••| 10 Days Later |••

The sky was covered with grey clouds and it was raining heavily. Even in the afternoon, it was giving dark and night vibes. Every once in a while, the thundering and lightning were occurring, causing a chill of fear down everyone's spine.

Ishmal was sitting near the window. She had opened its mirrors and the small shower of water was coming inside, making it seem so delightful as it teased her face and body. A canvas was placed before her as she sat on the chair. She was painting a picture of the beautiful sky and pouring rain which she was seeing right now. Skillfully, she had hidden her paper of craft from the water by putting curtains on both sides.

Art gave her a solace and comfort. It was more like her companion. A friend whom she used to tell stories.

She had come to her grandparents' house the next day Abid's parents came, with her mother. The man neither let Farah live there and nor send her sons back. He strictly wanted his son out of prison. It was revealed later on that Ibad who was closer to his father had called them to tell them everything that happened. Farah was helpless for the love of her children. So despite not wanting Abid back for Ishmal's sake, she allowed her to reach the police station. But when she did, she didn't see Haider. Nothing happened and her request was turned off. Abid was still in prison.

Seeing her mother crying every night in remembrance of her sons made her heart clench. She unknowingly became a reason for their misery. If only she could find a way to correct everything.

The rain became heavy hence Ishmal had to close the window. She glanced at her canvas and smiled. It was looking beautiful. A girl was stuck in the rain in a forest without any umbrella by her side. She was helpless and had nothing with her. Maybe she was Ishmal herself. She was stuck in between so many things. Heart, relationships, fear, and happiness.

She stood up. It was lunchtime and she needed to cook. As she turned around, her eyes caught the attention of the same red box on the dressing table. She had brought this ring with her here. She didn't know what to do with it. Its sight always made her feel unusual. Like it was telling a story, a truth, and a revelation. Something which was meant for her. Something which was deeper.

She reached out for it and unfastened the lid. The gold ring was again before her eyes. That was something that Haider gave to her. The first and only thing. The only mark of her life with him. She couldn't dare to leave it. Something which always made her remember him again and again.

Ishmal took the ring out and tried to slide it on her finger. And when it perfectly slipped in her ring finger, her jaw dropped. That was totally her size and it seemed like been purchased with her in mind. She didn't know what was the impulse but she kept it in her hand. She wanted to see it every time with her.

"Does anyone ever tell you that you are extremely gorgeous?" His husky voice reverberated in her mind.

"To the hell with that contract. I damn care about it. All I know is that you are my wife."

She exhaled a deep breath. What was happening to her? She was stuck in this destruction and mess. Her heart couldn't stop beating for him and all she had on her mind the whole day was him.

And Ishmal knew she had no way out of this madness.

                 ____________________

Haider was driving back to Lahore this evening after getting done with his case. And the result was satisfying for him at least. But there was a havoc around him. He had managed to arrest the son of that influential MNA who had run over his car over the innocent women and caused their deaths. Since then, he had been gaining bribing which soon changed into threats. However, he didn't care. That was what his job and oath required.

He was still halfway through the way when the rain started. He was driving on the main road when he found a car steering at a heavy speed trotting over the crate of fruit while coming from the wrong way. It caused all the fruits to fall down. The driver didn't bother applying a break and continued to move ahead.

Haider's veins popped out in anger and he tried to overtake the car. Soon he won and the other one had to stop. He got out and marched towards the other car. Forcing him to unlock, he pulled the man out by grabbing his collar. He was a young bald man perhaps in his thirties. His eyes widened understanding who Haider was by looking at his uniform.

"How dare you disrespect the rules? Who permitted you to use the hell of a wrong way?" He growled and punched the man in his face.

"I never used the wrong way. I was driving correctly and that fruit man came in my way," he murmured, still trying to save himself.

Blood almost came in Haider's eyes as they reddened. He again banged his fist on his mouth, causing blood to come out of it.

"You dare to lie on my face?" Another punch landed on his chest.

Many people were gathered already, looking at the scene with open eyes and dropped mouths. Haider's anger had again become unhinged recently. He now started to lose his temper at small things. When his attitude got better control in the presence of Ishmal, now it was seeing the worst days. In Sheikhupura as well, he had beat the hell out of the son of the MNA after arresting him because his hands were aching for it. For blood, for tears, and for easing the burning rage inside of him. The resentment which resurfaced when Ishmal left him, seemed like the best channel to push it out of him. Once or twice, he had yelled at his servants as well. 

