*Read the note at the end of this chapter*
A few months later
Author's pov
Yardan was sitting in his wheelchair as usual and looking outside through the window. There was a longing expression on his face and his eyes were brimming with tears. He was missing Yamir and Omaira.
" Allah, I know that I am a sinner but don't punish my children for my sins. They are innocent. Please, protect them wherever they are," he prayed mentally.
He was engrossed in his thoughts when he felt something brushing on his feet. He looked downwards only to find a tiny human near his feet. It was Maryam's daughter.
The baby stared at Yardan with her doe-like eyes and gripped his clothes with her tiny fist. Letting out some baby cooing she started giggling while he only stared at her with blank eyes.
Yardan has mixed feelings about this baby. He doesn't have any grudges against this innocent child. Not after what he did to his innocent children. It's just he gets uncomfortable whenever he looks at her. The baby is not his. He feels disgusted about everything whenever he thinks that Maryam slept with someone else.
" Ehh.......... Hu.....hum......." The baby started whacking her tiny hands on Yaedan's paralyzed legs.
Yardan let out with great difficulty," Shoo........shoo........."
" Mo...ve," He said getting annoyed by the baby's close proximity.
Maryam knows how Yardan feels whenever he looks at the baby. That's why she leaves the baby with him. She hurt him purposely. She feels good seeing the discomfort on his face whenever he looks at the baby.
" Baby, don't disturb him," Maryam said mockingly coming out of the washroom.
Maryam hasn't named her daughter yet. She wasn't finding any beautiful names for her baby. So, she addresses the girl
'Baby' always." He doesn't like you. Look at his dark face. Doesn't he look funny?" Maryam asked the baby picking her up while Yardan's whole face clouded with anger and discomfort. But, except for staring at her, he can't do anything.
Giving him a look of mockery she walked towards the closet. She was searching for an important file regarding business. When she didn't find it she took out all the files and scattered them on the bed.
" Where the hell is it?" She shouted angrily.
Hearing her yelling sound the baby started crying. She was scared by Maryam's loud angry voice. Yardan felt bad for the child. To console the baby Maryam walked to the balcony.
When Maryam left Yardan sighed thinking about Yamir and Omaira. His heart cries for them. He feels like his shell is just here not his soul. His soul is with the Yamir and Omaira.
Suddenly, a particular file caught Yardan's attention. He frowned his brows seeing this file. He noticed an unknown hospital logo on the cover page of this file. He pressed a button and his wheelchair moved to the bed. He wanted to see what was in this file. He tried to move his hands but he couldn't.
It seemed like the wind understood his turmoil. With a sudden wind, the file got opened and Yardan could clearly see what was written on this file. After reading the file Yardan was frozen. He was speechless.
Sudden guilt took over him and he understood how much he has damaged Maryam. He realised that it was him who pushed her to this extent where she lost her ability to think about what is right and wrong.
He remembered that day when Maryam begged in front of him to not kill their first child. Then, the second child was also snatched from her. What a monster he was to kill his own children!
Returning to the room Maryam saw him staring at the file. He diverted his guilty eyes at her but she didn't react. Taking the file she threw it inside a drawer.
" S.......o.....rr....y," Yardan managed to utter but Maryam didn't react.
Having a blank expression she looked outside through the window.
***************************************
Maryam was sitting on a couch with her daughter and feeding her. An affectionate smile was plastered at the corner of her lips looking at the innocent baby in her arms.
" Isn't she cute?" Maryam asked Yardan who was sitting on his wheelchair as usual.
She asked smiling," Do you know what I am going to call her?"
" Mehzabin. My daughter's name is Mehzabin," Maryam finished saying when Yardan started groaning and trying hard to move.
" Meh.....Mah.....Meh..........." Yardan was letting out unclear words that amused Maryam.
Maryam asked mockingly," What? I didn't hear you. Tsk...tsk.... I feel so sorry that your whole body is paralysed and you have lost your voice too. Karma is really a bitch, right Mr Yardan Al Shamsi."
" Oh!! Who is the father of my daughter? You must be asking this, I guess. Definitely, you aren't her father. Well, my daughter is only mine. I am not going to share her with anyone. Not even her biological father," Maryam said holding her daughter possessively.
Yardan was trying hard to say something when Maryam shouted in his face," You snatched my children from me. See, Allah has returned my child to me."
" Omi......Ya.....mir..........." He let out having a broken expression on his face when a tear rolled down his eyes.
Maryam answered sounding like a psycho," Do you know the rule of nature? An eye for an eye. You separated me from my children and I did the same. I kept you away from your children. Now, how are you feeling? Aren't you understanding what I felt when my kids were snatched from me?"
" S.....o....r.....y....... A....po....lo........" Yardan started letting out unclear words nodding his head when Maryam started laughing.
She said in disbelief," Sorry!! Do you think a sorry will fill up the void you have left in me?"
" What was my fault, Yardan? What was my baby's fault? I just wanted you to love me like any other husband who loves his wife. I just wanted to have a peaceful, happy family. But, what you did? Huh!! You ruined everything," she screamed at the top of her lungs clutching his collar tightly while Yardan only closed his eyes.
Then, she whispered in his ear," Do you know why I kept you alive? You are gonna see me having a peaceful life with my daughter. I will inflict every single emotional pain on you that you inflicted on me. Remember, I told you already that an eye for an eye."
" I......s....r....y," Yardan tried to say something but couldn't form a single word.
Chuckling slightly Maryam said," I am going to Pakistan to meet Yamir & Omaira."
Yardan's face lit up when Maryam said," Don't get so much excited, hmm. I am not bringing them here. I didn't give birth to them but I did raise them giving my everything. They are my responsibility. That's it."
Note- Sorry for giving Maryam's character such type of negative arc but that's how she was 😔
I update a little late but whenever I update I try to give 2/3 updates at once but do I get the response I expect from you?
2k+ reads on every chapter but the vote is the highest 200 something. And, some of you doesn't really care about following me either.
I don't like putting silly targets for readers but since I am writing a free book can't I expect a decent response from you. The lack of response are really frustrating and demotivating.
Anyway, who cares about a writer's perspective. Some of us will read and silently pass away this story. Lol! 😅Don't worry I won't do the target game with you. I just shared my thoughts with you.
Vote, comment and follow if you wish.
YOU ARE READING
Substitute Wife
General Fiction" You know very well why I married you?" He asked rudely. She replied controlling her tears," Yes, for your children." Then, he said calmly," If I find any kind of carelessness from your side regarding my children then trust me you will see the wor...