couldn't continue because I shot him a sharp glare which shut him right up.

"Whose side are you on, Salman—" I seethed angrily to catch him brush it away with a chuckle and a shake of head. I returned my gaze to the pool with a huff.

"There are no sides in this matter, Hadeed. Shouldn't be, atleast. And if there ever came a need to pick sides, I'll always pick yours—Also, if she isn't listening then maybe you should take the first step towards conciliation—"

"Did you even hear a word that I said in the last half an hour—? Whatever made you think, I'll spend the rest of my life with a liar and cheat like you—Huh? Did you miss this bit—" I flared full on; mimicking her bit, which earned me a smack on back from him. Seeing how this conversation was going nowhere, we decided to head back inside.

"No way—! No freaking way—! I absolutely detest him, Hani! That bandar—! Do you know what he said—!"

"Yes, Hoor. You have already told me a thousand times—"

We stepped into the lounge to catch the interesting bits of her conversation with her sister. Sighing, I gave a sideways glance to Salman, whose one hand was clutching at my shoulder for support while he tried to suppress his fits of laughter.

Before we could make any further move, the two sisters stepped out of the kitchen with the food trays only to halt on spotting us. Her eyes narrowed in anger at my sight, immediately.

"Ah—We were just—" Her sister began to explain, realising that we had heard everything thanks to the amusement bursting through Salman's demeanour on hearing me being called a monkey.

Freaking monkey, out of all things.

However, she was quick to step in and clarify.

"Yes—! Yes, I was just calling him a BANDAR!" She remarked defiantly and taking quick steps towards us, she stopped for a split second near me; only to walk past us while looking straight into my eyes and calling me a Bandar, again.

I stood unsure in my place for a moment. Wondering, why—why Bandar, of all things? Still, with an exhausted sigh, I decided to follow her to the poolside.

She was keeping the tray on the dinning table, set outside, when I stepped behind her.

"Really? Seriously? Is this how you're going to act, Hoor? Wow. Real mature—" I remarked sarcastically to catch her pursing her lips into a thin line.

"Not everyone can be cunning like you, unfortunately." She retorted through a narrowed glare before beginning to brush past me but I pulled her back by her elbow.

"I am sick and tired of your childish behaviour! You keep on assuming things on your own without hearing a thing that I have to say! Can't you just for a moment try hearing my side—!" She didn't let me finish and wrenched her arm free of my hold.

"Why?! Why should I hear a word that comes out of your mouth—! You—you bandar!!" She exclaimed angrily, screaming out the last word. I watched her dumbfounded for a long moment.

"Enough with the bandar!" I was getting more irked by it than I cared to admit.

"You're right—It's a disgrace to the poor animal. You are just a big gigantic enormous jerk! A big idiot—who is so full of himself—And—and so—so—" She chose that moment to turn her gaze down, visibly raking her mind for more insults to hurl at me, when I snickered. Immediately, her gaze snapped up to my face and she gaped at me dumbstruck.

"Wow. That's the limit to your vocabulary? Maybe, I can gift you a dictionary—Though you might find it a bit disappointing, since I couldn't possibly match your level of intelligence, even if I tried. And it may be a little unfortunate, but I should let you know that you won't be able to find lame insults like bandar in it—" I laughed despite myself and wouldn't have stopped if she hadn't pushed me into the pool.

I gasped for air while coming up and rubbed a hand over my face to scream at her.

"What the hell, Hoor—!" She clutched at her knees while having fits of laughter.

"Oops—My hand slipped but I think you should use this opportunity to cool that hot head of yours—" She snickered while looking down at my drenched figure. I watched her through narrowed slits, while she turned away with a hmph.

If that's how you want to play—then two can play this game, Hoor—

I jumped out of the pool and before she could react, I had picked her up in my arms. She shrieked and flailed but I didn't let go.

"Hadeed, no! Please—Hadeed—I am wearing my favourite dress—It will get ruined—and—" I cut her off with a smirk while slowly shaking my head in fake remorse.

"Tch. Tch. You should've thought of that before pushing me in and ruining MY suit, you know—Now, it's revenge time—" I took a step closer to the pool.

"Nooo!! Hadeed—Hadeed—I am sorry—I'll get it laundered—I am sorry—You're no bandar—You're so smart—AHH—!" She screamed loudly; shutting her eyes tight and tightening her grip on my shoulders when I scared her by hanging my one foot over the water surface. I was only playing around—I didn't plan to actually throw her in.

"Okay—I might consider it—But what are you going to give me in return—laundry apart—" I drawled, deciding to play around a bit more as she whimpered while hiding her face in my chest.

"What—! What more do you wan—-AHHH—!!" As soon as she began to complain, I loosened my hold on her and tricked her into believing that I was going to throw her in. This caused her to jump closer to me and tighten her grip around my neck. I chuckled at her antics while she began the negotiations with her face hidden in the crane of my neck.

"Okay—okay—I'll do whatever you say—I'll do it—so—so—so let me down, huh? I am scared of pool Hadeed—please—!" She pleaded without once looking up and I immediately dropped all efforts to pester her anymore than this. However, just as I turned around, my feet slipped from the water that had spilled out from when I fell in before.

And the next moment, the two of us were underneath the water surface.

Thankyou for reading ❤️
Do vote and share your reviews☺️