After Amir Qasim's and Khalifa's conversation came to an end, they called it a night as Khalifa went back to his home, while Amir Qasim retired back to his room. As he had already prayed Isha at the masjid and it was late enough, he decided to take a shower before hitting the bed. So, he did just that, and after taking the shower, he made his way over to the adjoined walk in closet to pick up what to wear to sleep.

Once he was done and prepared to hit the bed at long last as he could feel the fog of sleep starting to weigh on him, he stepped out of the walk in closet, his steps coming to an instant halt when his gaze fell on the last person he expected to see there, or to be honest not expecting any one entirely. His room is off limit to every one in the house, it is a general knowledge to every single person.

So, he certainly did not expect to see Asma in his room, at that time.

His eyes narrowed slightly, already feeling more annoyance brewing with him. He thought she was smart enough—they had a silent arrangement of each of them staying in their lanes and not crossing it, and that makes each other's room a line that shall not be crossed by either. He thought she understood that and knew not to cross it, and yet, there she is, seated on one side of the bed with her phone in hand, scrolling through it with precise attention.

His jaw clenched, "What do you think you are doing?" He asked, his voice low, and laced with the anger he was trying to hold down. But, it was evident from the words and from the glare he sent her way as well.

Asma finally looked up, her lips curling into a smile, as if his glare did not exist. "You are finally out," She breathed out, before placing her phone aside, and giving him her attention.

If possible, his eyes narrowed even more, "I asked you a question," He stated, his voice still calm and steady despite the rage brewing with him. "Do not make me repeat myself," His last statement was not just a threat, and she knew it as well.

But, her smile never faltered, unmoved by his anger. "Here to accompany you of course," Her voice was soft as ever, matching her expression as she lifted herself off the bed, so she was standing and facing him, a few steps in between them.

"And what gave you the right to come into my room?" Screw formalities and all, Amir Qasim was sure he had made himself clear from day one that he wanted nothing to do with her. Does she not understand that, or is she trying to get on his nerves because all evidence points to it.

The room suddenly felt charged, and if there was an onlooker, it would have felt suffocating even. Because on one side, one was furious and barely keeping himself together, and on the other side, one was too calm, unbothered. The tension between them was evident, and it only increased a thousand times more when Asma parted her lips, and then replied his words.

"Being your wife, of course," Her eyes never wavered from his, her smile curling into a slight smirk. "I told you it should account for something, right?" She took one step closer in his direction, and then added. "Do I not look the part already?"

It was then that Amir Qasim finally spared her a glance, looking at her entirely and taking in what she had on. His gaze found hers again, and he had to hold back a scoff of disbelief, and instead, simply arched a brow. It appears she really is trying to get on his nerves, coming in here, and dressed like that. Did she think she would get to him or something?

If that is the case, then he should give her what she wants.

Pushing aside his annoyance and putting on a mask to shield it away, he took a few, slow steps in her direction, until he had eliminated the distance between them, but the electrifying tension only spiked up. Except, even with him this close, she did not falter in the slightest, and instead, lifted her head so her gaze remained locked with his.

Amir Qasim's head tilted to the side slightly, and then he asked, "You walked in here on your own accord," It was meant to be a question, but it came out as a statement because they both know he is right. When he then added, his voice had dropped octaves lower, and Asma would be lying if she said it did not get to her for that instant. "Do you even know what it means to be a wife?" His hand reached out, a single finger tracing the spot behind her ear ever so lightly, his touch feather like before his head tilted downwards, so their faces were mere inches away. "What it means to be my wife?"

Asma took in a sharp breath, the close proximity messing with her usual rational senses. It appeared she had really underestimated how fast thing would escalate with Amir Qasim, but she did not plan on backing down as well. So, she swallowed down a lump, and despite her heart hammering behind her ribcage, then said, "Show me then," Her words were a mere whisper, but loud enough for the two of them to hear clear as day.

She could swear she saw a look she could not quite decipher flash across Amir Qasim's eyes, and she had to hold her breath when she saw the corner of his lips tilt upwards into a faint, ghost like smirk that held more promises than she could comprehend. And then, he leaned down, eliminating the space between them as his hand dropped to her shoulder.

On one hand, she was too occupied by their closeness, the way she could feel his breath, and the way it mingled with hers, their faces so close she had to flick her eyes close while her heart hammered behind her ribcage. On the other hand, she was very much aware of his hand behind her ear, which ever so slowly trailed down her neck, his thumb pressing on the vein there for a second which had her releasing a shaky breath. Her hand curled by her side.

