"Do you still hate women?" She inquired, making him pause as he was going to take a sip of the coffee.

"I hate every person on this earth who is a crap from actions and disposition. Irrespective of gender, Ishmal," he replied calmly after a while.

Ishmal silently regarded him before lifting her shoulder. "But wasn't that more pronounced for women?"

Haider narrowed his eyes at her. He knew where it was going. But now Nisha's mention doesn't bother him. Instead, it annoyed him that why did he had to put her betrayal into his head so much that it became a reason for worry in Ishmal's mind.

"That's for everyone who is a stain on the name of human. I still hate some people. But the difference is that they can go to hell from the side and I won't care.   All I care about is you, Ishmal. As I told you earlier; my heart, my mood, and my consideration only change in front of you. I am still a very bad man, believe me," he smirked.

Ishmal blew in a harsh breath. Her fingers curled over the thin fabric of her shirt. Haider's eyes followed her movement and he got hold of her hand. He pressed his lips over her knuckles.

"That's what you do. I never wanted to come out of my bubble but you always manage to compel me to bring out something subtle and nice out of me," he murmured, looking into her stunned wide eyes.

Haider bridged the gap between them and covered her neck with his palms. "Believe me, Ishmal. There's no one between us. Not in the past not presently as well."

"And she?" She whispered.

Haider clenched his jaw at her question. "Send damn to everyone else, Ishmal. If I again approach you, it's because you are you. Even when I touched you when we were living together, it was because you enthralled me as yourself. It was only you even then for me. I didn't want to let you go but my ego was high. I didn't want you to know that I love you. So that was the only way I could have stopped you. I hate the mere idea of that woman. Wanting to come closer to you by keeping her in mind was far away from reality. You are my Ishmal for me. End of discussion."

Tears brimmed in her eyes but she pulled her face away from his hands. "That room? It has her memories that's why you never let anyone go inside of it."

Haider first glanced at her with the same stern demeanor but to her surprise, he laughed shortly after.

"Who told you this? I assume Hiba. Right? Huzaifa and Gurya can't be this silly to actually reveal it to you," he asked her as still a smile was playing on his lips.

Ishmal pouted but nodded anyway.

"I had a craze for planes. I wanted to become a pilot when I was a teenager. It was my passion and my parents had supported me in it throughout. That room which you are talking about was like my personal museum. I had every kind of collection of plane toys since I was a kid. The toys, the paintings and everything just related to the air. But when my own mother supported someone else over me when I needed her support the most, I chose a profession that she absolutely hated for me due to its risks and even killed my passion for it even. I know it's crazy but that was the anger and rebellion of a way younger me. That's why that room is still closed. I can't see its sight as it brings back the longing in me," he explained.

Ishmal quickly understood the someone else in his talk and today she realized, how much he hated his ex-fiance. His reaction wasn't due to her, it was because of the wound on his ego which she inflicted.

"Let your hair free," he suddenly demanded, completely changing the topic.

Ishmal raised a brow at his off-the-track wish but seeing the passion rising in his eyes, she bit her lower lip and moved her hands towards the back of her head. She pulled out the hairband slowly and it caused her mid-waist golden hair to fall freely around her.

Haider ran his fingers through her soft hair. "You are very gorgeous, Ishmal."

He raised her chin before capturing her alluring lips with his own. She shuddered at the feel of his cold lips against her. It was already turning cold here and now this kiss made goosebumps to rise on her skin. She closed her eyes while again letting him take control while all she did was to enjoy this amazing moment.

Abruptly she felt a hard and frigid object pressing to her back. She shot open her eyes and looked around. Haider had made her lay flat on the bench while he himself hovered over, still kissing her.

Leaving her mouth, he caressed her cheek with his lips while his hand moved over to remove her dupatta and collar of the shirt away from her her neck and shoulder. Minutes later, his lips were on her sensitive skin, again doing wonders here. Ishmal arched her back in pleasure.

When his hand brushed against the curve of her stomach, Ishmal stiffened and touched his wrist.

"Haider..." She whispered talked. 

He gave her a cheeky smile before standing up. Ishmal dumbfoundedly stared at him.

"I don't think so I can stick with my words. I told you I am a very bad man," he asserted and then bent down to carry back in his strong arms.

"Where are you taking me, Haider?" She inquired, getting embarrassed by his move.

"Bedroom," he simply said.

"Set me down. I can walk myself. There will be maids inside. What...what will they think?" She mumbled in worry.

Haider paused and kissed her temple. "You are my wife. They will think about what they should do. By the way, rest assured. At night, no one is here. They all are back to their quarters. It's only you and me in the house. Providing me a perfect opportunity to wreck your innocent mind."

Ishmal who sighed a breath of relief over his earlier information, again became anxious at his last statement. Not that she didn't want them to finally embrace each other by every means, but today just didn't feel right.

Haider finally made their way inside the room. He walked ahead and delicately settled her on the bed. 

"Have some rest. Don't worry, I also want to keep everything for the right time," he informed her.

Ishmal sat back and swallowed harshly. "Are you...you going to sleep here?"

Even though they had kissed many times but the idea of sharing the bed with him seemed unusual for Ishmal now, given they had never even done it before too.

Haider pecked her eyelid. "Why are you so damn adorable, Ishmal?"

"The sweet cupcake you are," he sighed loudly and she lowered her gaze to her lap at this.

Ishmal glanced over at her dress. It was too heavy and tough and sleeping in it was out of the question. She had worn it because of the date. Who knew she had to spend the night at Haider's home like this?

"What's wrong?" Haider's voice brought her back to the world.

Ishmal shook her head. She couldn't just tell him her problem.

"If you are really uncomfortable, I'll manage in another room," he let out,  softly.

Ishmal felt angry at herself for making him think this way. It was his house, his room and he was her husband. He never gave her any reason to become doubtful ever since they started dating.

"No, that's not the thing. Actually, my dress...its... it is too heavy," she spoke slowly.

Haider stayed quiet for a while before talking again. "There will be some of my shirts in the closet. You can wear one of those."

Ishmal's eyes widened in shyness. "No, it's okay "

Haider touched her shoulder. "Come on, Ishmal. Be easy on yourself. I told you; you don't need to be apprehensive of me."

When Ishmal stood in front of his closet, it already made her embarrassed. She randomly took out a white shirt. Coming back into the room, she turned off the light for her own sanity. The thin fabric of the shirt already caused a cold air to pass near her while the fragrance coming from it just reminded her of Haider.

He was already half lying on his side of the bed when Ishmal came back. Though he couldn't see clearly because of the darkness but in the faint light of the zero bulb, he could make a silhouette of her. His big shirt had wrapped her tiny figure almost dramatically. It reached her knees and her golden hair was glowing in the dark. Haider's breath got stuck in his throat. Her sweet vanilla scent was hovering in the whole room.

When Ishmal nervously settled beside him, it took all his self-control not to reach over to her and pull her into his arms.

                      _________________

AssalamoAlaikum/ Hi guys!

How are you?

Here a new chapter.

I hope you like it.

What will happen next?

Will their parents agree to let them be together?

Do you think Haider should know Nisha's perspective behind all which happened years ago?

Did you find him too rude for Nisha or his anger justified?

Do you like how he softens himself for Ishmal?

If you like this chapter, plz vote and comment. ❤❤

Till next one, Allah Hafiz/ Bye. 💞💞