What is apparently so strong, enduring and impenetrable, can also be fragile, weak and vulnerable when hit at certain points.

Friday - 10:55pm

Hemayal saw fire.

Rage, such as she had never felt before, tightened her vessels, boiling her blood to the point where red was only thing she could see. Her jaws were tightened in a straight line, teeth clenched as she furiously walked in the small space of her room. Her fists clenched and unclenched by her side with her eyes set straight - her whole body emitted fire.

That bastard. That damn bastard.

For the past hour, Hemayal had been walking to and fro in her room, her nerves refusing to settle down. She had spent the first few minutes after encountering him in shock - deep, deep shock - refusing to believe that the man had followed her all the way here, before the next phase of anger hit her in the face and she almost doubled over in sheer rage.

Sarim had left the two girls much quickly to themselves, not knowing how to handle one shocked and other oblivious girl. Arsala, however, had walked her to her room and insisted to stay with her for a few minutes. And everything Hemayal did in those few minutes, after her initial shock had subsided, was curse. Her unladylike curses filled the room, Arsala flinching as colorful profanities left Hemayal's lips until she was forced to leave the room after Hemayal refused to calm down and asked Arsala to go.

It has been close to an hour since she had been left alone and all the while, she had only paced, the anger in her veins pushing the tiredness in her legs to periphery. Her fury, finally, subsided a little and first rush of fatigue hit her legs and she stopped before all but falling to the bed behind her.

Dropping her head in her arms with elbows placed on her thighs, she muttered one final curse loudly before closing her eyes, urging her body to relax after few exercises of deep breathing. Not a few seconds later, her nerves started to loosen up and her shoulders sagged, her face crunching up in pain.

What the hell was he doing here?

The question finally entered her brain before logical thoughts followed and the pain that momentarily resided on her face gave way to another emotion - contemplation. With eyebrows furrowed while eyes still being closed, Hemayal's brain raced as all possible reasons and outcomes went through her mind.

He was here to see her.

The only possible reason of his presence here filled her mind and she almost sighed. She had promised herself to stay as far away from that vile man as possible, not trusting herself at all when that man was anywhere around her. She knew she had plans to avenge her losses, but fortunately, none of them involved him being close to her and for that, she was eternally grateful.

And now god knows what game he was playing, showing up in front of her every other day and messing with her already torn mind. For her to safely execute her plans and separate her paths from him, she needed to stay away from him and he was making it impossibly difficult. If he continued showing up in front of her at this speed, she would safely lose her mind any day from now, not to mention her heart which leapt to her throat every time their eyes collided.

Sighing, Hemayal ran a hand over her face, looking every shade of disturbed, torn and tired. Straightening in her place, she looked around her, eyeing the bed for a second, as if thinking if going to bed was the right idea at this moment and she instantly knew it wasn't. Sleep wouldn't come, that much she knew and she would only end up tossing and turning in her bed while endless thoughts rushed through her brain.

Not a good idea at all.

She finally decided that she needed fresh air right now to clear her head and to think logically to handle the situation, the warm air in the room not helping much in this case. Looking around once again as she stood up, she sighed heavily as she wrapped a shawl around her frame after wearing a sweater and exited the room after not spotting any balcony in her own room.

The woman knew her way around the hotel, having stayed here a few times before and went straight to the elevator. She knew her chances of meeting Ibrahim were thick so she kept her head down and moved quickly, not in any way ready to encounter his stupid, stubbly face at the moment. The place she was heading to, she knew Ibrahim wouldn't find her there that easily so it was the safest option.

As the elevator door pinged open, cold air hit Hemayal in the face and she closed her eyes momentarily, tightening the shawl around her and stepped outside. The rooftop was deserted at this time of the night and sighing gladly, Hemayal walked deeper towards the edge, leaning her elbows against the concrete as she stared ahead at the vastness of the city spread below her.

Karachi was a sight to behold at nights.

As cold air flowed through her lungs, Hemayal's head cleared a bit more and she exhaled, eyes fixed straight ahead without looking. Her mind was wandering elsewhere but she didn't mind for once, knowing that she had to gather her thoughts before she met that man again.

How he knew she was here, she didn't know. Maybe he had been following her for quite some time now, keeping tabs on her whereabouts. It was no coincidence, none whatsoever, that he always arrived at the place she was present at. He had been following her, there was doubt left.

"Hemayal?" An unsure voice sounded from behind, cutting through the thick haze of thoughts around her and Hemayal's head snapped around, so quickly that for a moment she lost her vision.

And when it came back, it wasn't alone; shock and rage were closely following behind.

"What the hell..." Hemayal mumbled as she completely straightened and turned around, heart beating wildly against her ribcage as she regarded Ibrahim's face with pure fury.

There he stood in all his magnificence, dressed in a casual blue jeans, white shirt and navy blue sweater, head cocked to the side with arms crossed across the chest, his chocolate eyes wandering leisurely over her face as if time was a treasure and he was the wealthiest man alive. His lips, however, were pulled down in a frown and when Hemayal looked closely, she could clearly see the confusion written all over his handsome features.

