Haider knew after that obvious threat, anything was expected to happen. However, he never learned to lean down or do any corruption in his work. He had given the evidence of phone calls and video recordings of him being followed by someone to the DIG. And that was on his recommendation, he started having a police mobile very near to him whenever he needed to travel.

Haider had prepared everything beforehand. Today he had no intention to let the rascals fly away. They should get the taste of their own medicine. By appearing as being trapped by them, he would call the other cops and these idiots would see their last happy day today. He would have easily manipulated the situation by himself if that cunning MNA hadn't have gotten his hands on Ishmal.

He didn't know how it happened and why did they know Ishmal was someone with whom they could attempt to coerce him. But at that time, seeing her, he knew he had to act smartly and not let any single lead reach over to them which could affect her. He would take care of them landing a hand over her later on. That was another charge against them. And he would make it the worst punishment.

When the man had asked him to come out of his car or else they would shoot Ishmal, he had smartly hidden a gun in his side pocket while putting his revolver on the dashboard for the show. The police mobile would come here in just a few minutes and till then, he was required to do something so that nothing could hurt Ishmal.

She had come here for him. She put her life at stake so that he could be saved. She didn't mind for anything and for his sake, she was willing to even do anything. That MNA's men must have forced her by taking his name and that he was in trouble. And she did reach him because she cared for him. A woman did it for him. Someone with whom he always acted coldly, and rudely and gave her the punishment for someone else behavior. She believed on a few random words that Haider's life was in danger and she rushed over without any second thought.

And he had her safe and sound now. Seeing her after many months, made him crave for her on another level. As she was here, in front of his eyes, he suddenly felt an urge to never let her go and live a happy life with her. Forgetting every past bitterness, just focus on this girl who cools down the lava boiling inside his body.  Tell her how much he loved her and give her love, respect, and admiration which she truly deserved.

And he would do that. He wouldn't let her go this time as well. Haider had definitely made up his mind.

Haider gave a brief glance at his arm. The bullet escaped away after piercing the flesh of his biceps. The blood was still coming out of it and there were black hues on his brown shirt around the gunshot. Haider pressed the wound with his palm and hissed at the pain sensation. However it was nothing compared to the solace he was feeling by having her here.

Ishmal was sitting in his car as he told her earlier. She was crying when he reached over to the passenger's seat. It felt like she wasn't herself right now. Her face was white and her eyes were red due to tears. Of course, too much had happened that it was understandable why was she frightened. Haider opened the door and stared at her. He bent down a bit to reach her level.

"You are safe now, Ishmal," he murmured.

Her blubbering eyes caught his figure but she didn't say anything. Swallowing hard, she got out of the car and leveled up next to him. Her gaze flitted from his face to his neck and then his arm. She flinched at the sight of such a big wound and her sobs intensified. Her lips were moving but he couldn't make out what she was saying.

"Ishmal, are you okay?" He again asked.

Seeing her silence made Haider join the dots at another thing. And this made him furious. What if they tried to do something with her and that was the reason for her stunned behavior? He curled his fingers in a fist. He would not spare them if that was the case. He would kill every one of them.

The next thing that happened surprised him. Ishmal hugged him by wrapping her both arms around his waist and putting her head over his chest. Her body was shivering against him. Haider wrapped an arm around her slim figure. He suddenly felt a comfort seeping into his every pore.

"Thank God, you are fine...I don't know what would I have done if something happened to you," she whispered the words in a clutter.

Haider felt a need to protect her from this cruel word and shower her life with everything she wanted. A possessive emotion came into his heart for her. She was his and he would not let her be away from him at any cost now. 

She soon pulled away and met his eyes. She scrunched her cute little nose. "Who were they? Why were they doing this with you? You know one of them today blocked my way and said that you are in danger and I should ask you to do what they want. I...I don't know how they got to know about me."

Izmir had managed to run the happening on every news channel and newspaper but due to power, the next day, the government had prohibited the news to shown anywhere. They even got it cleared from social media as well.

