Love Thy Enemy ~ A ZaiRa FF

Chapter 10 : The Truce Of Being Civil

Zaid and Mubashira fell into a routine the following month. Both going office in separate cars daily, acting as civil towards each other as they could — which was a tough job in their opinion — returning home and getting busy in their own matters. Twice, they attended official dinners that required them to be together, otherwise both remained to themselves or with friends until it was time to sleep. They returned home, laid on the farther ends of the bed facing away from each other and slept. And the cycle continued.

Talking about the change in that monotonous routine, Zaid was trying to be friendly towards Mubashira because of his bet but her snarky responses always ended in him with deterred spirits. She was way out of his tolerance level. But he didn't back off. He was stubborn as hell.

“You look beautiful.”

Mubashira's hands stilled brushing her hair. It was half past 8 in the morning and she was getting ready for the office. Wearing a gulf stream coloured silk top over sherpa blue pants with pinkish grey stilettos in feet, she was just about to tie her hair up when Zaid's compliment came.

She raised her eyebrows at him through the mirror. “I always do. There's nothing new.” - she brushed it off casually and gathered her hair in hands.

“Leave them open today.” - Zaid said.

Her hands dropped to her sides in shock. She spun around to directly meet his eyes. “Are you okay ? You were out with friends last night, racing cars, right ? Did you meet an accident ?” - she asked seriously.

He huffed. “I did not. I was just by the way asking for your hair to be down as you mostly tie them up in buns and ponytails.”

She rolled her eyes and turned back to face the mirror. “Acha hua tumne clear kar diya. Main samjhi rash driving main koi accident karwa aaye ho jiska direct asar tumhare dimagh par hua hai.”

He bit the inside of his cheek, trying to remain patient. “Tum kabhi seedhi tarha baat nahi kar saktin ?”

“Kar sakti hun, par tumse nahin.” - she replied while securing her hair in a high bun.

He fumed. It was already a month to the bet and this girl was not making it easy on him. “Tell me something, why did you marry me ? Mujhe toh Dad ne force kiya tha par tumhari kya majboori thi ke mujhse shadi karli jise tum itna napasand karti ho ?”

To his surprise — and great annoyance — she laughed, shaking her head. “You know jab main pehli baar Ayma se mili thi na, I was bewildered that what did you like in her. But jab tum aisi batein karte ho na, apne nanhe se zehen pe zor daalke, to mujhe tasalli ho jati hai that you both are perfect for each other.”

He looked at her in stunned offense.

“Like you don't know that our fathers wanted the family business to remain in the ‘family’ that's why we are stuck together and we both agreed because we wanted to show our exes down ?” - she asked, giving him a ‘duh’ face.

His cheeks heated up and he looked away. She was brutally straightforward.

Grabbing her purse, she left the room and he followed right behind as he hadn't given up. Yet.

They came out in the driveway and Mubashira's calm demeanor started changing as her gaze fell on the tiers of her car. Zaid was pursing his lips behind her to stop his smile.

“Javad! JAVAD!” - she shouted for her driver.

Javad came running, sweat already on his forehead at the tone with which he was summoned.

“Kya hai yeh ?” - she asked pointing towards all the punctured tiers of her car.

Javad paled. Inwardly praying for his life. “Ma'am I had thoroughly checked the car just this morning. Everything was fine until then.”

Mubashira gritted her teeth. “Then I punctured my own car ?!”

Javad vehemently shook his head. “I didn't mean that! I was just saying-”

“Shut up! Get the other car out! I'm getting late for office!” - she ordered, her tone strict.

“But ma'am, all the cars are out of the house.” - Javad told her, gulping.

Zaid smiled to himself. He had sent each servant in separate cars to buy some random but complicated items from the market that'll take hours to find out.

“It's okay, Javad. You can leave.” - Zaid said calmly, coming to stand beside Mubashira.

Javad left and Mubashira turned to Zaid in disbelief.

“I can give you lift if you like.” - he said before she could say anything.

She scoffed. “You ? Will give me lift ?” Then her expressions changed, eyes widening. “Kahin tumne toh nahin kiya yeh sab ?”

He raised his eyebrows. ”Aur main aisa kyun karunga ?”

She glared at him, now sure that he was behind it.

“Aur agar kiya bhi hai so what ?” - he spoke before her again. Then he suddenly leaned forward, making her lean back. She touched the car and he placed his arms on either side of her.

Mubashira blinked. His tone had suddenly lowered to a whisper. Eyes had changed as well. Looking at her with... admiration.

“If I didn't know any better, I would think you are flirting with me.” - she said, slumping completely against the car and crossed her arms.

He smirked. “Well, no harm there also as you are my wife.” - he said softly.

She stared at him muted. What the hell was wrong with him ?

He chuckled at her silence and pulled back. “Okay, sorry. But seriously, I'm fed up of this... constant sullenness between us. As you said, we are stuck together. So can't we be just a bit... civil towards each other ? A little cordial ?”

Mubashira's gaze was calculative as she pondered over his words. If she was being honest, she was also tired of always being at loggerheads with him. It was draining her energy and she being a productive person hated her stamina getting wasted uselessly.

He forwarded his hand to shake when she didn't say anything for several moments. She looked at it for a long while before finally giving her hand.

“Fine. Let's be civil. But don't expect me to be friendly.“ - she warned.

“I would not dare.” - he said, smiling playfully.

She rolled her eyes and snatched her hand back as he didn't look in the mood to leave it.

“So, as we have reached a truce, would you accompany me to the office in my car ?” - he asked sweetly, bowing his head a little.

Her lips twitched to curve into a smile but she controlled and kept her expressions neutral. “If you insist.” - she said, opening the car gate and taking a seat.

He grinned and quickly came around to take the driving seat before they drove off.