Substitute Wife

Chapter-44

A few days later

Author's pov

Maryam started staying in Pakistan leaving behind Yardan alone. Yardan's father died recently and with that, the only person who used to care for him died too.

Now, except for Yamir and Omaira, no one remembers him. His company and employees are now under Maryam so no one even asks for him. Every single day he just wakes up with the hope of seeing Yamir and Omaira again.

On the other hand, Maryam expanded her business in Pakistan and soon she became one of the influential business icons while Mikaeel became her business rival. She puts on a mask of being happy and delighted but only she knows what she feels inside. She had to be on medication regularly to keep her mood stable.

Maryam's days were going just as usual until someone reported to the authority that she is abusive and careless towards her children.

After that, for one week the kids were under the supervision of police and the child care service. They inquired the kids about their mother's approach towards them but got nothing suspicious. When they asked Maryam why Yamir & Omaira are living with one of her sister in laws, Maryam only said that due to her tight schedule she can't be with Yamir & Omaira all the time. That is why she leaves them, Raisa.

They inquired about Maryam's relatives and other family members. Among them, a few told that they don't know much about Maryam's kids and a few told that Maryam is a good & responsible mother. Since the police didn't get anything suspicious they returned Maryam's kids to her. But, they fined the person who claimed that Maryam is an abusive mother. Since then Maryam decided to bring back the kids to her apartment.

Maryam thought that this matter is sorted out but she doesn't know that the worse is yet to come. One of her rival companies was keeping eye on her and the moment they got to know about this abusive mother matter, they thought to use it as their advantage.

To defame Maryam this news was leaked to the media and the media did what they do every time. They broadcasted this matter exaggerating a lot of things and Maryam became a headline in every newspaper. And, as expected it affected her image negatively. Some of her clients cancelled prestigious deals with her, a lot of customers boycotted her company and many more things happened against her.

" Say Ma.....Mma......say it.....Mehu," Maryam said to Mehzabin who was playing with a doll. She was absent-minded towards her mother's words.

Mehzabin cooed excitedly and crawled to the main door when she heard the doorbell. She knew that her siblings just returned.

" Bala, open the door," Maryam ordered a servant.

No sooner had Yamir entered the apartment than Maryam was stunned to see his nose bleeding. His shirt was unbuttoned, one of his eyes started swelling and there was mud all over him. He was looking like he just returned from a fight.

Omaira had her messy hair falling on her chest and one corner of her school uniform was torn. There were some wounds visible on her arms as well.

" What happened?" Maryam asked sounding furious.

Yamir replied in one go," I beat him and he beat me too."

" What are you talking about?" Maryam asked and signalled Bala to take back Mehzabin inside the bedroom.

Yamir spoke with anger," I beat my classmate Farhan. He mocked about you. He said that you are a bad woman. He also said many nasty words about you. I couldn't tolerate such words about you and then we fought each other."

" How does Farhan know about me?" Maryam asked ordering another maid to bring the first aid box.

Yamir answered looking down," His father worked with you, Faizan Abdullah. He told Farhan that you are mentally sick."

Maryam clenched her jaw hearing this name. Recently she fired Faizan Abdullah for backstabbing her. Now, he joined those people who wants to defame her.

" What about you?" She asked Omaira.

Omaira replied," I was hurt when I tried to save Yamir."

Maryam didn't say anything further. She just treated their wounds silently but made up her mind that she will teach that person a good lesson who spread such type of defaming news about her.

It was night time and Maryam was sitting in an easy chair. She was holding a cigarette with one hand and a glass of alcohol with another hand. Recently she has started consuming all these things and she felt that these things give her peace. Mehzabin isn't in her room since she doesn't want her daughter to fell sick.

(A/N- I know that smoking and alcohol are forbidden in Islam. I will suggest to my readers to not take it seriously. The characters in this story aren't role models of Muslims and their actions don't depict how Islam is practised in real life. So, please don't start unnecessary arguments in the comment section on this topic 😊)

Thinking about the things happening in her life her eyes started blazing like fire and the thirst of destroying the person who filed a complaint against her just clouded her vision.

Her phone vibrated and receiving the call she asked angrily," Did you find out?"

" It's Mrs Aurin Sheikh. Mr Mikaeel Sheikh's wife," A male voice said and cutting the call Maryam threw the phone somewhere in the room.

***************************************

Maryam handled the situation regarding this defaming matter. In the process, she committed another crime. She hurt the person whom she claimed to love the most. Her anger was leading her to the path of self-destruction and she was way too blind to see it. She claims to be happy but it was just her delusion.

It was late at night and Maryam was sitting on an easy chair and looking outside through the window. Her eyes were stilled like stones and there was no expression on her face. With one hand she was holding a cigarette and with another hand, she was rubbing her chest. She was feeling uneasy.

" Mamma," Yamir called and Maryam's pupils trembled slightly.

Maryam didn't say anything. Yamir & Omaira both came forward and stood beside Maryam. Both of them were holding their report cards.

" Mamma, I got an A+ in Math," Yamir said forwarding his report card to Maryam.

Omaira said forwarding her report card," I passed this time, Mamma."

Taking the cards in her hand, Maryam answered smiling," Good. I am so proud of you."

Yamir noticed the cigarette in Maryam's hand and he didn't like it. He knows that his mother is suffering from a few problems and that consuming nicotine isn't good for her health. His teacher taught him that smoking is injurious to health.

" Mamma, my teacher said smoking is injurious to health," Yamir said to Maryam taking away the cigarette from her hand and putting it on the ashtray.

Maryam looked at Yamir & Omaira and for a few seconds, she lost herself in the previous times when they were just kids and she used to adore them so much.

" I won't smoke again," Maryam said letting out a sad smile.

Suddenly, Omaira asked looking down," Mamma, are you still angry with us?"

Standing up Maryam pulled the kids into her chest. Stroking their hair she kissed their heads gently when a few drops of tears escaped her eyes.

" I was never angry with you," Maryam whispered and the kids tightened their hold around her body. And, the next few minutes they remained like that. 

Breaking the silence Yamir said almost crying," Mamma, I miss Baba. It's been a long time since I saw him last."

" Me too," Omaira supported her brother.

Hearing about Yardan, Maryam's face clouded with sadness, hatred & anger. But, somehow she controlled her outburst.

Taking a breath she replied," I will take you to your Baba next week."

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