Unaiza was very excited to see her. She just passed her a smile. In all this household, this tiny girl seemed the most easygoing to her. Someone with whom she could relax around a bit. However, the delighted mask of a happily married needed to be put in front of her as well. But it wasn't that guy wrenching when it came to her than every other person around. Unaiza was perhaps younger than her. Probably of his brother's age.

"You are looking very pretty, Bhabi," Unaiza praised her, her cheeks got reddened a bit.

Ishmal smile. "Thanks."

She walked away from the bed and headed towards the dressing chair. Till she wouldn't get the vocal assertion for its approval by Haider himself, she wouldn't be using it. She still remembered the way he acted with her. Even though he said that he shouldn't behaved that way, yet his statement seemed emotionless to her. Also, he didn't even apologize. Not that she was expecting a proud person like him to do it anyway.

However, it was all about respect and dignity. She wanted this guy to honor her for what the reason became between their fake marriage. He should know that she was a dignified girl. And for this, she wouldn't go to this bed unless he brought her a new one or asked her to use it as he would now shift to the couch. Ishmal sat on the grey seat of the chair.

Unaiza had left after telling her to join the breakfast table along with Haider. Her eyes drifted to the pack of the rings in the new cosmetic box of hers which she purchased when she went on shopping with Razia. Ishmal was never fond of such a heavy makeover but Haider had ordered his maid everything of how he wanted to see his wife. And it was definitely to remain very modern yet traditional, giving a perfect picture of a willful marriage with some sprinkles of likeness as well.

Nevertheless, Ishmal had to bother about doing this extra embellishment. This was a part of the contract; to become a wife whom Haider wished to see. That bangle was one of the parts of it. Ironically, it was Haider who wanted to show his wife like this in front of his family and he was the first one to complain about it as well when his sleep got disturbed. She took out two gold rings out of it and slid them in either of her fingers in her both hands. As she was examining the expensive thing on her slim finger, she recalled how rich this guy was. She could never dream about owing it.

Minutes later, Haider came into the room. His black dark eyes gave her a shudder but Ishmal knew it was not the time to be scared of him. If she would show it, he would repeat the horrible behavior of last night with her again. Giving her a small look, he stepped towards the side table of the bed.

After a while, he was standing in front of Ishmal with a red velvety big box. She looked at him with gritted brows.

"In case anyone asks you, that's for a wedding present." He always remained very forthcoming and to the point whenever they talked with each other.

Haider even informed her of that agreement as well very quickly after their meeting. All the conditions are so vivid without any sugar coating. Ishmal took the box from him. He hid himself in his ensuite once again, probably to get something formal to wear. Ishmal didn't need to be told that she had to wear whatever the so-called wedding present was since the whole family of Haider would be gathered at the table.

This thought made her pulse speed up. How would she cope with so many people? Alongside giving a show of a happy wife. Pushing away that thought out of her mind for now, Ishmal opened the lid of the box. It revealed a white gold necklace having a floral small pendant. It was simple but beautiful and delicate. She softly took it out and wore it. Perhaps a day or a maximum of two, till she needed to reveal this thing. 

When she found Haider again, he was looking very handsome in a black crisp dress shirt and white pants. Till now, she had only seen him in his police uniform except on the last day. His black eyes settled on her then they slipped to the necklace around her throat momentarily before coming back to her face.

"My home family will be at the breakfast table. You need to be cautious. Just don't converse except with the usual greetings and smiles. But don't get confused or stressed either," he said, plucking his hands in his both pockets.

Ishmal clenched her jaw. It wasn't a talk, it was an order. Like how a policeman would order around his subordinates. "I know what I have to do."

Her voice was stern yet a flicker of tremble was present there. Haider couldn't say anything for a while." That's your first day and I reckon you need to be given a recall of what's expected of you."

One side of Ishmal's lip curled up. It was a twisted smile. "Don't worry about it."

Possibly he needed to be given the same recall again and again of what was expected of him with regard to her. And it was a small thing which was respect. But perhaps this guy became authoritative and harsh because of his profession.

When they reached downstairs, Ishmal was a bit stunned to see so many people in this big dining hall. They were all guest who attended their wedding and stayed at the house for the night. Now she thought Haider did right by giving her a recall since it almost made her off guard. Even though, she had learned a bit to become a bit confident for Haider not to walk over her and for this contract marriage's sake, yet the instinctive scared girl in her had other plans.

