Chapter-20

Author's pov

Standing at one corner of this huge hall room Maryam was staring at the Dubai crown prince and his wife continuously. She couldn't control herself from admiring such a lovely couple.

A few moments ago Maryam came to the Crown Prince's palace to attend his birthday party. Of course, she came here with Yardan and the kids. After coming here she was in awe seeing the palace. From dazzling lights to the gold plated marble floors Maryam was mesmerised and astonished after seeing this palace. She was not only mesmerized by the palace but also by the crown prince.

She heard from Yardan that the crown prince is Yardan's college friend. Though he and Yardan are the same age, the crown prince looks young, handsome and charming. For a few seconds, Maryam felt like she was seeing any prince from the fairy tales.

Diverting her gaze from the crown prince she looked at Yardan and found a tall, fat, old and not so handsome man. He looks older than his actual age because of his white hair and wrinkled face. Whenever she stands beside him she feels like she is standing beside her uncle or any fatherly figure.

No, she isn't complaining about his appearance because she believes that everyone is wonderful in their own way. She wouldn't have any problem if he had a desirable personality. She wouldn't have any problem if he learned to respect her at least. But, Alas!

" Not all women are lucky," Maryam thought with a heavy heart looking at the crown prince's wife.

Maryam was lost in her thoughts when she felt a presence behind her. She turned behind and encountered a woman looking at her. Looking at the woman's clothes & appearance Maryam realized that she is not a native here.

" Mrs Shamsi," the woman said and Maryam was startled by the voice. It was the same voice she heard yesterday when she called Yardan.

Maryam blinked her eyes confusingly while the woman introduced herself," Myself Venessa Frost, Mr Shamsi's business partner as well as a friend."

" Oh! Maryam," Maryam introduced herself giving Venessa a suspicious look.

Maryam's subconscious screamed inside her head," So, Yardan is having an affair with this bitch!!"

" I wonder what she saw in Yardan to have an affair with him!!" Maryam mumbled rolling her eyes.

Her subconscious mocked," Maybe she felt his bloated belly sexy!!"

" Maybe she felt his money sexier than him and that's why she is after my husband," Maryam whispered sighing and her heart crumbled inside her chest.

Seeing Maryam absent-minded Venessa asked curiously, " Did you say something?"

Maryam nodded her head in the negative and opened her mouth to say something but a man interrupted them. Standing beside Venessa the man wrapped his hand around her waist. Both of them shared a smiling look and diverted their eyes at Maryam.

" Nice to meet you, Mrs Shamsi. I am Ryan Frost, Venessa's husband & Mr Shamsi's business partner as well as a friend. We heard a lot about you from Mr Shamsi," the man said in one go making Maryam confused yet surprised.

Then, Venessa said chuckling," Yesterday, Yardan was praising you a lot. The way you take care of the kids..............."

Vanessa continued her bubbling while Maryam was only thinking about Yardan. He praised her!! Is it even possible or she is hearing wrong? She wondered if he can praise her in front of other people then why did he act like a jerk to her in private? Maryam felt a burden was removed from her chest after knowing that Venessa is married.

" I was overthinking!" Maryam thought mentally but her mind again clouded with sorrow remembering his last night's behaviour with her.

Vanessa let out chuckling," Seems like Yardan loves you a lot."

" Any doubt?" Yardan questioned suddenly circling his hand around Maryam's waist and she became startled by the sudden touch.

After that, all three of them continued their chit chat while Maryam was just standing having an awkward expression. She wasn't understanding what to say since they were talking about business matters. But, one thing Maryam didn't understand was why Yardan was holding her waist protectively and behaving like a caring husband!!

" I am sure he is acting to be a good man!!" Maryam thought mentally and felt like punching Yardan's nose.

After the party was over Maryam and Yardan are now sitting in the car for returning home. Yamir & Omaira slept over Maryam's shoulder while she was looking at Yardan. He didn't notice her since he was busy with his phone.

Clearing her throat Maryam said mockingly," You acted so well in front of everyone."

Putting the phone inside his pocket, Yardan taunted back," What did you think I am having an affair with Venessa? Come on, I am not shameless like you!!"

" What do you mean?" Maryam questioned frowning her brows with confusion.

Suddenly, he clutched her jaw tightly making her hiss and started whispering," I haven't forgotten about your relationship with that bloody Kamran!"

