Chapter-41

A few months later

Author's pov

" Look, baby. It's pouring outside. You know what Mamma likes rainy weather a lot," Maryam said placing her hand over her seven-month pregnant belly.

Then, she said affectionately," Soon I will enjoy this weather with you. I can't wait to have you in my embrace. I am gonna love you a lot."

Caressing her belly gently she continued looking outside through the window. It was her favourite place in the whole house. She closed her eyes feeling a few droplets of rain wetting her face.

" You know what baby, this world is so beautiful except for some people," She said sighing.

Opening her eyes she looked at the horizon with blank eyes but her mind was chaotic. She was bothered about a lot of things. To avoid any kind of stressful situation in this condition she left Pakistan and returned to Dubai but still, she couldn't be at peace.

" Only my baby matters to me. That's it," She whispered standing on her feet.

Taking the phone from the nearby table she looked at the screen. It was 2:30 p.m in Pakistan. She guessed. That means Yamir and Omaira have returned from school already. Without wasting another second she called her sister-in-law Raisa who had been taking care of Yamir and Omaira for the last few months.

" Where are Yamir and Omi?" Maryam asked.

She tried to hide her concerned voice but she couldn't. Raisa realized Maryam's concern for Yamir and Omaira.

Raisa answered," They are taking rest."

Maryam asked," How is their study going? How are they doing in school?"

" What do you think how are they doing, Maryam? You just left them alone in a completely new environment! They are struggling to cope with this new environment. Every single day they just ask me about you. Why are you angry with them? What wrong they had done? They always ask me such questions that I can't answer any of them!" Raisa yelled. The disappointment and anger were evident in her voice.

Maryam replied curtly," They will learn to live."

" Why are you punishing them like that, Maryam? They are innocent," Raisa yelled

Maryam yelled back," They are the root of all problems. I hate them."

" That's not you who is talking to me. It's your anger that is talking. I admit that Yardan wasn't a good person and you hate him. But, what's Yamir and Omaira's fault in all this? Why are you punishing them like that? What do you think how is Mehzabin feeling after seeing your cruelty to those innocent souls who have no idea what's going on!!" Raisa tried to convince Maryam. Maybe Mehzabin's name will change something in Maryam.

Maryam was silent after hearing Mehzabin's name. Suddenly she felt guilty. But, it was just for a few moments. Instantly, she hardened her face and controlled her tears.

" If you are tired of taking care of them then I will find someone else to take care of them," Maryam replied rudely.

Letting out a breath Raisa said softening her voice," Maryam, don't misunderstand me. Yamir and Omi are innocent. You are their mother. Those kids love you more than themselves. Don't hurt them like that. I know that you care for them. Just put aside your anger for some time and think about them."

" They miss you as well as their father. They always ask me about their parents. Please, do something. Either you come to meet them or take them back to Dubai," Raisa requested.

Then, she said worriedly," Kids' minds are very fragile. Whatever is happening around them isn't good for their upbringing. In the long run, they will suffer. Then, the only person who will be responsible for any costly consequences will be you."

Maryam heard her and started thinking deeply. Remembering Yamir and Omaira's faces she felt her heart crumbling inside her chest. Does she really hate them? Is it possible for her to hate them whom she has been taking care of for the last 10 years? She was having mixed feelings about Yamir and Omaira.

" Umm....ok. I will come to meet them after the delivery," Maryam answered and then cut the call. Finally, she agreed to meet Yamir & Omaira.

Then, she laid down on the bed hugging a pillow. No matter how much she tries to forget what she had done in Pakistan, she can't. Is she guilty? Maybe or maybe not. After thinking for some time she closed her eyes and lost herself in a deep slumber.

At Night

Yardan's pov

" Umm.....It's delicious......." Maryam let out an exaggerated moan putting a piece of mutton inside her mouth.

I noticed her looking at me with side eyes. She smirked hearing my stomach grumbling sound. She was enjoying my pathetic situation. Yes, she starves me and I have no objection to it. I know that she is punishing me.

The only thing that bothers me is Yamir and Omaira. I don't know where are they, how are they doing, are they ok? I have no idea how are my children. It's been months since I met them, saw their innocent faces and took them in my embrace. Every single day I just shed silent tears for them.

I am stuck in this wheelchair and I know about my health situation. I will never walk again. I know that. I have lost my ability to speak as well. The doctor said if the Almighty is merciful then I will talk again.

Mercy!! Will the Almighty forgive me for my sins? I killed my own children. I know that I am being punished for this. I have no objection about it. But why my children are punished too? Why Maryam has to separate me from them? She could have starved me to death, beat me or does more worse things. I would have accepted everything gladly. But, the separation from my children was killing me every single day.

" You should be ashamed that even though you are fertile I had to go to another man for a child," she said.

Hatred was evident in her voice and her eyes were blazing like fire. I was disturbed about her pregnancy. Did she really cheat on me? How could she? I admit that I deserve all the punishment she is giving me but this!! Where is her morality? She wasn't like this.

I felt anger rushing in my whole system looking at her pregnant belly. I wanted to yell at her but except for some unclear words, nothing left my mouth.

" I fucked another man," She said gritting her teeth.

My body trembled and my hand shook slightly at this remark. I was angry beyond the level. If she is still my wife then how could she just sleep with someone else? I admit that I treated her badly but I never cheated on her. Then, how could she cheat on me?

" Are you angry that I slept with someone else? What will you do?" She mocked letting out evil laughter.

I wanted to vent my anger and tell her what a pathetic slut she had become but except for some unclear words, I couldn't utter anything. My wheelchair moved frantically since I was trying hard to move. But, my body didn't allow it. A few seconds later I gave up and looked at the ground.

" Tsk....tsk....tsk.....what happened, love? You want to say something," She teased stroking my cheeks gently. She was enjoying my miserable situation.

Seeing me silent she said laughing," I can't explain how satisfied I am to see you as a cripple."

" Now, I have everything. I got my baby back, money and fame. Everything. Now, I am the happiest person alive," She let out laughing.

Does she take me as a fool? No matter how much she tries to look happy, I know that she isn't. I know that there is something that bothers her always. I know that she won't share what's bothering her and I am not interested to know either. She had lost her respect in my eyes.

I don't care about this shameless woman at all. I grew a soft corner for her in my heart but she ruined it by cheating on me. I just care about Yamir and Omaira. I just hope they are fine and safe. I pray to the Almighty to give me the chance of meeting my children.

" Do you want to know whom I fucked?" She whispered in my ear.

I don't want to hear her disgusting words. She knew that her words will hurt me. She knew that it will burn my heart and that's what she wants. She wants me to suffer. Separating me from my kids was not enough for her. She wants my ear to bleed by hearing how she fuc........yuck!! I can't even pronounce it. I tried to nod my head in the negative but she grabbed my neck.

" Tonight I am going to explain to you how I got pregnant. Even if your ear bleeds by my words I will force you to hear me out," Maryam murmured in my ear and I just close my eyes with disgust & shame.