The following morning, Haider arrived in the torture cell. His veins spurted seeing the young man sitting on the stool, crying in pain and yelping for mercy. A policeman was beating him at every weak point and joint possible which would bring out the truth out of his mouth.

Seeing Haider, the policeman paused and saluted him with respect. Haider nodded and then glared at the man whose nose had burst by now.

"You can leave. I'll take over from here," he ordered his subordinate. This involved his own wife and he didn't want anyone to know it.

"Leave me. Why did I get arrested? I didn't do anything," the guy spoke in a breathy voice.

Haider pulled out his stick and banged it harshly on his knees. The man creaked in agony.  

"The house you barged into last week was mine. Now tell me; why the hell did you take your filthy of a body there in the night?" He whispered sternly and mercilessly.

The man's eyes widened in shock but soon it got replaced by fear. "It...it wasn't me. I don't know what you are talking about. I am innocent."

Haider clenched his jaw and slapped him hard across his face. "I know every damn thing. Stop this drama and spill everything."

When he again remained quiet, Haider landed another hit at his kneecap, making his legs feel like jelly. Tears brimmed in his eyes as he cried out loudly.

"I'll..te...tell you. Pl...Please don't beat me anymore," he said, raising his both arms, filled with scratches and gashes in the air.

Haider clutched his hair in his palm and shook his head brutally. He felt like doing something so that this would be his last day on the earth.

He swallowed hard before speaking. "I am Rahim. My mother works in the house of the your wife's step-grandparents. She had been suffering from TB and we didn't have any money to get her treatment. Abid Abbas was jailed because of his stepdaughter. His mother gave me the choice that she would only help me with money if I did this particular task for her. That was to defame your wife in the eyes of you and your family. Portraying as a boyfriend of hers for whom she fled. Making it seem like that she had escaped from her house because she had an affair with me. Please forgive me. I was helpless and did all this because my mother was dying. There was no other way to get money in such a short time. I became greedy and..."

"Didn't you know that who am I and I have the potential to catch you and give you the worst punishment?" Haider grabbed his has angrily.

"I knew. That's why I schemed this with all the planning. I had befriended your guard and lent him some money in exchange for extracting information about your household. That day I knew your family wouldn't be at home. That was a perfect opportunity for me. I stayed out of your bungalow for the whole time. When I noticed the car of your family, I acted upon my plan and jumped inside. Initially, my strategy was only to get caught by any of them and claim that I was your wife's boyfriend and she had asked me here for help. But maybe that was bound to happen that when I entered the kitchen, I found your wife there. It had sped up everything. When the direction of attention changed from me to your wife, I escaped somehow," he said.

"Please forgive me. I did all this being a stupid. I shouldn't have done that. Please..." Rahim pleaded.

"Shut up!" Haider punched his mouth. "Stay for a few days in the lockup. You will learn your lesson."

Haider came out of the torture cell, fuming in anger. He appointed one of his subordinates to throw Rahim behind bars. Now he had to get a hand on Abid's mother. He captured an old yet cunning woman within no time. She had told him that it was actually his son's plan to taint Ishmal's image like this in front of the whole world. He was well aware that he had no way out but he also didn't want to make Ishmal's life anywhere near pleasant.

And Haider had taken care of all of them as they deserved.

                 _____________________

When Ishmal got to know about everything from Haider, it made her teared up. Her innocence was proven again. The stain that was splashed over her character got washed away. She didn't want to cry but this happened spontaneously.

Seeing her like this, Haider pulled her into a hug. He cupped the back of her head. Ishmal closed her eyes while wrapping her both arms around his stomach.

"Why are you crying, Ishmal? Those bastards will rot in hell surely. I don't want to see tears in your eyes, especially because of such low lives," he murmured gently.

She pulled away and wiped her cheeks. "I am not crying because of anyone. It's due to the fact that disgrace which they wanted to put on me, it got failed. And Haider, it happened because of you. If you hadn't have believed in me and given me such respect, I would have been labeled as someone who I am not. And he....that disgusting man would have appeared as innocent for everyone."

Haider placed his hands over her both arms. "You are the most lovely thing which ever happened to me. And if I had believed you, it didn't give me any leverage. You are the epitome of innocence, sincerity and virtue, Ishmal. I know about you from inside and outside both."

