The hit she gave rise to made the ball fall directly into Haider's bedroom. Ishmal genuinely got scared thinking about his reaction. Even the parents had left for inside as well a while ago and that made the situation worse. While the expressions of the girls were no different than hers, though Huzaifa was taking this pause as a drink break and had a huge water bottle attached to his mouth as a lopsided grin was on his lips because of what was awaiting them. This guy was very cocky and irksome yet very subtle and nice at the same time too.

Sometimes Ishmal's subconscious wished that at least Haider would have gotten some sprinkles of his brother's cheerful behavior but everything about that guy who was her husband was rude and pretentious. 

Ishmal looked at the open window of their room and bit her lower lip in anxiety.

"Anyone wants a drink?" Huzaifa offered.

"You are talking about drink and here I am worried because Haider Bhai will get furious if the ball might have hits some of his important things," Unaiza commented, genuinely feeling worried.

Huzaifa smirked. "Or else his head. Just say it out clearly like this, Ursula. And it's better if the ball would have hit his head because by this way, Ishmal Bhabi's task will get lessened."

Unaiza pressed her lips together while Ishmal glanced at all of them since her name was mentioned.

"Hey come on. We can restart with a new ball," Huzaifa announced and Ishmal was amazed by his lack of concern for his brother's anger.

But Huzaifa had no issue with his recent extreme change of Behavior, unlike everyone. Because he knew even if he had become bitter after what happened to him after Nisha had married Ruhaan Sufiyan Ahmad in his place of him, he still loved his family. Besides Huzaifa had another way to deal with Haider and that was teasing which no one else could have dared with Haider.

Huzaifa picked the new ball from the carton but before he could take his position, footsteps sounded from behind them. Ishmal's back was towards him so she couldn't see him. While rest of them had a clear look at what was anticipated and the girls's eyes widened while Huzaifa chuckled under his breath. He let the ball fall on the floor while reaching out for a towel to wipe his sweat.

"So the show begins. Lemme grab my popcorn and drink," Huzaifa murmured amusingly while pouring water on his head.

Ishmal followed the gaze of everyone else and turned around. Her breath hitched to find Haider there with a clenched jaw and dark eyes. He had the ball tugged in his palm. While he had his eyes on Huzaifa.

"Huzaifa, what bullshi---" he stopped to say any word like this in the middle to find his sisters and wife also present there.

His wife. She had the bat in her hand and most certainly she was the one who had sent the ball in his room. He narrowed his eyes at her. She kept on doing the thing that he ordered her not to do.

She was looking very different today. Much different than whenever he saw her. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail and the edges and her face were sweaty. Yet she looked stunning in her own way in this situation as well. She was gazing at him with widened eyes and parted plump lips.

The lips he wanted to claim right now.

"What the hell is going on?" He growled, now taking into consideration to use of a much better word.

He was working on a very important file and he hated distractions when he worked. This ball and its hit on the couch acted as such a nuisance for her and shattered his every concentration. He felt angry and he kind of had an idea that it must be none other than his brother. He was ready to pound at him but when he reached the garden and found the girl who was currently on his mind every time behind all of this, he didn't know what he felt.

"Cricket. Wanna join?" Huzaifa asked, with a tilt of his head.

Haider glared at him. "No thanks. I don't have any worthless time for such stupid hobbies."

His heated gaze again landed on Ishmal who suddenly looked down.

Her light brown eyes and golden hair. He wanted to lay his claim on everything that belonged to her because she was his. Only his.

Haider tossed the ball towards Huzaifa who catched it perfectly with a grin. "Now it shouldn't disturb me. I am working."

Laying a final glance at Ishmal, he walked away. She eventually took a deep breath in relief. She didn't know for how long she had been keeping it inside her lungs because Haider was here.

"As you say, Hitler," Huzaifa mumbled cockily as his brother was gone. "Everyone occupy your spots back. Let us start again," he declared in a loud voice.

But didn't know why Ishmal abruptly lost interest in everything.

"Bhabi, are you ready?" Hiba asked her as it was her turn to bowl.

Ishmal licked her lips before giving the bat back to Huzaifa. "You guys please resume. I'll join you in a while. I am a bit tired now. Want to rest."

Unaiza reached near her and held her hand. Worry was evident from her face. "Bhabi, are you alright?"

