Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Author's pov

Silence. It was pin-drop silence for a few moments. Except for Aurin's heavy breathing of anger, nothing could be heard for a few moments where Mikaeel's face was still in another direction. The sound of that slap was still echoing in his head where his face was still stinging.

Turning his head at her slowly he looked at her blazing eyes. Clenching his jaw tightly he fisted his palms and punched the mirror that was behind Aurin. A loud cracking sound echoed through the whole room making Aurin flinch a little and Mikaeel's knuckles started bleeding.

" You slapped me!! How dare you!" He shouted at her shaking with anger.

She shouted back with the same intensity," Then, how dare you call me a slut!!"

Hearing her Mikaeel softened his eyes a little and realised how much he has hurt her. This time he acknowledged his mistake and thought to rectify it by asking forgiveness. He realised that he shouldn't have acted like that.

Mikaeel was preparing himself mentally to apologise when Aurin said letting out a sarcastic laugh," You know what Mikaeel, I am just too available for you. And, that's why you have zero respect and care for me."

Saying that she resumed whatever she was doing. Tears tried to blur her vision but she controlled her emotions. What's the point of crying when nobody cares about her tears?

" Aurin, listen to me. I was just disturbed about some matter. That's why that word slipped my mouth. I didn't mean it," Mikaeel explained holding her hands and this time his voice was gentle and full of remorse.

Jerking away his hands she replied taunting him," I am a slut and the great Mikaeel Sheikh shouldn't live with a slut."

" Wifey, stop it. I am sorry. I didn't mean it," Mikaeel again apologised but Aurin was stubborn as hell.

She replied finishing her work," Sorry! Why are you saying sorry? I should say sorry for touching you. A slut shouldn't touch you with her filthy hands."

" Now, you are making this matter an issue. Stop it, Aurin," Mikaeel shouted with his pissed off voice but Aurin ignored him completely.

She forwarded her legs to leave the room when he snatched her luggage from her hand. She gave him an irritated look which he returned gladly.

" For the last time, I am saying sorry," Mikaeel mumbled putting pressure on every word he took.

Curling her brows Aurin ordered sounding way too angry," Give back my luggage."

Mikaeel couldn't control his anger anymore and threw away her luggage on the floor. Taking a few steps backwards he gave her an annoyed glance which she returned equally.

" Go wherever you want. I won't stop you. You know what, you woman species are like that. You guys just understand less but react a lot. All of you are nothing but a mountain of problems. When I am sorry and told you that it was a mistake then why are reacting so much and making it an issue. What's your problem?" Mikaeel yelled fueling Aurin's anger.

Aurin screamed at the top of her lungs," If you have so much problems with women then why didn't you just marry a man? Huh!! What's my problem? My problem is you. My problem is I love you. My problem is I care for you too much which you don't deserve."

While uttering those words, angry tears started flowing down her cheeks automatically. She tried a lot to control her feelings but she couldn't. She failed to hide how much hurt she is by his behaviour.

" I already apologised and the rest is your choice. So, please stop stretching this matter like chewing gum and let me live in peace," he shouted on her face and she didn't waste another second.

Glaring at him she stormed outside the room where he continued shouting and kicking everything in the room to vent his frustration.

After two days

Two days passed and Mikaeel & Aurin didn't utter a single word to each other. Aurin moved into Ziya's room where Mikaeel stayed in his room alone.

After that heated argument, a cold war erupted between them and they swore to not talk to each other. Whenever they look at each other they expect each other to apologise and move on. But, both of their egos are bigger than Mt Everest.

So, they kept their mouth mum. Though both are burning in need of each other and missing each other, their egos didn't let them move on. Specifically, Aurin. Mikaeel keeps himself busy with office work but Aurin doesn't have any other work to do. So, she is the one who is suffering most. Every time she expects him to apologise for the one last time but apart from disappointment, she didn't get anything else.

Right now, Mikaeel is in the office and doing his work having a pissed-off expression. He was checking his phone every 5 to 10 minutes expecting even a single text, call or miss call from Aurin but there was nothing. For a few seconds, he even thought to break the phone due to anger and disappointment. Because of this chaotic situation, he couldn't share Maryam's matter with Aurin.

" Sometimes I really regret marrying you. I never thought that behind this beautiful innocent face, there is a rough & cold woman hiding," Mikaeel mumbled looking at Aurin's photo frame which was on his desk.

His already ruined mood got sourer when someone entered his office without permission. He was going to bash the person when he found out it was none other than Maryam. His brow curled automatically seeing Maryam here suddenly.

" My answer is still no if you are here to continue where we left," Mikaeel gave a straightforward reply even before she could say anything.

Chuckling a little Maryam walked toward him and sat on a chair right in front of him.

" I didn't permit you to sit," He said sounding serious and Maryam only sighed.

Taking a deep breath she said," Mikaeel, I am here to sort out everything and apologise to you."

Mikaeel raised his brow questioningly when she started saying with a guilty voice," I am sorry for my immature behaviour. I realized that I shouldn't have behaved like that. You are married and you have moved on. I was wrong to ask you to divorce your partner. I am ashamed of my behaviour."

Mikaeel was taken aback by her sudden realization. But, her guilty words and genuine expression forced him to let go of this matter.

" It's ok," He replied nodding his head.

Then, she said fidgeting her fingers," Moreover, I am sorry for whatever happened. I didn't want to break your heart but seems like our destiny wasn't together. And, you are right. Everything was my fault. I should have tried at least one time to convince my family."

While saying all these her voice got heavier like anytime she will cry. Noticing her expression he forwarded a glass of water which she chugged down quickly.

