Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Maryam's POV

"This is where you will be sleeping till the stupid honeymoon of a thing is over," he said moving closer to me.

"I'll be sleeping here? What about you?" I asked him confused.

He didn't answer my question Instead, he just stood there staring at me with a blank face. At this point, I wish I could read his mind but no, his face and expression were still cold and emotionless.

"We might be married only in the eyes of people and in Islam but in truth and reality, I don't know you and I don't want to get to know you. What happened between us that day was all a mistake, a mistake I'll forever regret, because I got to do that with a gold digger and a slut like you"

A gold digger and a slut?! How dare he call me a slut! When he was the man who took my virginity. I wasn't thinking straight when I slapped him so hard on his cheek. Immediately I do, I wide my two eyes in shock, I was shaken by my new outburst, I dare slapped him? But he deserves it, how dare he call me that! I think it's high time all this madness stop. I shouldn't allow him to treat me like trash anymore. I'm also a human, I deserve some respect too.

"You're now bold aren't you?" he said smirking and I glared at him.

Seriously Maryam! where has all this courage came from?

"Will overlook what you just did only because I don't want to hurt you today..... And like I was saying, all you have to do is just to play the role of my wife in the eyes of people, but in reality, don't you dare come closer to me, I repeat, don't dare come closer to me for an inch... So, we can never share the same room if that's what you were thinking. This stupid honeymoon is just to make everything looks real. Mind your business and I'll mind mine. Don't touch any of my stuff and you won't hear from me... Clear? " he asked and all I could do is to nod. I looked at him and see him as a man who just wants to isolate himself from everyone. All of a sudden, all that I had for him was just a pity.

He turned and left the room without saying anything.

"Seriously? I mean, all he had to say was 'no, I'll be sleeping in another room'... How hard is that? But I'm promising you this Kareem, I'll change you for good, soon, you'll stop all your cold attitude and change to a new leaf, I promise you that" I said to myself before slumping myself on the bed and lay flatly on my stomach.

I'm just glad we're not sharing the same room, living as a real husband and wife... Seriously, I won't be able to do that. I thought shaking my head.

My stomach grumbled. Everywhere was already dark outside and I barely eat anything since morning "I think, I should just hold it in". I said to my self but my stomach made another sound making me know that there's no way out.

Okay, but I think, I needed to pray first. 'Prayer is very important-' Dad's word. May Almighty Allah continue to forgive your shortcomings.

Should I go ask him if he's going to pray with me? No...no....no, bad idea Maryam, the situation will only get worse. He won't pray anyways, why bother yourself...

But I promise you, Mom, I will change him for good, I'll make him forget about his past. And that woman who had manipulated him, he'll never think of her again. He will soon turn to the old Kareem you used to know.

After that, I performed my ablution and prayed. I prayed for myself and him, I prayed to Allah to always show him the right path.

****

I got up from the bed and made my way out of the room. The only problem I had right this moment is that I don't know where the kitchen is. This is supposed to be a small home but from within, it looks almost like a mini-mansion.

Thinking of some other alternative, then I sight this old woman walking towards a door, I followed her and stopped right in front of the kitchen, I stood outside the kitchen watching her. Stupid me! I scolded myself. Imagine, here is the kitchen, and yet I was having trouble knowing where it is.

"As salamu Alaykum... Good evening" I said with a wide smile on my face and walked into the kitchen.

"Wa Alaykum salam" she answered and turned to me.

Oh my God! Why does her face look scary?

I smiled widely at her. I think I do look like a fool right now.

"My name is Maryam Jawa....... I mean Kareem.... Yes, Maryam Kareem" I said.

She didn't say anything or reply to me, her expression remains the same. What's this? Like boss like a worker.

"I... I...wanted to....I... Erm you see...I... " I sighed when I realize she still gives me the same expression.

"I..I will just go back inside" I said to her. I turned to leave when I heard her sudden laughter. I was confused, she laughed hard like I've said or did something funny. Of course, you did!

******

"Oh my God! This is so good" I told her as I munch on the delicious food she had given me.

I see say you dey very very hungry.... Oga de very lucky o, he marries a beautiful woman like you (I could see how famished you're....my boss was so lucky to have gotten married to a beautiful lady like you)" she told me in pidgin. I could see that she's not that perfect at speaking correct English but it's fine with me, the most important part is that she's very nice and sweet to be with.

"You know what Mama Faiza, you are right about that...." I told her with my mouth full of indomie. But he is so stupid to know that, nevertheless I promised Mom I'll do anything just to make him change his ways, which I'm going to do no matter what.

"Love na strong thing oooo. E fit makes one blind, sad, and happy. Me I no say you love my Oga very much, na him make you marry am na(Love is a very strong feeling, it can make you blind, sad and happy. I knew you love my boss and that's why you got married to him)". I almost choke on my food before I began to cough.

"My God! Madam you dey okay so (Ma'am, hope you're fine?)" Mama Faiza asked handing me a cup of glass to drink, she soothes my back as I drank the water.

"You dey okay madam? (I hope you're now Okay ma'am?) " she asked worriedly again as I drop the cup on the table.

"Uh! Ye... Yes yes... I'm alright... I... I think I'm full now, I just need to take my bath and have some rest then I'll be fine" I told her as I stood up. I'm already lying to her for just a short time that we've known each other and I hate it.

"Thank you so much for the food, you're a lifesaver," I told her before I hugged her with a smile on my face and left for my room.

I slumped on the bed and stared at the ceiling, I was staring at nothing exactly.

"Oh my God! I think I ate too much" I told myself as I find it difficult to turn on the bed. My stomach is a lot heavy. I managed to drag myself up from the bed and decide to go into the bathroom and took a bath.

I came out from the bathroom all washed up, moving closer to my bag, I zipped it open only to find some flirt lingering.

Like seriously bestie! You have a naughty mind, does she expect me to put on this? For someone, I don't even love? I bring out my dark blue nightgown and wore it. "Ok now Maryam, it's time for you to get asleep... Shut your eyes and go to sleep" I told myself before I took a deep breath and close my eyes.

Ten minutes later

I keep turning on the bed from right to the left repeatedly before I finally hit my legs and hands on the bed frustratedly.

I'm so bored in here and the most annoying part is that I'm not sleepy... And it's all your fault, Mr. Rude Husband.

"Well, what are you waiting for Maryam, remember you said you were going to change him for good, this is the time to work on your mission" my subconscious advised me.