The rest of the day, he spent trying to pacify Amaal but to no avail. Exasperated and weary he decided to spend some time with Uncle Joy and other elderly people. It could be a refreshing change. And it was. Haider helped them with their stuff, relieved their memories, and learned about their experiences. One couple married for 70 years were very amusing and interesting.

'Oh, she was very a dramebaaz woman. I proposed to her for the first time and she ran away.' The old man, Hitesh Pundit narrated. The woman sat beside him and had her hand looped with his. She giggled shyly.

'You didn't propose. You were very intimidating.' She confessed still chuckling. The man roared with laughter. Haider smiled at him and looked at them with admiration. He listened as Hitesh explained how he met his future wife's family, prominent landlord of the time, and how they had chased him away.

'And she didn't even protest or dramatically come to my rescue.' Hitesh said in a cheerful tone. Haider was amazed at how this man was remembering his bashing as a fond memory.

'Hey, I was just fifteen and I was dead stared of my father and brothers.' Rani Pundit confessed.

'Five brothers. Rani had five elder brothers. All five along with few workers bashed me black and blue.' – Hitesh sighed, wiping a happy tear from the corner of his eye, - 'They fractured my ribs and a leg. But I didn't give up. Next time I brought my parents along with me. Finally, after a lot of struggles, they agreed to give her hand in marriage and the rest is history.' He explained.

Haider kept listening very intently. All these love-stories gave him immense hopes.

Hitesh leaned closer to him and held his hand, - 'Son, persistence is the key. Women are like dreams, keep convincing them with a clean heart and they will be yours.'

'Hitesh!' Rani slapped his arm, - 'Don't give the boy stupid ideas.' – then she looked at Haider, - 'Listen, son. If a girl says no means no. No persistence, no convincing. Nothing. Okay.' She said strictly. Hitesh waved a hand, shaking his head. Haider just nodded in response. Alina hasn't said no, exactly.

Finally, in the afternoon when Haider entered the room, he found Amaal on the floor, leaning against the bed and playing a video game. She doesn't look at him. He looked at her and then at the TV screen. Then, he sighed and sat on the bed, close to her.

'Um, what are you playing? May I play with you.'

'No!' Came her blatant reply. He pressed his lips and leaned back.

'You are mean.' Haider said in an attempt to get something out of her. She sneered at him.

'Lesser than you.' She replied without glancing at him. He sighed removing his shoes and then got up. Amaal watched him walk to the cupboard and neatly place it on the bottom shelf. As soon as he turned, she looked away scrunching her nose to pull up her glasses.

Haider sat on the bed, removed his muffler and sweater. Amaal tried to look at him from her side vision but failed.

He breathed, - 'Look, Amaal.' – and hesitated with his hand hovering over her shoulder, after a pause he retracted his hand, - 'I know I had been super mean and—I am sorry, okay. You have every right to be mad at me and—'

Amaal turned placing her arm on the bed, still clenching onto the gaming control, - 'I forgive you.' She said politely.

Haider blinked at her, - 'What?' – he shrugged, - 'So easily.'

'Yes.' She nodded, - 'Life is too short for holding grudges.' – She sighed with her lips tightly pressed, - 'But next time, I won't speak to you again.' She warned him with a finger raised.

Haider nodded and slipped next to her, - 'May I?' He extended his hand. Amaal nodded and handed him the other controller. He happily took it, but his happiness was short-lived as she spoke again,

- 'By the way, why are you so interested in my boobs. If you want to have sex with me, just tell me.'

Haider fumbled with the controller as he looked dumbstruck at her. Amaal looked at him and shrugged, - 'What? No one will know.' She winked with a naughty smile.

He stilled for a moment and then laughed, - 'Nice joke.' He commented.

Amaal frowned, placing her free hand on her hip, - 'What? You said you had so many women in your bed and stuff. Don't you miss having sex?' She inquired curiously. Haider wasn't able to comprehend if she was being funny or serious or sarcastic.

'Um, don't you miss—sex?' He asked instead.

