Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Maryam's POV

It's dark already and he still haven't returned yet. Oh Allah! where is Kareem? it's already dark outside. May be he is stuck on the road or probably work, but he would have called and explained. Wow! Like he would do that, there's no any chemistry between us and I don't even know why I'm hoping for something. Very stubborn man! He knows nothing than to always slam door. He doesn't even pity the doors, I'm very sure if those doors could have had mouth, they would have begged him to have pity on them.

Now, it's midnight already.... I think, it high time for me to go look for him. Why would I even do that? because, he's your husband and you have the right to know his whereabout. Still thinking about what to do, then I heard a honking of a car "Alhamdulillah" I muttered putting on my hijab. I'll have to ask him why did he come home late but what I saw next really made me speechless.

He was drunk.... Drunk?  Drunk was even an understatement, he was totally drunk. He couldn't even walk properly, he was stumbling. He made his way to his room and just fell down. I quickly went to him and help him off his stuffs.

I sit beside him and can't stop staring at him. I can't believe this, he look very peaceful while sleeping. He doesn't look like the old Kareem that I know. I sighed when I realise that I'm actually falling for him. Wait a minute, what's wrong with me? I was so confident telling his sister earlier this morning that I don't even love her brother and will never do, but here I'm, falling already, i don't even know how or when. That shows how crazy I'm right?..... Seriously, I can't believe I'm in love with him .....

"Kareem, I'll bring you back to the right path no matter what it takes" I told his sleeping figure.

I didn't know when I started crying,after covering him with a blanket, I walked back to my room and cried my heart out. "How can I start falling for him? How can I start falling for the man who doesn't even look me for once? How can I love him?".  I keep asking my self crying.

It was morning already, so I got up and took my bath, put on my fitted golden gown and wrap my veil neatly around my head. I made him his usual coffee and also took an aspirin along with me.

He glanced up at me and all I could see in his eyes was anger "Woman! What are you doing in my room? how dare you entered this room without my permission?!".  He asked fuming. I gently place his coffee and the aspirin on his table.

"I don't even know what my parent saw in you, especially my mother! "

I decide to keep my mouth shut, I will only worsen the situation if I talk.  "And how dare you touch me because I clearly remember that I never took off my cloth... Who do you think you're?.....You're no one!"

"You're no one but a girl who was forced on a stranger, you are so desperate to accept this marriage, you're nothing but a piece of trash". Oh my God! It really hurt, why is he behaving this way?  Can't he see?  Can't he see that I was only trying to help him?

"Look Kareem, I know you're angry right now but you can take out all of your anger out later but for now, please take this pills, it would really ease your headache" I said.

Thank goodness he didn't say anything, he just follow what I told him just like a patient following instruction of his doctor.

"He wasn't going out today" I heard him telling someone over the phone, i went to give him some drink but he was already asleep again. I started making him food, i hope he will eat it, i really hope he won't pour it to my face again.

After a while, I heard mama faiza ushering someone in "yes Oga, my Oga de around him never leave the house self(Yes sir, my boss is still around in his room)"

"As salamu alaykum... Good morning".

"Wa alaykumu salam, good morning" he answered.

He looks like someone that I know. Was he not the same guy who stood up for me the day Kareem played that video? Oh my God! He's the one!  Immediately I recalled, I ran up to my room. I couldn't bear the humiliation.

I sat down on my bed and was crying. I wonder what he would think of me now?

"Erm.... Maryam I'm.... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to follow you up here, I mean...you ran after seeing me". He started but I still don't have the courage to look him into his eyes.

"I know, what had happened the other day shouldn't have but believe me, it actually didn't mean anything. I know it won't be easy for you to forget about that incident but please Maryam I wouldn't want you to think about it... it's nothing, you don't deserve what Kareem did and no woman in this world deserve that".

"And to be sincere with you, you're the first woman that I've ever seen in my entire life that's so beautiful. You really are beautiful Maryam".

He said so many appraising word that I had finally forgotten the awful incident that happened. He is a very kind and friendly person unlike his friend, so rude and scary.

I came to know that his name is Khalid, I found my self very comfortable around him and I was so happy about that. He's the first guy I would ever feel comfortable around with, apart from my Dad. He was making funny jokes and I was busy laughing that we didn't noticed Mr rude husband was already in my room.  "What's going on here? " he asked eyeing me and his friend.

