Chapter 37

37

Maryam's POV

Will she forgive me? Considering the way I talked to her earlier

"Hey, why are you crying?" I heard my Mom's voice. I never knew I've been crying

"I'm sorry Mom,I really am sorry..... I...I never-"

"Shush.... Don't say anything.... We should all forget the past right? I mean we're now a complete family,I'm here, your Dad too and your sister....and I missed you two so much, I really do"

"And we love you Mom" both me and my sis said at the same time

"You.... You love me?"

"Of course Mom we do,you're our mother"

"I'm sorry" she said

"No Mom don't,you've gone through so much please it wasn't your fault" my sister said

"Dad we missed you so much and we love you too" we both said as we hug him

"I love my two princesses too"

"Wow! I must say Nana, you've went through a lot but I believe in life everything was destined already, thank God your two daughters are safe and they are both here with you....our main prayer now is that May Allah not let any of us witness something horrible as this again" My mother in-law said as we all say Amin to her prayer

"I promise, I'll be a good mother to you both,I'll always love and cherish you"

"Insha Allah Mom (By God's Grace)"

"So why don't we forget about the past and let make ourselves happy?" Khalid suggest as we all turn to him

"Make ourselves happy as in how?" I asked raising my eyebrow

"Well beautiful, you should know what I'm talking about?" His statement sounded like a question

"What are you-"

"I know Sis...you don't need to act dumb as always as you're"

"What?!....did you just say I'm dumb?" I asked glaring

"Well aren't you?" She replied back shrugging off her shoulder

"You!" I intend to stand up and give her some beating when Mom hold me back

"Hey princesses! you two are grown up girls so act like one" Mom said smiling sweetly at us. I could see from her eyes how happy she was and how much love she had for us

"Dad" I called pouting

"She's right dear" He said as I saw Maimuna or probably now Mufeedah pointing out her tongue at me

"Mom did you see that?" Now it my mother in-law not my Mom

"Well dear I think it high time you two should grow up as your Mom suggest

"Khalid " I tried to show him my puppy face but what he said next really makes everyone in the room laugh so hard

"No...No...No it won't work on me,I'm not ready to face the feisty lady punch and kick coz she punch like a lady"

"What?! Are you referring to me?! Of course I'm a lady idiot! Or should I show you what I'm capable of?" Mufeedah asked him and he shook his head in response as we all laugh at them.

Everything has fallen into places,we're all happy as one big family,my sister and her husband and the little angel went for a vacation a month ago now,Khalid had a business meeting to attend to in Lagos and Kareemah have been always busy, now it only me alone.

Kareem as always have been avoiding me and he's back to the cold Kareem I used to know,I don't know what I've done wrong to deserve all this treatment from him. I always think may be because I express my feelings to him but that wasn't bad enough for him to be so cold towards me. He promise to treat me good but his sudden change of attitude still confuse me alot

I know I can never ever replace Safeenah in his heart but......

I don't want to think about him for now it always hurt to know that the man you're badly in love with is also in love with someone else

Now what do I do? I remember the last time I saw him, that was when he came back from Korean,with his arrogant and coldness voice he told me not to leave the house without his permission, I don't even know what's wrong with him,is he putting me under house arrest? Who knows

I really need to see Mom,i missed her so much. Thinking about what to do then it came all of a sudden

Without thinking twice I got up and walkout from the house towards Sadiq's place who was now my new bodyguard and my driver

"Sadiq" I called him

"I thought you would have left already,why are you still in the house?" I asked him

"Leave to where madam?"

"This morning I heard My husband telling Aminu to tell you that he really need to speak to you about something important or so,I was just surprise that you're still here

"Really?" He asked looking so worried,he didn't bother to say anything further as he walk way but all of a sudden he stopped and then to me

What now? I hope he believe me

"But...Madam....what about... What about you?"

"Don't worry I'll take care of my self here after all Danladi is here,at least if I want to go out I must pass through that gate" I told him

"Thank you so much madam for telling me" he said before he quickly walk away and entered the car then he drove off

Did i just lie to him? I'm sorry Sadiq,but I really need to go out today....i sighed and stop for a moment, I've gotten rid of the demon now it's the tiger. I'll have to lure him till I can find a way to leave this prison

Kareem's POV

Hafsa came in and told sadiq is here,but I never asked him to come here,his job is to stay with Maryam at all time

He came in and told me Maryam asked him to come because it was my instruction but I never said so. Indeed it was very clear that

Maryam lied...why?.....What could Maryam be up to this time around? I was trying to protect you but you don't seem to understand. I know the reason why I told you to stay at home without leaving,I know the reason I employed Sadiq as your new body guard, it's all to protect you from the evil people out there trying to hurt me.....why would she....wait a minute...she asked Sadiq to come and....shit!....if she was able to lure Sadiq here definitely she would be able to do that to Danladi

I brought out my phone and dial his number

"Hello OGA!" He answered nervously

"Where's Maryam?"