Amaal began chuckling, throwing away the controller, - 'How will I miss something that I haven't experienced. Silly.' She slapped his forehead. Haider shifted uncomfortably, a little away from her, and cleared his throat.

'Can we please talk other stuff?' He requested.

Amaal sighed looking away, - 'Okay.'

'By the way,' – He twisted little to have better look at her, - 'you are a virgin, then why it doesn't—make you feel awkward suggesting having sex?' He enquired out of pure curiosity.

She looked at him from over her glasses, - 'Because,' – she paused dramatically, - 'I love you.' She confessed.

Haider felt his heartbeat stop for a moment and he simply blinked at her but relaxed when she began laughing. He looked away with a scowl, - 'Silly girl.' – and internally chuckled, shaking his head. Amaal leaned against his shoulder and looped her hands with his arm.

'But you know that I have a crush on you.' She confessed.

He nodded, smiling a little, - 'I know. You had told me before.' -Haider puffed his chest with pride, - 'And honestly, who doesn't.' – He grinned to himself.

Alina stood by the mirror and focused on applying her lip-gloss. She smacked her lips and leaned back, combing her sleek straight hair with her fingers. Then, she adjusted the top of her hair. As she fixed her oxidized silver afghani necklace properly, the door opened and Meera walked in. Alina looked up in the mirror and smiled at her friend. She was dressed in a baggy top, polka-dotted pink capri pants, and held a laptop with one palm, fingers of her other hand glided over the keyboard. With her eyes glued to the screen, she kept biting the corner of lips and walked like a zombie.

'Meera, how am I looking?' Alina enquired expectantly holding up her red long Kurtha and from the high slit on the side, her wash out jeans were visible.

'Hmm,' - Meera looked up for a millisecond and then looked down again, - 'Yeah, nice.' She commented. Alina's smile dropped. She watched as her friend walked to her bed and comfortably sat down. Not once did she lookup. Alina bit her lip and looked away. She had thought that things were normal- almost- between them especially after last night but seems like Meera has taken those hurtful words to her heart.

Alina sighed and picked out a pair of platform heels, - 'Mikael is very tall, and I should match up to his height. I think these heels will look good.' She raised her hand and showed off the shoes.

'Ya!' Meera replied not looking up from the screen. Alina drooped her shoulders and quickly raised them. She pacified herself into believing that Meera was busy with the project. Jahangir was no Haider. And then, memories of that night, with Jahangir pointing a gun to her forehead, made her flinch. Alina closed her eyes and took deep breathes. She was relieved when Mikael called her.

Alina placed her mobile in-between ear and shoulder, - 'Yes, Mikael.'- Meera's gaze darted up from the screen to her friend.

'I am ready, just give me five minutes.' She replied in a hurry and disconnected the call. Meera looked away, fidgeting with the keys of the laptop. Alina flipped her hair, adjusting a bunch on her shoulder and leaving the rest behind. She huffed standing up and glanced at Meera then got busy with her wristwatch.

'Bye, Meera.' She waved at her, grabbing her clutch hand purse.

'Okies.' Meera replied not looking at her. Alina wore the sling of her purse and hurried out of the apartment.

Amaal is a sweetheart, don't you guys agree? And it seems like Meera hasn't forgotten those hurtful words. Or perhaps, she is actually busy. *Shrugs* 

So, my lovelies how was the Chapter? Drop your thoughts in the comments, please *smiles*

Precap:

'Why do you care so much for me, Alina? I refuse to believe that you have no feelings for me.' He caressed her cheeks with his thumbs, whilst admiring her. Amaal blinked, looking away. Haider hooked his fingers under her chin.

'I love you. I love very much.' He confessed and leaned closer. Haidersmiled into the kiss as she began to reciprocate. Slowly, he slithered his hands around her petite waist.

And, Haawww!

Haider and Alina KISS!!!  Why is Amaal being so affected by it *hmmm* Interesting? How was the Precap, you guys?? Drop your thoughts on this one as well *winks*

Stay Tuned for the next update *lots of love* *hugs and kisses*