"Now compensation for whose mistake I am doing? Perhaps Nisha." Ishmal's voice made him pause in his tracks.

Haider curled his finger in a fist and turned around to face her. The sudden dark which invaded the black of his eyes made Ishmal almost jump out of her place. But that was the last straw. Her only resort to get freedom was by provoking him by using his ex.

He clenched his jaw and got closer to her. Who the hell told her about Nisha? From what did she get this information?

"I don't give a damn about anyone," he whispered firmly. "Don't keep on linking me to any random person who means nothing to me."

A side of Ishmal's lip curled up. "Oh. She means nothing to you? Strange to know that because certainly you didn't marry for your whole life just because of your break up with her and when you did, it was just for the sake of your family. And you just see her in me. You treat and hurt my feelings as if I am Nisha. She isn't a random person for you, Mr. Haider. You still have kept her in your ego, in your memories, and perhaps in your heart ---"

"Stop it, Ishmal," he snarled causing Ishmal to pause.

She gulped at the sight of him spilling daggers through his eyes. Why was she talking about that woman whom he hated the most? He had overcome her betrayal. Then why Ishmal again and again bought it in between them?

He bent near her and placed his both arms around her figure. Nudging her chin up with the help of his finger, he looked into her eyes. The calmness and softness he found there, even soothed his own raging emotions. She was indeed becoming someone special to him. Someone without whom, he wouldn't be able to live anymore.

"That's not how what you are thinking. Stop overusing your pretty brain. You need rest right now," he said, gently stroking her cheek.

Ishmal clenched her teeth together before hooking her finger in one of the buttons of his shirt. Pulling him more closer to her, she slammed her lips against his. Haider's eyes got widened at this unexpected move from her who had just firmly shut her own.

The feeling of her soft lips on his own made Haider go crazy. He grasped her slim back with his strong hand and kissed her with the intensity like there was no tomorrow. She was like an addictive temptation that he couldn't resist. The attraction that he felt for her was something he never got from anyone else. The wish to claim her as his never got so pronounced with anyone else. 

Haider covered her cheek with his big palm while digging one of his knees on the mattress as his other hand sensually stroked her curves. Ishmal gasped in pleasure while trying to keep up with kissing him back. Biting on her lower lip, he tried to explore her mouth but Ishmal restrained and hardly pushed him away by dragging his chest with her both hands.

Haider narrowed his eyes at her. But she didn't give him any time to retreat as she got up. Haider followed her movement. Ishmal leveled up next to him and gazed at his confused face.

"That's what I always feel when you treat me as if I am her. When you talk badly to me by keeping her in your mind. When you come near me and touch me but its all to show your possession over me just because to satisfy your ego which got hurt due to her. That's exactly what I feel, Mr. Haider which you are feeling right now. Being used but not admired, adored, or cherished," Ishmal confessed everything in one go while breathing heavily.

Haider was stunned after hearing her. She didn't stay here for a second more as she left for the bathroom. Even though it was hard for her to walk, she didn't want to remain in the same place as him right now. Ishmal was limping as she exited and then closed the door of the bathroom harshly.

It felt like a direct slap on his face. Today Haider didn't get furious when Nisha was mentioned in front of him. There was not even a sprinkle of anger. In those eight years, he had made his ego bigger than anything else. He cared for no one else while getting simmered into this lava himself and everyone related to him as well. He became a hateful person who never got out of this self-destruction. He loathed women just because of one woman who wasn't sincere in their relationship. He hurt everyone just because of what that woman did.

It was true; in the beginning, he treated Ishmal in the same orbit as he thought of Nisha and every other woman. He developed a hatred for her just because she reminded him of Nisha. But when he decided to come near her, it wasn't because of any twisted thing she was accusing of him as.

It was solely because he began to like her. He adored her as Ishmal and not anyone else. It wasn't to break her or to satisfy his ego. It was just because of his attraction towards her. In those special moments, she was only Ishmal to him. The girl who caused the dark clouds to fly away from his life. The girl who made him calm down in a state of outburst. The girl for whom he began to develop a fondness. When she reacted to his touches, he liked it not with a thought to break her but he genuinely relished it.

But not now. He wouldn't let this innocent girl become the victim of the atrocities of his dark soul. Even if this meant his life wouldn't be the same as before, he didn't care. She didn't deserve it. She had the right to be loved and cherished. And these were the two things which he could never give her. He would let Ishmal go. Return to wherever she wanted to. If she didn't want this marriage, he also wouldn't force her anymore.

Sneaking a last glance at the closed door of the washroom, Haider left the room. He felt jammed up inside. Like something was making his insides burn. He took long swift steps downstairs. As he reached the lounge, he found Unaiza sitting on the sofa there with a book in her hand. She sometimes comes here for studies when she gets bored while staying in her room.

"Haider Bhai, you?" She asked.

Haider gave her a look before sighing. "Can I get one cup of coffee? I am craving for the coffee which you prepare. It's been a while. "

Unaiza smiled while putting the book on the table. "Of course. Why not? Should I make some for Ishmal Bhabi too?"

A feeling of emptiness hovered in her heart at her mention.

Haider shook his head. "She is sleeping already. I was working on a case and suddenly I crave for the coffee of your hand so yes I am here."

He tried his best to sound normal but as he thought about it, he needed to tell someone about the reality of his marriage to Ishmal before letting her go. And Unaiza seemed the best option for it. She was like a little sister, a friend, and a great listener to him.

"I'll bring it right away," she chirped in excitement and stood up.

                     ________________

He was sitting with Unaiza on one of the benches of the garden. The cold breeze was swaying around making everything frigid. But the heat inside his heart and body was overpowering in front of it.

"By the way, if Ishmal Bhabi had been here with us, it would have been such fun. She never got to taste my coffee but once I drank her coffee, and it was so good. I have to say it, Haider Bhai. You got a wife who is such a good cook. I mean, everyone loves the things she cooks," Unaiza said with a chuckle.

Haider just replied with a smile but he agreed. Ishmal had many times prepared meals and even he liked the unique taste of her cooking. As he took a sip, his eyes went back to the window of his room. Where first the light was on there and a faint brightness was present, now it was shut and it was darkness all around.

"Haider Bhai, I am very happy for you. See what I always told you; that there is someone who will love you and make you feel special and look Ishmal Bhabi is exactly like this. She loves you and I think, you did best by moving on and not lingering with the past. Because past always hurt you," she again mumbled with enthusiasm.

Haider exhaled sharply before putting the cup aside. His mind reverted back to a few minutes ago when Ishmal kissed him. It was so unexpected that he had lost all of his constraints. If she hadn't have stopped him, he would have crossed all boundaries because indeed she managed to provoke those raw reactions in him. And then when she was so heartbroken while again indirectly asking for freedom and saying his intimacy made her feel like being used.

"She isn't going to live with us forever, Unaiza," he murmured, earning a suspicious look from her.

                     _______________

AssalamoAlaikum/ Hello guys!

How are you?

Here's a new chapter for y'all.

Do you think Haider will let Ishmal leave now?

Do you think his confession will let all the problems get resolved or Ishmal still wants to leave him after hearing it?

Haider isn't willing to let go of his ego even yet. Do you think it will cost him something serious?

What do you think will happen next?

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

Till next one, Allah Hafiz/ Bye. 💞❤