He pressed his lips against her forehead and closed his eyes. For some unknown reasons, it gave him a different level of satisfaction. He was relieved like he finally reached home after a hectic day out.

Ishmal halted her breath in her throat. His lips felt wonderful against her skin. As though they mended so many hidden wounds. When Haider pulled away to look at her, her cheeks were blanched. What deep was he forcing away from himself for so many months? It was so wholesome to be with Ishmal. Talk to her, touch her, kiss her, and get those special moments together.

Haider grabbed her delicate hand which was resting at her side. A smile struck his lips once again to find the ring which he gave her on her finger. He just couldn't get enough of this sight.

"You are wearing it, Ishmal," he said, twirling the ornament with his index finger.

Ishmal's eyes fell upon where he was referring before looking back at him. She bit her lower lip in apprehension. She didn't know if she did right by being so forthcoming or not. She still had a few reservations regarding their marriage. The biggest was his ex-fiance and his hatred for women.

She just agreed with him because he actually was very honest with her and asked for a chance. He didn't coerce her to come back to him. He didn't make false promises but he said he would try. He would make an effort for their relationship. However, now that ring in her finger did make her anxious. What would he take out of it? She just wore it because that was Haider's last indication which was in her possession. And she wanted to have a feel of him around her.

Haider noticed her uneasiness quite well. He lifted her face by putting his thumb and index finger under her chin.

"This made me so happy. I didn't leave any room for you to accept my gift. I should have given it to you in person but again my ego came in between. But Ishmal, you made it even more worthy by putting it in your hand," he explained, diving into the uncertainties present in her eyes.

Was this ego still present or he had gotten rid of it? Ishmal thought. She took a deep breath before removing the ring from her finger.

She took his hand and plopped the ring in his palm. "I'll only accept it again if you will give it to me as a present without any second thought. In person, Mr. Haider."

He closed his fist upon the ring as he smirked. "So which occasion do you prefer for it, Mrs. Haider? A new proper wedding night will be perfect, I assume. Hum?

Her face again matched a tomato but this time she smiled shyly.

"Yet before that I want us to see each other," he announced in a low voice.

Ishmal raised a brow.

"Let's date, Ishmal. I want both of us to know each other better. I don't want to hurt you again. We should start with small steps. I want to take care of you, make you feel special, give importance to you, skip my everything to spend time with you, become your lover, laugh, and enjoy everything with you. Will you do that?" He asked her.

"If after this date period, you won't like me then what will happen?" She brooded.

Haider clenched his jaw and snaked an arm around her waist before pulling her into his chest. She whiffed in a breath at this.

"That's not even a question. I am already in love with you. Extreme love which has been making me go crazy for you," he whispered sternly.

In impulse, he scooped his head down to her level in an attempt to kiss her but he stopped. Things should only be initiated if and how she wants them.

Ishmal's eyes widened in surprise. "Love?"

"Yes, love." He shrugged his shoulders. "Which is making me do all these things.  Will you give me a chance, Ishmal?"

"You know my answer. I told you before. If I am standing here with you in your house, it means I am willing. But..." She deliberately stopped in between.

Haider burrowed his eyebrows. "But what?"

"My family. My mother. Except her, none knows that I married someone when I escaped. And even she wants my divorce so that...so that one gets to know about my hidden marriage and I can move on with my life," she confided but stopped to find the dark expressions in Haider's eyes.

"You are my wife. No one...no one can dare to say anything to you. I'll take care of every whining mouth. Regarding your mother, I'll meet her myself. After all, I need to ask for your hand in companionship from her." He grinned in the end.

Haider covered her right cheek with his big palm and softly caressed it. "I want to kiss you, Ishmal."

She nodded, feeling touched up that he actually waited for her response instead of just diving in as he did in the past. She closed her eyes and within moments, she felt his rough yet hot lips over hers. The realization of acquiring something that belonged to her hit her. Like she was present at where she should be. She was in those arms which were her real shelter.

Haider positioned his hand over her lower back, feeling her soft skin flexing under his touch. The soothing and familiar touch and taste of her lips made him feel serene again. Both of them didn't hurry anything.  He was only kissing her lips with absolute care and gently. It was the sweetest of the kiss they ever had. When Haider decided to proceed with the things by exploring her mouth again seeing her obvious readiness, Ishmal remembered the reality and then she slightly nudged his shoulder with her palm.

"Mr. Haider..." She muttered breathing heavily, briefly breaking their kiss.

He painfully pulled away from her.

"I really need to leave now. My mother will get worried," she whispered.

Haider sighed as he pecked her nose. "I'll drop you."

She quickly nodded and then rushed towards the porch before he could change his mind. It was almost evening now. The sun was about to set and the sky was shaded in an orange color.  When they finally reached her house, Haider held her wrist seeing her go out.

"Tomorrow I'll come to pick you up for a date. We'll do some sightseeing. I'll take you to my favorite place. Have some lunch maybe. Be ready in the afternoon," he informed her.

Small steps he was talking about.

"Not here, Mr. Haider. After school, I will come myself to wherever we have to go," she replied.

She had agreed to his dating suggestion because indeed she also wanted to first see him getting change for her. If she would go to him again as his wife and start living with him, the recall of the past few months would again come into her mind. It would be better if they would make some good memories together before embracing their roles in the true sense.

"School?" Haider was confused.

Ishmal nodded. "I teach in a school again."

Haider moved his hand from her wrist to her hand. "Ishmal, you don't have to worry about anything. No one will walk over you again. Or else I will chop him into pieces. I'll meet your mother now. I am your husband and we both want to remain in this marriage."

He gave a quick kiss over her knuckles to reassure her. Before he could begin with his plan, his phone rang.

"Excuse me," he mumbled to her before taking his phone out of his pocket.

Ishmal saw as his eyes narrowed looking at the screen. From his body language, it looked like maybe he wasn't going to receive it earlier but it must be very important.

"Hello!"

Haider listened to whatever the other person was saying silently.

"What? When? I am coming. Take care."

"What happened?" Ishmal asked as he was done with his call.

But she saw as it made him hasty. And there was a rising tension in his body.

Haider glanced at her while moving fingers through his hair. "Mom has fainted. I think so the news of the attack has reached over to my family. And she had deteriorated her health in worry."

Ishmal placed a hand over her mouth. "What? Is Ammi alright now?"

Haider was amazed even in between all this difficulty. Ishmal still referred to Aqia as a mother.

"She must be. Don't worry. I'll meet you tomorrow then," he let out.

Ishmal shook her head. "Maybe we shouldn't. Ammi needs you more. You should be with her. Please inform me of her well-being, Mr. Haider."

Haider blinked and squeezed her hand. "Bye. Take care of yourself."

She smiled. "You too."

Ishmal too eventually got out of the car. Sparing a short glance at him, she moved towards her house. She pushed the bell. Looking back again, she found that Haider had left now. The gate got opened in a while and who she found on the other side, made her terrified.

                     ________________

AssalamoAlaikum/ Hi guys!

How are you?

Here's a new chapter.

How is it?

Who do you think opened the gate?

What do you think will happen next?

I hope you liked the chapter. The romance which you all wanted to see is finally here. Do vote and comment. ❤❤

Till next one, Allah Hafiz/ Bye. ❤❤