The day brought the luminous rays of sunlight into the faintly dark room. The window was exactly opposite to the couch on which she was sleeping hence the bright light welcomed her first. Ishmal twitched in her place and her eyelids fluttered at its effect. She slowly opened her eyes and they caught the sight of some unfamiliar and strange surroundings. It took her another minute to bring all her senses back and realize the fake life she was going to have from now on.

But why did this fake life have humiliation with it as well?

She inhaled through her nostrils and sat up. Her back was aching due to the stiff contour of the couch. Softly picking all of her hair in her one palm, she curled it into a loose bun. Ishmal stood up, her eyes locking on the bed where Haider was sleeping. Like the night as well, this time nothing changed. His expressions displayed rudeness, pride, and a look of being like an unapproachable star.

Not that she wanted to approach him anyway. That would be the most ridiculous thought that ever crossed her mind.

Her mind reverted back to last night. How he insulted her as though she came here by her will and want. Yes, it was bound to happen like this which ironically included both her will and want, however, that was not what she wanted. Getting married to a stranger was the least plausible thought for her. Yet, Haider treated her like some stupid love-stricken girl who was so keen on becoming his wife.

It was an agreement from both of them. When she was getting the protection and a place to live then he was also getting a paper marriage to please his family for whatever reason he had. Nevertheless, it didn't justify how he talked to her last night. She signed for a roof to hide herself so as not to get belittled by someone. Perhaps if Haider wanted to become a controlling husband as he was by his profession, he shouldn't have brought that contract between them.

Now this contract had placed them both on equal footing and he had no right to disrespect her. Ishmal never found anyone respecting her but now she didn't want this guy to do so as well. He should know that they were at the same points on a common path and she wouldn't bear her disrespect anymore.

Straightening her dupatta on her shoulders, she walked into the washroom. After having a warm shower, Ishmal chose a beige long embroidered dress having white glasswork on it. As she was standing in front of the mirror, she looked at her face.

The headache from the last night was almost to nothing. Her big brown eyes were a bit drowsy as she started combing her light brown hair. She recalled the date of today in her mind. It had been a week since she fled her grandparents' house. She didn't know how her mother would be doing. And what accusations her stepfather would have found against her. She then wore beige and purple bangles on her both wrists.

Haider woke up due to the sound of something annoying near him. At first, he took another side to again try to sleep. But the noise was not stopping, hence he had to get up. Ishmal was in en suite; standing in front of the wardrobe placing her dresses inside it. The noise was because of the movement of the bangles she was wearing.

Her light brown wet hair was falling on her back while he clenched his jaw as a new surge of anger rose in his body seeing her. The presence of a woman in his room; so near to his private territory irked him. The way she was busy inside his wardrobe made all his sane senses to go away.

"What's with this stupid noise of the bangles so early in the morning?" He lashed out at her.

Ishmal turned around at his voice and faced him. The instinctive fear did cross her heart at seeing him looking at her with narrowed stern eyes but soon her mind made her remember the contract. Something which made them come on the same level. Because of this, she wasn't anywhere below him in any way. If he had her in his house, then she also had his biggest secret to spill anything when time required.

"It's not early in the morning. It's already eight," she told him simply.

Haider fixed her with a knowing look before getting out of bed and stepping towards her. Ishmal heart came into her throat at his intimidating walk but she still fought hard not to sneak away from here. She wanted to face him.

"For me it is. No matter what the time is my sleep shouldn't get disturbed by anything. Either take out those ridiculous things from your wrist or leave the room," he ordered her as usual.

"I am sorry I can't. If I go bare like this, your family will ask me anyway not to leave my wrists like this as a new bride. And if I leave like this, they will ask me why I am alone. Either way, it's going to affect you more than me," Ishmal replied, biting her lower lip to not show the flicker of tremble in her voice to him.

Haider gritted his teeth together and curled his fingers angrily. The display of resentment made Ishmal gulp and to hide her panic, she went back to putting her dresses in the wardrobe, her back now facing him.

Haider didn't say anything because she was indeed right. Making a show was needed for him more than this girl. The shelter she wanted, she would get it again if he were to leave her earlier than what intended. She was already planning to reach any girls' hostel or shelter home before she bumped into his car. The one who would be affected by this premature revelation of their marriage would be him because now his parents surely wouldn't waste a second to get him tied to any random woman.

