The morning light peeking through the closed windows fell upon her face. Ishmal winced in her position as her eyelids fluttered. She slowly opened her eyes and looked around lazily. The room was looking dreamy and the atmosphere was still fragrant with the scent of roses. She found herself in Haider's embrace. One of his arms was around her waist and she had placed her head on his warm and muscular chest.

A timid smile crossed her lips at his peaceful sleeping face. She recalled in the last three weeks, whenever she met him and even once spent a night with him, she had always become more apprehensive about going back as soon as possible. But not anymore as there was no hurdle anymore. She was back to where she belonged as Haider said last night.

Ishmal glanced at Haider again. He never seemed this relaxed before. Her gaze fled from his handsome face to his neck and then his strong bare chest which was heaving up and down with his every shallow breath. Her cheeks suddenly started burning at this sight. From afar, he still looked the same Haider as before. But she knew how much he had changed himself for her. Despite being a tough guy, how much he treated her gently last night as though she was a delicate thing that would break by any reckless handling.

Ishmal left the bed and headed towards the washroom. Even though she and Haider reunited, still there was something important that was left. And that was making a space again in the hearts of his family and this home. She would do her best to make everyone realize that she was sincere to Haider and this household.

Ishmal quickly took a quick shower and got changed into a fancy red dress. Applying a bit of makeup and wearing the matching accessories, she completed her look by letting her hair rest free on her shoulders and back. Haider was still sleeping. As she stared back at her reflection, she remembered that she wasn't a new bride here in the true sense. Even though Haider had treated her comeback as this, however, she had lived here for three months before. And it should be her to make some effort so this everyone could warm up to her again, especially Aqia. Her words were stinging in her ears and Ishmal would do anything to prove that she was worth it.

Carefully draping the red dupatta over her head, she exited the room. When she reached the hall, she noticed Aqia busy with one of the maids; ordering her about how to clean the table by not breaking the vase.

"AssalamoAlaikum," Ishmal greeted her respectfully.

Aqia turned around at her voice and her jaw clenched at her view. An indifferent emotion settled in her eyes which broke Ishmal's heart. 

"Walaikum Assalam," she replied nevertheless and veered around at the maid. "You can leave."

"Where is Haider?" She questioned.

"He is sleeping," Ishmal murmured.

Aqia nodded. "Hmm."

"Aqia Aunt." She was about to go when Ishmal called her.

Aqia stopped in her tracks but didn't look at her. Ishmal stepped in front of her.

"Are you angry at me?" She muttered. "Please don't get me wrong. I never had bad intentions. Not in the past not now. Don't get mad at me."

Aqia glared at her. "I think so more than my anger, you should focus on your husband. Ishmal, keep him happy. Give him love and become a girl whom he would feel proud to claim as his wife. Haider's happiness is what you should be bothered about and believe me, if this won't happen, then I'll not spare you this time."

Ishmal swallowed the bitterness of her words. "I love Haider. You rest assured; I'll never do anything which can make his trust waver from me."

"That's what should happen," Aqia said sternly and then left from the lounge.

Ishmal eyed her back in despair. One day, Aqia would give her the same love and respect as was the case in the past. Ishmal had promised herself in her heart. After that, she ambled towards the kitchen. There, she found Unaiza talking to the cooks. She sensed Ishmal's presence and smiled at her.

"Hi Bhabi. Where did you come here?" Unaiza asserted, walking over to her.

Ishmal chuckled. "That's not my first day here that I should be having the tantrums of the bride of the first day."

Unaiza lightly hit her forehead while laughing. "You are right. I just forgot it. But Bhabi, you can't believe that I am so happy for both of you. Haider Bhai and you make a perfect couple and even fate was in favor of both of you as Allah made a means for you both to come across each other again."

"Maybe you are right. It's so dramatic that how we met and we again got reunited," Ishmal commented, agreeing with her.

"By the way, I came here to check if is there any need for help from me. I would love to help you guys out," Ishmal offered.

