Chapter-7

Author's pov

" Mamma is so sorry, Omi," Maryam sobbed bitterly holding Omaira's tiny hands.

Maryam's heart bleeds seeing Omaira's tiny body lying on the hospital bed. Kissing her hands Maryam continued shedding tears.

" Forgive me, Api. I couldn't take care of Omi and Yamir like you," Maryam mumbled recalling Mehzabin's face.

Tightening her hold on Omaira's hands Maryam whispered," Mamma will never leave you again. To hell with my job. I don't need anything but you and Yamir's safety. I am so sorry."

Resting her head on the bed Maryam whispered with an inaudible voice," Everyone is right that I am a bad omen."

Well, the continuous blaming for everything has taken a tremendous toll on Maryam's emotional state. Now if anything terrible happens she only blames herself. Yardan burnt her educational certificates and humiliated her in front of everyone but still, she isn't blaming him. She is blaming herself. According to her, she deserves all this sorrow because she is a murderer. She has killed a wife, a mother, and a responsible daughter. She has killed her sister. She doesn't know that this guilt of her is leading her to her destruction, her soul's death.

Maryam's sobbing was interrupted by a baby voice. Raising her head she looked at the door and found Yardan who was holding Yamir's hand.

" Mamma," Yamir called and jumped on Maryam who picked him up affectionately.

Maryam looked at Yardan who gave her a cold expression. She lowered her eyes instantly and felt Yamir's tiny hands wiping her tears.

" Mamma, Omi will be fine, right?" He asked sounding concerned.

Maryam replied removing his baby hair from his forehead," Yeah. But, we should pray to Allah for Omi's well being."

Yamir nodded his head and Maryam started stroking his hair. She started talking to Yamir when Yardan cleared his throat to catch her attention. She looked at him with questioning eyes.

" Listen, woman. It's the last warning. If anything happens to my children because of you then I swear I will show you hell from the earth," He warned and Maryam remained silent wondering how can he warn her in front of Yamir.

She murmured looking down," I have a name. Why do you always address me woman?"

" I don't care whatever your name is!! I only care about my children and keep that in mind always. I don't care about you," He replied rudely and this time Maryam was extremely hurt.

She doesn't know why she is hurt. She shouldn't also care whatever he thinks about her but she got hurt unknowingly. She wasn't understanding this feeling at all. He never leaves any chance of insulting her but instead of hating him, she feels pity for him. She is thinking that the reason behind this type of behaviour of him is nothing but her. His wife died because of her and that's why he has immense hatred for her in his heart.

" And another thing. If you need money then ask me. But, I won't tolerate your carelessness towards my children again," Yardan said loudly and Maryam only nodded her head slightly.

A few days later

It was nighttime and Maryam was sleeping peacefully with the kids. She was hugging Yamir & Omaira in her embrace. Both of them can't sleep without Maryam's embrace.

A sudden sound reached Maryam's ears and she stirred in her sleep. The sound touched her ears again and she woke up from her sleep. With sleepy eyes, she noticed her surroundings and wondered what kind of sound is this.

For the third time, Maryam heard the same sound and realized that it was a glass breaking sound. Noticing Yamir & Omaira stirring in sleep hearing the sound, she thought to check.

Closing the door slightly she started going downstairs. She felt that the sound was coming from downstairs. Reaching the kitchen her eyes widened seeing Yardan laying on the floor and shaking uncontrollably. She also noticed three broken glass jugs and water spreading all over the floor.

" Yardan!!" Maryam screamed and rushed towards him hurriedly.

Leaning to his level she touched his body and his body was literally burning. Frowning her brows she touched his forehead and realised that he was burning in fever.

" You have a high fever," Maryam mumbled and that's when Yardan opened his eyes slowly.

He looked at her with half-opened eyes and felt like he was looking at Mehzabin. Since Maryam was Mehzabin's sister so both of them look quite similar. Because of fever Yardan's mind wasn't working properly and in the faint light, he thought that Maryam is Mehzabin.

" Mahi," He whispered holding Maryam's hands and she felt like her hand will melt because of his body temperature.

With great difficulty, she helped him stand up while he asked smiling," Mahi, are you here to take care of me?"