The sleep was now rubbed off his eyes anyway. Hence Haider decided to get freshened up as well. He took three days off from his duty all for this drama of the happy marriage. When he came back into the room after a shower, he found Ishmal sitting on the couch, touching her bangles with her index finger. He ignored her before reaching over for his comb.

"I want to talk to you." She broke the silence between them.

Haider still remained quiet and didn't even look at her. Though his jaw tugged at her statement.

Taking his silence as a sign, Ishmal swallowed to show herself more upright and confident. But she herself knew that she must be failing terribly.

"I can't sleep on his sofa. I need a bed for myself," she mumbled.

Haider's hand on the comb paused and then he gritted his brows. A few moments must have passed till he turned around and faced her.

"Excuse me?" He sounded confused.

"You heard me, Mr. Haider," Ishmal continued. "This sofa of yours is very uncomfortable and I can't use this. Either give me your bed and shift on the sofa or arrange a new bed for me."

Shock was a very short word in front of what Haider felt right now. How did this girl suddenly grow an annoying tongue?

"Are you out of your mind?" Haider snarled.

Ishmal stood up. "My mind hasn't gone anywhere. Totally. Don't worry about it. I told you my complaint. From tonight onward, I won't be sleeping on this sofa."
 
"But I can't sleep on the sofa either," he commented.

Ishmal took in the sight of his tall and strong form. He still scared her by his dark persona. She shrugged her shoulders. "I guess that's not my problem."

Haider plopped his both hands in his pocket. "Did you already forget that what this marriage was based on?"

"I haven't forgotten anything, Mr. Haider." She crossed her arms over her shoulders. "And that particular base is what makes you and me on the same level. We both need each other for our own reasons. I approved for protection, a place to live, a dignified life but not humiliation. You very well know that some string of this agreement is still in my hands."

Haider curled his nose in dismay. Ishmal was very choosy and brief with words yet she managed to make the whole thing clear for him. And then despite the severity of her very sophisticated words, he didn't feel outrage at her. His expressions softened and then he looked away from her.

She was right. In his own inner turmoil and hatred for Nisha, he acted with Ishmal very badly last night. She was more like a collaborator and business partner for him. When it came to her, it wasn't about the gender to some extent. It was like a deal that they planned between each other. He suddenly felt wrong about those moments where he was getting angry at her for no obvious reasons other than that Ishmal reminded him of Nisha and she was a girl.

And she wasn't wrong to many extent. The humiliation no one would want for themselves. In their agreement, there was not a even single condition where they wouldn't give respect to one another. But what could Haider do? Last night, giving the title of wife to someone and seeing her in his room instigated him even though it was all fake. Then Ishmal's persona resembling Nisha was another thing that acted as a cherry on top.

"I shouldn't have acted that way last night. I'll see to your problem but certainly, there isn't going to be another bed settled here," Haider said and Ishmal was stunned overhearing the approval from him with this small effort.

She nodded. "I know. It will be difficult to keep the marriage real in front of your family in this way."

This meant he would now sleep on the couch instead. She thought? There should not be any way he would concur on sharing a bed with her. Ishmal had argued over this problem but what it he would do the later to solve it? She really didnt want to see it on any night they would be alone in the room.

Haider had gone back to again combing his dark black hair. Taking this as the end of their discussion, Ishmal decided to make the room presentable and more of a newly married couple if someone would enter inside. She took the pillow which she had used last night and placed it in its original place on the bed. Then she folded the duvet.

As her hands were moving, the bangles again made their noise. Haider abruptly glanced her way. Her hair was long and sleek. Ishmal was looking very different right now than the first time he found her in the darkness. At that time, she was so frightened and her face was pale. She felt on the verge of losing everything. But now there was definitely a big change in her. Though he hadn't given any thought about her, however, he had a notion that she was a pushover and someone very scared. Today seeing her talking like this had indeed startled him a bit.

The door knocked slightly. They both exchanged a look before Haider went over to open it. It revealed Unaiza, smiling warmly.

"Are you both awake, Haider Bhai?" She asked.

Haider nodded.

"Then come for the breakfast. Aqia Mama is asking for you," she explained her reason for coming here.

"We will be there in a while. Right now, I have a quick call to make. Go and give your Bhabi some company till then, Gurya." He ruffled her hair before walking out.    

Unaiza grinned and then entered inside the room. 

                   ____________________

AssalamoAlaikum/ Hi guys!

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Here's a new chapter for you.

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