" Let's not talk about the past and don't blame yourself like that. That day I just vented my whole frustration on you and sprouted whatever came to my mouth," Mikaeel said and Maryam just nodded her head slowly.

After that, both of them went silent for some time. Diverting his concentration from Maryam he continued checking his phone where she continued looking at him with her scrutinizing eyes. Her eyes caught Aurin's photo and it didn't take an eternity for her to understand who she is. She recalled the shopping mall incident and recognised Aurin.

" If you don't mind may I know who she is?" Maryam asked curiously catching Mikaeel's attention.

Mikaeel replied casually," Aurin Sheikh. My wife."

" Oh. She is gorgeous and looks cute," Maryam complimented forcing a smile on her face.

Mikaeel mumbled rolling his eyes," Sure. Gorgeous when it comes to arguing."

Seeing Mikaeel was not interested in talking to her she said politely," I understood my mistake and from this onwards I will act casual with you. After all, you are my business partner."

" That's good," Mikaeel replied without glancing at her which she didn't like.

Seeing him drowned in some thoughts she took her leave. Before leaving she turned at him having a challenging look which he didn't notice.

The next day

At night

Maryam was in the parking lot and trying hard to start the car but it wasn't starting. Coming out of the car she even checked the engine but didn't understand anything. She was still trying to figure out what's the problem when a car stopped right in front of her. The owner of the car turned down the window and it was none other than Mikaeel. They had a business meeting and that's why they are in the same place.

" What's wrong? Is there any problem?" Mikaeel asked curiously.

She replied having an annoyed expression," My car isn't starting. I don't know how I will return home tonight."

Mikaeel asked noticing her surrounding," Where are your driver and guards? They didn't come with you."

" They took a day off," Maryam replied shortly and Mikaeel didn't ask anything further.

Noticing his watch he found that it was already 11:30 pm. It's quite late now and he also wondered how she will return home.

" Get in. I will drop you home," He offered thinking it as his responsibility as a human being.

Maryam replied politely," Don't bother please. I will take a cab."

" It's not safe out there at this hour. Get in and I will drop you home. I will send a mechanic to check your car," Mikaeel stated sounding concerned and Maryam agreed instantly.

The whole car ride was silent since Mikaeel was busy thinking about Aurin and scolding her mentally whereas Maryam was busy staring at him with admiration. She found him more attractive than before and started smiling unknowingly. But, her smile vanished in the air remembering Aurin's face.

" Don't turn at this road," Maryam said loudly when Mikaeel was turning the car towards her home.

Hearing her loud voice he immediately stopped the car and asked," As per, I remember it's the only way to go to your house, right."

" I don't live there," She replied sounding irritated.

He asked like a stupid," Why?"

" That's none of your business," She replied rudely and feeling embarrassed he didn't say anything further.

Very soon they reached in front of a huge building and Maryam told Mikaeel to stop here. Coming out of the car she thanked him genuinely and he just smiled a little.

He was going to leave when she requested politely," Mikaeel, have dinner with me. Since you helped me so much so I just want to thank you properly."

Mikaeel was going to refuse but some thoughts crossed his mind and he thought to accept her invitation. Returning home he will see Aurin's disappointed face again which pisses him so much. It will be better to have dinner with Maryam than to argue with Aurin and face her wrath.

He nodded his head in the positive and her face beamed with happiness. She welcomed him into her apartment and felt like not letting him go from here.

The food was served very soon and they started eating. Talking about some office matter they started enjoying each other's company. Specifically, Maryam. Mikaeel was just passing the boredom but Maryam was getting emotional. Mikaeel never thought he will move on like that. Maryam is sitting in front of him but he wasn't feeling anything for her!!

Suddenly, Mikaeel asked curiously," Mr Shamsi didn't come. I was wondering about the reason."

" He is taking some treatment and that's why he didn't come," Maryam replied and this time her voice was icy cold.

Mikaeel asked further," You don't have kids. It's been years since your marriage and you still................."

" How was the food?" She questioned interrupting him since his question was making her uncomfortable.

Finishing the food Mikaeel replied smiling," It was nice and thanks for inviting me."

" Oh. It was nothing. I wish we could just spend some more tim..............." Maryam was interrupted by Mikaeel and she didn't like it.

He replied forwarding his legs to leave," We will spend time together as business partners."

He said the word 'Business partner' putting extra pressure on it and Maryam realized what he was referring to. Forcing an embarrassed smile she looked down when Mikaeel left without any delay.

On the other hand, Aurin was becoming impatient for Mikaeel and thought to let go of this matter since he apologised earlier. To make everything better she cooked his favourite dishes to have a romantic dinner with him. Once he insulted her for her cooking but now he loves everything about her.

Serving the dishes on the table Aurin lit some beautiful candles and started waiting for Mikaeel. She even wore a beautiful red colour dress which he loves the most. She kept her hair open since he likes her wavy hair.

A few moments later Mikaeel returned home and found Aurin waiting for him in the dining room. His eyes roamed all over her and all the decorations when Aurin blushed. She expected a surprised reaction from him but apart from disappointment, she got nothing.

Giving her a boring glare he left for his room without uttering a single word with her. She continued standing like a statue and started fuming in rage.

" Mam, the beef stew is done. Where should I put it?" A maid asked holding a dish in her hand.

Aurin shouted throwing the dish on the floor," Over my head."

The maid got scared seeing Aurin's red face. Without wasting another second Aurin left for Ziya's room and started thinking about his behaviour.

She doesn't know why she felt that he is going away from her. And, he is ignoring her purposely. She wondered did she overreact really?