It was Kanwal's second sleepless night, but there was a huge difference in yesterday's night and the night before. She was in her home the night before, with her sister and parents, safe and secure.

Kanwal wrapped her arms around herself, as the memories of last night start flashing in her mind and her heart started to hammer against her chest again. She could still feel Ahad's touch, his breath, and his closeness, everything. Like he is with her right now. A shiver ran through all over Kanwal's body and she quickly shook her head, trying to subside this thought. Without making any noise, Kanwal raised up from the armchair at the corner of the room and stood beside the window to watch how slowly and gently the morning sun rays light up the sky.

Kanwal felt exhausted, like all of her energy is drained and her legs are about to give away at any moment. But still, she chose to stand instead of sitting or lying down on the bed or the armchairs. Once she thought to leave the room but an unknown fear stopped her from doing it. Therefore, she stayed there, trying her best to ignore the fact that Ahad was sleeping in the same room. But soon, Kanwal gave up and went back to the armchair. She curled herself into a ball and put her dupatta on her cold feet. Gazing aimlessly into space, she leaned her head to the back and within minutes, she falls asleep.

~*~

It was the phone's vibration that caused Ahad's peaceful slumber to be disturbed. Grumbling, he grabbed his phone on the nightstand and switched it off, knowing that if it is something urgent, Moosa would have contacted him on another number which is reserved for selected people.

Ahad changed his position and shut his eyes, but the fragrance of fresh flowers made him open his eyes again and then it suddenly hits him. Taking off the blanket, he got up and was about to rush out when his eyes spot a figure curled up in a ball on the armchair, at the corner of the room. Making a displeased face, Ahad covered the distance to Kanwal and bent down to her face. For the first time, Ahad was watching her sleeping face and he couldn't deny that she looked more beautiful in her sleep. His eyes travelled down and a smile formed on his face on watching her dress.

She found her way to the wardrobe...

Ahad settled himself on the hand of the armchair, beside Kanwal whilst keeping his gaze on her. Her black silky hair was wrapped up in a loose bun, giving a clear look of her face. Ahad's gaze roamed on her pale face and fixed on her slightly swelled lips. An urge of touching her again emerged in him but he fought it back, not wanting to destroy her nap as he has a very good idea that she spent all night without sleep. Her dry wrapped hair proved it.

For a while, Ahad kept his gaze on Kanwal like she is a prize he had won after a very hard struggle and what intrigued him the most was the change in her. She had proved his assumptions wrong every time. At first, he thought she would take his side and go with him when he came for her last year, but she refused. He thought she would fear him and cry when he said he will talk to her parents, but she didn't. Instead, she took a step beyond his thought and presented a deal. A fragile girl like Kanwal bargained with the second in command of Black Eagles. It was unimaginable for him to picture her like that and ....last night. When he was expecting a protest from Kanwal, she yet again proved him wrong. There was no rejection in her actions, or in her eyes like she had accepted everything. She accepted him.

He recalled her blushed face and the feeling he got when he touched her. At that time, Ahad felt like nothing matters anymore. The watch that the man gave her, the anger he felt about her rejection, nothing. What matters was that Kanwal was his and there were no barriers, no restrictions on him anymore.

His anger, his ego, vanished the moment he touched her lips. Ahad was losing his control and she allowed him to melt within her.   Kanwal's acceptance left Ahad startled and now he found himself in a strange struggle. The assumption he made about her not loving him was shaken badly. If it wasn't for his ego, he would have to hold Kanwal and ask her whether she loves him or not. If she does, then who is that Rafay guy to her? And if not.... he doesn't know what he will do.

Have I gone crazy?

Ahad asked himself.

He has been with her from last night, just one night, just a few hours and yet, she has made him question his sanity. With an audible sigh, he straightened himself to get up but stopped on finding Kanwal's gaze on him.

~*~

Kanwal always wished for sleep like Alina and Mahnoor, who can easily sleep even if someone bangs a drum near their heads. While Kanwal was one of those people who would wake up if someone sneezes in the same room. And that's what happened now, Ahad's loud sigh was enough to disturb Kanwal's slumber and now she is staring at him with wide eyes. Ahad also stared her back, with a look which Kanwal couldn't fathom. She averted her gaze and sit straight.

"Go to bed," Ahad said, keeping his gaze fixed on her. "You look sleepy."   Instead of answering Ahad or going to bed, Kanwal got up and made her way to the door. But before she could reach the door, Ahad stopped her by holding her elbow and spun her towards him.

"Your eyes are all red and you look tired. Go to bed and take a nap." Ahad ordered.

Without making eye contact, Kanwal freed her arm and went to bed, leaving Ahad in an awkward position, where he couldn't decide whether he should be satisfied that Kanwal listened to him or get angry at how she behaved.

~*~

Ahad turned his position on the sofa again. He was irritated by his current situation. He left the room almost three hours ago so Kanwal could get a peaceful sleep. Therefore, he was lying on the sofa still in his pyjamas. His laptop, phones, and the other stuff were in the room while he was in the living room with the TV.

"Okay, that's it." Ahad got up when he couldn't bear the feeling of isolation anymore and stride towards the bedroom.

He was extra cautious while opening the door so Kanwal wouldn't wake up. But upon entering the room, he found an empty bed. Ahad's eyes instantly scan the entire room and a frown formed on his face. The tidy bedsheet and other things in the room were implying that Kanwal didn't sleep. Ahad clenched his jaws to control the anger and silently sat on the bed. He waited for Kanwal to come out from the bathroom, but no one came out after several minutes.

"Kanwal?" Ahad called her, knocking on the bathroom door.

No answer...

"Kanwal." He knocked again.

Again, no answer.

The next thing Ahad did was spin the doorknob and open the door, only to find it empty.

"Kanwal?" Ahad called out to her again, this time a little louder. 

"Kanwal, where are you???" He was about to leave the room when a soft voice stopped his tracks.

"Here." Ahad turned around on his heels and saw Kanwal standing up from behind the armchair.

"What the hell were you doing there?" He stalked towards her.

"Sitting." Kanwal answered nonchalantly.

"Couldn't you find any better place to sit?" Ahad asked, gritting his teeth. 

"It's peaceful here." She avoided making eye contact.

"You didn't sleep?" Ahad inquired, looking at her red and tired eyes, which were swelling now. Kanwal simply shook her head.

"Then why didn't you come out?" Kanwal didn't answer him.

  "I am asking you a question." Ahad brought her near him by grabbing her arms.

"You're hurting me." Kanwal wiggled to free herself and Ahad loosen his grip.

"Leave me." She didn't stop struggling.

"Answer me first." Ahad further firmed his grip.

"I don't want to see your face." Kanwal's answer froze Ahad on his place.

"What?" He asked in disbelief.

"I don't want to see your face, I don't want you near me, I don't want to stay in the same room as you." Kanwal glared at Ahad.

"Have you lost your mind?! Do you know what you are saying??"

"Yes, I know what I am saying and I haven't lost my mind yet. What did you think? That everything will get normal between us if you forced me into this marriage? It was your mistake, Mr Ahad Murtaza. A mistake. Right now, you may have me, but not my heart. You can touch me, but not my soul. You can bend a person by power Ahad, but you cannot bend a person's feelings."

"Because your feelings are for Abdul Rafay now?" Ahad glared into her eyes and she shook her head.

"My feelings are still for the man I loved since I understood the meaning of love and unfortunately, it's not you.....As a wife, I will fulfil my every duty. You have me and my obedience, but my feelings died when you buried the old Ahad." Taking advantage of Ahad's shocked state, Kanwal jerked his hands and left the room.

________________________

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