Chapter-40

Author's pov

Returning to Pakistan the first thing Maryam did was throwing Yamir and Omaira to her parents. She clearly declared that she won't take care of them anymore and from this onwards they have to take responsibility for Yamir and Omaira. She also told them that she won't give them any money further.

Of course, her family tried to convince her but she had zero feelings for them. Though she said she doesn't care about Yamir and Omaira, inside her heart she still has a place for them. She told her third sister-in-law Raisa that she will be sending money to her for Yamir and Omaira's financial costs. Raisa requested Maryam to rethink her decision but Maryam was firm in her decision. She clearly told that she doesn't care about Yamir and Omaira anymore.

Now, it's time for her to meet Mikaeel. Though she met him in the office as his business partner, they couldn't talk personally. So, she told him to come to meet her where they used to meet earlier.

It's been 20 minutes since Maryam was waiting for Mikaeel. She heard footsteps approaching her and she turned behind. Seeing Mikaeel an overwhelming expression appeared on her face and she ran toward him. Opening her arms she tried to hug him but he moved away instantly.

She looked at him with emotional eyes when he said sounding angry," Maryam, be within your limits. You are just my business partner. Nothing else. Please, keep your distance from me. We are not in a relationship that you can jump on me anytime."

" But, we can go back to our previous days, Mikaeel. Allah has given us another chance then why don't we make good use of this chance? I know that you still love me. We still can be together," Maryam replied trying to touch Mikaeel's face but he flinched backwards.

Mikaeel shouted glancing at her in disbelief," What's wrong with you, Maryam? Don't you know that I am married? I can never cheat on my wife. I can't step so low to backstab my wife. I am a married man now. Keep that in mind."

" So am I, Miki. I am married too but we can divorce our partners and start a new journey together. Let's fulfil those dreams which we used to imagine together," Maryam said emotionally holding his shoulder and Mikaeel was getting pissed off by her words.

It took a lot of effort for him to move on and now he just can't go backward. He doesn't want to let these emotions control him again.

Mikaeel replied nodding his head," Seems like I have to cancel this deal of ours."

Saying that he turned behind to leave when Maryam questioned shedding tears," Why can't you accept me again?"

" Because I am married and I have a wife. Do you understand? I love my wife a lot. Maybe I love her more than I loved you. Do you know why I love her too much because she didn't play with my feelings unlike you who ditched me for a rich guy like all the gold diggers," Mikeel growled pouring all the anger he has for her.

Bursting into tears Maryam shouted," I am not a gold digger. I was forced to marry. You know about my family but still, you are blaming me for whatever happened!!"

" You are giving me the family excuse! Seriously, Maryam. Then, let me remind you what I did when my family refused to accept you," Mikaeel screamed at the top of his lungs clutching her shoulder tightly.

Maryam's lips quivered when Mikaeel continued yelling in her face," Do you remember our graduation day? On that day, my father came to know about my relationship with you. He declared in front of the whole college that he will never accept a barber's daughter as his daughter-in-law. Do you remember that?"

Maryam remained silent when Mikaeel growled," Do you remember that?"

She nodded her head when he continued," And, do you remember what I did? I declared in front of the whole college that I will only marry you even if it cost me leaving my house, my father's name. I was that much dedicated to you. I was ready to leave everything for you but what you did?"

Maryam closed her eyes letting the tears flow when Mikaeel shouted making her flinch," You couldn't even voice out in front of your family. When I literally begged in front of you to elope with me, you refused. You chose to obey your family because of fear, society's fear! You ditched me like I was nothing to you. I haven't forgotten all these yet."

Saying all these he jerked her away from him and started breathing heavily. He was feeling easy after saying all these like a burden was removed from his chest. This outburst was needed for him. He had been burying all this anguish inside him for a long time and after sprouting all these he was feeling better.

" In our society, it's not easy for a girl to go against her family. I was blackmailed emotionally to marry someone else. I didn't do anything on purpose. My feelings for you were genuine always," Maryam said hiccupping while Mikaeel only looked in another direction.

Taking a deep breath Mikaeel said, "If you could have gathered even a little bit of courage then our future could have been different."

Maryam looked down when Mikaeel continued saying with a painful voice," 10 years, Maryam. I suffered for 10 years. You did leave me but your memories didn't. You can't even imagine how many sleepless nights I have spent. You can't even imagine how depressed I was. Every single cell of my body cried for you, my mind was sunk under grief. The more I tried to move on your memories would pull me back."

" Mikaeel, please..liste........" Maryam's talking was interrupted by Mikaeel.

He said having a smile," But, finally I managed to come out of this grief. Those painful memories. And, everything happened because of my wife Aurin. The person who taught me how to move on and filled my life with happiness, I can't backstab that person. I am sorry. You were my past but my wife is now my present and future. So, I can't let my past ruin my present and future."

After saying all these Mikaeel forwarded his legs to leave when Maryam grabbed his hand tightly and he looked at her. With teary eyes, she nodded her head and begged with her eyes to not leave her but Mikaeel was emotionless. Though his heart broke into tiny pieces seeing her like that, he can't do anything. No matter how much hard is the truth. He has to accept it for the well-being of everyone.

" Now, you are just my business partner. Nothing else. So, I am warning you for the last time. Be within your limits otherwise, I will have to cancel our deal," Saying all these rudely, he freed his wrist from her hand and drove away hurriedly.

Bursting into tears Maryam fell to her knees. His every word continued ringing inside her head making her condition miserable. She was regretting her decisions. He was right. If she gathered even an ounce of courage then this situation could be avoided.

" Why? Why?" She asked screaming and in response, she could only hear her voice.

Hiccupping continuously she said," If everyone deserves a chance then why can't I?