Epilogue

Author's pov

It was 8 p.m. Maryam was in the home office and trying to do some work but she couldn't concentrate on anything.

Sitting in the easy chair she closed her eyes for a few moments. She wasn't feeling well at all. She had her medicines but still, she wasn't feeling better. She felt like someone was watching her. She didn't know why she was feeling like that. She never felt that way.

A few moments later she opened her eyes and stood up. She forwarded her legs to her bedroom. Reaching there she found Mehzabin sitting on the bed and sat beside her. Mehzabin was busy painting something. Sensing Maryam's presence Mehzabin looked at her with a smiley face.

" Mamma, you know my drawing teacher gave me this special pencil. He liked my drawing so much," Mehzabin showed a pencil to Maryam.

Maryam answered shortly," It's nice."

Before Mehzabin could concentrate on her drawing again Maryam pulled her into a tight hug. She placed her head near her heart.

" Mehu, in my absence don't bother Omi and Yamir. Be a good girl and always listen to your brother & sister," Maryam said patting Mehzabin's head.

Mehzabin asked innocently," Mamma, are you going somewhere?"

" Yes, Mehu. Mamma has to leave you. I am going on a business trip," Maryam answered controlling her tears.

Mehzabin said breaking the hug," Ok, Mamma. When you will return from the trip?"

" Soon," Maryam replied shortly kissing Mehzabin's forehead.

After talking to Mehzabin for some time Maryam went to Omaira's room. Omaira was half laying on the bed. She was hearing music with her headphones and humming the songs. Since she was closing her eyes she didn't see Maryam entering her room.

A soft touch made Omaira open her eyes. Pausing the music she looked frontwards and found Maryam sitting in front of her. There was a small smile lingering on Maryam's lips.

" Omi.....," Maryam caressed Omaira's cheeks.

Maryam said further," Be a strong and independent woman. Don't let others belittle you. Prioritise your self-respect and don't hurt others' feelings even if you are going through a tough time."

Omaira was a little bit surprised to see her mother talking like that. Every time Maryam would ask her about her studies. There were a few times when she got scolded by Maryam because she wasn't concentrating on her studies. Maryam rarely told such philosophical words to her. So, it was a bit surprising to her.

" Are you ok, Mamma?" Omaira asked holding her mother's boney hands.

Maryam only nodded her head. Then, she cupped Omaira's face in between her palms. She adorned a soft kiss on Omaira's forehead.

" Omi, always remember that your Mamma loves you. More than she loved herself," That's what Maryam said and left a puzzled Omaira behind.

Maryam reached Yamir's room but before she could even enter she fell on the floor. Hearing the sudden thud sound Yamir looked at his door.

" Mammmma!!" He rushed towards Maryam.

Yamir sensed something really terrible about his mother. His heart started beating fast seeing Maryam's drained sweaty face. A sudden fear clouded his mind looking at Maryam's glossy eyes.

Picking her up he laid her down on the bed. Before Maryam could say anything he called a doctor urgently.

" Yamir......" Maryam called with her faint voice.

With great difficulty, she managed to sit back. Yamir sat in front of her and looked at his mother lovingly.

" Why didn't you say that you weren't feeling well?" Yamir asked sounding concerned.

Maryam didn't answer. She placed her head on Yamir's chest who became stiff in his place. He felt his shirt getting wet from his mother's tears. He circled his hands around Maryam protectively.

" Was I a good mother, Baba(referring as son)?" She asked.

Her voice felt like a whisper to Yamir. She was facing difficulties to talk.

Yamir assured her," You are the best mother in this world.

" You have two sisters to protect. You have to take bigger responsibilities in near future. In my absence take care of your sist.........." Maryam couldn't finish her sentence. Yamir started panicking at her words.

Tears clouded his eyes and asked loudly," What are you saying? Where are you going?"

" This life is not eternal, my son. I wish it was so that I could spend more time with you. But, it isn't. Someone is calling me, Yamir. I can't stay here for so long," Maryam said looking at a distance where she felt like she had seen someone.

Yamir was already crying like a little child. He wasn't understanding what he should do. He was just chanting the Almighty's name. He was requesting Almighty to let his mother stay with him forever.

" Mamma, please. Don't leave me. You said that you love me. Then how can you leave me," Yamir requested.

Maryam said letting out a small chuckle," I fell in love with you since the day you jumped on me like a little kitten. But, some things aren't in our hands, son."

" Would you fulfil your Mamma's last wish?" Maryam asked.

Yamir hummed when Maryam said," I would like to have my final resting place beside Mehzabin api."

Yamir couldn't reply. He just nodded his head slightly letting the tears flow down his cheeks. Maryam told Yamir & Omaira about their birth mother but for them, she is their mother only. He hugged his mother tightly so that no one takes her away. Though deep down inside his heart he knew it was a futile attempt.