Ishmal smiled. "Yes, Unaiza. I am fine. I am just exhausted. I'll be back in a few minutes after getting freshened up."

"Should I get juice for you?" Unaiza questioned then placed her hands on her shoulders and made her sit on the nearby bench. "You sit here. I'll get fresh juice prepared for you."

Ishmal couldn't say anything now. She herself couldn't understand what she was feeling right now. However, one thing was clear; she was feeling guilty. These all were so nice and considered her a family. And she was ditching them. She was playing with their pure emotions. But what could she do?

Someone else had also tried to play with her innocence and that was what brought her here. And that was the person whom she considered her father.  In the house of this rude man who considered her his own property and someone whom he could order around as he pleased.

"Ursula, bring fresh pineapple juice for me as well," Huzaifa called Unaiza who was on her way to the hallway.

"Me too, Iza Api," Hiba also chortled.

Unaiza stopped and looked back at them. "Okay."

While Ishmal just stayed in her thoughts because it wasn't sitting well with her that she was deceiving them all.

                      ________________

After lunch, when Ishmal came into the bedroom, she found Haider standing near the window with a cup of hot chocolate in his hand, his back was towards her.  Seeing his broad and strong back and tall figure, she gulped because of intimidation and appreciation both. After that incident in the morning, they never talked about it. During meal as well, Haider stayed silent though she could find his occasional dark stares at her.

Along with his persona, those dark black eyes were what haunted her.

Ishmal knew he would bring up the topic again because he didn't like whatever she was doing.

On hearing the click of the door, Haider paused. Realizing who it would be, he took a generous sip of hot chocolate before facing her. Placing the cup on the crystal table, he took in the mesmerizing sight of Ishmal.

"Can we talk?" He implored.

Ishmal who was thinking of fleeing from the scene had to stop because it wasn't an order. It was a simple statement said in a very normal tone. And they both had agreed to give each other respect in the contract they made.

Ishmal met his eager gaze. Haider stepped up to her. Standing a few meters away from her, his eyes wandered over her full length.

"Why do you continue to defy me, Ishmal?" He questioned sternly.

She raised a brow in confusion. "I don't think so I have done anything like that."

One side of Haider's lip curled up as he bent near her. Her enthralling scent reached his nostrils, making him almost lose his mind. She smelled like vanilla.

"You have been continuously doing that. Don't press me, Ishmal. You haven't seen the dark man inside of me. If you push me, he will come out and you won't like it then," he whispered.

Ishmal's heart almost came in her throat at his tone. "We agreed to bring our nice sides in front of each other. The whites of our characters."

A sinful smile occupied Haider's face. "Of course darling. But I am afraid it won't be the case anymore if you will keep on getting on my nerves. The black of mine is horrible and don't force to it get seen through. I am a very bad man, Ishmal."

She swallowed thickly. "I am doing what I want. And I don't care about anyone else."

A vein on Haider's temple got prominent due to anger at her words. She was his wife and she should only care about him.

He leaned nearer to her face. So closer that her hot breath started fanning his cheeks.

God, he shouldn't do it. It would be so wrong.

His eyes caught the sight of the pendant of the necklace given by him as a wedding gift on Ishmal's creamy neck. It made his throat dry. He held it between us thumb and index finger, making her gasp.

"That damn necklace in your neck is proof that you are mine and you should care about what I say," he grumbled, grimly. 

That was such a weird situation. He never felt this possessive for someone. Not even Nisha. The need to devour anyone never became this pronounced as was happening in Ishmal's case. The raw feelings this girl evoked in him were so odd and he never felt it before.

His proximity made every stubborn wall Ishmal made around herself ready to tumble. The feel of his cold fingers on her hot neck made goosebumps rise on her body. His hot breath was teasing her while his manly scent was making her feel something she should never feel for him.

"Just on papers. In reality, I am just your fake wife," she told him.

Haider chuckled. "Oh, darling. It doesn't take even a minute to declare real from fake. Believe me."

Her eyes widened when she comprehended what he meant. He held the small of her back and pulled her towards himself. His gaze moved from her eyes to her nose and then to her lips.

Haider lifted his hand and outlined her lips with his thumb. "Does anyone ever tell you that you are extremely gorgeous?"

                 ____________________

AssalamoAlaikum/ Hi guys!

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Here's a new chapter.

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Till next one, Allah Hafiz/ Bye. ❤❤❤