Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Maryam's POV

I found myself on the bed the moment I opened my eyes.

How comes I was here? If I could vividly recall, I was receiving punishment from Kareem, and then, all of a sudden, the darkness took over me....or, was he the one who brought me here? No! it's can't be! It can never be!.... He hates me so much, I'm sure he wouldn't want his hands to touch me after all that happened between us.

I raised my head towards where the wall clock was hanging, after seeing what time it's, I decided to perform my ablution and then pray. I winced in pain as I place my foot on the floor.

Another hissed of pain came out from my mouth, the moment I took back a sit.

how could I forget my wound?- I thought, scolding myself.

I looked at my foot and then saw that the wound was already treated...who could have done this? Who could have helped me?....

I look up and talk to the only one who can listen to all of my problems. "Ya Allah, what have I done to deserve this? Why was I created, only to be suffered? I've never had peace for once ever since my Dad had died. What have I done wrong? Have I ever wronged you unknowingly? Is that why you're punishing me?"

"Ya Rabb, this punishment is too much for me! I can't bear it anymore...."

"Please Ya Allah, help me and guide me on the right path, the path of those whom you've favored, not the path of those who have gone astray."

Help me! this suffering right from my kid is enough! I've had enough! I can't endure it anymore! I don't want to.

Looking from my right to the left, I thought of the stupidest thing ever- "Or, should I commit suicide? I think that will be the best idea..."

"No... No... No, this is not right....what am I doing?" I thought as I shook my head.

Okay first, I need to perform ablution to clear all of this bad doubt over my head.

I looked from my foot to the bathroom "Now, how will I do that in this condition of mine?". I sighed.

"Oh! You're awake?" I heard Nanny's voice. I gave her a weak smile without uttering a word whilst I quickly wipe the threatening tears that were about to fall.

Ever since the day I was brought into this house, She has been like a mother figure to me. She was the only one who cares for me and of course, my mother-in-law, she loves me so much like her real daughter. But what can I do? I can't even tell her all that her son has been doing to me. Whenever she asks me about him, I always tell her good things about him. He threatened to kill me if she comes to know about anything going on between us.

"Nanny, can you please help me up? I need to perform ablution"

" But Mrs. Kareem" she trails off. She respects me so much despite being older than me. "I don't think it's a good idea. I think you should rest for now and when it's time for Asr, you can do that. I'm sure by then, the pain would have subsided"

"But, it's 2 o'Clock already"

"I know. I'm only concern about your wound" she replied. I nodded, agreeing with her.

"Mrs. Kareem..." she called with a bit of hesitation in her voice. "so sorry to say this, but weren't you two in love?" I gave her a quizzical look. "I mean to say, you and Mr. Kareem" She explained further when she saw my confused look.

I sighed. "Uhmmmm, Nanny" I hummed. "It's a long story"

"I'm sorry if, it's any way to offend you. I'm just curious, that's why" she said.

"No! it's fine, I've always wanted to tell my sad story to someone but I've got no one to talk to....You see, it all started when I was seven years old"___________

I told her everything she needed to know about me. How I had suffered from my aunt and how I end up meeting Kareem's Mom. How Kareemah had treated me when she learned that her brother was about to get married to me. How I never have any good experience about my childhood.

•

" That was my story Nanny. And then today, when his friends came over, I went to bring them some refreshment only to find out he was playing the video of us making love"

"Subhanallah! How could he do that to you?!" Nanny asked, more to herself.

"I wonder too.... Maybe, I'm at fault too for giving him my virginity.... Maybe, I shouldn't have. It's not like I had wanted to at first, but he's my husband right and I can't deny him of his right"

"Yes, you're right Mrs. Kareem. I'm so sorry for your unfavorable past but with faith, everything will be fine soon, Insha Allah"

I always ponder Nanny, when will all this suffering stop? Till I lost my breath and finally die or when? For how long will I keep enduring? First, it was my aunty, and now? My husband!" I said in tears.

"Maryam" I heard my name being called. I and Nanny turned to see whom the voice belong to.

Oh my God! Kareemah? What's she doing here? I hope, she never heard any of our conversations. I thought as I wipe away my tears.

"Maryam, how are you feeling now?" she asked in a concerned tone as she took a seat beside me on my bed.

"I... I'm fine" I stuttered whilst I looked at her stunned.

From where has this care come from?

"Maryam, I'm so sorry for whatever wrong I might have done to you, I can't believe as old as I'm and I still stoop so low to act childish. Actually......I...I overheard your conversation with Nanny". She said while I wide my eyes. " No, it's not what you think. I'm... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, I promised. Kareem called me and told me you're hurt, he sounds panic and that's why I was here".

"But non of you realize my presence as you were both engrossed in your talk. I must say, Maryam, you're a brave woman. I can't believe such things still happens in this century. You've gone through a lot as a kid and I on the other hand judged you without knowing anything about you. I'm so sorry for all the mean words I've said to you" she sincerely said.