"A well-known MNA who is crying over the fact that we arrested his murderer of a son," he replied, shrugging his shoulders.

Ishmal's eyes widened in fear. "Does he..he wants to kill you to get what he wants because you didn't agree to what he said?"

Haider nodded. "That's how it all works. And now he played dirtier than ever by gaining information about your link to me and I would surely beat him till his death. "

"Oh God," she mumbled.

Haider cupped her right cheek. "Leave it. Tell me are you okay?

She stiffened at the sudden touch by him but bobbed her head anyway. Ishmal again looked at his wound.

"But this wound. It must be hurting you," she said, pointing towards it.

Haider smiled, caressing her skin. "Oh, it's nothing. I have been worse than that. But yes I need to get it cleaned or else infection will occur."

Ishmal's cheeks reddened. Because that was the first time he had smiled at her. And his touch. It always did wonder to him and so it did today as well.

She couldn't believe she had crossed paths with him again. But whatever it was, she didn't want to think about anything else now. The fact that he was fine was bigger than any other feeling.

                 ___________________

Ishmal bit her lower lip when she saw a nurse cleaning Haider's wound with an antiseptic solution. When it was the time for the removal of debris, Ishmal hissed and a tear fell from her eyes. There was so much blood and she felt like it happened to her. While Haider seemed to be very casual about it. Never for once, he seemed to be in pain. He really had a strong nerve and energy which she lacked.

Ishmal unknowingly placed a hand over his uninjured shoulder when the nurse was bandaging the area. Haider first glanced at her hand and then lifted his eyes to see her face. Watching her getting concerned for him gave him a unique gratification.

As they came out of the hospital, both strolled towards the parking. Haider unlocked the door of her side and opened it for her. Ishmal sat inside without any word. Within a few moments, Haider too occupied his position.

"I am damn hungry right now. I didn't even have breakfast. Let's go somewhere to grab something to eat," Haider offered.

Ishmal's jaw dropped. How could he even have any appetite after spilling and seeing so much blood? Because indeed she had her dead by now even though she also like him hadn't done her breakfast. But maybe Haider was too used to of it. Moreover, she had to reach school. It must have already passed the actual time. She didn't know how would he react to all of this which happened today. Would he again doubt her intentions? However, the Haider she was seeing right now was completely different than the one with whom she was living a few months ago.

They had no future together. He would never let his ego fall. Whatever he was doing was just out of gratification perhaps.

"I...I can't, Mr. Haider. I need to reach home. If someone sees like in your car like this..."

"You are my wife, Ishmal. No one can dare to say anything disrespectful to you and in response getting himself a perfect lesson by me," he spoke with a slight curl of his lips.

"Wife? We are about to get divorced soon," she argued.

Haider twisted his nose in dismay. "Forget about it. We are still husband and wife."

"How can I? Whatever had happened..." She trailed off.

Haider sighed. "Shouldn't have happened. I agree and I am taking full responsibility for it."

Her eyes widened. "What?"

Haider held her hand. "Let's start all over again by forgetting everything that happened in the past."

She jerked off his hand and brooded. "Mr. Haider, what game are you playing again?"

His eyes locked at the ring in her hand which was currently covered by his bigger one.

"Game of fire. And I would love to get burned in it," he grumbled, twirling the ornament over the top of the ring. Ishmal's eyes followed his movement and she gulped. There was a weird feeling in her heart and perhaps like him, she also wanted to get burned in this game.

"I...I want to go home, Mr. Haider." She didn't know from where she got the courage to say this.

Haider smiled darkly. "Oh cupcake, you will."

It was very much like their first encounter but both knew that it was far from it. Ishmal licked her lips in anxiety. Why did he always do that? But now it involved her own will as well. Still, she had to think of certain things.

"I got you back and I won't let you go anywhere now, Ishmal," he said in his husky voice as he pressed his hot lips over her palm.

             _______________________

AssalamoAlaikum/ Hi guys!

How are you?

A new chapter is here.

I hope you like it.

Do you think they will reconcile?

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Till next one, Allah Hafiz/ Bye. 💞💞