Ishmal took a deep breath before looking back at him. "Is there any way I can accompany you to the police station tomorrow?"

Haider raised a brow in confusion. "Why?"

"There is something which I have to obtain. Something if I won't do that, I wouldn't be at composure," she murmured.

"And what is that, Ishmal?" Haider implored.

"The mental peace," she confided.

Haider kept on staring at her but didn't say anything. However, he understood what she meant.

                    __________________

When Haider had directed her towards the torture cell where Abid was taken to this morning for this meeting, she had kept her head high. He had placed his hand over the small of her back, indicating to everyone that she was his wife. As Ishmal's eyes locked on the awful man, she felt nauseous. He was sitting on the ground in the far corner, his usual proud demeanor was off now. All the memories from the past resurfaced. The way he always tried to take advantage of her young and juvenile self to the time he had again plotted to defame her once again.

Abid's pupils dilated looking at her. His gaze flitted from Haider to her. He gulped at the dark expressions of the ASP. Ishmal walked towards him and clenched his collar. He was so dumbfounded that he was forced to stand up by the strength of a woman. A girl half his age on whom he was trying to force his body in the past because she was weak and helpless.

Ishmal slapped him hard on his face. One slap. Another. And then the third one. Ishmal just felt like ripping his face apart from his body.

"What did you think? That I am still a helpless girl who is dependent on you and you can twist my mind as you want. In the past fifteen years, I bore your filth by thinking that that's how fathers love. I consider you my father but you were disgusting. And now; did you just assume that I am the same as before? Did you just get me as a prize with my mother that you can humiliate me as you want? You are a cheap and sick piece of dung. You deserve to die a death caused by fire. I wish you never can smile again and find any small happiness," she yelled at the top of her and surprisingly she didn't have any tears in her eyes now.

She had gotten her revenge. The revenge of ruining all those pleasant years of childhood which one would cherish.

                    __________________

              ••|One Month Later|••

Tonight, Haider had again brought her to the place where they had their first date. The high rooftop from where you could see the whole city. As it was the night, the spectacle looked way more beautiful than it was during the day in the past. From the faint darkness of the altitude where they were standing, the small lights on the different buildings gave a nostalgic vibe.

Ishmal was wearing a black linen long shirt having tiny, cute green flowers and multi-colored embroidery on it. As usual, she had covered her head with a dupatta. While because of Haider's liking, she always lets her hair open whenever they go out. Due to the heavy chilled wind, she was feeling cold here. She had crossed her both arms around herself.

Ishmal was staring at the scenery in awe. She always loved to come here. It gave a cool and calm vibe. Minutes later, she felt Haider's arms around her as her back pressed against his crispy back shirt-laden chest.

"Let me warm you a bit," he mumbled, in her ear.

Ishmal smiled timidly but she indeed felt nice in the protection of his strong arms. "Haider, thank you for again bringing me here. I don't know why but being here makes me happy."

He pressed his lips against her temple. "And being with you makes me happy."

She giggled. "Well, that's true for me too actually."

Haider made her turn around and face him. "I love you so much. Before you, there was only darkness in my life. But since you came, there have been lanterns of happiness, love, trust, and contentment everywhere. It's so wholesome and comforting to be with you. You accepted me with all of my darkness, I love you more for that."

"I love you too, Haider. All I can say is that; I can't imagine a life without you now. More than anything, the way you have made sure I get respect and my self-respect won't get compromised, I don't have words to explain how that makes me feel. But my heart only takes your name on every beat," she confessed, smiling genuinely.

Haider kissed her fingers one by one before intertwining their hands and walking ahead. They wanted to have fun of that dating period again tonight.

                  ____________________

Haider had told his family too about the reality of that particular incident and how he had imprisoned the culprits. Aqia still didn't say anything but he knew she must be feeling remorse. He knew his mother quite well. Nevertheless, he didn't want to bring Ishmal back to that place. That would trigger her trauma once again. And his father had agreed with him.

He had set up a separate room for Ishmal where she could do her paintings in isolation. And a few days ago, Ishmal had got a unique idea. She decided to paint his picture. She was so excited to bring it in front of him someday as a surprise.

