Alina returned home, she placed her keys into her bag and walked straight to Haider's room. Her heart skipped a beat when she noticed he was missing. She recollected how that day too they had an argument and when she returned home all the drama happened. In a fanatic search, she heard a soft muffled tune playing from the activity room. She found her breath return to her lungs.

'Haider!' She called opening the door. He doesn't stop playing. She frowned and walked to him. She called him again, this time softly but he doesn't respond.

'Oh, God! Haider why is your arm out of the sling.' She grabbed his arm. He stiffened. She looked at him and noticed immense pain on his face.

'Are you mad? Where is your—'

'Leave my hand, Alina.' He gritted his teeth. She looked at him, confused. But she kept holding his arm. Haider looked into her eyes. Their faces inches apart. Alina gulped seeing fury in his eyes.

'I said, Leave.' He jerked his hand from her grip and Alina fell a few steps back. He stood up and grabbed her arm, pulling her closer.

'Say you love me, now.' He roared. Alina flinched. That night came flashing before her eyes as Haider's madness got very close to Jahangir's menace. She gulped looking at him with fear in her eyes.

'Since we are together how many times I have confessed and how many times have you? For you, your phone is more important than me. You didn't even bother waiting for me when I asked you to, and—you dare have an affair with Mikael.' He accused her.

Alina gathered her courage and pushed him, - 'You dare accuse me.' – she thundered back, pointing a finger at him, - 'Dare you question my character. And Mikael, you are bad-mouthing him. He has done so much for you and you—' she abruptly stopped talking as Haider held her cheek, pinching his fingers into her flesh.

'Don't say his name. You are mine, mine, okay?' He grabbed her hand and was shocked to find the ring missing, - 'Where is your ring, Miss. Alina? Didn't I say you not to remove it?' He glared at her; his nostrils flared in anger.

Alina shuddered in terror. She wasn't so shocked or scared with Jahangir because she didn't know him but the person before her, now, was someone she knew, and he supposedly loves her.

Haider held her hand and dragged her with him. Alina kept protesting slamming her fists on his arm, but he doesn't stop. He took her into the room and locked it from inside. Alina gasped loudly as he threw her across the floor.

'Enough, Miss. Alina. No more Mr. Nice Guy. Now, I must deal with you the way Mr. Zaidi dealt with me. That is the only way I can keep you with me like he kept me and my mother with him.' He huffed towering over her.

Alina's color drained from her face as she stared in utter shock and disbelief at him. With only one hand, Haider managed to remove his belt. He held it tightly and raised his arm. As he struck it down, his hand trembled and he lost the grip, narrowly missing her. She let out a small cry but felt numb as the belt hit the floor just a few inches away from her body.

Alina gulped looking at him as he fell to the floor, kneeling in front of her. She pulled her legs closer to her body and cowered whilst staring at him. Haider held his thigh and exhaled, shaking his head.

About fifteen minutes later, Alina gathered herself and swallowed the lump in her throat. Haider was still in the same kneeling position. She had noticed him shake slightly and heard his silent sobs. She shifted, carefully reaching out to him but retracted her hand.

'Haider, you aren't like Jahangir Zaidi.' She spoke in a shaky low voice, - 'You aren't evil, Haider.' She hesitated at first but then, held his shoulder. He quivered from her touch. Alina licked her trembling lower lip and drew in a sharp breath, - 'You need love, Haider. But—I am not the one for you.' She finally confessed all her heart's thoughts.

Haider looked up, teary-eyed at her, - 'What? You are leaving me for—Mika—'

'I am not leaving you for anyone—' she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, - 'this relationship was a fail from start. You love me, but you don't know why? And I—I am not able to say those three words, I—honestly, Haider, the truth is that I don't—I don't love you. And I don't love Mikael either.' She cleared her thoughts.

Haider held her hand, - I am sorry, Alina. You are saying this because I was about to hit you, right? You don't mean it.' He pleaded; tears flowed from his eyes. Alina bit her lip and shook her head.

'We aren't—meant for each other. I am sorry, Haider.' She apologized, now she had tears in her eyes as well. Haider couldn't believe her, he held her hand with his other hand as well. He winced but ignored the pain.

'No—' -his lips trembled, - 'please.'

Alina closed her eyes briefly and then looked at him, - 'what love is this, Haider? Where you don't trust your partner. That you leave spies behind her.' – She revealed, he looked at her with surprise, - 'Do you think, I won't know about Banerjee and you, you used to stalk me at my locality and in Bangalore, right?' She further shocked him.

- 'I found that stalker's hoodie in your wardrobe and the car, the stranger used to stand with. I didn't say anything, I let it be but not anymore. I can't. I thought a lot about it. Like Banerjee you have had other spy behind me, else how did you know about my parents and their profession, how did you know I used to drive scooty in my locality? How?'

