Haider had never thought that when the time of their divorce would reach and Ishmal would finally walk out of his life, he would be this much affected by this. At the level that it would simmer his insides that he had to let her go at the end. What he had decided in that contract was just a way to get an easy way out of his parents's constant pressure. He only married her because she seemed a better choice on whom he wouldn't have to put any extra effort to try to make her understand his situation.

In the beginning, it was nothing but a paper which was signed between them. Haider always anticipated the relieved feel of whenever his fake wife would leave his life and he would be able to live how he used to live before without any force from his parents to get commit again. However now the word fake itself fended him off itself even though it was he who had always used it for Ishmal and their marriage in the first place. Whenever Ishmal called herself his fake wife and their wedding nothing but a paper-related relationship, it irked him. It shouldn't but it did. He had a dire need to burn the whole world and announce it to everyone that this girl only belonged to him.

It was a feeling of possessiveness and it was increasing with each passing day. Today when he saw Ishmal with her packed suitcase ready to leave, he was furious. It was indeed what he wanted from the really start but when it was happening for real, he felt like someone was snatching what was his away from him. Like a feeling of something precious leaving him.

"That was decided that it's in my hand when to end this contract," he announced, firmly and unapologetically.

The way that tear escaped from Ishmal's eye upon hearing this made him pause. It had made her feel worthless. Haider knew he was an absolutely prideful jerk to say it like this and make it seem like only that contract mattered to him. But what could he do? That ego which had built up to sky heights wouldn't fall down in a small instance. He couldn't let his ego go but he also couldn't let this girl go as well. She was his and he would never ever leave her.

Cupping her cheeks in between his palms, Haider stared into her tear-filled light brown eyes. Then it flew from her nose and then her lips. Without letting himself have any time to have a second thought, he leaned ahead and captured her soft lips with his possessive one. Ishmal gasped at this sudden attempt and jumped out of her place. But she couldn't do anything because of his strong veiny hands on her face. It was so overwhelming yet tempting at the same time. Haider's body heat was engulfing her while his musky scent was filling her nostrils and his hot lips were claiming hers as a perfect match for each other.

Raising her hands, Ishmal placed it on his chest and tried to push his strong chest to drag him away. However, once she made contact with his warm chest, it made her hands feel like jelly which was unable to do anything. He was making her every sense to go numb. Ishmal looked at him with widened eyes when he bit her lower lip and gaining the opportunity, made his way inside her mouth. He was already staring at her; eyes so cold and arrogant as always. Ishmal smelled of vanilla and tasted perfect. He loved the feel of her soft lips and delicate skin under his hands.

Haider's arrogant and taunting eyes.

Something hit Ishmal at this sight and then she really pushed him away. Those eyes had that accomplished feeling of finally possessing something and making yourself victorious by breaking it. She hated herself for reacting to him pleasantly and letting him kiss her.

Tears brimmed her vision at this humiliation. Haider glanced her way meticulously. He indeed loved kissing her but he wished it had the same effect in showing it to her as well. She did nothing to him and she didn't deserve to be kept in the dark about all those changed feelings of him for her but he couldn't do that. Haider couldn't let her know that he had accepted her as his wife. It should remain a battle of ego and nothing else because if he would tell her the truth, he had to let her go to satisfy his own high ego.

"That must have pretty much gave you your answer.  And I hope you won't try that again," he mumbled, with a slight curl of his mouth.

Ishmal swallowed back the tears and glared at him. "You know that you are very bad. And you don't have a heart. But it's a stone in its place. You are heartless. "

Haider remained still for a moment at her words. But the next instant, he regained his composure and undid the cuffs of his sleeves. "You called for it, Ishmal. I warned you that don't provoke the monster inside of me but you didn't listen."

Perhaps it was the opposite now. She had discovered the previous Haider inside of him who wasn't like the present one. He had a heart that beat for the one he loved and didn't have that high hurt ego.

She remained silent but didn't stop herself before scowling at this arrogant man. She shouldn't feel anything for him but this was what was happening. Not stopping him from kissing her and even liking it was a proof of it.

"I am going to get freshened up and when I'll be back, I need all this mess back in its place."

Ishmal was halfway through her way out of the room when Haider's words stopped her. She turned around but he had already hidden behind the washroom's door by now. She clenched her jaw in irritation.

Today was a bit of bad luck. She didn't know why Haider came back home earlier than usual and he perhaps had a plan to stay here as well considering he had gone for a shower. But she would use the next chance. One thing was clear she would not live here anymore.

                ____________________

Haider had come home for lunch today. He seldom did this but perhaps this time the fate wanted this because if he wouldn't have been on time, Ishmal would have already been gone.

After lunch, as usual, he took out his cigarette while sitting in his room. Placing it in between his lips, he ignited it with a lighter but instantly his mind again went back to how its smoke and smell always annoyed Ishmal. He tried to whiff a few blows but he couldn't get the desired pleasure from it. He didn't know what was happening to him.

Sighing, Haider crumpled the cigarette in his palm after blowing it and thrashed it inside the dustbin. Grabbing the whole pack, he did the same with it as well. All those useless activities now which got rubbed off onto him for satiating his ego now meant nothing but boring and repulsive to him.

Now it was Ishmal everywhere. In his senses, in his thoughts, and even his dreams. A smile struck his lips. He loved that moment from a while ago and wanted it to come again and again.

Grabbing his wallet and phone, he stood up and dashed out of the room in search of her. But he couldn't find her. Even during the lunch, she tried her best to avoid him. His eager eyes wanted to catch a glimpse of her and didn't know where she was hidden. In disappointment, Haider left for his duty.

The same thing happened for many days as well. Ishmal never came in front of him except during meals. In the night, she used to come in the room when he would already be sleeping and in the morning, she left before he would wake up. At first, Haider gave it to a coincidence but when it again got repeated after a week, he got alarmed.

What was with this avoidance of hers? Was she again planning another fleeing attempt? Haider left the bed and took long swift steps out of the room. He first checked the kitchen but she wasn't there. Even the library as well in which she spent a lot of time, but it was also empty. The last resort was to check Hiba and Unaiza's rooms but both the girls were already sleeping. Where was Ishmal?

He got anxious. What if she had managed to leave the house this time? But how could she do that in the presence of every family member and so many guards? In his thoughts, he reached the garden.

It was the midnight almost and the weather was already so cold with frigid air wavering around. Suddenly he heard the faint voice of someone sobbing. Haider's eyes followed the direction from where the sound was coming. It was very dark there but due to the shining moonlight, he didn't waste a second to recognize that it was from none other than his wife.

Ishmal was sitting on the bench in the corner, her back was towards him. Her body was shivering with every sob. Haider quickly headed towards her.

"Ishmal..." He mumbled and that was when she lifted her head.

Her crystal brown eyes were twinkling with unshed. She sucked in a breath when their eyes met. 

                 ____________________

AssalamoAlaikum/ Hi guys!

How are you?

Here's a new chapter.

How is it?

Do you really think Haider should let go of his ego?

Do you think still holding onto it will make him lose Ishmal?

Will he ever confess to her?

Why do you think Ishmal was crying?

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