Chapter-47

After three years

Author's pov

Three years passed just in a blink of an eye and Maryam's life was going as usual. Except for the fact that the bitterness in her vanished a long ago when Mehzabin almost died in a fire accident.

Maryam took the kids on a vacation to the USA. Unfortunately, a fire accident occurred there. Though Yamir and Omaira were unharmed but Mehzabin's 7% body was burnt.

This incident was another traumatic situation for Maryam. She started blaming herself for Mehzabin's situation. She blamed herself that she was a sinner and that's why her daughter was punished. She begged the Almighty to forgive her. She repented for her sins though she doesn't know if it was enough or not. She asked forgiveness from those people whom she hurt. She doesn't know if they forgave her or not but she tried her best.

Another man came into Maryam's life in the disguise of a friend. Maryam wasn't in love with him but surely she liked his company until she got to know about his true intention. The man was a two-faced snake who was after Yardan's wealth. He knew about Maryam's shaky relationship with Yardan. He wanted to trap her in his love trap and snatch Yardan's wealth using her. But, Maryam realised his intention and never contacted him again. After this betrayal, she just laughed at her Destiny. All the people out there just think of using her for their own selfish reason.

Her relationship with Yardan was like stranger. They live in the same house but except for the kids' matter, they never talked to each other. They were husband and wife just in name.

Since she didn't sign the divorce paper A few times Yardan tried to make everything normal between him and Maryam but she didn't respond to his efforts. Love was a foreign notion between them. They behave normally as much as possible in front of the kids. No one brings up what happened earlier.

Her mental situation is quite better now. Emotional stability was fruitful for her. At the age of 40, she doesn't want to behave like a pathetic and weak teenager who only longs for affection. Now, her world evolves around Yamir, Omaira and Mehzabin. She dedicated herself to them. She realized what kind of damage she had done to Yamir & Omaira because of her anger. She realised that she could never hate Yamir & Omaira. Her happiness lies with the children.

Right now Maryam is in her office and engrossed in her work. She doesn't rely on Yardan's money. She earns enough to lead a simple life. Yamir and Omaira are in the school while Mehzabin is with a nanny. And, Yardan is in his office. He is still paralyzed except that he can talk and move his hands.

Maryam's concentration was broken by her phone. It started ringing. At first, she decided to not receive it but it was ringing continuously. It was Yardan's PA who called her.

" Mam, come to the 'XYZ hospital'. Sir is hospitalised," That's what he said and after that, the call was cut.

Maryam remained silent having a blank expression. A few moments later she rushed out of the office and started her journey to the hospital.

When Maryam reached the hospital she found Yardan laying on the hospital bed. A cannula was connected to his hand providing him with saline. His face was looking pale like someone has sucked away his blood. There was also an oxygen mask covering his mouth & nose.

" What happened to him?" Maryam asked the doctor.

He answered giving Yardan's reports," he is a heart patient and he has high blood pressure too. He had a minor heart attack. In such situations, he shouldn't be working long hours. He needs bed rest. He can't be in the wheelchair for a long time."

" He has been working in this situation for the last three years. He never fell ill like that," Maryam told the doctor.

The doctor answered showing another report," Because he was having medicines without any doctor's consult. He needs to understand that those medicines are weakening his heart day by day."

" What I should do?" Maryam asked sounding clueless.

The doctor suggested," Don't let him work in the office for such long hours. He needs proper bed rest and he needs a heart transplant as soon as possible."

" Heart transplant?" Maryam asked widening her eyes.

The doctor answered," His heart can't pump enough blood. Except for a heart transplant, there is no way out. But, he is suffering from uncontrolled diabetes. We can't perform the surgery until his diabetes is controlled."

" You need to take care of his diet and medicine. The surgery is important for him otherwise you may lose him," the doctor told her.

Saying that the doctor left Maryam with Yardan. She kept standing like a statue holding the reports in her hand. She didn't know how to react. Neither she was happy nor sad about Yardan's health situation. She was emotionless from the inside.

" Maryam," A faint voice reached her ear.

She looked behind only to find Yardan looking at her with half-opened eyes. He raised her hands a little gesturing for her to come near him. With another hand, he removed the oxygen mask. Hearing his voice Maryam went near him and sat beside him.

" How are you feeling now?" She asked sounding concerned.

He answered taking slow breaths," Better."

Suddenly, he held her hand. She looked into his eyes getting startled by the sudden touch. She blinked her eyes confusingly.

" I don't think I will live for too long, Maryam. Mahi is calling me. I just want to request you something," he said.