'Haider, this—this is not love. When you must invade someone's personal space, when you have to shower the person with richness and luxurious and gifts—to buy their love, it is not love. Haider.' She explained. Haider lowered his head, he felt exposed when she reminded him of everything.

Alina sighed, then she held his shoulders and made him stand. Cautiously, she made him sit on the bed and she kneeled beside him.

'Haider.' – she held his hand that rested on his lap, - 'When I said that you have become an important part of my life. I wasn't lying. You are important to me. That is why I want to help you.' She hesitated, - 'there is a very decent psychiatrist, Dr. Geiti Ashraf. I have her card. You can visit her and—she can help you and, and I will be there with you too.' She held his cheek gently and made him look at her, - 'Trust me, Haider. You need help, you need love. I can give you the love. I mean friendly love and support while Dr. Geiti can help you with your problems.' She assured him.

Haider stared blankly at her. He didn't understand why they can't be in love. Why can't Alina feel for him, the way he feels for her. When he is with her, he felt complete and at peace. She was his drug and he was badly addicted to her.

▪⎯⎯⎯∞⎯⎯⎯▪

The next day, Alina had gotten up early. Without freshening up, she left her room and walked into Haider's room, but he wasn't there. She properly tied her night robe and searched for him. She was worried he took offense and did something dangerous. She was relieved to find him in the garden. He was dressed in a vest and track pants; his right arm was in a string and he held a transparent cup of black tea with his left hand. She sighed in relief.

'Haider, what are you doing here?' She tugged on her braid, making it rest on her shoulder. He doesn't look at her. Also, when she stood beside him, he doesn't spare a glance at her. A moment passed and he cleared his throat. Staring at the front, he spoke, - 'You got the card of the doctor?' His voice was hoarse. Alina lowered her head and stared at her fingers.

'Yes.' She breathed. He looked at her and she looked at him. Her thin lips twitched into a smile. But he kept a neutral face.

'I am glad you decided to visit the doctor.' She expressed her gratitude. Haider turned to face her.

'I am not going there for you or me. I am going to her to prove to you that I am not mad. Also, that I truly love you.' He replied. Alina stared blankly at him until he walked past her. This time his speech and his stare were like how he would normally talk to people. There was no love nor intimidation. She looked at the door from which he left and sighed. Still, she was happy that he has decided to give the doctor a chance.

Haider sat at the breakfast table. He twirled his spoon into the milk cereal. He was distracted when Alina placed her ring and some keys on the table next to this injured arm. He looked up. She was fully dressed in her casual clothes, her wet tresses resting on one side. She sighed and sat beside him, - 'Haider since we—I am returning everything that you had given me. I am grateful for everything but, I don't deserve it.' She explained pushing the keys and ring towards him. He blinked at her.

'Please take it, Haider. It isn't right for me to have these.' – she paused and continued with guilt in her eyes, - 'I know that I had gotten carried away with this wealth, it is one of the reasons why I was with you and—I am sorry for that. I have realized now that there is no short-cut to success, fame, and money. I have learned it and now I am more focused on my internship.' She looked confidently at him. Haider didn't react. Alina waited for a moment and then encouraged him to have his breakfast. She raised from her seat but was startled as he pushed the bowl of cereal. She looked stunned at him. He rose angrily from his seat.

'You have five minutes, Miss. Alina. I am waiting for you in the car.' He said without looking at her.

'But are you going to drive?' Alina asked. Without responding to her, Haider wore his sunglasses and marched out of the dining room. She looked at him, his dry behavior pinched her heart. But she pushed aside the thought and grabbed her handbag. Silently, she walked out of the villa.

Woah!!!! How was the Chapter, guys? Is there any hope left for Alina and Haider? I am keeping my fingers crossed in hope *smiles*

My lovelies, drop your thoughts about the Chapter in the comments, please *smiles* and Stay Tuned for the next update *lots of love* *hugs and kisses*

Precap:

They passed by many large halls, then climbed upstairs, and then she stopped by the door to the sharp right of the stairways. Noori cleared her throat and knocked at the door.

'Come in.' A cheerful voice responded. Noori twisted the golden round knob and entered the room.

'Welcome, Mr. Haider.' She said.

Haider walked in and gasped looking wide-eyed at the room. The room was a total mess with the bedsheets of the bunker bed half lying on the bed and more of it crumpled on the floor. There was a chair with huge piles of clothes. The only positive was the light that shown from the life-size French window that opened into a balcony. Leaning against the bunker bed was a young woman with a video game controller in her hand, her eyes glued to the fifty-five-inch TV that had a violent gun game playing in low volume.

Looking at the messed-up room, triggered Haider's OCD. He tried to look away from the mess.

He concentrated on the woman who sat with her legs folded. She was dressed in a loose long sleeve grey top, black track pants, and was bare feet.

'Amaal!' Noori called andthe young woman paused her game. 

How was the Precap, my lovelies? Drop your thoughts *muaaah* *muaaah*