Taking a deep breath, she relaxed herself. In the room, perhaps Ishmal had tried to appear very confident in front of him but right now, in front of so many people, she turned confused. The crowd always repulsed her. She became nervous and scared in public easily. It was the case now as well. Her palms turned cold and sweaty as though it wasn't one of the pleasant days of spring, but summer. Suddenly her hearing also reduced as there was so much noise going on inside due to panic.

However, she didn't want to lose her cool. When she had asked Haider for her rights as per their contract, then it was also his right that Ishmal shouldn't mess up what he asked for. He wanted to see her upright, happy, and positive.  And it was her duty to do so. A condition of their agreement or else, she didn't know what would he do with her.

Haider glanced at her. His forehead wrinkled seeing the beads of sweat on her forehead. He reached out for Ishmal's hand. Her breath caught in her throat at the sense of his touch. His hand was big, rough, and warm against her delicate and sweaty one.

Ishmal suddenly felt weird. She knew this was all supposed to be for a drama but that touch made her feel unusual. It was warm and safe and a sense of protection and possessiveness was associated with it. This undid her and she abruptly took her hand out of his grip.

She looked up at Haider. His eyes were fierce yet soft for the outer appearance yet his hold was very gentle on her a while ago. When she impulsively pushed away his hand, a beautiful vein on his temple got prominent as he clenched his jaw.

"That's ridiculous," he murmured, shaking his head.

Ishmal's cheeks turned crimson due to embarrassment. What the hell happened to her? He was just holding her hand for the sake of coming in front of his family and yet she felt odd by his touch. Odd but not disgusting. Odd but something heart fluttering. She thought her humiliation was revealed to him and he meant that by his incomplete statement.

"Why are you looking so lost? Your hand is wet and cold like someone has put ice on it to melt," he mumbled, slowly.

They were still a bit away from the dining hall. Haider had stopped her before she would destroy all this by appearing like this. Her skin was literally white right now. Before going there, he wanted to make sure she was okay and was ready for this.

Ishmal bit her lower lip. "I am not used to appearing in front of so many people and being the center of attention. I have probably a phobia for crowds."

Haider sighed. "You were the center of attention last night as well, Ishmal. But you went through it pretty decently. Don't let nerves rule over your thinking. Right now, the food is what is the main center of attention more than you. But by behaving like this, you will become one in no time. Don't ruin my plan. It's just a day. They all will leave in a day or two."

Ishmal remembered he had first time called her name. She swallowed thickly and nodded. Haider eyed with distrust. She didn't seem like the same girl who was asking him for her right of respect and a separate bed in the morning. But it was true some phobias could make you the worse in terms of handling the situation. She also maybe liked loneliness just like him. Something in her crystal brown eyes made the anger rising in his veins meltdown.

Haider again grabbed her hand. Her small hand was looking so absurd in his big veiny hand. "It's needed. Okay?"

She couldn't help but nod. Even though his touch was again making unusual feelings root in her heart.  Haider intertwined their fingers and hid their hands under her beige dupatta as though it was both hiding and showing at the same time. He wanted people to have an idea that they had caught a love-filled gesture of them by accident.

Of course, there was an ulterior motive of Haider behind this. It would act as though he had moved on and started to like Ishmal. But as per his plan, if Ishmal would act rudely then it would clear the path of freedom for him a lot more. He was selfish, he agreed. In this case, he only cared for himself. But who wasn't selfish in this world?

His parents were perhaps. Who wanted their heirs to thrive. This girl was who needed a refuge by becoming his fake wife. Nisha was who left him for her own love for her rich cousin.

If he would become one then what would change? Maybe nothing.

It was all for a show.

This thought had made Ishmal pull her nerves again together. This show needed participation from her side as well. Those people weren't monsters who would eat her up. Yes, they could become one but she shouldn't think negatively.

She stepped ahead with Haider at her side. And then she did just what he asked her to do. First, she greeted all of them and then just gave brief answers and smiles to whatever they were asking. Many women asked her about the wedding present which Haider gave her as well. And she felt weird wearing that thing which wasn't hers. Even though this man was also not hers but something touching her skin was making her a bit repulsive.

But in all this, she couldn't hide her nervousness as skillfully as she wanted. Her short answers were acting as though Haider wanted them. They made her appear as someone who was very detached. For some sly minds, it came off as she was arrogant even. Even if everything was looking like it was in her hand, but Haider's mother had noticed her anxiety.

And after the breakfast, she decided to talk to Haider about this.

                     __________________

AssalamoAlaikum/ Hi guys!

How are you?

Here's a new chapter for y'all.

Hope you like it.

What do you think Haider's mother suspected?

When will you think the secret of their fake marriage will drop?

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Till the next one, Allah Hafiz/ Bye. ❤