" I am tired of explaining this matter!!" Maryam whispered jerking away his hand.

But, this time he clutched her hair over the hijab and almost shouted," Don't try to act innocent! I know woman like you! Didn't you have a relationship with one of your classmates?"

Maryam lost all colour from her face and looked at him with astonished eyes. What's he talking about? Did he come to know about Mikaeel? But, how? Who can tell him about her relationship with Mikaeel? Maryam thought mentally.

" What happened, slut? Why are you looking so pale? Seems like I have caught any crime of yours," He said mockingly.

Maryam replied looking in another direction," I don't know what are you even saying and before calling me a slut remember that this slut is the mother of your children."

Yardan pulled her more towards him almost brushing her lips with his. For a good few seconds, he scanned her face and realised that she was hiding something. No, he didn't come to know about Mikaeel. He was just testing her loyalty. He doesn't know why his mind still itches whenever he remembers Maryam's closeness with Kamran.

" I told all this to test you and thought that I might be wrong. But, after seeing your reaction I can say that I wasn't wrong completely," He murmured and Maryam realized that he just got a new issue to torture her mentally.

Two days later

At Night

Laying on the bed Maryam was thinking about Mikaeel. Remembering their sweet memories she couldn't control her tears and started crying. Yardan's ignorance doesn't let her forget anything about Mikaeel. The love she got from Mikaeel, Yardan never gave that love to her.

Clutching the blanket tightly she closed her eyes and whispered," Miki.......... I can never forget you."

" I am married. I shouldn't think about Mikaeel," her mind suggested and then she wiped away her tears.

Taking a deep breath she looked outside and that's when she heard a click sound. She didn't bother to turn and see who came. Because she knows that it was none other than Yardan.

" Don't pretend to sleep. Because I know you aren't sleeping," He said getting on the bed.

Getting close to her, he whispered like a jerk," I know that without my dick you can't sleep peacefully."

Saying that he started removing her nightgown while she shut her eyes tightly. Taking a breath she looked at him and held his hands.

" Please, I am not feeling well. I have a fever. I just want to sleep," she requested helplessly.

Giving her an annoyed look he got down but didn't say anything. He just left her that astonished Maryam. Didn't he feel how warm was her body? At least he could have shown some sympathy towards her but he did nothing. Maryam wondered how can he be that much ignorant toward her!

" He will never care," She whispered wiping away a drop of tears.

After that, she got down and had medicine still thinking about Yardan's careless behaviour.

The next day Maryam woke up and her condition was much better than yesterday. When she went to Yamir & Omaira's room she found that both of them were shaking under the blanket. Both of their bodies were burning with fever. Getting worried she didn't waste another second and informed Yardan.

Yardan rushed to Yamir & Omaira's room and after seeing their condition he called a doctor immediately. After half an hour the doctor reached Yardan's house.

" How are my children, doctor?" Yardan asked sounding extremely worried.

The doctor answered," Nothing serious. It's seasonal fever."

Yardan was continuously asking questions to the doctor about Yamir & Omaira's health. Maryam looked at his face and noticed his extremely worried eyes. Of course, he cares about his children just like any other good father but his behaviour hurt Maryam a lot.

She was also burning with a fever last night and even after seeing her situation he didn't even bother to ask her about medicines!! How! Isn't she his family also? She again remembered Mikaeel controlling her tears. He would always go crazy even if she let out a sneeze! But, here is Yardan who would never care about her even if she dies in front of him.

When the doctor left Yardan's voice echoed through the whole room like a thunderstorm. The kids looked at their father with terrified eyes and got scared seeing him holding their mother's shoulder tightly. Both of them felt extremely sad seeing their mamma hissing in pain.

" What do you do in this house the whole day, huh? My children are burning with fever because of your carelessness," He shouted dragging her outside since he noticed the kid's terrified eyes on him.

Maryam answered trying to free herself from his tight grip," Are you suffering from short time memory loss? A few moments ago the doctor said that it was a seasonal fever."

" You didn't answer my question? What do you do in the house the whole day? Who do you think all day? I mean which lover of yours or which fucker of yours?" He asked taunting her and she lost it.

Pushing him away from her, she shouted angrily," Except you, I think about everyone because you aren't even worthy of my thoughts!!"