Haider grabbed him from the front of his hair.  "Move your lazy ass now and ask for forgiveness from the fruit man and compensate for his loss. I'll deal with this driving of yours later," he snarled.

His fury might have died down after seeing the man reimbursing for doing the two unlawful things by hook or by crook. But his heart was far from this gratification. There was a lava boiling in his veins which he knew would not get settled by anything.

Anything but her.

                  ____________________

Unaiza came to the lounge where the family was settled. Mr. Tashfeen was listening to the news while Aqia was sitting silently. Her eyes were on the television but everyone knew that wasn't what she was focused on. She still hadn't come out of everything that had happened ten days ago. Hiba on the other hand, was sitting on the far left couch doing her homework.

"Haider Bhai is coming in a while. I asked the maids to delay the lunch for a bit so he could have the fresh meal," Unaiza informed them.

Tashfeen glanced her way monetarily while Aqia narrowed her eyes. "Did he call you?"

Unaiza nodded. "A while ago actually."

Aqia straightened her back. "He tells you everything, Iza. Even the fact of this contract marriage. He told you this before any of us. Why didn't you tell me what he was up to?"

Unaiza sighed. "Aqia Mama, I myself was dumbfounded when he disclosed this to me. I didn't even know how to react. Who knew the next morning, Haider Bhai would drop Ishmal Bhabi at her house and end everything?"

"Don't call her your sister-in-law, Iza. She is a no-one for us. I shouldn't hear this from you or anyone else again," Aqia reprimanded her, sharply.

Unaiza bit her lower lip. "Sorry. I didn't notice."

She laughed sarcastically. "Yes because that girl was such a good actress. She never gave the idea of all this being a drama for her. I mean, the fact that a stranger was living among us makes my skin tighten."

Tashfeen gritted his brows at her. "Stop now, Aqia. She has gone. If she was doing that drama, your son was also doing the same. Them why always target her for this?"

"Because I can't believe a girl can do something like this. She just married a guy for her own needs. Being in trouble or not, but still. I am pretty sure that she must have gotten a heavy amount from Haider to get married to him. No one would do something like this."

Unaiza touched her shoulder. "Please, Aqia Mama. She wasn't like this."

"Blame your son, Aqia. He had forced her to do so. If she hadn't gotten any money from him, it shows her goodness," Tashfeen told her.

Aqia rolled her eyes. "He is lying to save her. I bet that she must have gotten many checks and other things from him."

"So what if she got it even? The thing is that she will be called as a divorced girl for the rest of her life all due to your son," Tashfeen said.

"Then who told her to leave the house at night? It shows she was used to of it. Let's see the stepfather thing is true. But no girl will take such a big step in fear. Who knew she was lying? She might have run away with some boyfriend of hers and when he ditched her so she made up this story in front of Haider," Aqia let out.

Tashfeen shook his head. "Why are we even discussing her? She has gone and her chapter is closed. Leave her topic."

Right at that moment, Huzaifa entered the lounge, covered in sweat with a football bag on his shoulder. He had gone to play a football match at some college level. He threw the bag at Unaiza who took it in between her hands. He always used to do this. Making her do his every work.

"Give me water, Ursula. Instead, get me a glass of fresh juice. I am going to grab a shower" he advised her.

Unaiza nodded. "I'll bring it right away.

                   _________________

Haider was sitting at the table along with the other family members for lunch. Everyone was eating in silence. No one had tried to discuss Ishmal's matter with him again but by the way, Aqia was occasionally gazing at him, it felt like she might do it soon.

"Did you already divorce that girl?" She asked, making the water he was gulping stay in his mouth.

                  ____________________

AssalamoAlaikum/ Hi guys!

How are you?

Here's a new chapter for you.

I hope you like it.

What do you think will happen next?

Something new is finally going to happen and you will get a lot of romance between Haider and Ishmal. ;)

You will see a Haider you never saw before. So keep following the story.

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

Till next one, Allah Hafiz/ Bye. ❤❤