Substitute Wife

Chapter-35

A few months later

Author's pov

Standing in front of the cupboard Maryam was folding some of her clothes.  Her face was neutral and her eyes were void of any emotions. She was looking absent-minded since she was placing the clothes in the wrong places. It's not the first time she is looking so lost. With time, she lost her emotions. Now, she just does what's supposed to be done.

It's been a week since Yardan started going to his office again. When he was laying on the bed Maryam took care of his business. The engagement in work was fruitful for Maryam since it subdued the pain in her heart. She came to know a lot of things about Yardan's business, his clients and shared projects.

She was still folding her clothes when something brushed her skin. When she noticed carefully, she found that it was a pen. A very ordinary pen.

Memories triggered inside her after looking at the pen. It might be an ordinary pen but it has a special value in Maryam's life. It was Mikaeel's first gift to her. At that time they were in the eighth standard. Maryam deleted all photos of Mikaeel along with his texts but she couldn't throw away his gifts.

Taking the pen in her hand she moved it closer to her chest. Closing her eyes she started thinking about Mikaeel.

" How many times I told you not to talk to them? Why don't you understand that I don't like to see you with other guys?" Mikaeel questioned shaking Maryam angrily.

She answered lowering her head," They are my friends."

" You are my girlfriend. You are only mine. I am your friend as well as your boyfriend. Whatever you want to share. Share with me," Mikaeel said sounding extremely pissed off.

Maryam lowered her eyes hearing his intimidating voice. She was hurt that he scolded her like that. She just talked with another boy of her class. She didn't commit any crime. On the other hand, Mikaeel kinda felt bad looking at her sad. So, he thought to cheer her up.

" This is for you," Mikaeel held a pen in front of Maryam.

Beaming with happiness she said," It's nice. It's your first gift to me."

Saying that she will just grab it when Mikaeel moved it away. Maryam pouted looking at him while Mikaeel smirked.

" Kiss me on my lips and then you can have it," Mikaeel whispered in her ear and Maryam gulped nervously where a pink taint coated her cheeks.

Unknowingly a small smile formed on Maryam's lips thinking about Mikaeel.

" Miki, I always wonder how are you. What are you doing? Do you still remember me? Our first meeting, our first kiss, our first relationship anniversary. Do you still remember them?" She asked mentally.

In response, she felt a pair of hands circling her waist. The touch was familiar so Maryam didn't flinch. She just opened her eyes letting out a soft breath.

" Is it Omaira's or Yamir's?" Yardan asked her about the pen.

Putting it in a drawer Maryam answered meekly," It's mine."

" You returned early today?" Maryam asked turning at him.

Yardan answered placing his hands over her shoulder," I was missing you. That's why."

" Oh," Maryam replied shortly looking down.

He expected a shy expression from her but seeing her expressionless face Yardan rested his thumb and index finger under her chin. He lifted her face to look at her eyes which were blank.

" It feels like ages since I saw your smile," he said.

Forcing a smile on her face she answered shortly," I forgot smiling."

" Anyway, Yamir & Omaira's class teachers called me. We are invited to attend to parents' meeting with the principal," Maryam informed diverting the topic.

Yardan only hummed nodding his head. Then, he took her to the bed and made her sit on it. Sitting beside her, he held a file in front of her. She looked at him questioningly while he handed it to her.

" What is it?" She asked curiously.

Yardan answered," Property papers."

" Whose?" She questioned confusingly.

He answered circling his hand around her body," Yours, Yamir & Omaira's."

" You saw what happened to me recently. In future, if something happens to me I don't want you to go through a financial crisis. My step-siblings and some snake employees are after my properties. They are eagerly waiting for my death. So, if something happens to me you and our children will inherit my properties. Keep it carefully," He explained everything to her while she only listened silently.

Yardan was waiting for her to say something but she didn't utter a single word. She just went towards the closet, keeping the file inside it she returned where she was sitting before.

A few seconds passed between them but nobody said anything. Yardan was observing her closely while she was just looking at the floor.

" Thank you so much," Yardan thanked her holding her hands.

She stared at him when he told her smiling," You are talented. Though you aren't experienced still you took some wise decisions. My PA told me how wisely you handled the chaotic situation of my business."

" It wasn't me. I just followed your PA's instructions," she answered truthfully.

Letting out a sigh Yardan cupped her face between his palms. She looked at him emotionlessly but his eyes were full of feelings.

" Maryam, I am so sorry that I was so mean to you earlier," he apologised but she didn't say anything.

He asked her," Are you still angry with me about previous incidents?"

She was silent for some time. She doesn't know what she was feeling by this question or what he was expecting from her. Her inside was blank to think anything about past incidents.

" No," She mumbled and his face beamed with happiness.

He pulled her into a hug while kissing her head. She could feel the contentment in him but he didn't feel the rigidness in her. She was just sitting silently and going with the flow. He kissed her forehead after breaking the hug.

Moving his lips close to her, he crashed his lips on her but she didn't respond at all. He kissed her gently and finally, she opened her mouth slowly. She opened it for air not because she wanted to be a part of this kiss. But, taking it as an opportunity he kissed her passionately.

His lips moved down to her neck leaving open-mouth kisses. His hot saliva soaked her skin but her pupils didn't even move for a second. He was busy peppering kisses all over her neck and shoulder when she felt something. She remembered those days when doctors told her that her children are dead.

" I don't want to lose another baby," She whispered in an inaudible voice.

His fingers were opening the buttons of her dress when she voiced out holding his hand," I don't want it."

Yardan stopped whatever he was doing. He looked at her face and found it extremely gloomy. Her eyes were beaming with tears like any time she will burst into tears.

" Hey, why are you scared? It's ok. I won't do anything," He said softly and then closed the buttons of her dress.

Resting her head on his chest he started stroking her hair softly. Maryam just looked outside with blank eyes.

" I won't do anything until you want it, I promise," He promised.

Maryam whispered in an inaudible voice," You won't keep your promise. I know."

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