The next morning, Haider entered the torture cell. As always, beating was continued here but he never felt an ounce of pity or even disgust for them. Their deeds brought them here and they truly deserved every bit of punches that landed on them. The other party was the suspects who perhaps would turn out to be innocent in the end. However, the law worked like this. They got captured because they had a close association with the crime scene. And compassion was the last thing that was needed in the job he did.

The MNA and his men were all bloody right now. Their hues and cries were reverberating in the small cell and they sounded frightening. The inspector had no intention to stop the assault.

"Did they spill anything?" He asked him.

He saluted Haider. "Not yet, Sir."

"Move aside. Let me flex my muscles too," Haider smiled slyly.

A few punches and hits from him and that MNA was speaking. "I...I wanted my son back. But the police weren't releasing him. Perhaps you are the one who was declining any kind of bail for him. I was furious and for me, the life of my son was important. Hence I made a plan to let you down by some means. Luckily, one of your inspectors was very easy to get as a prey. I offered him a lot of money and somehow he gave me some inside news about you. That you had imprisoned someone named as Abid Abbas due to some personal reasons. His case wasn't part of a crime scene. You randomly ordered your inspectors to arrest him. I thought I might have gotten some lead. I met Abid Abbas's father and he told me that you have been doing this for Abid's stepdaughter. I thought must have some relationship with her hence..."

He didn't get to complete what he was saying as Haider slapped him hard which even caused his teeth to rattle.

To find the traitor inspector wasn't difficult. He would deal with him very soon. But first, he was required to get a hand over that prick father of Abid. From the MNA, he got to know that his men had kidnapped the old man before they executed their plan to follow him. It was to avoid any betrayal from his side. Haider had quickly sent his men to rescue him so that the police could have their way with him.

Kidnapping the kids, coercing the women, and then taking part in a murder scene. He had many crimes on his plate.

                  ___________________

Ishmal chose one of her newest and most reasonable dresses for today. She didn't have many and some of them were even worn out but this dark green dress seemed better out of all in her eyes. She was going on a date with Haider today. Their first one. Despite what her family had told her last night, she still wanted to go out with him. To let herself give him and their marriage a chance, she had to do this. And as far as she knew, Haider wouldn't let her back off now. He already had such a bad impression of women and if she did so, it would get worse.

And they were married already and Haider was right if they wanted this marriage, no one could stop them. Neither legally nor socially. Regardless first she should really get to know him better and see whether he was true to his words or not. To make him care for her, change himself for, try to love her, and crave her.

Their relationship needed some time and effort from both of them and she was willing for this. If Haider would prove to be a caring, responsible, and caring husband for her then why would her mother and grandparents object to their reunion. They wanted to see her happy and her happiness was only linked with Haider indeed.

Today Ishmal took both of her classes one after another and got free earlier than usual. She didn't want to become obvious to her family this quickly. They would literally forbid her from meeting him altogether. Hence she had called Haider to pick her up at twelve so that she could reach home timely.

Haider's eyes softened at her sight and his lips spread. "You are looking lovely."

"AssalamoAlaikum," she murmured.

"Walaikum Assalam. Let's go then. Shall we?" He asked.

Ishmal nodded quickly. Haider opened the door of the passenger seat for her. Ishmal mumbled a thank you to him before sitting inside. Haider too turned around and within a moment, he was occupying his own seat. Haider soon flared the engine and now the car drifted off on the smooth black road.

Ishmal glanced at him who was looking handsome as usual in his uniform which was fitting his sturdy muscular body perfectly. His gelled combed back hair, black focused eyes, straight nose, dark stubble-covered jawline. Her heart skipped a beat at this.

"How's your wound, Mr. Haider?" She inquired.

Haider caught her soft, fragile hand and brought it near to his lips. "I am fine."

Kissing her palm sensually, he put her hand back on her lap. She felt giddy by this.

"And how's Ammi? Is she well?" She suddenly remembered this.

Haider nodded. "Yes, Mom just fainted due to my worry. She is good now."

"It's a relief. Where are we going by the way?" She raised a brow in question.