His voice was heavy and full of emotions. His chest was heaving up and down slowly. His voice cracked when he tried to say something. Taking a deep breath he started talking.

" I want you to take care of my business until Yamir comes of age. It took years and a lot of effort for me to establish such a huge empire. I can't explain how hard I worked for it. After my death, Yamir has to take care of it but he is still a child. Please, don't let my hard work go down until Yamir is adult enough to handle it. Please," he requested.

Maryam just silently heard him. She wasn't feeling anything for Yardan. Hatred, pity or love. Nothing.

" After me only you know how to deal with business matters. Teach Yamir everything. Make him more successful than me. I know you will take care of Yamir and Omaira like your own children. But, still, I request you to not abandon them after my death. I know you won't. But, still, I request you. Don't make them suffer because of me. Please. And........." He paused for a few seconds.

He said sounding guilty," I am sorry."

This apology wasn't enough but Maryam understood the genuine sorrow in his voice. A few years ago she wanted this man dead but now seeing him on his death bed she doesn't know what she was feeling. She softened her eyes a little bit.

" Yardan," Maryam called.

Pausing for a few seconds she said," You are my husband."

Then, taking a breath she answered," I will fulfil my responsibilities till my last breath."

That's what she said and then left the hospital hurriedly. Getting inside the car she kept sitting idly. Yardan's helpless voice kept ringing inside her head.

" Mam, where should I take you?" The driver asked.

Maryam answered," Wherever you want."

The driver started the journey to home. Maybe she will like to be in her home now. Maryam looked outside the window and then closed her eyes.

Suddenly, her phone rang catching her attention. She saw her phone screen. It was Raisa from Pakistan.

" Hello," Maryam said receiving the call.

Raisa informed in one go," Your father died in the prison last night."

Raisa wanted to say something more but Maryam cut the call. Throwing the phone somewhere in the car she looked outside. She didn't want to cry but automatically tears clouded her vision. She doesn't want to feel anything for that father who never wanted anything good for her but she failed. She was feeling miserable by this news. She wanted to go back to Pakistan for his funeral but she decided not to go there. She doesn't want to meet her family members ever.

A week later

Maryam reached home after a long tiring day in the office. It was afternoon when she reached home. She expected the kids to be in their rooms but they weren't there. Maryam asked a maid about their whereabouts and got to know that they are in the garden with Yardan.

It's been a week since Maryam joined Yardan's office again and Yardan started spending time with the kids at home. Maryam doesn't personally inspect Yardan's diet and medicine but a nurse was hired for that by Maryam.

Reaching the garden Maryam found Yamir playing with a football. Omaira was sitting on the ground while Mehzabin kept her head in Omaira's lap. She was telling Mehzabin a story from the storybook.

Maryam noticed Yardan who was looking at the kids intensely. There was a sad smile on the corner of his lips. Maryam felt something off about Yardan. He wasn't looking well.

" Are you ok?" Maryam asked placing a hand on Yardan's shoulder.

He didn't answer her question. Instead, he started saying," Our children are growing so fast."

" It feels like yesterday when Omaira was a baby. A whiny baby to pick her up. I still can feel her small fists clutching my clothes tightly," Yardan said smiling.

Maryam answered back lowering her voice," Whenever I look at her I only see Api. She has the same smile like api."

" Yamir is just a teenager but he is already mature. I just hope he will have a bright future," Yardan said and started coughing.

Maryam held him and rubbed his chest a little. She forwarded a bottle of water which Yardan denied. Maryam sensed the difficulty in him. He was struggling to breathe.

" Mehu is a sweet girl. She always brings smiles to my face. The way she runs after Omi for candies and chocolates, it makes me chuckle," Yardan said looking at Mehzabin with affectionate eyes.

Maryam said," You aren't looking well. Let me call the doctor."

Saying that she will just turn behind when Yardan grabbed her wrist. His hold wasn't tight but his touch was cold. It seemed like he was losing his warmth. Before she could say anything he hugged her waist tightly making her gasp in shock.

" Maryam," he called her.

His voice was shaky, full of emotions but slow. It seemed like he was forcing him to keep talking.

" I wish I could love you like I loved Mahi," He said with great difficulty but the pain and regret were clear in his voice.

After that, it was silence. A cold wind blew away making Maryam shiver. She gulped nervously feeling his hand getting loosened around her waist. His face was balancing against her belly but she didn't feel his warm breath fanning her skin.

" Yardan!!" Maryam called nervously but no response.