Unaiza shook her head. "No, we'll manage. Today you really should get some perks of the new bride."

"I don't think so. But at least I see what's happening here," Ishmal said.

Unaiza smiled sheepishly. "No way. You go and enjoy this day. You and Haider Bhai both."

Ishmal really had to go back as Unaiza was insisting. She couldn't believe how friendly that girl was. She could never become like this. It always took her ages to become loosened up to someone. And she was never this generous as well. Unaiza was really a nice and sweet girl who everyone liked. No doubt, she was the apple of the eye of everyone here, especially Haider and Aqia. From the amount of time he had talked about Unaiza to her, it was obvious how much he adored her as a sister.

Ishmal pushed open the door of their bedroom and entered inside. Haider unlike before was awake now. He was even dressed up in a causal black dress shirt and off-white pants. He was sprinkling perfume over himself when he glimpsed at her. He stopped and his eyes warmed as they flitted over her from above till bottom.

"Where have you gone?" He asked gently.

"I went to greet Ammi and everyone else too. But maybe apart from her and Unaiza, no one was awake," Ishmal answered back.

Haider grabbed her soft hand and pulled her in front of him. "I like it when you call her as a mother."

Ishmal shrugged her shoulders. "I consider her as one."

Haider caressed her cheekbone. "Ishmal, I know Mom must not be behaving very nicely to you right now. I wouldn't lie; she wasn't in favor of you being back here due to the fact that we had a contract marriage. But since I insisted, then she agreed. Look, I'll try my best to make sure everyone respects you. However, as far as Mom is concerned, she isn't bad from the heart. Slowly, she will act with you as before seeing your love for me and your devotion to our relationship. "

"You don't worry about it, Haider. To be honest, I didn't take her words to heart. That's my responsibility to again make her realize that I am committed to our marriage and this house," she explained truthfully.

Haider rested his hand over the back of her head and pulled her closer before claiming her mouth again. Ishmal closed her eyes and as always let him take the lead since it anyway made her enjoy their moments together more.

Pulling apart, Haider peered into her light brown eyes. "I am thinking of our honeymoon destination lately. Where do you want to go?"

Ishmal couldn't help but chuckle. "Did you already plan this?"

Haider kissed the mole over her right cheek. "Of course. I told you we'll be enjoying every part of our new relationship from the bottom. So tell me?"

Ishmal tilted her head quizzically. "I don't know seriously. I'll go anywhere as long as we are together."

Haider smirked. "That's right too."

She prayed in her heart for their happiness to be long-lasting and their love to flourish more and more with each passing moment.

                      ________________

It had been a week since she went back with him. Haider had taken off for ten days and hence they had been relishing their dates again. Nevertheless this time, it was in front of the whole world and without any time limit. The days were filled with so many beautiful and lively memories while the nights had been incredible. Everyone in Haider's house was treating her like a family member.

Aqia too wasn't showing her dislike to her more often now. She was less loosened up as compared to others but her earlier displeasure had gone. That was for sure as Aqia had always wanted the best for her kids and family. And seeing Haider happy with Ishmal, there was no reason for her to hold any grudge now.

That day, Haider had dropped her at her grandparents' house. Farah too was relieved seeing Ishmal delighted. She never seemed this contended before and it was all because of her husband.

They were still talking when Ayyan came over to them and handed over an envelope to Ishmal.

"What's that?" Ishmal was confused.

Ayyan tilted his shoulders. "I don't know. Some postman delivered it."

Ishmal unwrapped the envelope and a green paper was revealed. Her eyes widened seeing it.

"What's that, Ishmal?" Farah inquired.

Ishmal looked up. "Divorce papers." She licked her lips in anxiety before speaking.

                    ___________________

AssalamoAlaikum/ Hi guys!

How are you?

Here's a new chapter.

I hope you like it.

What's with the divorce papers?

What do you think it is?

Has Aqia really changed?

What do you think will happen next?

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Till next one, Allah Hafiz/ Bye. 💞💞