Substitute Wife

Chapter-12

Author's pov

Yardan, Maryam and Yamir just sat at the breakfast table to have their breakfast. Maids started serving food on their plates. Yardan's face was neutral as always but Maryam's face was clouded with sadness. No matter how much she tries to forget Yardan's last night's behaviour it keeps coming into her mind nonstop making her heart bleed. She still can't believe he called her a prostitute!!

" How is your new tutor? Isn't she good?" Yardan asked Yamir chewing his food.

Yamir didn't reply when Yardan said loudly," I asked you something, Yamir."

Getting no answer from Yamir, Yardan became a little bit suspicious and annoyed. He looked at Yamir's face and noticed the raw anger in his eyes. His cheeks were looking red due to anger.

" What happened, Yamir? Come here," Yardan called but Yamir only get close to Maryam who was also clueless about Yamir's behaviour.

Maryam said patting Yamir's head," Your Baba is calling. Go to him."

" I don't want to talk to him. Even after my apologies, he hurt you. I don't want to talk to the person who hurt my mamma," Yamir replied and Maryam & Yardan shared a confused look.

Yardan asked confusingly," What are you saying, Yamir?"

" You told me that you love mamma. But, you don't. Because of you, she cried the whole night. You hurt her last night. I have seen red marks on her neck," Yamir shouted at Yardan and Maryam hid the Hickeys on her neck hurriedly having an embarrassed expression.

Clenching his jaw, Yardan looked at Maryam when Yamir yelled hugging Maryam," I won't let you hurt my mamma. You made her cry. You are bad. I don't want to talk to you."

" You told him all these?" Yardan questioned Maryam and she nodded her head vigorously hugging Yamir in her embrace.

Before she could say anything to Yardan, he ordered Yamir," Go to your room."

" I won't," Yamir answered stubbornly.

Looking at Yardan's face Maryam understood that it won't be a good idea if Yamir stays here denying Yardan's order. So, she stepped in to convince Yamir.

" Baby, what did I teach you? Didn't I teach you to respect our elders and listen to them?" Maryam asked stroking Yamir's baby hair.

He looked down when Maryam told him affectionately," Baby, go to your room. Listen to your Baba."

Without saying anything further Yamir ran from here. No sooner had Yamir left than Yardan threw away the food plate on the floor. The sudden noise startled Maryam and she looked at him shockingly.

" You are turning my kids against me! How dare you?" Yardan questioned holding Maryam's arm tightly.

Maryam replied widening her eyes," What? No. Why would I do that?"

" Then, what was he talking about? You poisoned his mind that I abused you? Huh!! Don't you have any brain? How can you even share such type of topic with a child?" Yardan shouted at her face while Maryam flinched due to fear.

She answered nodding her head vigorously," No, I didn't. I swear I haven't said anything to him. I don't even know what he was talking about?"

" You told him that I abused you? I hurt you? Now, tell me when did I abuse you? Tell me when did I raise my hand on you?" Yardan screamed at the top of his lungs tightening the hold around her arm.

She couldn't tolerate all this anymore and shot back," Then, what are you doing now? Aren't you abusing me now?"

Those words left Maryam's mouth and Yardan left her with a jerk. Maryam looked at her arm and her eyes got teary seeing his fingerprints on her skin.