Chapter-37

Author's pov

Returning to her room, Maryam just falls on the bed throwing her purse somewhere in the room. She didn't even change her clothes and removed her make-up. She was way too tired to do all this.

It's been ten years of her marriage and today was her marriage anniversary. Yardan arranged a party to celebrate their anniversary. Maryam didn't want to be a part of the party but she didn't have any choice except obeying him. He gifted her a bungalow as her anniversary gift but she couldn't give him anything. She doesn't know what changed between them that he is treating her like his real wife. Not any substitute.

Maryam was staring at the ceiling intensely while her mind was occupied by her family. Yesterday, she talked to them after a long time. They apologised to her for their behaviour but she didn't say anything. She just cut the call.

She was lost in her thoughts when she felt nausea. Pressing her hands over her mouth she ran inside the washroom to throw out whatever she ate. It's been days since she has been throwing up and feeling too weak. Noticing her situation Yardan tried to take her to the hospital but she didn't go. She was getting suspicious that she is pregnant.

Yes, she was pregnant. She just tested with a pregnancy kit and she was right. She should be happy that after a long time she conceived again but there was no happiness on her face. Her whole face was covered with fear. Coming out of the washroom she sat on the bed holding the kit in a tight grip. She was scared. Scared to lose her baby again. Scared to go through that same pain again.

Entering her room Yardan found her sitting on the bed like a mute. Getting near her he sat beside her. He hasn't noticed the pregnancy kit in her hand yet.

" Are you ok?" He asked shaking her shoulder slightly.

She replied handing him the pregnancy kit," I am pregnant."

Yardan's face lit up with happiness. Turning her towards him he kissed her forehead gently and then pecked her lips softly.

" Then, why are you upset? It's such good news. You are carrying our baby," He said placing his hand on her belly.

Maryam didn't understand the excitement in him. He didn't seem so much happy when she conceived earlier. Is he really happy? Maryam wondered.

" I am scared. What if........." Maryam was interrupted by him.

He said holding her face gently," Our baby will be with us. Don't worry."

" I don't want to lose my baby this time. I don't," Maryam whispered looking at him with teary eyes.

Pulling her into a tight hug he stroked her hair gently to calm her down. After a lot of assuring words finally Maryam stopped crying. A new hope rose inside her that this time her baby will be with her.

" I will take it as my anniversary gift," He said placing his hand on her belly.

*************

" You are 6 weeks pregnant. From this onwards, you need to be careful about your diet and medicine," the doctor suggested to Maryam.

Yardan told the doctor," Give her some medicine which will keep her mind fresh. All the time she looks scared."

Well, Yardan brought Maryam to the hospital for a check-up. This time he was genuinely happy that he is going to be a father. He doesn't show any guilt for killing his children but his conscience always mocks him that he killed his own blood. His conscience mocks that he is a murderer.

" Nothing to be worried about, Mrs Shamsi. You should relax because any type of tension may lead to severe consequences," The doctor warned Maryam.

A thin line of anxiety appeared on her face and now she is sure that no matter what she won't overthink. She will just think about her baby and live for him/her. Instead of getting stuck in the past, she would move on.

" So, your next appointment will be after one month. So, till then be safe. See you," The doctor told with his professional voice.

Nodding his head, Yardan turned at Maryam and said," Go to the car and wait for me. I will come after talking to the doctor for some time."

Maryam didn't oppose. She forwarded her legs and left the doctor's room. No sooner had Maryam left than Yardan looked at the doctor nervously.

" Is everything alright, doctor?" He asked.

The doctor assured him," Everything is fine till now but I suggest you don't let her take any kind of mental pressure. It will lead to miscarriage easily."

" I understand, doctor," Yardan replied taking a relaxed breath.

Then, the doctor said," I am glad that you decided to keep the baby this time."

" After aborting the second baby I realised that it was never a good idea. Specifically, I realized that I shouldn't have given her abortion pills," Yardan said sounding regretful.

Yardan & the doctor was talking about all these unknown to the fact that Maryam has heard them. She left her purse on the chair and returned to take it. She will just enter the room when she got to know about the truth. She got to know how he fed her poison by showing fake concern.

Maryam was way too stunned to react. For a few seconds, she kept staring at them with a blank expression. She doesn't know what she felt after knowing the reality. All the time she just thought her baby was miscarried but in reality, that poor soul was killed. That too by its own father!!

After hearing Yardan not a single drop of tear left her eyes. Closing the door silently she returned to the car. Getting inside it she kept sitting like a robot for some time. Yardan's voice echoed inside her mind and automatically she felt goosebumps. All the time he was just fooling her!!

" Start the car," she ordered the driver.

The driver answered," But, Mam. Sir is sti......"

" I won't repeat what I said," Maryam said calmly but feeling the coldness of her voice the driver decided to not disobey her.

Reaching home the first thing Yardan did was to check on Maryam. He didn't understand why she left like that. Thinking for some time he concluded that she was tired may be and that's why she left.

Arriving at her room he found her sitting on the bed silently. A blanket was covering her till the waist. She was looking at the wall intensely like it was the most interesting place to see.

" You forgot your purse in the hospital and didn't even wait for me. What happened? Are you ok?" He asked sitting in front of her but she didn't respond.

Holding her hands, he asked softly," Are you still scared for the baby?"

" You killed my second baby too?" Maryam asked diverting her gaze at him.

The ground under Yardan's feet was snatched away after hearing her question. Yardan's hands loosened from her hands. A shocked expression appeared on his face. Sweat beads started forming on his forehead and he gulped down nervously. He felt a chill running down his spine.

" I.......umm......What......ar.......," He tried to say something but couldn't voice out even a single word.

Maryam said calmly," You promised that you won't harm my baby."

"I....You.......look....try......to....understand," he tried to say but again he failed.

Then, she didn't say anything to him. She laid down on the bed pulling the blanket near her chest. Yardan was stunned to see her reaction. He expected her to cry and yell but she did nothing. She didn't even shed a single drop of tear.

" I did everything for Yamir & Omaira," He said lowering his voice but Maryam heard him.

Maryam asked staring at the ceiling," Oh! I kinda forget how much important Yamir & Omaira are to you! My children were your blood too, weren't they?"

" Yes, they were. But, I thought you are like my stepmo................." His hands tried to touch her when she said," I want to stay alone for some time."

He felt her voice calmer than usual. That's what scaring him. He tried to lie to her, and manipulate her but the way she reacted he knows that his lie won't work. So, having no other choice he decided to leave her alone. He decided that he will talk to her tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow morning came very fast. The new Sun rays didn't bring light to Maryan's life. Instead, it brought darkness. Today, the innocence in Maryam died and a vicious vengeful soul was born inside her.

" She miscarried the baby," the doctor declared looking at Yardan while Maryam looked at him with red eyes.

Before Yardan could blink his eyes, Maryam accused pointing her finger at Yardan," He killed my baby."