Haider couldn't sleep in such a situation like this. His brain was on the verge of bursting right now. And for the first time, he felt anger for himself. He was already bitten by the same thing and yet he was again developing that soft corner for a woman. But perhaps his heart and body weren't listening to him. His manly ego which was getting foolishly hurt just because she wasn't responding to him as every other girl out there did. She was unresponsive and here, Haider was even finding her scent and sense on something which was solely his.

Resentment flew through his every vein and then he left the bed. Grabbing a pack of cigarettes and shoving the lighter inside his sweatpants' pocket, he stood up. His eyes momentarily locked on Ishmal who was sleeping so soundly. Right now, the duvet was lying on her stomach; her neck and upper body were uncovered something which she never did in her awakened state.

She hadn't shown any reaction to him ever. She also never talked to him directly. Sometimes she didnt even answer what he said, the thing which he hated. For her, Haider was maybe just someone with whom she did that contract and nothing else. But the ego in him wanted her to appear affected by him. It was a war of ego where Haider ever became bitter from women who liked to appear stronger and bigger than them. He always thought this would be the case. If any girl would enter into his life, this was what he would do. He would act so badly with them that would satisfy his hurt pride.

However, that wasn't what happening right now. It was indeed a hurt to his ego but it was something. It wasn't a wish to show domination and loathe for women, it was the thought of why Ishmal wasn't reacting to him as everyone else did. She feared him but at the same time, knew how to take a stand for herself in front of him because of the lead that the contract between them gave her. Ishmal never showed that desperation and emotions for him which he found every other girl giving him.

Haider clenched his jaw and then left for the terrace. After whiffing the cigarettes for the amount his mind needed to become calm, he came back into the room. He again looked at Ishmal who unlike before, wasn't dozing calmly that time. Because of the amount of force he had used to shut the door of the terrace, it wasn't odd to see that her sleep got ruined. She was sitting up, staring out at him blankly because her mind was still not fully awakened. The duvet made a pool on her lap and her every beautiful curve was visible right now.

Sleepy eyes having a tinge of pink in their whites, perplexed expressions, plump pink lips, and an attractive figure, it wasn't wrong to say that Haider had reached a final point regarding his life with Ishmal right now. And this fact was too humiliating for him to even think about.

He began desiring her. The need for her had risen in him. Her presence had evoked those raw feelings in him. But how could he get defeated like this? Beaten by the self-made vow he made to himself many years ago. This couldn't happen.

Ishmal scrunched her nose when a strong odor of cigarette hit her nostrils. Did Haider again smoke? The look of his red eyes made every bit of sleep rub off from her own. Was he again going to embarrass her like he did on their wedding night? 

But Haider painfully diverted his attention from her and went towards the bed again. This wasn't right and he wouldn't allow any other woman to belittle him again like happened seven years ago. 

                 _______________________

This morning marked the tenth day since their marriage. The show was going perfectly. Ishmal is portrayed to be a doting wife while Haider's behavior also never lets anyone to suspect anything. They were seemed pleased with one another in front of the whole world and their family was happy to see them happy. While in the privacy of their room, they were just strangers.

Ishmal was still acting with him as she had been doing since day one. They seldom talked to each other, in addition to the drama they did in front of Haider's family. She just listened to him without giving any answer. The authoritative person in Haider used to get offended whenever she did this. No reaction and no nothing was Ishmal right now. And Haider despite not wanting to feel anything about it was getting affected subconsciously.

That morning, when he reached the bedroom after grabbing a shower, he saw Ishmal standing near the dressing. In that white dress, she was looking beautiful in her own way.

Why there was no hate associated with her sight?

How much he wanted to dislike her but he couldn't. Instead, she had a charm in herself that couldn't make her go unnoticed by his eyes. Not to forget, Haider still desired her. In the night whenever Ishmal would be in such a vulnerable situation; so close but so distant from him, he couldn't keep his eyes off her.

It was natural but Haider didn't know he would feel it for her. But he knew till she was his wife, she was his responsibility. Besides, leaving any gender aside, she was a human first someone to whom he agreed to give respect, protection, and dignity. He wouldn't humiliate her like this when all he could feel for women was hatred and contempt. And all he could give to them was a bad behavior and something which a person like Ishmal would never want to see.

Haider rubbed his hair with the towel. He was shirtless and only in his pants so when Ishmal saw him like this, her breath got stuck in her throat. He was muscular, strong, and big. His was excruciating power and scare.   She shuddered under the effect of the sudden intimidation he pulled right now.

Perhaps it was the effect of this that the earring which Ishmal was about to wear in her right ear got slipped from between her fingers and landed directly on the ground. She gasped and bent down to grab it but Haider was quicker than her. He picked it up before she could do so.

"Here," he murmured, giving her the earring.

Ishmal promptly took it. "Thanks."

The way her soft fingers made contact with his rough palm made Haider stare at her. The craving again reappeared, even more strongly than before.

The marriage was just a contract and Ishmal really didn't deserve such an attitude which he was only capable of giving.

Haider knew he could never become like he was before. Now he only had rudeness, grimness, and harshness to give and show. He was only dark. There was no white or grey in him. He was just black. His heart and soul were dark and black.

He did some of the worst things; including what dark things his profession demanded. His soul was a void ever since he got betrayed by the one he loved. That time and today, Haider realized how much the shades of black in him had gotten more and more dark. 

Haider turned around and reached for his uniform shirt. As he was tying the watch to his wrist, he glanced at a busy Ishmal through the mirror. She was tidying up the bed. That was what she did every morning; making this room look more like of a couple not of two strangers living together.

Haider looked away from the sight of her creamy hands straightening the bed sheets. He grabbed his car keys and mobile in the other hand.
                
"Excuse me." He was about to leave when he heard Ishmal's soft voice.

Haider faced her and raised a brow at her. Ishmal walked near to him.

"Actually Ammi told me that there is Hiba's birthday after a few days. She says there's a lot of celebration for it each year. So I also want to get her a present but I don't have money. Can you lend me?" She raised her concern while fidgeting with her fingers.

Haider couldn't hear anything else. His eyes locked on her stunning hands which she was moving as she was speaking.

"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."

He suddenly remembered what she said to him in the car. She herself wanted him to stick by the agreement and when it came to her, she was making those out-of-agreement demands. Haider curled his fingers in a fist as a new shot of outrage pierced his veins. He didn't get to listen to whatever she was saying next.

"What are you saying? There is no need to make any new relations. Don't call my Mom by any of such names. You don't have any relation to her. And about Hiba's birthday, you don't have to worry about anything. You are just a fake wife of mine..." He paused and lowered his tone. Even in such anger, he knew he couldn't spill anything. "So you don't need to act like one. Whatever will be necessary, I will tell you. So don't you ever call my Mom as I do? Understood?"

Ishmal's eyes widened in shock and humiliation both. What was he saying?"

                  ______________________

AssalamoAlaikum/ Hi guys!

How are you doing?

That's a new chapter for you.

I hope you like it.

Are you liking the story so far? Tell me your views on it.

Do you think Haider is right in the thing that Ishmal shouldn't get indulged in those private happenings of his house as himself and don't call his mother by this word?

Or do you think he is wrong and again being rude?

If you like this chapter, don't forget to vote and comment. ❤

Till next one, Allah Hafiz/ Bye. Take care everyone. 💞💞💞