Maryam started chanting some verses from Quran. Her eyes were closed. A sad yet peaceful smile formed at the corner of her lips. Then, the moment came. Finally, she took her last breath in her son's embrace while reciting Kalimas.

Yamir kept sitting like a statue holding Maryam. Tears were flowing down his cheeks like a never-ending stream. His body got paralysed that he forgot to move. A few unclear words left his mouth.

" Mamma," Yamir heard Mehzabin sweet voice.

Coming near Yamir she became a little bit confused to see Maryam like that.

" What happened to Mamma?" She asked.

Putting a big stone on his chest he answered lowering his voice," Shhh......she is sleeping. Don't disturb her."

By the time Omaira also came here. It took time for her to realise what was happening. But, the moment she understood everything she burst into tears. Yamir signalled her to not show any outburst in front of Mehzabin. Is it possible for Omaira? Placing a hand over her mouth she continued crying.

" Mamma said she was having difficulties sleeping. Why don't we sing a lullaby for her so that she can sleep properly," Mehzabin said excitedly.

Yamir and Omaira just shared a sorrowful look. Softly Omaira placed her hands on Mehzabin's shoulder. This innocent child wasn't understanding that her mother doesn't need lullaby anymore to have a sound sleep.

" Let's start Mehu," Yamir said with a heavy heart.

Then, they started in unison

Goodnight, sweetheart, well it's time to go,

Goodnight, sweetheart, well it's time to go,

I hate to leave you, but I really must say,

Goodnight, sweetheart, goodnight.

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

Yamir was standing in front of Maryam's final resting place with Omaira and Mehzabin. He was holding his sisters protectively in his arms. Their heart-wrenching sobbing was echoing through the whole area making the whole air heavy.

Fat drops of tears were escaping Yamir's eyes continuously but he didn't make any sound. His eyes were glued on the graves of his mothers. According to Maryam's last wish, she was buried beside Mehzabin.

Maryam's death had made Yamir more mature than his actual age. He realised that he is not a teenager anymore. He is now a man who has responsibilities of his two sisters.

Omaira couldn't continue looking at her mother's grave. Hiding her face in Yamir's chest she kept soaking his shirt with her tears. She was holding a bracelet in her hand. It was gifted by Maryam on her birthday.

" Omi, control yourself," Yamir managed to say with great difficulty.

Omaira hiccupped," I can't."

Suddenly, Mehzabin ran toward Maryam's burial place. Falling on the grave she burst into heart-wrenching sobbing. Her dress and face got covered with mud since it rained a few moments ago.

" Mamma....wake up.......Mamma.... I miss you," Mehzabin cried.

Walking near her Yamir tried to pull her up but she wasn't in the state to leave her mother. Omaira tried to console her but nothing worked.

" I want to go inside it. Mamma..... I want to be with her," Mehzabin demanded screaming.

Yamir didn't say anything further. Forcefully he picked her up. She started thrashing her hands and feet everywhere but Yamir didn't leave her. Even after enduring the painful scratches from her nails, he didn't leave her.

They got inside the car hurriedly. Yamir ordered the driver to take them to the airport directly. Omaira looked at him questioningly. She thought they will stay here for some days.

" We are returning to Dubai. Mehu's situation may get worse if we stay here," Yamir told Omaira.

She only nodded her head. After a lot of struggle finally they managed to bring some sleep to Mehzabin's eyes.

It's been 20 minutes since Yamir started his journey to the airport. Mehzabin was already sleeping in his arms. Omaira also closed her eyes placing her head on Yamir's shoulder. He circled his hand around her protectively.

" Mamma, I will protect my sisters always. Don't worry," he said kissing his sisters' heads.

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

It was a blissfully sunny morning. Sunrays were peeping among the tree branches lightning Maryam's final resting place. The tree near Maryam's grave shook a little bit from the sudden wind. There was silence everywhere except the whispers of the wind.

A man in his 40s came near Maryam's grave holding a beautiful white rose in his hand. He was tall with a chiselled face. His pupil was stilled on her grave. It was hard to tell what was roaming inside his mind.

" Only if you gathered some courage to escape with me then everything could be different," Mikaeel said letting out a long sigh.

Placing the flower on her grave he said," Everyone loves red rose. But, you are the one person whom I knew who had fascination for white roses."

" I don't know what I should say to you. I don't know should I be angry with you or I should thank you. I will just pray for you, Maryam. May Allah forgive your sins," Mikaeel said controlling his tears.

He was stunned to hear about Maryam's death. He got this news from one of his employees. Hearing the news the first thing that came to his mind was about Maryam's children. He tried to contact them but no one responded to his call. Finally, when he managed to get in touch with Yamir, he didn't talk to him at all. Mikaeel's harsh words to Maryam were still fresh in Yamir's mind. Seeing the reluctance in Yamir, Mikaeel didn't try to contact him again.

" I loved you, Maryam. A lot. But, we weren't destined to be together. May Allah grant you Jannah(heaven)," Mikaeel said taking a deep breath and left.