Chapter-9
After two years
Author's pov
" I don't want to go to school, please. Mamma, I don't wanna..........." 5-year-old Yamir burst into tears before completing his sentence.
Pulling him into her embrace, Maryam started patting his back to console him. He hiccupped in her embrace wetting her clothes with tears.
" Why, baby? Did someone bully you in the school?" Maryam asked stroking his hair gently.
He remained silent when she asked affectionately," Did someone bother you? Did the teachers scold you? Tell mamma."
" Mamma, I don't like going among people. I don't like talking to other people except for you and Omi. Don't send me back to school, please," Yamir requested snuggling into Maryam's chest.
Understanding his turmoil, Maryam replied trying to convince him," It's just 3 days since you started going to school. Don't be scared, baby. People aren't bad. Talk to your classmates. Befriend them. It will be so much fun."
" No mamma, Please. Don't send me to school. Please, pretty please," Yamir whined thrashing his hands here and there.
Having no other choices Maryam replied wiping away his tears," Ok. Ok. Now stop crying. I won't send you to school. But, let's see what your Baba decides."
" I love you, mamma," Yamir said having a wide smile & Maryam kissed his chubby cheeks.
Two years passed just in a blink of an eye but nothing changed in Maryam's life except she developed feelings for Yardan. There are reasons for her to develop feelings for him.
For one & half years of their marriage, they were behaving casually with each other. After that day, Yardan never tried to get close to Maryam and she did the same thing as well. Maryam's days pass by taking care of Yamir & Omaira who is now a 2-year-old toddler. Yardan's days pass in the office and he lives in Mehzabin's thoughts. He does like Maryam's motherly nature towards his kids but he still can't accept her as his wife.
On the other hand, Maryam started thinking about the future. She knew that she is married and there is no going back. She can't go back to Mikaeel though her heart still craves for him. So, she started thinking to work on this relationship. She believes that if she tries harder then he will also understand that it's high time he should move on. She doesn't want to take her sister's place in his heart but as his wife she also wants him to give a little bit of place in his heart.
For the last few months, she started learning about Yardan's behaviour, what he likes and dislikes etc. She is trying hard to gain his trust & love but there is no positive response from him. He is always cold towards her and pushes her away every time. Though he realised a long ago what she wants, he remained quiet because still, he isn't ready to share his heart with someone else. He is still in love with Mehzabin and he will love her forever.
A few hours later Maryam was searching for Yardan in the whole house and she found her on the terrace. He has a flower garden on the terrace and he likes to take care of the plants himself. While rocking Omaira slightly she stood behind him and cleared her throat to catch his attention.
" Tell me the amount," Yardan questioned even before she could say anything. He thought she is here to ask for money from him.
Swallowing the embarrassment Maryam said meekly," I don't need money. I want to talk to you about Yamir."
Turning towards her he asked sounding concerned," What about him? Is everything alright?"
" Actually Yamir doesn't want to go to school. I tried a lot to convince him but he didn't listen to me," Maryam answered worriedly.
Yardan asked loudly," But, why?"
" He is afraid of people and gathering. So, I was saying if you could hire a home tutor for him. Let's give him some time and then we can admit him to the school next year," Maryam suggested and Yardan thought for some time.
Nodding his head he replied agreeing with her," Hmm. You are right. A house tutor will be good for him."
A smile formed at the corner of her lips when he took Omaira in his arms from her. Looking at his daughter's innocent face, his heart warmed up with affection and he couldn't control himself from kissing Omaira's forehead. Looking at his affectionate eyes, Maryam smiled while lowering her head slightly.
Yardan started rocking Omaira when Maryam said hesitating," Yardan, I was saying......umm.... I mean......if....we........."
" I like straightforward people," He replied curtly while Maryam gulped down.
She said shuttering," I was saying..... I mean if we could go on a one day trip. The kids are pretty bored in the house. So, if you are free, can we go on a trip?"
" The kids are bored or you are bored?"Yardan questioned rudely while she bit her tongue.
She remained silent when he said making her surprised," Ok. I will take you and the kids to Atlantic aqua venture."
Her face beamed with happiness and she thanked him giggling. Yardan smiled slightly seeing her smiling and unknowingly he admired her smile. She is beautiful but with her smile, she looks like an angel.
" What I am even thinking!! What's wrong with me?" Yardan mumbled and jerked away Maryam's thoughts from his mind.
A few days later
" You are funny," Maryam said laughing while ruffling Yamir's head.
Kamran(Yamir's home tutor)," replied chuckling," Follow my insta account and I swear you will laugh rolling on the floor."
" I mean you literally said that to your father. I can't believe it," Maryam said trying hard to control her laughter.
It's been two months since Yardan hired Kamran as Yamir's house tutor. Kamran is a funny man and can cope with the kids in any kind of situation. With passing time Kamran has become Yamir's favourite tutor.
On the other hand, Kamran has become a good friend of Maryam. Both of them are the same age and Kamran is from Pakistan. Since their culture, language, age and mentality match so they get close to each other. Maryam likes his company and he does too. Genuinely he thinks of her as a good friend and likes her naughty children.
But, the problem is everyone in this house isn't fond of Kamran. Yardan has been noticing Maryam's interest in Kamran and with passing time he was getting suspicious about their friendship. At first, he didn't pay that much attention but the way she talks to Kamran and praises him, he just can't tolerate all this. He didn't say anything to Maryam till now because he was observing them closely. He was trying to understand if she was having any kind of affair with him or not.
Kamran was teaching Yamir how to sum two numbers when Maryam said showing her phone to him," You drew this?"
Kamran looked at her phone and found that she was seeing the pictures of the art he uploaded a few days ago. It was a sketch of Burj Khalifa.
" I am fond of drawing so I have a small art gallery near my house. These pictures were taken there," He answered chuckling.
Maryam was still seeing the pictures with awe when he said," If you want then you can come to see my art gallery. It's not that famous or big but the place is beautiful."
" I would love to see your art gallery," She replied getting excited.
He said," Fine then. Let's go today if you are free."
" I am free always," Maryam answered and they shared a friendly smile.
Maryam returned home after visiting Kamran's art gallery. Returning home the first thing she did was feed her hungry and exhausting children. Settling them on the bed she returned to her room and went to change her clothes. She also took a quick shower since today's temperature was a little high than usual.
She came out of the washroom while drying her wet hair. She was yawning but a sudden gasp left her mouth seeing Yardan sitting on the couch. Looking at his blank eyes she gulped down and her sixth sense already guessed that something was wrong. She looked at the wall clock and it was 11:30 p.m. She started wondering what's he doing in her room at this hour.
" Umm.....You are here at this hour. Is everything alright?" She asked having an awkward smile.
Instead of answering her, he questioned mockingly," If you were becoming that much horny then you could have told me. I am your husband and fulfilling your desires is one of my duties. Ain't I right?"