" Why are you so heavy? You will be 100 kg for sure," Maryam said resting one of his hands over her shoulder and started sweating already. She didn't listen to his words since she understood why he is talking like that.

She started taking him to his room when he said chuckling," I knew that you can never leave me alone. Mahi, do you have any idea how much I have missed you?"

" No, she doesn't. You better shut your mouth and let me take you to your room," Maryam replied huffing just after taking a few steps.

Reaching his room she laid him down on the bed and removed the kifayah from his head. Removing his shoes she covered his body with a duvet and wiped his body with a wet cloth. She knew that it was a seasonal fever and that he will be fine with proper medication. She helped him having the medicines and laid him down on the bed.

" Take rest. In the morning you will feel much better," Saying that she forwarded her legs to leave the room.

Before she could take a step he held her wrist tightly. She looked at his hand first and diverted her eyes at him questioningly.

" Don't leave me, Mahi. Please," he requested while Maryam only blinked her eyes repeatedly.

She tried to free her wrist when he whined almost crying," Mahi, stay with me for some time. I can't live without you. Please."

Maryam felt pity for him and decided to lay down beside him. The moment she laid down he pulled her into his embrace. Hugging her tightly he closed his eyes to sleep. She tried to free herself from his tight grip but failed. Having no other choices she stayed in his embrace. A few moments later she fell into a deep sleep in his embrace.

Yardan's peaceful slumber was interrupted by the sun's rays. Stirring in his sleep he opened his eyes and felt a weight over his chest. Rubbing his eyes he looked carefully and found that it was none other than Maryam. She was napping on his chest and her slow breathing was fanning over his skin.

His eyes blazed like a fire seeing her sleeping on his bed and that too on his chest. He had no clue what happened last night. He only remembers that he had a fever and he slept in his room. He doesn't remember that he woke up in the middle of the night for water and fell on the floor in the kitchen due to weakness.

Maryam's peaceful nap was disturbed by a sudden impact all over her body. Opening her eyes a loud screaming left her mouth and she discovered herself on the floor. Rubbing her waist she looked at Yardan in disbelief. She can't believe he pushed her away from the bed.

" How dare you enter my room and touch me?" He shouted making her flinch.

Without giving her any chance to explain he continued shouting," With whose permission you thought to sleep with me? Huh!! Didn't I tell you that I don't accept you as my wife? Were you trying to seduce me?"

" I didn't. First, hear me ou.............." Maryam's talking was interrupted by his loud shouting.

He yelled shaking with anger," How dare you touch me without my consent? What did you think, I will accept you only if you sleep with me!! You took advantage of my illness!! You disgusting woman!!!"

" Didn't I clearly state that you can never take Mehzabin's place? You are just my wife in name. Nothing else. No matter how much you try or how much you plot to be my wife. I will never accept you. You are the murderer of my Mahi and except for hatred, I don't feel anything for you. You are nothing for me," He finished sprouting venom and Maryam's eyes were already teary.

She was labelled as a murderer already but is it necessary to remind her of the same thing again and again?

Maryam stood up to leave his room and literally ran towards the door. His insulting words kept ringing inside her ear and she continued shedding tears silently.

" Stop," Yardan shouted when she will just step out of his room.

Maryam stopped holding the door frame and he said having a disgusted tone," Don't think of loving me because I will get disgusted by the word love if you start having feelings for me."

Maryam closed her eyes letting the tears flow when he insulted her," And, another thing. Stop trying to grab my attention because I will never get attracted to you. Even if you lay down naked in front of me spreading your legs I will never get attracted to you."

She couldn't hear anymore and digest his insulting words. Placing one hand over her mouth she ran towards her room with teary eyes.

After a month

" Mamma's Omi is almost ready but one thing is missing," Maryam let out looking at Omaira rubbing her chin.

A bright smile appeared on Maryam's face and she picked up a yellow colour hairband. Omaira giggled excitedly letting out some baby noises looking at the yellow colour hairband

" Yes, mamma was forgetting Omi's favourite bent," Maryam laughed while putting on the band on Omaira's head.

Maryam mumbled kissing Omaira's forehead," MasAllah! You are looking so adorable."

Well, Maryam was getting ready for a wedding invitation. One of Yardan's cousins was getting married today and he requested Yardan to attend the function with his family. Yardan didn't want to take Maryam with him but Yamir was putting tantrums. He announced that he won't go anywhere without Maryan and Yardan gave up in front of his son.