"What are you doing here at this time of the night?" He voiced his confusion, fixing his gaze on her and Hemayal couldn't help but shift uncomfortably in her place.

God, so much for ignoring him tonight.

"I don't see how that concerns you." Despite the thundering beats in her heart, Hemayal managed to say with clarity, eyes narrowing, voice cool.

"Everything relating you concerns me, baby." Ibrahim managed to reply softly, his frown lifting up in a small smile and Hemayal swore to God, her heart stopped beating as breath hitched in her throat.

For a second, thoughts left her mind and she could only see his brown eyes which were narrowed in amusement as he watched her discomfort over his words. Allah, she wasn't used to such words, especially from Ibrahim - the man she had always loved and now fiercely hated. With the last thought, however, Hemayal narrowed her eyes and pulled her guard back up, refusing to fall for his charms.

"You know what, I would have found you funny if your personality wasn't so shitty." Hemayal coughed slightly as she crossed her arms across her chest, all but glaring at him and saw with joy as the soft smile slipped from his face and a sigh left his lips.

"You don't even know my personality." He sighed.

"I know enough," she glared as she tightened her arms around her. "And what are you doing here in Karachi?"

"Vacationing. Weekend getaway. Ever heard of it?" Ibrahim tried to smile again, not letting her previous words ruin their conversation and when Hemayal felt it, it irked her to no end.

"Yeah, and you know what else I've heard of? Stalking people, following them around." She all but seethed but nothing could have prepared her for Ibrahim's reaction who looked at her for a second in bewilder before throwing his head back and laughing, a rich, deep laugh that showed his straight teeth, throat exposing, his eyes crinkling at the edges and Hemayal only rolled her eyes - with much difficulty, however.

"You're funny, woman." He managed to say as his laugh slowly ceased, sobering up under Hemayal's stern gaze but the smile still stood.

"I wish I could say the same," she shook her head slightly, irritation filling her. "You didn't answer my question."

"I did." He replied with barely contained smile.

"You lied." Hemayal answered just as swiftly and saw as Ibrahim sighed before nodding his head.

"Yeah, I did," he acceded easily but when he didn't explain any further, Hemayal frowned.

"How did you know I was here?" Hemayal leaned back against the concrete as she eyed him with distrust and asked yet another question.

"I called your brother. He told me you came here for some conference." He replied in a beat and Hemayal wanted to shrug him off but she knew he wasn't lying, not this time at least so she only sighed heavily while shaking her head.

Oh, she was going to have a word with her brother.

"How did you know I was here?" Hemayal asked again, looking around him at the deserted rooftop before bringing her gaze back to him who only frowned at her words.

"I just told you-" he attempted to begin but Hemayal silenced him quickly. "I meant here, in the rooftop. How did you know where to find me?"

"Well, I should be asking you that question. I was already here when I heard the elevator opening and you walked outside. You probably didn't see me, though." He stated and Hemayal sighed, for the hundredth time in just that day.

How much worse can her life be, damnit?

"I definitely didn't see you. If I had, I would have gone back down." She said silently and this time, it was Ibrahim who inhaled a deep breath and murmured something under his breath that sounded close to, "Stubborn woman."

Somehow, his murmur pulled the strings of her heart, making her realize how normal the conversation between them was. Unlike the last times, they weren't shouting at each other and she was actually believing the words that left his mouth and that thought suddenly made her clench her teeth, her eyes narrowing at him.

"What?" Ibrahim asked with a frown after sensing her glare again. "I'm not lying."

"Why are you here, Ibrahim?" she fixed him under her stern gaze, distrust flashing across her face. "Why are you staying in this hotel when you knew I was here?"

She asked, genuinely interested in his answer because heavens give her patience, she had no idea what games he were playing. Why he kept showing up and was so insistent to talk to her, she didn't know. All she knew was that she wanted a life where Ibrahim Yazdani was nowhere around and with each passing day, he was making it more and more difficult for her.

"Well, I'm sorry to break the truth to you, baby, but you don't own this hotel. I don't see why I can't stay here." Ibrahim replied, throwing a lopsided grin in her direction, and Hemayal noted with a frown how he effectively ignored her question.

"You didn't answer my question, Yazdani," she said with furrowed eyebrows just as another thought filled her and her voice became ever sterner. "And don't call me baby."

"What should I call you, then?" He asked, ignoring her question again and her irritation soared.

"My name, for instance." She replied with an eye roll.

"Well, Hemayal, I came here to talk to you, as I've told you numerous times before." He said, finally answering her question, punctuating her name softly and god, her name rolling off his tongue did more damage to her heart than the endearment he had been calling her with.

"You don't give up, do you?" Hemayal replied, her exterior tough, not wanting him to get any hint of how her insides were tearing at the moment.

"Not when it comes to you, no," he said but this time gladly, he didn't catch her off guard - Hemayal had already steeled herself against his endearments and romance. "You're here, I am here. And one day, I will convince me to listen to me."

