Chapter-24

After two days

Author's pov

" Yes, place it here," Maryam instructed two maids who were holding a baby cot.

She further instructed," And, leave the other things here. I will place them later."

Nodding their heads, the maids left her room. An affectionate smile formed at the corner of Maryam's lips and automatically her hands caressed her flat belly.

" Baby, I can't explain how much happy I am to have you! I can't wait to meet you, cuddle you and kiss you. You don't know how much Mamma loves you," Maryam told her unborn baby shedding a few happy tears.

It's been two days since Maryam got to know that she was pregnant. After this revelation, she was scared that Yardan will kill her baby again. But, her happiness knew no bounds when he promised that he won't do anything to her child.

Though her heart still pains for her first baby, the news of her pregnancy soothes her heart now. She thought to not think about the past and focus on her future. She doesn't care about Yardan's thoughts about her baby. For her, her baby is the most important thing in this world and she will do anything for her baby.

She is way too excited and happy for her baby. Out of happiness, she went to the mall and bought a baby cot along with other baby stuff. She can't wait to have her baby in her arms.

Maryam was still talking to her baby when Yamir & Omaira entered her room. Maryam called them to her having an affectionate smile.

" Mamma, the maids are saying that we are going to have a new baby in our house?" Omaira questioned innocently.

Maryam nodded her head when Yamir asked," Will this baby also leave us like the previous baby?"

The smile on Maryam's face vanished in the air and a painful expression appeared on her face. Tears started gathering at the corner of her eyes and she felt a stinging sensation inside her chest.

" No. Mamma won't let this baby go anywhere," Maryam answered forcing a smile on her face.

Yamir noticed Maryam's almost teary eyes and felt extremely sad. He understands that his mother is sad because the previous baby left his mother. He still remembers how his Mamma cried so much for that baby.

" Don't cry, Mamma," Yamir said touching Maryam's cheeks. Holding his hands Maryam kissed them affectionately.

Maryam pulled the kids to herself and they sat beside her. She kissed their heads and they kissed her cheeks. The kids started asking her a lot of questions about the new baby and Maryam couldn't control her laughter after hearing their weird innocent questions.

She was talking and laughing with them unknown to the fact that Yardan was watching them secretly. His eyes were cold as usual but an unknown tension was clearly noticeable on his face. From the day he got to know that Maryam is pregnant again, he lost his peaceful sleep.

Right now he was in dilemma looking at Maryam. The way she takes care of Yamir & Omaira and adores them, he can't help but agree that she isn't like his stepmother. But, still, he is insecure. A part of him is always provoking him to think negatively.

He stared at Maryam's belly for some time and became disturbed. The baby is his also but he doesn't know what he feels about it. He was having mixed feelings about everything. After thinking for some time he decided to leave the place.

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" Mamma.......Mamma......please let's go to Khadija aunt's (Yardan's cousin sister) house. I want to play with Laila(Khadija's daughter)," Omaira nagged pulling Maryam's dress who was busy folding some clothes.

Maryam answered folding one of Omaira's frocks," Not today, baccha(baby). Mamma has an appointment with the doctor today. I will take you tomorrow."

" No......No......I want...to go today...... Laila invited me. She told me that she will show me her dollhouse," Omaira continued whining and pulling Maryam's dress.

Letting out a breath Maryam tried to convince Omaira," Try to understand, baby. It's important for Mamma to meet the doctor. I promise that tomorrow I will take you to Laila's house or I will tell your Baba to buy you a dollhouse."

" Nah......No....... You have to take me to Lalia's house today. Right now," Omaira screamed at the top of her lungs and threw away the folded clothes on the ground.

Maryam was tolerating her nagging continuously considering her age. But, she lost her patience after seeing Omaira's stubbornness. She always ignores Omaira's stubbornness because of her young age. But, Maryam'sanger reached its peak when Omaira threw away the folded clothes on the ground.

" Omi... Where are your manners? Did I teach you to talk to your elders like that?" Maryam snapped at Omaira that resulted in Omaira's loud crying.

Omaira shouted back," Take me to Laila's house."

" Enough! Stop this continuous nagging. Go to your room. By the way, have you finished your homework?" Maryam yelled holding Omaira's arm tightly.

Omaira didn't answer her mother. She just kept fuming in rage because Maryam wasn't listening to her. Out of anger, she grabbed Maryam's hand and bit it hard making it bleed. A painful yelp left Maryam's mouth when Omaira's sharp teeth dug into her skin.

" Omi!! What's wrong with you?" Maryam cried out and pushed Omaira from her.

The push was light but because of Omaira's lightweight, she fall to the ground and hurt her back. This time her crying got louder like someone is trying to kill her. Maryam rushed to Omaira fearing that she might have pushed her hard. She didn't care that her hand was bleeding.

" Omi, baby. Are you ok?" Maryam asked softening her voice but Omaira crawled backwards angrily.

Maryam tried to console Omaira when Yardan's voice echoed through the whole room like a thunderstorm," Stay away from my daughter."

Maryam turned back to meet Yardan's furious eyes. Entering the room he marched towards Maryam like he will kill her anytime soon. Maryam became bewildered wondering what just happened.

" Baba!" Omaira cried out while Yardan picked her up in his arms.

Yardan cooed in Omaira's ear rubbing her back softly," It's ok, baby. Don't cry. Baba won't let anyone harm you."

" Mam....ma........scolded.......me," Omaira complained hiccupping and Yardan's eyes literally burned Maryam.

Maryam said nodding her head," Yardan, try.....to....understand........."

Maryam explained everything to Yardan but it seems like none of her words made an impact on him. He just saw his daughter crying that was enough for him to lose temper. He doesn't even care that Maryam's hand was bleeding.

" Shut up!!" Yardan shouted raising his hand to strike Maryam and out of reflex, she closed her eyes.

She expected a stinging sensation on her cheek but it never came. Opening her eyes she looked at Yardan and found his hand hanging in the air. Before she could even react more, he grabbed her hair tightly making her hiss in pain.

" Your child hasn't even come into this world but you are neglecting my children already! How dare you hurt my daughter?" Yardan yelled on Maryam's face.

Maryam only hissed in pain while he continued yelling," I knew that you are no different than them. You all women are the same. I always knew that a stepmother can't be a real mother. I thought you are not like them but you are worse than them. At least they never harm me physically but you pushed my little daughter."

" You are misunderstanding.......Ahh......leave...my hair," Maryam whimpered but Yardan's didn't show any sign of tenderness.

He threw her on the bed and she fall there on her stomach. A painful yelp left her mouth and she looked at Yardan in disbelief. Doesn't he know that she is pregnant? Then how can he push her like that! She felt extremely bad to see that he only cares for his children! What about her baby?

" I will take you to Laila's house. Ok?" Yardan asked his daughter who snuggled into his chest.

Maryam asked shedding a few drops of tears," You are so concerned about your daughter. Isn't the little soul in my womb also deserve your concern? How can you push me like that? It's your child too. What if I lo................."

" You better keep your mouth shut!!" He yelled back making her flinch.