"It's... it's fine sister Kareemah.... It all in the past now" I said smiling.

At least, she realized her mistakes.

"Thank you, thank you so much, Maryam. You have a wonderful heart. At first, I thought you were a gold digger because I never liked that Safeenah of a girl. She was a bad influence on my brother and then, when Mom brought you home, I thought...I thought you'll be just like her but I was wrong. You're nothing like her. Now, I only see a woman who was in pain, fighting for her life. Now I realize you're the true woman for my brother...I'm so sorry, please find it in your heart to forgive me"

"I already did sister Kareemah. In fact, you've made me happy because you now see me different".

"Of course! I do, and thank you......"

"About my brother, there are so many things you don't know about him. Actually...., Kareem was only mad at you because his girlfriend died ten days before your wedding"

"What? His girlfriend? You mean the lady he-"

"Yes, Maryam. They both had an accident and unfortunately, she died during that"

"Kareem is a very nice person Maryam, I can vouch for that. But ever since he met that girl, many things had changed about him. He doesn't pray anymore, he...he takes drugs and does so many things which are not hearable at all. Please, Maryam, save my brother. Now, I realized the reason why mom had asked you to marry him because I've witnessed a little bit of change in him. Though I'm not sure yet I think I saw a sign of humanity in him today. Judging from the way he sound when he had called me earlier, I'm sure he's soon gonna change".

"But how can he change? He doesn't even pray and also engaged in drugs?". I asked and she nods.

"But your.... Your mom told me, he prays"

"Well, that was Mom's believe, only I know the real him".

Ya Rasulullah.... What do I do now? I'm married to a drug addict? First, aunty the psycho and now a drug addict?

"Maryam.... Maryam can you do that?". Kareemah asked as she nudges my arm.

"Huh?! Do what?"

"I was talking to you but you already zone off.... I asked if you can please change him. For good?"

"But-"

"Please Maryam, We can only count on you now, please" she begged.

I can do it, right? I mean, I made aunty changed a little. At least, I could change him too.

"Okay sister Kareemah, I'll try my possible best to change him for good " I assured.

"Thank you so much..." She embraced me in a tight hug. She broke the hug and said. "Please, quit calling me Kareemah, you can call me bestie.....We can be best friends right?"

Bestie? Is she kidding me? I mean, we've only got to be civil with each other just now, right this moment and she already gives our relationship a name? Bestie, all of a sudden!

"Please, you can do that right? Please! please!!" she whines like a baby. Can't believe she's acting like a kid.

"Ye.... Yes Sis". I finally said.

"No! I mean, call me bestie" she said as she playfully hit my leg, forgotten that I was wounded. I winced in pain.

"Oh my God! I'm so sorry bestie, I didn't mean to do that" she apologized. Her face showing just how sorry she's. But, also looks funny at the same time.

I couldn't help it anymore, so I burst into a peal of laughter. She and Nanny fixed their gaze on me like I was insane. I slowly cool down and said, "I'm sorry....it just that you.... Your face looks funny. I mean, you normally have this serious look on your face and now, it looks-".

"What?!". She cut me off. "You mean, I'm acting like a crazy woman?" she glared at me.

Subhanallah! I hope the moment has not been ruined by my stupid comments.

"Erm Sis... I... I didn't mean to say that I -" I began stuttering.

"Oh really?! and what have I told you about calling Sis? Haven't I told you to stop calling me that". She smirked, actually a wicked one. I could sense her trying to do something stupid, I could tell from her expression, I just don't know what she's planning in that coconut head of hers. And before I could digest what was about to happen, she had started tickling me.

"Please stop!" I said through laughter.

"No....No....No! Not until you say the right word" she stubbornly replied.

"Okay fine! I'm so sorry my beautiful bestie, and thank you for choosing me as your best friend even though you're much older than me".

She stopped and said, "you're welcome". We all laughed but stopped when we heard his voice.

"What's going on here?! " he asked in his authoritative and serious tone.

I gulped down nervously, for a moment, I lock my gaze with Kareemah and she passed me her sweetest smile ever.

"I'm helping your wife out, as you can see"

"Wife?!" He gave humorous laugh. "Did you just address her as my wife?! Did you hit your head or something?"

" No! And I wasn't lying when I said your wife, because she's".

"Stop it! Just stop it okay? She can never be wife! She's not my wife!". He roared angrily.

"Whatever". Kareemah said.

"Bestie". She turned to me. "I'll check up on you tomorrow," she said and hug me. She waves at Nanny and left the room, without bothering to acknowledge her brother. Nanny left too, leaving behind me and him alone.

I was now playing with my fingers nervously when I sensed him moving closer towards me.

God! I hope he won't beat me again?