Haider looked at her briefly before diverting his attention back to the windscreen. "For lunch right now. Then I'll take you to a place I like."

She just smiled in response and started looking out. After a while, they reached a restaurant. It was beautiful and elegant giving a vintage feel. It was constructed in the format of an Arabian Villa. Even the interior and seating arrangement was the same too. There were no tables laid out here. It was designed with small spaces similar to rooms but getting separated by maroon curtains. Inside, again there was no chair. Instead, the maroon carpet was maiden down with fluffy cushions placed on the borders.

More than anything, Ishmal liked the cozy and private environment. She never liked crowded places and this one was exactly according to her taste. She and Haider were the only ones in this cabin.

"What do you want to eat?" Haider asked her.

Ishmal lifted her right shoulder. " You can order anything. I'll have it."

"No Ishmal. Here take it." He gave the menu to her. "Choose what you like. Today I'll have lunch with your preference."

Her eyes widened. "Maybe you won't like it, Mr. Haider. You might have different likes from me. "

He caressed a pink line on her cheek. "I want to know what you are thinking, what's bothering you, what makes you happy, what makes you sad, and what you like or what you dislike. So go ahead now."

She bit her lower lip in anxiety but gave the order anyway. The meal was unexpectedly very delicious. Ishmal didn't remember the last time when she ate food from outside with this enthusiasm.

After the lunch, Haider took her to the place he mentioned. It was an intricate and elegant rooftop in the middle of the city. And it was giving a perfect view of the whole city. The vast buildings seemed so small from this altitude. The sky seemed so near her so far away from here. It was covered with white cotton-like clouds. The sun was trying its best to peak out from them. But they were playing a hide-and-seek game. This scenery was almost looked like coming out of a computer's wallpaper.

Ishmal's jaw dropped at this. She wasn't expecting this. It was looking so beautiful and soothing to the eyes. Perhaps it would have been more glorious at night but right now, in the daylight, it wasn't looking any less beautiful. The wind was at more pace and intensity here. All of this felt like a nostalgia for her.

"How did you like it?" Haider touched her arm gently.

She glanced his way. "It's amazing. I have never been to this place. And looking at the city like this is so wholesome. Thank you for bringing me here, Mr. Haider."

His hand moved from her arm to her hand and then he intertwined their fingers. "I sometimes come here whenever I need to give time to myself. Whenever I need to see the delicacy and hidden truths of the nature. It gives me a calm feel to see the sky from here. To see all big things becoming so small to the eye from here."

She grinned. "I can understand. It's giving me the same vibes too."

Haider pushed a moving strand of her hair behind her ear. Due to air, her hair was constantly fluttering away and her dupatta was also removed from her head which she was continuously trying to wear back.

"I want to see all of this with you now. This and many other things too. I want us to make memories. I want to enjoy everything with you, Ishmal," he murmured, moving closer to her.

She bobbed her head in acceptance. Haider pecked her forehead again. For various reasons, she loved those sweet and loving kisses from him more than anything. It made her feel like he was giving her importance.

"I want the same, Mr. Haider," she replied.

A few lines appeared on Haider's forehead as he twisted his nose. He held her waist and pulled her towards him. Ishmal's hands landed on his chest. "Take away this Mr. tag while calling me, Ishmal. Just call me Haider."

                  _____________________

AssalamoAlaikum/ Hi dear readers.

How are you?

Here's a new update.

I hope you like it. ❤❤

So here's the sad and proud part at the same time.

MMIM is going towards its end In Sha Allah. Only a maximum of 7,8 chapters are remaining. One or two can be minus or plus and then we will say goodbye to Haider and Ishmal.

Well, not completely as we'll see them again in Book 3.

And yes, it a happy news for many or maybe the majority of you. 😂😀

Huzaifa and Unaiza's book HER STEP HUSBAND is finally going to release very very soon. It's my next task after a short spinoff of Her Replaced Husband which I will write. So stay tuned for it.

So happy for this? ❤

Coming back to the chapter, 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. 💞💞