Chapter-43

Author's pov

" If you want to travel with your daughter then she needs a passport and visa. To make a new passport her birth certificate is required since she doesn't have any national ID card yet," an officer told Maryam.

Maryam said sounding worried," I haven't applied for Mehzabin's birth certificate yet."

" If you haven't yet then you have to do it fast and then you can think of a visa & passport," the officer suggested.

Maryam wants to return to Pakistan with Mehzabin but without a visa & passport, Mehzabin can't travel. Mehzabin's birth certificate is needed and that's where the problem started. What will be Mehzabin's father's name?

" Fill up this form and come to meet me tomorrow. The rest I will do," the officer said and forwarded his legs to leave the house.

Maryam asked seeing the form," Is it possible to skip the father's name? My daughter is only mine."

" If she was an orphan then the authority could have thought about other ways. But, she is your biological daughter making Mr Shamsi her biological father. I hope you are understanding what I said," The officer said and Maryam nodded her head nervously.

Maryam started thinking of ways to handle this situation but nothing was coming into her mind. She was pacing here and there in the living room having a worried look. She had no idea that Yardan had heard about everything.

At night, Maryam was trying to sleep but this matter was messing up with her mind. She looked beside her where Mehzabin was sleeping peacefully. She kissed her tiny head with affection and closed her eyes.

She thought till midnight but she wasn't understanding what to do. Having no other choices she took sleeping pills for a sound sleep.

It was early in the morning and Maryam was still sleeping. But, Mehzabin has woken up already and she was playing on the bed with Maryam's hair.

A maid entered the room and opened the curtains to let the sun ray reflect in the whole room. Mehzabin started cooing after seeing the maid.

A few moments later Yardan entered the room. His wheelchair is an electronic wheelchair and he can move in the whole house with the help of it except for climbing the stairs.

Seeing him Mehzabin got excited and crawled at him. Before she could fall from the bed the maid picked her up. She started rocking Mehzabin who was spreading her hands at Yardan nonstop.

Yardan smiled seeing Mehzabin. She was way too cute to melt people's hearts and Yardan was no exception. After knowing the truth he doesn't have any grudge against Mehzabin. She started wiggling in the maid's arm to go to Yardan's arms.

" Sir, I think she wants you to hold her," The maid told Yardan.

He gave permission nodding his head. The maid made Mehzabin stand on Yardan's lap. He smiled seeing the little bundle of joy wetting his clothes with her drool. He felt like he was watching Yamir & Omaira's childhood in Mehzabin.

" C...u..te," Yardan let out with great difficulty.

Yardan froze in his place when Mehzabin hugged his neck and placed her head on his shoulder. Though he couldn't hug her back but he couldn't hold back his emotions. He felt like Omaira was hugging him like that. This time sudden guilt clouded his mind. He remembered about his children whom he killed.

" Bo........Bo........" Mehzabin let out wetting Yardan's shoulder while Yardan just let out a sad smile.

Suddenly, Yardan's eyes caught the form that was given to Maryam by that officer. The form was on the table with a pen. Last night Maryam tried to finish it but she couldn't due to anxiety.

" W..ri..te.....my......n...a..me in.... the... form," Yardan ordered the maid who obliged him instantly.

When Maryam woke up she was astonished to see Mehzabin playing with Yardan. He was laying on the couch and Mehzabin was sitting on his belly. She was hitting his chest with her tiny hands and giggling. Maryam frowned her brows seeing Yardan smiling with the baby.

" Why are you in my room?" Maryam asked rudely but Yardan remained silent.

The maid answered giving her the form," Sir told me to give it to you once you wake up."

Maryam saw Yardan's name in the form and her eyes widened with shock. He knows the truth but she never thought he will accept Mehzabin. Maryam didn't care if someone accepts her daughter or not until this birth certificate matter happened.

" I.......wan.......my........children......back," Yardan managed to utter.

Maryam doesn't know what she should say now or how she should react. His hands didn't tremble before killing his own blood but now he was ready to accept another man's child wasn't settling with her. She doesn't know what she should do now.

" I wish you accepted our children," That's what Maryam said picking up Mehzabin in her arms while Yardan only lowered his eyes with guilt.

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

Maryam reached Pakistan with Mehzabin. She was at the airport and waiting for Raisa and the kids.

Mehzabin was in her baby stroller and looking at her surrounding with big doe-like eyes. Curiosity was written all over her face and she was letting out baby noises with excitement.

" Mamma," Maryam heard Omaira's excited voice.

Before Maryam could say anything she ran towards her and hugged Maryam tightly. Omaira had tears in her eyes seeing her mother after a long time. She closed her eyes feeling her mother's warm embrace. But, Maryam didn't hug Omaira back. She was just standing like a statue having an emotionless face.

" I missed you so much, Mamma," Omaira said breaking the hug but still Maryam was silent.

Yamir didn't hug Maryam seeing her untroubled expression. He realised that she wasn't liking their presence. He wasn't angry with his mother. He was just hurt. Too much hurt.

" Mamma, how are you?" Yamir asked controlling his emotions.

Maryam didn't reply. She just hummed looking somewhere else. Yamir didn't bother Maryam anymore by asking questions. He just hopes his mother realises how much they are suffering because of her careless attitude towards them.

Mehzabin caught Yamir and Omaira's attention with her baby noises. Both of them looked at Mehzabin with curiosity. They were wondering who is this baby and why is this baby with Maryam.

" Mehzabin. Your sister," Maryam introduced noticing Yamir and Omaira's curious faces.

Both of them were stunned after hearing her. They exchanged a shocking look and then looked at Maryam with disbelief.

" So, you left us to bring this new baby?" Omaira asked innocently.

Maryam didn't know what to say so Raisa covered up," Yes, your Mamma brought a new baby. That's why she had to leave you with me."

" Did Baba get angry this time too?" Yamir asked from nowhere.

Maryam replied with a tight smile," He didn't."

Omaira picked up Mehzabin and kissed her fluffy cheeks. She giggled feeling Mehzabin's baby hands grabbing her hair. Omaira was happy to have a little sister.

" Ouch! Don't pull my hair," Omaira said tickling Mehzabin's belly.

Yamir also took Mehzabin in his arms. He held her protectively like the big brother he was. He kissed Mehzabin's forehead and cheeks.

" Mamma, she is cute," Yamir said pulling Mehzabin's cheeks gently.

Maryam became a little bit emotional by the kids' reunion. A small smile appeared on her face seeing Yamir and Omaira's affection towards Mehzabin. Her eyes welled up noticing Mehzabin's excited face to meet her siblings.

" Don't hate them anymore, Maryam. Anger will bring destruction only. Try to understand," Raisa tried to convince Maryam seeing tears in Maryam's eyes.

Immediately, Maryam changed her expression. Again, a blank expression appeared on her face. She remained silent looking at the kids.

" Take them back with you," That's what Maryam told Raisa.

Yamir and Omaira wanted to stay with Maryam but she didn't take them with her to her apartment. She saw how sad Yamir and Omaira were looking but still, she didn't show any kind of emotions on her face.

Getting inside the car Maryam started crying silently. She looked outside aimlessly because she wasn't feeling good leaving behind Yamir and Omaira. She doesn't want to hate them but at the same time, she can't tolerate their presence. She doesn't want to care for them but instinctively she gets worried about them.

" They are my responsibility. That's it. I don't care about them," finally she convinced herself though it wasn't true.