Hidden bonds of love

7.

Mrs. Fatima's assistant, Amnat, rushed into the office and asked if they should continue the meeting, but Mrs. Fatima remained quiet. Concerned, Amnat asked, "Ma'am, is everything alright?"

"The meeting is canceled; we will continue some other time," were the only words Mrs. Fatima could utter.

Ahmad returned home and went directly to Maryam's room. He found her lying on the bed, her face looking pale as if she had been crying since he brought her to the house.

"Maryam, you shouldn't be crying like this, it's okay," Ahmad said calmly, wiping the tears rolling down her cheeks.

Mommy Beauty knocked on the door of the room, and Ahmad answered. She came in, unaware that he had already returned, expressing her concern for Maryam.

Ahmad comforted Maryam and told her to rest, assuring her that she would be safe there, as he could see the fear in her eyes.

Afterward, Mommy Beauty and Ahmad both went to the sitting room, and Ahmad explained to Mommy Beauty what had happened to Maryam. Mommy Beauty couldn't understand how Mrs. Fatima could bring a stranger into their home under the guise of business. She wondered if Mrs. Fatima had been careless.

"Mommy, I'm so hurt. Were all the hotels in the city fully booked that she had to let a stranger into her house just because she is a businesswoman? Does she think this place is Korean? What a shame. She is a shameless woman," Ahmad said with anger in his voice.

"Ahmad, what you're saying is harsh. She's your mother too. Even if she's wrong, you don't have to say such things to her," Mommy Beauty said, trying to reason with him.

He fell silent, not saying anything more. He just smiled at her, stood up, and went outside to the hut, where he sat down. His phone started ringing, and he checked the caller ID. It was Mrs. Fatima. He sighed, picked up the call, and answered.

"Ahmad, I want you to bring back my daughter right now. I want to see her," Mrs. Fatima said.

"If you want to see your daughter, you know the way to the house," he replied.

"You know I hate coming to that house. Just bring my Maryam back; I want to see her," Mrs. Fatima pleaded.

"Well, kitty, I want you to know that if you call me again to tell me to bring your daughter back, I am going to expose the darkest secret you are keeping from our father and everyone. From now on, Maryam is staying with us, and if you ever try to take her back, I will expose you. You know I can do that," Ahmad said, his voice authoritative.

"Listen, don't you dare say anything about that secret," Mrs. Fatima panicked.

"Then we have a deal. Maryam will stay with us. Right, kitty?" Ahmad demanded.

"Yes, she can," Mrs. Fatima replied hastily, not wanting to continue the conversation.

❀

Two days had passed, and Maryam had not gone to school because she was too scared. They refused to tell Uthman, Maryam's father, what had happened, only saying that Maryam had come to visit and was feeling a little sick.

Mustabshira didn't care about her since Ahmad had spoken to her; she kept her distance. However, Maryam decided to visit Mustabshira's room and greet her.

"Sorry, I just came to say hi, and I made lunch. It's your favorite. I know you just came back from school, so you must be tired. If you want, I can bring the food to your room," Maryam offered kindly.

Mustabshira gave her an irritated look and responded rudely, "Toh sannu sarauniyar iya girki thank you, but I'm not interested in your food."

Maryam apologized and left the room. She found Ahmad at the dining table and told him what happened. She wasn't worried, and they both sat down to eat the food together. She left some for Mustabshira, just in case she changed her mind. Despite Mustabshira's occasional pretenses, they knew she secretly enjoyed Maryam's cooking.

Later in the evening, the doorbell rang, and Mustabshira went to open the door. To her surprise, it was Maryam's friends, Zainab and Khairat. They were also surprised to see Mustabshira since they knew she had always disliked Maryam.

She gave them a disgusted look, making them feel bad. Mommy Beauty noticed that Mustabshira was taking too long at the door and asked who it was. Mustabshira frowned and replied that it was Maryam's friends. Reluctantly, she let them in, and they greeted Mommy Beauty.

Mommy Beauty showed them Maryam's room because she knew that Mustabshira wouldn't do it. As Maryam saw her two friends coming into the room, she was thrilled and surprised that they found her. They explained that they had gone to their house, and Mrs. Fatima had given them the address. Worried that Maryam hadn't been to school and wasn't answering her phone, they decided to check on her.

Maryam told them she was sick and had left her phone at her mother's place.

Zainab asked if Maryam and Mustabshira were siblings, as Mrs. Fatima had mentioned that Maryam was at her stepmother's place. Maryam simply smiled and changed the topic, not wanting to discuss it.

Mommy Beauty came into the room with a drink and snacks for Maryam's friends, who thanked her. They were impressed by Mommy Beauty's kindness and couldn't understand where Mustabshira had gotten her rude attitude from.

❀

Mrs. Fatima has been desperately trying to reach Khalid, but he remains elusive. Khalid, a young man of about 28 years, has been Mrs. Fatima's trusted business partner for years. However, everything changed after the incident with Maryam. When he witnessed Ahmad taking Maryam out of the house, fear overwhelmed him, and he fled without a second thought. He returned briefly to collect his belongings before disappearing into the shadows. Little does he know, Khalid underestimates the determination of Mrs. Fatima. No matter where he goes, she will relentlessly pursue him until justice is served.