THE CONTRACT MARRIAGE

21-ENSLAVED

OMNISCIENT

"Director Maheer, you look like you're pretty skilled yourself," Jawad was now fully changed into his white judogi with a brown belt tied around his waist.

"I ran away from judo school just when I was given the yellow belt. It was too much stress for me to handle," He replied without a change in his expression. Nick, who was once minding his business, choked on the water he was drinking but soon apologized and continued sipping it.

Sumaira scrutinized the two men who shared an odd look and she could swear on her life that something was fishy. However, her best friend seemed to be blinded and there was nothing she could do.

Maheer was still in the clothes he came to school with, his trenchcoat removed and hung on the wall. The turtleneck shirt exposed his muscled biceps and he wore a faint, harmless smile on his face, his red lips enhancing his handsome features.

"As the rule goes, you're not allowed to use any weapon and must achieve all the techniques effortlessly. Any form of struggle will indicate that you're still not ready. Do you understand?" He asked.

"Allow him to use whatever he wants. If he manages to obtain a strand of my hair... I'll have the Shadow teach you his driving skills too," Maheer leaned in and said the last part.

"But—" Nick started but was cut off by Jawad's cheerful voice. The smile on his face was unwavering. He was full of radiance like the beauty of the morning sun as it rises over the horizon.

"Sorry, Seinsei. I can have several matches after this one but I'll be sure to make you proud, he's a yellow belt fighting against a soon-to-be black. As for Director Maheer, I apologize in advance for face and body distortion," With Jawad's confident speech, the match started.

The opponents bowed at each other in acknowledgement. Jawad was like a hyena trying to devour a piece of meat and his competitor maintained his usual cool expression, the faint smile playing on his lips unwavering as he looked straight at Sumaira like she was an orchid blooming in winter, so beautiful and rare.

The girl was concerned about her best friend's disobedience and at the same time, bothered about her husband getting injured. She didn't know who to support at the moment and her taking a side would be like declaring a war against the two. Nevertheless, she sat on the bench and watched the show while ignoring her clueless husband's stare.

It was no news to the school and every other person that Jawad was a very good attacker. Because of his heated temper and stubborn nature, he strikes aggressively and beats his opponents mercilessly.

"Right, I just need to obtain a strand of his hair," Jawad determinedly muttered and charged at his rival, thinking it was advantageous to him since the man was looking somewhere else.

Jawad was not only nimble but also perfectly calculated all his moves. In a split second, he was right in front of Maheer and tried reaching for the man's hair while wedging an attack. All the while, the said person never took his eyes off Sumaira who closed her eyes in fear of what will happen.

Boom!

A loud thud of a person falling was heard. One second, two seconds, three seconds and no sound was made.

She gently fluttered her eyes open, expecting to see her husband's limp body on the ground. Much to her surprise, it was the other way around. The person she took pity for was still in the same position as he was with his eyes peering at her while her best friend was on the ground, his hands covered in bruises.