Chapter-45

Author's pov

" Baba.........." Omaira screamed with excitement the moment she entered the house with Maryam, Mehzabin and Yamir.

Running towards Yardan she hugged him tightly and burst into hysterical sobbing. Yardan had tears in his eyes feeling his daughter in his embrace. He tried to hug her back but he could barely move his hands.

" I...missed.....you.....so......much," Omaira said breaking the hug.

Yardan replied with difficulty," Me....too.. Baby."

" I won't leave you again, Baba. Never," Omaira said hugging his neck.

Yardan's eyes fell on Yamir who was shedding tears silently. He was holding Mehzabin in his arms and continuously staring at Yardan. He was still in shock that he is seeing his father after a long time. Yardan cried out loudly looking at Yamir's eyes.

" Baba!!" Yamir called running towards him.

Bending down he took Yardan's right hand and kissed it. Both of them were crying like children. Yardan felt a soothing sensation in his chest when Yamir hugged him from one side. Yamir tried to say something but nothing came out of his mouth.

" Baba," That's what Yamir could say.

Yardan let out looking at Yamir from head to toe," You...are....almost...a...man now."

Saying that he let out a chuckle and Yamir smiled too. He hugged his father again. He couldn't believe he was seeing his father again.

" Ba.....bo....." Mehzabin let out cutely catching everyone's attention.

Omaira corrected laughing," It's Baba. Say it Mehu."

" Ba....ba....." Mehzabin managed to pronounce it finally and Yardan laughed a little bit.

They were busy in their reunion while Maryam was just standing like a statue. There was no expression on her face. Neither she was happy nor sad. She was completely blank from inside.

But, there was something she wanted. She wanted someone to hug her like Yardan was hugging the kids. She was craving someone's affection but she knew that there was no one for her. She had accepted this reality a long ago. Today she was missing her sister a lot. Mehzabin was more than a sister to her until Mehzabin got married to Yardan.

Yardan saw Maryam standing like a robot. He sighed looking at her. He knew that if he calls her to him she will again start behaving like a mad woman. So, he let her stay however she wants. But, he is sure about one thing that something was bothering Maryam.

" Go and freshen up. I will tell the maids to serve lunch," Maryam told the kids picking up Mehzabin in her arms.

She forwarded her legs to leave but Yamir and Omaira's sudden hug stopped her. Maryam was startled by Yamir & Omaira's tears on her skin.

" Thank you, Mamma. Thank you for letting us meet Baba," they said in unison.

Breaking the hug Maryam only smiled at them. With one hand she caressed their cheeks affectionately while with another hand she was holding Mehzabin.

A week later

13-year-old Maryam was sitting on a stool and munching on her chips while her 20-year-old sister Mehzabin was braiding her hair sitting on the bed.

A few moments ago Maryam was scolded by her mother which led her to non-stop crying. To console her Mehzabin bought some chips and chocolates for her.

" Api, what do you do when you feel bad?" Maryam asked curiously.

Mehzabin replied smiling," I pray."

" What do you tell the Almighty? What do you ask from Allah?" Maryam asked innocently.

Mehzabin answered having a gentle expression," I request Allah to forgive me if I ever do any mistakes. I request Him to show me the right path."

" Last night I stole Muniya's(another sister of Maryam) favourite pen. Would Allah forgive me?" Maryam asked sounding scared and guilty.

Mehzabin answered," Maybe. If you beg forgiveness truly."

Maryam was sleeping on her bed when she had a dream about Mehzabin. She started shaking her head vigorously though her eyes were still closed.

Suddenly, Maryam saw the flashback of that day when Mehzabin died. Her body started trembling to see Mehzabin drenched in her blood. Her dead eyes were still looking at Maryam. Every single cell of Maryam's body cried that day when she lost Mehzabin.

" Api............" Maryam screamed and then woke up.

She started breathing heavily and looked around her surrounding. She was in her room. She removed the comforter that was drenched in her sweat. Rubbing her forehead she took a long breath but the anxiety in her wasn't fading. For the last few days, she was seeing dreams about Mehzabin a lot.

Hurriedly she walked towards the closet and took out her medicine. After taking the pills she took a long relaxed breath. Then, she entered the washroom and splashed some cold water on her face to soothe her mind.

For the last few days, she has been having difficulties sleeping. Not just sleeping, she was bothered about everything. She is a sinner and the guilt she was feeling inside was eating her up alive. She doesn't want to be guilty about anything but her conscience would always remind her about her sins.

She forgot laughing a long ago and now she had forgotten to talk normally. She hardly talks to anyone. Except for the kids, she doesn't have any normal conversations with anyone. In the office, she would talk only when it was necessary.

She was lost in her thoughts when she heard Azan(Islamic prayer call). It was the time of Fajr. She wasn't that religious ever but today she was feeling like praying.

After the prayer, she walked toward the window where she usually sits and looks outside with longing eyes. The prayer was fruitful to her. She was feeling better now. The morning fresh air touched her skin making her smile a little bit.

" Does peace exist?" She asked but there was no response.

Suddenly, she felt a presence in her room. Without even turning behind she could say who was there. It was Yardan. Recently, he started to talk but Maryam hasn't uttered a single word to him yet.

" You aren't sleeping? Why?" He asked.

She answered," You aren't either."

" I wanted to say................." Yardan was interrupted by Maryam.

She completed the sentence," You wanted to say that you will divorce me."