What served as a wake up call however, was when his fingers took a hold of upper side of her robe, and then began to pull it backwards while the other hand took a hold of the knot keeping the robe in place, and covering the inner garment she had on—that snapped her back to reality. Her eyes shot open, and her hand instantly reached out to take a hold of his, stopping him before he could pull the robe back, only to meet his eyes already set on hers.

Then, his lips curled into a knowing smirk, so faint so she could not have spotted it if they were not that close. Instead of pulling back instantly though, he moved his face to the side, and then whispered in her ears. "Don't mess with me." He warned, meaning every bit of his words, before he pulled back from her, and then turned around to make his way over to his side of the bed.

Asma swallowed down a lump, releasing a few shaky and calm breaths as she pulled back her robe to cover her shoulders, reaching down to make sure the knot is still in place—then sighed in relief once she realized it still is in place, and that Amir Qasim was intentionally messing with her.

Her eyes flicked close for a moment, hoping to calm her raging heart, and when she peeled them open again, she was calm and composed. But, that was just in time she realized Amir Qasim had picked up his phone, and was making his way towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Her voice came.

He did not even stop to spare her a glance. "You won't leave, I might as well leave the room for you," His tone was now cold, devoid of any warmth it had moments ago—not that there was any. "This is not the only room in the house."

"And you think that is going to solve anything?" She inquired, her own tone calm this time around, as she followed him with her gaze. "What do you think is the reason why the Sultan summoned us today?"

Her words had Amir Qasim's steps coming to a halt just as he was about to reach the door, but he did not turn around.

Asma took that as her cue to continue. "Do you really think no one knows what is going on in this house?" She arched a brow, despite knowing he could not see her. When Amir Qasim did not answer, she then added. "Nothing gets past him, you should know that much. If you walk out of here now, then it would appear we care not for his words."

Amir Qasim turned around, his eyes cold as he met hers. "You do not." He stated as a matter of fact.

She shrugged unbothered, "And neither do you," It was as easy as that—both of them were too caught up in their plans that the Sultan's words mattered not to the. Except unlike Amir Qasim, she had seen through it—it was evident that the Sultan knew of the way they are living without so much as seeing each other eye to eye, if this continued, they might actually upset him. "Look," She breathed out. "It is not like I want to be in the same space as you." She really does not—it sickens her in more ways than she would like to admit. "But if we want to avoid his anger, we might as well suck it up and pretend to pay heed to words."

"By sleeping together?" He arched a brow.

She held a finger up to stop, and correct him. "Sharing the same room, yes." She preferred her own wording. "But, if you wish to do otherwise, then please do so. I will not take responsibility for that."

Amir Qasim's eyes narrowed even more if possible as he held her gaze to see if she was trying to pull some trick on him by using the Sultan, but it appeared she was being earnest for once. And if he is being honest, then it appeared she is right this time around. His father though normally an easygoing person, and despite his words earlier being an advice, if he finds out they are going against it—he really would be upset.

And he would vent it all on Amir Qasim. He could not take upsetting the Sultan, especially not during this critical time of his return. The Sultan mentioned earlier if he can not take care of his home, how is he supposed to take care of the people of the Caliphate. He could not mess things up, not now of all times.

So, he sighed, and Asma could tell he had cowered in from the way his glare softened slightly. She deemed her job done, and so, turned around to make her way back to the side of the bed she had picked. "Feel free to sleep on the couch if you want. But," She looked over her shoulder to throw him a glance. "I am sleeping on the bed regardless." With that said, she pulled the duvet back, and then settled in before reaching out to turn off the lamp by her side, before she flicked her eyes close.

A moment passed, and she th0ught he had truly decided to take the couch and sleep on it. However, she soon felt him get into bed, and she subconsciously scooted closer to the edge, hoping to put as much distance between them as possible. She heard him click off the bedside lamp on his side as well, plunging the room into total darkness as they retired for the night.

Except that night, neither of them could sleep for the longest time as it eluded them—both caught up in their usual insomnia and the reality of them being together and that moment. And when sleep finally came to take them both—each was plotting against the other in their minds.

Even if they appeared united on the surface, it would not change the truth.

They are bonded by lies that runs deep.

~*~

Not promising a Friday update, but not rebuking it either entirely.

However, I owe you guys this much after leaving you hanging for a short while. It is short, but make do it with please. I took my time out to still write for una, I am trying now.

HMMMM AMIR QASIM AND ASMA MACCIDO KUNA DAURE MUN KAI. This thing of yours, ah ah, sai kace yaqi.

I do not think I have ever written an actual enemies to lovers before, and I am truly trying to do so now which is why I am flaring up the hatred...hehe. How long will it last oho? 

But, this is just the beginning of everything. So, kick back, relax and get ready for the ride.

Stay safe as always.

Love, Jannah Mia.