The reception took place very smoothly. At least Ishmal thought that because she had tried her best to appear the happy bride she was supposed to be. There was definitely a nervousness lingering at the far end of her heart and mind, but she had masked it by keeping a smile on her face. She knew it was hard. She had never liked to take any situation into her own hands. Ishmal always hid behind her mother in every case so that no attention would fall on her.

She hated when people saw her and wanted to hear her. She didn't know what it was. Perhaps the early death of her father had made her like this. And then the constant meaningful scrutiny and talks of her stepfather did the rest of the work. She went from timid to fearful. However, she knew if she wanted a chance for herself, she needed to doff off her self-made shell. Or else, this guy would walk over her and put all the blame of being a bad woman for not saving this marriage on her. She would come across as a disloyal and terrible girl while he would appear as a hero.

How much of a selfish and wicked person Haider was? He only cared for what he wanted. Without giving a mind to what twisted image would be presented to the world regarding Ishmal. In the contract she signed, there was no such condition. Ishmal suddenly felt a strong surge of hate for him.

She knew it was difficult but she wouldn't sit back now. In all her life, she never fought back but here she wouldn't bear her loss inflicted by some stranger.

That night, after the reception ended and they reached back home, Haider had not come into the bedroom. He had dropped her at home and left afterward. She didn't know where he was; not that she cared as well.

Ishmal after changing into a simple night wear slipped under the covers on the bed. She just couldn't wait for Haider to come and then decide her place of sleep. She rolled her eyes at this thought. What had happened with her life?

She was just a simple girl, having no dreams or aspirations for herself. Her life was motiveless. Painting was her hobby and something which she always loved to do. Other than that, Ishmal couldn't remember she had any favorite thing. How bland everything was and now all of a sudden, it was action and drama all around.

Looking at the bed made her remember his behavior from last night. It made her hesitate and caused all her self-made confidence to fall down. What if he would again act the same with her? But she wouldn't just accept the defeat now when they both were on the same level.

Taking a deep breath, Ishmal laid down on the bed, draping her dupatta all over her body followed by the duvet. She had been doing this for a while because of her fear of her father. At night, she always found herself vulnerable and weak. Perhaps that was the reason why she didn't react back to what Haider said last night.

Closing her eyes, a film of what had happened in all this while moved in front of them. She didn't know what her future held for her. She wanted to see her mother again. She didn't know how she would be doing. Without caring for anything, she should have thought about her before fleeing away. But what could be done now? She didn't even know what would she be doing after this guy divorced her. She recalled when he offered her this agreement, she didn't like the idea and wanted to go away but he threatened her with his position as a police inspector. He was selfish for only caring about his need for a wife.

Soon the feeling of tiredness overpowered her racing mind. The sleep welcomed her like a soothing effect which she needed the most right now.

               ____________________

Opposite to the barat ceremony, in their reception, Nisha had come. And it wasn't without any invitation. His mother had invited her for both the functions but Nisha only attended the one due to some personal reasons. Maybe seeing Haider finally himself choosing a girl for himself had made Aqia believe that he had moved on. And with this, she wanted to restore her relationship with Nisha as well as it was before.

When Haider had first saw Nisha, his veins got spurted with a heightening rage. He didn't know that she was invited here. In that stylish chocolate brown saree, she was looking stunning. Perhaps more than he ever found her. She had only her newborn son with her; having a set of striking blue eyes, the same as his father. Even if he knew nothing about him, Haider was aware that he was very popular among everyone due to this damn eye color.

Either it was the sight of Nisha's glowing face which was a proof of her happy life or those eyes which made Haider resent everything present right now.

"Congratulations Haider." When she spoke, she sounded much more confident and the smile on her lips was so genuine. "Your bride is very beautiful. May Allah bless you both."

Her presence had made all those scars fresh. All those open wounds which were stitched yet began oozing again. It took all of Haider's self-control not to lash out at anything and everything.

He spread his lips in a small and fake smile. "Thanks."

That was the only conversation they had and after that, Haider was fuming with irritation and hatred. His eyes abruptly moved to Ishmal beside him. Compared to the last function and her encounter with his family before, now the happy mask on her face was perfect. She was smiling but it was all for show.

She was also a woman.

Someone who had deceit, betrayal, and lies in them. Perhaps she would also cheat amidst their contract on him and seek any other man for her satisfaction. After that, Haider didn't know what he was doing. His mind was numb due to bitterness. He grasped himself from making any scene with much difficulty. He didn't want to ruin his self-made game. It would affect him in the end.

Nisha's happy face and those few words they exchanged weren't going out of his memory. They made him restless. During the ride back home, he and Ishmal were only present in his car. They had to stay in the hall for some stupid photo shoot. She hadn't spoken to him very much. She has perfected this show tonight, he had to agree. But that was not what bothered him. She would look up to any other man for her refuge and companionship was what was on his mind right now.

Things were piling up in his insides and he needed something to lash them out. Stopping by the garage, he turned towards Ishmal. The view of the pendant of the necklace resting on her slim throat which he had given her as a so-called wedding gift caught his attention. Shifting his gaze from there, he looked into her eyes.

"You can go to the room. I am going out for a while. No one should know I didn't come with you," he told her, grimly.

Again an order.

Ishmal raised her lashes and gazed at him. His jaw was clenched and that attractive vein on his neck was prominent. The way her long lashes uncovered her beautiful crystal brown eyes made Haider still. It reminded him of Nisha and it made him feel like, it was not Ishmal who was sitting in his car, but Nisha. A new ripple of outrage rose in his whole body.

Ishmal didn't say anything and opened the door of her side. It irked Haider and he held her wrist when she was about to step out. She gasped at this sudden attempt. But it was not due to unexpected action, it was due to the weird feelings that evoked in her every pore due to this touch. It was the same as when he clasped her hand for the first time.

"When I say something, I expect an answer to it," he snarled.

His harsh tone made her gulp and then she snatched away her hand from him. Respect was the only thing that Seek had bought her in front of this man. It was what which caused her to leave her own home and mother because her stepfather was very keen on ruining it.

"I am not one your of culprits that you can use your bossy behavior on me, Mr. Haider. I don't owe you any answer or response which can make you seem like the king ruling over me like a small person. And please don't touch me ever again because certainly posing as husband and wife on any physical level wasn't included in the agreement which we made," Ishmal said every word sternly yet politely. But only she knew how much of a courage she had to speak like that.

After that, she left the car. Haider could see her holding her heavy dress and walking inside the house. His eyes were spitting fire as he curled his fingers in a fist and whacked on the steering wheel. But soon the realization hit him. More intensely than before. More clearly than before.

She wasn't Nisha.

But sitting in front of the mirror, dressed up as a bride of Haider; a fake one in fact, Ishmal definitely had stared at her right wrist. It was the same one that Haider had grabbed. She should have felt furious and disgusted by his touch as she had said to him. That wasn't included in their contract. But why did she like it? Why did it induce those odd sensations in her?  

                _____________________

AssalamoAlaikum/ Hi guys!

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