"Get off from your high horse, Yazdani. You come in my path one more time and I'll take a restraining order against you." Hemayal said with clenched teeth.

"No, you wouldn't," The bastard had the nerve to smile and Hemayal literally felt like pulling her hair out. "If you wanted one by now, you would have one by now."

"Don't test my patience, Yazdani." Hemayal seethed with narrowed eyes and Ibrahim sighed, turning serious.

"Look, Hemayal. I know you don't want anything to do with me but that has to change sometime. We need to talk, there is no other way." Ibrahim voiced with all the sincerity in his voice - Hemayal, however, had long ago stopped believing that.

"There is-" Hemayal tried to say but was cut short by Ibrahim.

"No, there isn't. Please. At least hear out what I have to say, just once." The desperation in Ibrahim's voice made Hemayal narrow her eyes.

"I don't need to hear your excuses," Hemayal replied, cocking her head to the side. "What games are you playing, Ibrahim?"

"None that I know of," he said as he raked a hand through his black locks. "I'm not playing any games. I just need you to hear me out once-"

"Okay." Hemayal cut him short, surprising not only him but herself too, but was quick to recover and held her head even higher.

"O-what?" Ibrahim lost the ability to form words for a second and Hemayal enjoyed every second of his uncertainty and confusion.

"I'll listen to you. Whatever bullshit you have prepared to tell me, I'll listen to it." Hemayal replied calmly and Ibrahim's face broke into a huge grin, one that threw her off guard for a second.

Allah, no one warned her how beautiful his smile was.

"Thanks, thank you. Really. I just...thank you." Ibrahim mumbled and Hemayal only raised an eyebrow in sarcastic amusement, clearly enjoying his state before nodding her head.

"It was time we solved this issue and I think talking is the best way to it." Ibrahim mused and Hemayal barely contained the eye roll, knowing how insulting this must feel to him but it was beyond her.

"We're not talking to solve this issue. You'll talk, I'll listen and I'll come back." Hemayal replied unflinchingly and Ibrahim's smile slipped for a second.

"Hemayal, solving this issue is necessary. We are married. We can't go on ignoring each other forever, that's not possible." He begin, tiredness coming to rest in his voice and Hemayal's brows shot up.

"I can go on ignoring you forever, Yazdani. Try me." She replied and heard as a groan left Ibrahim's lips.

"Why are you being so difficult?" the man literally grunted, his eyebrows furrowing as he raked a desperate hand through his hair. "What do you plan on telling your family about this, then? You know the situation in which we got married. If you think they'd let us divorce so easily, you've got another thing coming, woman."

"That's not a problem, really. These early and forced marriages can end up in one hearing of the court." Hemayal replied easily and saw as he stilled in his place, his irritated expression freezing on his face.

"You...you will go to the court?" Somehow, he couldn't wrap his mind around the fact and Hemayal had absolutely no idea why.

"If I have to, yes. I can't stay locked up in a marriage that was forced on me, especially now," Hemayal replied, voice devoid of any emotion and what surprised her was the fact that she actually meant the words she said.

"Besides, the situation was different when we got married, things were different, people were different. I don't think getting rid of this so-called marriage will be much difficult now." Hemayal voiced her genuine opinion in front of her nemesis for the first time, eyeing with confusion as Ibrahim's eyes widened before they narrowed dangerously, all the playfulness and mischief slipping from his face.

Without warning, he took a threatening step towards her, his action leaving their bodies pressed together as his hand shot upward to get a hold of her elbow. Nothing could have prepared Hemayal for his sudden reaction; her own eyes widening as breath hitched in her throat. All logical senses evaded her and all she could see in the whole wide world were his eyes that looked at her with pure rage.

"You can go to every damn court in this country, Hemayal Khakwani, and I still wouldn't divorce you, do you understand that?" Ibrahim's voice was deep and rough, barely contained anger hidden in his tone, as he punctuated each word slowly.

Their faces were inches apart, his hot breath fanning her cheeks while Hemayal's was stuck somewhere in the back of her throat. Her heart beat wildly under her breastbone, snatching her ability to form coherent words.

When Hemayal didn't reply and continue staring in his eyes, Ibrahim tightened his hold on her elbow, forcing her eyes to gain focus before growling, "Do you understand, Hemayal?"

The tightening of his hold brought Hemayal back to her senses and the first thing she registered was their proximity, their bodies touching with only the layers of clothing separating their skins from contact. This time, instead of pooling at her feet, Hemayal's heart roared and a murderous look settled on her face.

Without thinking, Hemayal raised her free hand and a harsh sound reverberated around them as palm of her hand made contact with the skin of his cheek. Ibrahim's eyes widened just as his face turned away slightly, his grip on her elbow loosening while his feet fell a step back.

"Touch me like this again and I will murder you with my bare hands!"

Hemayal seethed, her eyes turning lethal as she glared at him, body shaking slightly with sheer and utter rage.

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i am actually maintaining a schedule this time, wow! how did you like the chapter, though?

till next time,
salam!