Substitute Wife

Chapter-17

A week later

Author's pov

A week passed after that incident and there was no improvement in Maryam's behaviour. She doesn't talk to anyone, doesn't eat properly and spends every night shedding tears. Nightmares of her baby's dead body, and Mehzabin & Mikaeel's accusing words have become her daily companion.

Two maids would be with her always since she tried to jump from the window. The maids noticed her murmuring some unclear words every time. They reported this unusual behaviour to Yardan but except for silence, they got nothing. Maryam was in so much grief that she couldn't even take care of herself let alone Yamir & Omaira.

Yamir & Omaira would only cry for their mamma and put on tantrums in front of Yardan. In his eyes, Maryam's situation isn't important. He is only caring for his children. He wants Maryam to forget everything and move on. According to him, she is just overreacting. He felt a little bit bad for Maryam's baby but had to abort the baby for his own reasons.

Lying on the bed Maryam was staring at the ceiling where fat drops of tears were escaping her eyes. Her eyes were already burning due to extreme crying but still, her tears were not stopping. She doesn't know if she will be able to overcome this grief ever.

Suddenly she felt a soft tiny hand touching her hands. Maryam looked beside her and found Omaira standing beside her bed. Having a sad expression she was looking at Maryam with innocent eyes.

Omaira hovered over Maryam and straddled her. Maryam held her tiny body and felt a little bit light inside her heart looking at Omaira's innocent face.

" Mamma, crying? Why?" Omaira asked touching Maryam's wet cheeks.

Maryam whispered emotionally," Ask your monster father!"

Omaira continued looking at Maryam for an answer when Maryam asked," Do you love me, Omi?"

" Yes," Omaira replied shortly resting her head on Maryam's chest.

Maryam started stroking Omaira's hair when she asked Maryam," Mamma, why did you stop talking to us?"

" I am sorry. I didn't want to Omi," Maryam replied timidly.

Maryam was talking to Omaira when Yamir entered the room. Seeing Omaira with Maryam, he rushed towards them and laid down beside her. He also hugged Maryam which soothe Maryam's heart a little.

" Mamma, why are you upset? Baba scolded you right?" Yamir asked innocently.

Maryam replied sighing," I am not upset just angry that I couldn't sav.....................

Maryam didn't finish her sentence and started crying. But, sensing Yamir & Omaira's presence she wiped away her tears. Somewhere in her heart she was guilty for neglecting Yamir & Omaira.

" Mamma, what about the baby you told us about earlier? When will the baby join us in our gang?" Yamir asked curiously opening the raw wounds in Maryam's chest again.

Maryam answered controlling her tears,"  the baby won't join us?"

" Why?" Yamir asked.

Maryam couldn't answer this question and burst into tears. Yamir & Omaira started panicking after seeing their mother crying like that. Both of them started thinking that they might have said something bad and that's why their mother is crying.

" Mamma, what happened?" Yamir asked but Maryam couldn't answer.

Calling a maid she ordered her to take away Yamir & Omaira. No sooner had Yamir & Omaira left the room than Maryam started behaving like a crazy person. Sometimes she would talk, sometimes she would cry and sometimes she would laugh. After behaving like that for half an hour she slept on her bed.

Yardan's pov

Entering Maryam's room I found her sitting beside the window and looking outside. I noticed her tear-stained face and my mood became sour again. I don't know how many days she is going to be like this.

This type of attitude of hers is affecting Yamir & Omaira. My children are always crying & requesting her attention but here she is. She is just stretching this matter unnecessarily.

I was also another fool who impregnated her. I should have used protection to avoid her pregnancy. Heck!! I didn't even want to get physically involved with her. But, eventually, this disaster happened when I saw her getting close to Kamran. I was so jealous seeing her with that asshole. Why shouldn't I? After all, she is my wife.

I don't love her and I am sure I will not be able to love her ever. It was just my sexual attraction towards her that I laid down with her. Otherwise, I don't have any emotions for her. She also provoked me to be with her. Just after one intercourse, I thought I won't touch her again but the physical desires and needs just ruined everything. I felt so addicted to her body that I couldn't restrain myself.

At first, I used to be guilty of sleeping with Maryam. I broke the promise that I made to Mehzabin. I used to feel so down about this but thinking that Maryam is my wife and I have rights on her I didn't feel all this wrong again. But, everything turned upside down when she got pregnant. I didn't want any children with her because only Mehzabin can be the mother of my children. 

Yes, I was upset too when I decided to abort her baby but I didn't have any choice. I didn't want Yamir & Omaira to see the same reality that I have seen. I didn't want them to be neglected by their mother.

I was 10 when I lost my mom. It was my birthday and she went to buy a gift for me. But, while returning home an accident occurred and I lost my mom. After that day I didn't celebrate my birthday again. Whenever people try to celebrate my birthday again I lose control because this day reminds me of my mother's death.

After that, my father married my aunt. My mother's younger sister. She was a wonderful woman who loved me and took care of me like her own child. But, so much happiness didn't stay in my life. When I was 11 she gave birth to my first step sibling. And then, one by one she gave birth to my 5 step-siblings.

Once she got her own children she started neglecting me. Every day I would just crave her attention, her love, her care but she would be busy with her children always. And, my father? He also neglected me like I am an outsider.

After my aunt, my father married another woman and with her, he had 4 children. He ordered all of us to live under the same roof and I swear it was hell for me. None of my stepmothers cared for me since they were always busy with their own kids.

At the age of 19, I separated from them and after that, I never met them again. My father wanted to give me property but I didn't accept them. I wanted his love, not properties. Since he failed to love me I didn't turn to him again. It's been years since I left them.

In my lonely dark life, Mehzabin came like a light and eradicate all the sorrows, grief and depression from my life. She took care of me like a mother and loved me like a true lover. She gave me a little sweet family and filled my life with happiness. But, again so much happiness didn't last long in my life. Mehzabin was snatched from me.

Anyway, for now, I have to concentrate on how to make Maryam normal. I didn't want Yamir & Omaira to have a fate like mine. That's why I aborted Maryam's child. I know that once she has her own baby she will start neglecting Yamir & Omaira just like my stepmoms.

What I should do to make her normal again? Should I take her outside or call one of her family members here? No, it won't work. Since she is angry with me I have to do something to make her normal.

She is lonely and needs emotional support. If I give her those hopefully she will recover from this grief. Of course, her emotions are not valuable to me but I can at least pretend to care for her. I have to do all this for Yamir & Omaira. I can't see my children getting negligence just like me.