That was one such day when she was working on his portrait when Haider entered the room. It was almost complete and just a few after touches were needed. Ishmal's jaw dropped and she hid the canvas quickly. He narrowed his eyes at her.

"What are you painting?" He asked, stepping towards her.

"Nothing. I was just about to come out. Why did you come here?" She stood up quickly.

"I want to see you paint. In fact, show me your work," he announced, sitting on her stool instead.

She bit her lower lip. She had never revealed her fondness to him ever. But when she saw appreciation in his eyes for her art as he was flipping through the pages of her diary, it made her happy.

"You are so talented, Ishmal," he complimented her, as he again got up.

When he approached her for a kiss, Ishmal's back hit the canvas that she had hidden from him and the cloth fell away. She placed a palm over her mouth realizing nothing could be done now as Haider had already seen it.

He for a moment couldn't speak anything. He couldn't even imagine that was what she had been up to for so many days. Haider held her hand and pulled her towards him.

"That was what you had been doing? Making my portrait?" He questioned, amusedly.

Ishmal pouted. "But it got revealed before time. I wanted to give you a surprise. It isn't one yet."

"I like it the way it is. Oh God, Ishmal, the idea of you drawing a picture of mine is bringing so many wild ideas into my mind," he asserted with a smirk. 

Moments later, he had claimed her lips for a passionate kiss. Ishmal trembled because of the intensity but closed her eyes. Possessively cupping the side of her face, he was making her see stars in the premises of a room.

Haider lifted her up in his arms, his lips never leaving her, and made her lie down on the sofa placed in the far left corner.

That was another amazing moment that they spent in each other's arms, expressing nothing but love and passion for each other.

"By the way, I came here to tell you that I had booked tickets for our honeymoon to Turkey for the next week. But you again made me crazy for you," Haider explained, running his finger over her bare arm sensually.

Ishmal looked at him with a stunned smile and sat up. "Honeymoon?"

He nodded, moving his hand on her neck now. She partially closed and eyes and groaned.

"Are you happy?" Haider asked, stopping his movement and the despair Ishmal got from it was worse.

"Of course. I would love to enjoy spending time with you," she said.

Haider pulled her down for a kiss. "I would also love that."

She smiled cheerfully as he again made her lay down in his arms. She thanked Allah in her heart for letting her see this happy day. The path wasn't easy which led to this day but it was worth it.

Ishmal's eyes abruptly fell over the window. As it was almost the nighttime, the sky was adorned by a moon. She recalled the same moonlight was present when she had first met Haider. From beholding that moonlight together which made them one on the paper level to this one where they were united by hearts, bodies, minds, and souls.

It was a bittersweet ride but the destination was beautiful.

                  _____________________

AssalamoAlaikum/ Hi guys!

How are you?

Here's the last chapter.

I hope you like it.

Another journey came to an end.

I am feeling emotional right now. I loved writing about #Isher. (A beautiful ship name by nardhana ❤)

I hope you guys also loved reading about them as much as I loved writing.

How did you like the end?

Who was your favorite character?

Who was your least favorite character?

Which scene you loved the most?

Any dialogue which you liked?

How did you like Ishmal and Haider as a couple?

Did you like Haider's character development?

Did you like the last scene of Ishmal confronting Abid for her own mental peace?

Do vote and comment. ❤❤

Thank you so much for staying with me in these 6 months. I loved reading your comments and your votes made me so happy. 💞

I will come back again with Huzaifa and Unaiza's book In Sha Allah.

So stay tuned for it. 💞💞

I will write an epilogue soon. ❤

A Bit About Arranged Series

BOOK 1: His Ignorant Lover (Complete)

Ruhaan and Nisha

BOOK 2: Match Made in Moonlight (Complete)

Haider and Ishmal

BOOK 3: Her Step Husband (Upcoming)

Huzaifa and Unaiza

BOOK 4: Me and You

Izmir and Rahmeen

            •Other works by Namas48•

Entangled Love (Complete)

Zara and Armaan

Far Away Love (Sequel) (Complete)

Zainab and Shaiq

Her Replaced Husband (Complete)

Ajwa and Faris

Allah Hafiz/ Bye. ❤❤