Maryam wore a gown which has a black & brown colour combination. Matching her outfit with a brown colour hijab and deep brown lipstick she was ready to go. She was looking breathtakingly gorgeous in her outfit.

" Mamma, I am ready," Yamir said excitedly entering the room with a maid.

Maryam couldn't stop her smiling from looking at Yamir's adorable giggle. He was wearing a black colour t-shirt, black boots and gabardine pants. Maryam laughed seeing the cap over his head.

" My handsome hero is here," Maryam said pulling one of his cheeks.

Then, she said worriedly while removing the cap," It's 36°C outside, baby. Your hair will get soggy with it."

Maryam was talking to the kids and her voice was full of concern for them. She was behaving like they are her own kids. Her own blood. She doesn't know that someone was eavesdropping on their conversation and that person was none other than Yardan. A chuckle left his mouth hearing Maryam's concerned voice.

Peeping into the room his eyes got stuck on Maryam. The way she dressed she was looking exactly like Mehzabin. The same beautiful eyes, innocent expression and adorable smile of Mehzabin. For a few seconds, he felt like he was watching his Mahi not Maryam.

He got startled hearing the sound of Maryam clearing her throat to get his attention.

" We are ready," Maryam said holding Omaira with one hand and with another hand she was holding Yamir's hand.

Yardan was embarrassed since she caught him red-handed staring at her. He only nodded his head since he was speechless after seeing Maryam.

After one hour drive, they reached the venue. After reaching there Yardan literally vanished into the air with the children leaving Maryam alone. While he was enjoying the ceremony with his relatives, she was searching for him nervously. It was a new place for her and the people around her were new as well. That's why she was getting nervous.

" mrhban (Hello)," A male voice greeted politely stopping Maryam in her track.

She greeted back having a confused look when the man introduced him," ana hamzat. abn eami al'akh yardan al'asghari (I am Hamza. Brother Yardan's youngest cousin)."

" ana marim. zawjat yardan (I am Maryam. Yardan's wife)," Maryam introduced herself and asked him if he has seen Yardan & the kids.

He replied chuckling looking at Maryam's nervous eyes," iinah yatahadath 'iilaa 'ami. la taqliqu. lam yatrukk bimufradik (He is talking to my mom. Don't worry. He didn't leave you alone)."

Maryam sighed in relief and after that, they started talking about each other's families. While talking to him Maryam realized that he is a fun-loving guy and most importantly both of them were the same age. Their mentality matched and she doesn't know why she felt a few glimpses of Mikaeel in Hamza. For a few seconds, she even felt like she was talking to Mikaeel.

Their conversation was interrupted by an angry Yardan. Before Maryam or Hamza could say anything, he grabbed her hand tightly and started dragging her somewhere.

" Where are you taking me?" She asked twisting her wrist but he ignored her question.

Reaching a room he threw her on the bed and just in a blink of an eye he hovered her. Due to his large body, she failed to move even a single inch. Before she could even push him, he pinned her hands over her head.

" What were you doing?" He questioned sounding extremely angry.

Maryam questioned back confusingly," What?"

" You were flirting with my cousin! How dare you!!!" He accused her and she wondered what was wrong with him.

She replied loudly," What!! I was just talking to him. Why would I flirt with him?"

" Don't try to act innocent. You were flirting with him. I have seen how you were blushing when he complimented your beauty," He shouted at her face clutching her jaw tightly.

Jerking away his hands from her face she answered getting annoyed," It's natural for a woman to get flattered if someone compliments her. You are making it a big issue."

" Stay away from him. You are my wife. Not any random woman who can get flattered by anyone's appreciation," he replied rudely and Maryam lost it.

Letting out a mocking smile she said," Wife!!! First, you decide who am I to you then you can lecture me about all these things."

Maryam's breath hitched and her blood turned cold feeling his warm lips over hers. Her eyes blinked automatically and she moaned feeling the bite on her lips. When he was finished devouring her mouth, he left her and she started inhaling as much oxygen as she could.

" I think I cleared right now who you are to me," He whispered clutching her jaw and Maryam was still in a daze thinking about what just happened.