"Hey man, you're awake already? Your wife told me you were still sleeping, that's why I didn't bother to disturb you" he told him and he only nod in respond.

Did he just nod his head? He didn't raise his voice denying me of being his wife, he never liked the idea!  Does that means... he now consider me his wife?

"We can talk, now that I'm awake already....right?" He said angrily.

"Hey! calm down man, I'm not here to take your wife away from you, i was just only trying to be nice to her. At least, since the husband refuse to show appreciation to God for giving him this beauty".  He said and his friend glared at him.

This Khalid Is really something else, he knows how to sweet talk a person unlike his friend.

"Erm... I... I will just go check on what I'm cooking".  I stuttered shyly. Khalid smirk as I receive a glare from Kareem.  What have I done now again?

"I think, that'll be better, Instead of chit chatting with your husband's friend" he said eyeing me.

Did he just admit that I'm his wife?  Ya Allah! I'm so happy, he admit that I was his wife, i really can't believe this!  I can't believe this!  I really can't!   I thought squealing from inside.

"And, what are you still standing there waiting for?".  He asked raising his eyebrows.

"Excuse me" I said smiling a little as I walk out of the room.

Ya rabb, thank you for always been there for me. I can't believe this. Now, I'm very positive that he has started changing. Good!  Since he has accepted me as his wife, I'm very sure, I'll be able to change him for good.

***(One Week Later)***

I walk into his office where he was always busy as usual. I know he heard my foot step but pretended like he didn't. What's wrong with him?  I thought we're okay now. You're crazy Maryam, you two can never be okay, i don't know why I had to fall for a man like him.

"Kareem can we talk?" I asked him but instead he ignored me. What's really wrong with him.

"Kareem I just asked you a calm question, I said can we talk?"

"Kareem we need to talk! " I said as I take the papers away from his hands which made him finally still. I watched him shut his eyes for a minute before opening them back again.

"What do you want? "He asked in a wierd calmer voice but not looking at me in the eyes.

"Fine" I said before taking a sit infront of him.

"I had an agreement with your Mom... I marry you and I'll further my education. So please Kareem, I really need to start schooling, I can't be here with you like this forever, i need to go to school and offer my own knowledge to the citizens, most people are been treated unjustly which is not right, they really need my service" I told him trying to make him see my passion for going to school but all he did was to raise his eyebrow at me.

"I need you to give me your consent Kareem, i need you to allow me to go to school, I promise, I won't use a penny in your money, i have my own savings since my childhood, I'll sponsor my self, so please just give me your consent as my husband.

"Why should I?".  He finally asked after so many hesitation and glaring.

"You don't tell me what to do woman! I tell you what to and right now, I say no" he told me coldly with a straight face.

"Why?!" I couldn't help but to almost scream at him. I'm really getting frustrating by this man. How could I love him?  Why did I? He doesn't even worth my love, he really didn't, then why did I fall in love with him? He never love me and would never will, then why bothering my self?  But, I'm already in love with him and that can never change.

"Because you don't need school"

"But I really do! It has always been my dream to become a lawyer! My Dad promised me he would support me to the end, I wasn't able to fulfill that dream because of his sudden death Kareem, and now you won't allow me to school? How do you expect me to fight for the innocent people out there?".  I told him angrily at the verge of crying.

"They should get used to it, let them get use to this cruel word".  Kareem said as he finally stood up. Finally the tears I was holding in flow down my cheeks and I tried so hard to control it, i really do but I couldn't. I felt really annoyed on remembering everything that I've been going through. Mom had told me he would allow me once we're married but now he wouldn't, he's really wicked. I stood up and wipe my tears away.

"How does it feel Kareem? How does it feel to be so wicked and mean to people?! Or do you just purposely want attention because you're lonely? Do you know how much suffering I'm going through right now, since my childhood do you know how much suffering I've been through?  But.... But I choose to marry you because I wanted to offer some help!... I decide to marry you because I thought this highly business man will surely stick to his promise... But you made me think otherwise kareem... Why? Just why kareem" I asked him and now I was hitting his chest but he didn't bulge, i think he's made from rock.

"I don't have to explain anything to anyone".  He said before he gently take my hands off his cloth ready to leave his office.