"Oga walahi I'm sorry....she don leave....I no no how she take do am...I dey-"

"Shit!" I muttered as I hang up

Maryam's POV

I sat on a bench in the central park breathing in some fresh air. I noticed a couple sitting on the grass right under the tree. They were both looking lovely and couldn't stop smiling at each other. You could see the love the guy has for the woman in his eyes. He just couldn't take his eyes off her.....I wonder how that feels like....having someone stare at you so lovingly like you mean the world to him

I sighed

I wonder if Kareem looks at me that way...but what could I say, Kareem doesn't care about anyone except Safeenah,he loves her and only her alone

I was about to stand up when a woman stopped me "wait a minute!  are....are you not Kareem Abdulazeez's wife?"

"Huh?.....Uhm....I...I don't think so" I quickly told her before I start to stand up and leave

"Wait.....no I'm pretty sure you are....I saw your wedding pictures in one of the magazines I read.....I don't easily forget faces

"Um...yes so...could you please excuse me?" I asked her before standing up fully

"Sure I would let you but only if you take a picture with me" she sort of said in a whisper between her teeth while smiling

"I mean no harm,I promise I'm just a Fan"

"No..no no no of course I'll take a picture with you. After all it just a picture..."

She brought out her phone and switched on the camera,she raised her hand up to an angle for the both of us to get into selfie picture

I'm beginning to be recognized as Kareem Abdulazeez's wife

*******

I rang the bell of the house and was opened by Mom

"Maryam! " she called excitedly before engulfing me in a tight hug

"I'm so happy to see you and I missed you so much,calling on phone was not enough my baby"

"I missed you too Mum" I told her after breaking the hug and walk into the house and she shut the door

"I've really wanted to come but Kareem-"

"Does he treat you right? He doesn't beat you up does he? If he has been hurting you in any form don't hesitate to tell me Maryam....he hasn't been forcing himself on you-"

"No!....no Mom in fact " I started

"Kareem hasn't really been a monster, he hasn't even raise his hand on me ever since we got married.....sometimes when we talk,I forget the fact that our marriage is an arrange marriage"

Lies.....lies and lies

"It feels like we've been long time friends....He can be mean to me at times but all of a sudden ......i feel like he's nice to me" I told Mom unknowingly exactly what I've been feeling

"Maryam....look at me" mom told me as she turned my head to face hers,she took hold of my hands

"I'm your mother Maryam.... Believe me I regret not been there with you all this while,I regret I wasn't with you on your wedding day... I regret not giving you my blessing...but now I'm here to help you.... Do you love him? I know your wedding is an arrange marriage but are you perhaps falling in love?"

"Yes.....yes Mom " I told her nodding my head

"Then don't back off,keep fighting for your love it worth it,I'll support you on any decision you make"

"Thank you so much Mom"

After that,we talked and talked till I notice that time is gone,I really need to start going I still want to have some fun before Kareem goes crazy

"Mom I really need to leave now"

"But we haven't spent time together as I want....I really do miss you and your sister"

"Don't worry Mom very soon we'll spend much time together I assured you"

"OK my dear"

"Please do extend my greetings to Dad"

"Sure thing baby"

"Bye Mom"

"Bye dear"

Kareem's POV

Hafsa showed me a picture on her Instagram page and I saw Maryam and this lady who took picture together. I asked of she has any idea of the place and she told me. I didn't bother finish my work as I walk out of my company. I collected the car keys from my driver and ordered him to go back home with Maryam's driver. I was going to drive her home my self. I don't know why she has to be so stubborn. I called Hafsa to text me the address of the place before I drove off

I got to the place at but unfortunately for me...she had left

I've search for Maryam almost everywhere but I can't find a glimpse of her and It already half past eight in the night.

I decide to slowly drive by the side of the road may be I might see her but still nothing. Just as I was about to give up and turn the car,I spotted her in front walking. The way she walk as if there was no problem at all

"Maryam" I called her as soon as I drove the car up to where she was and lowered the glass. She didn't turn instead I called her again

"Maryam" she furrows her eyebrow

Maryam's POV

Wait why does it seem like I can hear Kareem's voive? Innalillahi Maryam...you aren't that scared of him right?...you shouldn't be scared of what Kareem will do to you when he catches you that you can now hear his voice in your head

"Maryam!" I heard my name again and immediately I turned to that voice, my eyes widened in surprise before it quickly turn back to my front and bit my lower lip regretfully

"Subhanallah! how did Kareem find me?

"Maryam get into the car right now!" He ordered as he still slowly drive

I didn't answer him instead I decide to fasten my pace

"Maryam I'm not joking...get into the car! " He ordered again and I was beginning to scared and confused

"Go away!" I exclaim at him before I immediately started running

"Maryam!" I heard his voice behind me as he quickly got out from his car and ran after me

"Maryam stop!" He ordered as he ran after me behind

I don't know why but the closer he got, the more scarier I feel

"Maryam wait.....stop!" He yells behind me

I immediately decide to cross the road without even thinking as soon as I ran into the road,suddenly I heard a loud honk, I turned and saw a truck heading very fast and directly towards me. I stood frozen with wide eyes