MAKESHIFT HUSBAND (COMPLETE)

CHAPTER TEN

***

Maryam squealed with delight as she opened her doors and saw her mother and brother. Without a second thought, she jumped on her mother and wrapped her arms around her tightly.

"You're a married woman now" Amina patted her daughter's back gently "but look how you still behave like a child"

They settled in the parlor, Salman pulled out his phone immediately after a curt greeting and focused on whatever it was he was doing with it.

Maryam's face fell. Her brother had always been the closest person to her, even closer than her mom but apparently, he was still angry with her over what had happened.

She pushed the thoughts away and smiled at her Mom.

She'd dwell on that later, when she had time.

"Let me get you something" She patted her mother's knee and went to the kitchen.

"You have to stop this silliness immediately"

Amina chastised as soon as Maryam was out of earshot.

"Don't give me that look and shut up" She added as Salman put on what he believed was his best 'I-have-no-idea-what-you-mean' look. "You better stop making your sister feel uncomfortable and guilty over what has happened already."

Salman nodded and put his phone away.

"It's not like you don't have your own share of skeletons in your dark dark cupboard" She added with a snort.

"I made some donuts jiya." Maryam walked back into the room and hesitantly placed a plate in front of Salman."I hope you enjoy it"

At a stern look from his mother, Salman forced a smile on his face and muttered a thanks.

They stayed with her until it was time for Asr and Maryam felt like packing her bags and leaving with them when it was time to go.

After they left, she settled on the couch and thought of what she had discussed with her mother.

What would she do after the divorce? What were her plans?

The mere thought itself gave her headache and she pushed it away.

As she performed ablutions, she decided not to think of it now. There would be time for thinking in the future.

******************
Zainab rocked her sleepy son in his crib. Amir gave his mother a sleepy smile that showed his gums, a short yawn later and his eyes closed in slumber.

She admired his sleeping face for while and felt at peace. She forgot the other woman and her troubles just by staring at Amir but troubles would not go away, she needed to do something.

Someone knocked on the front door and she left Amir's room with a last kiss in his head.

A man she didn't recognise was standing there with his hands in his pockets.

She fetched her hijab before opening the door.

"Sorry fah, I showed up unexpectedly"

Zainab did not return his smile. "I'm sorry but my husband isn't home but you can drop a name and I will be sure to let him know when he returns."

"Hold on.. My name is Abdulhaqq" He said like he expected her to recognise him.

"Your point?"

"Can we talk inside? This is very important and it concerns you and your husband."

Zainab eyed him for a minute, wondering if she should trust him or not. She made a choice and opened the door to let him in but left the front door open.

"Please be seated." She gestured "I'll get you something to drink."

"No it won't take that long"

She eyed him warily again then sat down far from him.

"So Malam Abdulhaqq what exactly is so important as you said?"

"My name is Abdulhaqq" he started.

"You've made that point before so please can you get to the point or the door is still open."

He nodded. "I am the man who was supposed to marry Maryam, your husband's second wife but unfortunately, the wedding got called off"

"You!" Zainab jumped out of her seat. "It's your fault I'm miserable and unhappy. Your fault my husband is slowly leaning away from me"

Abdulhaqq bit back the retort that came to his tongue. He came here today to ask for her help not infuriate her even further. So he kept quiet and listened as she cursed him to the deepest depths of hell and back.

When she stopped to catch her breath, he continued.

"I am here because I need your help. I want to get her back so if you could convince your husband to divorce her then we will all be happy, you get your husband and happy home back while I get my wife."

Zainab quietened and sat down to think.

True as he said, if the other woman left their lives, everything would go back to normal and Kamal would be hers once again.

"But Kamal made a promise to her mother, that he would divorce her only after half a year."

Abdulhaqq smiled and leaned into the chair. "Don't tell me you're growing quite fond of her that you can't convince your husband to cut off the parasite damaging your home as you claimed."

"Of course not!" Zainab spat. "But why did you come here? Why didn't go directly to Kamal and ask him to divorce her?"

Abdulhaqq frowned. Of course he had gone to him and unfortunately he was together with Salman and hence, he, Abdulhaqq had gotten a punch to his face without even saying why he had come.

"Is there something wrong?" Zainab asked and he took his time to look at her face real good this time.

She was a fair woman and quite beautiful. He could see the clear and undisguised jealousy and hatred in her eyes.

He smiled.

"I went to him but he threw me out. I think you need to do something fast because as it looked, your husband's falling for that girl"

"Impossible" Zainab looked livid, ready to murder someone. "Kamal gave me his word. He said he would love only me, he would never fall for her or even touch her." She pointed at him. "You! You're just trying to create problems for me and my husband. Did she send you here?"

Abdulhaqq laughed in satisfaction. His plan had worked.

"If you doubt me, then try telling him to divorce Maryam and let's see what he does. You will have your answer then. Good day"

He left the house in high spirits. He was wrong to let go of Maryam over a trifling matter such as a dark past.

So what if someone had sent him the photos and even videos and an audio tape listing everything about her past and even the time she served in jail? Who didn't have a dark past?

"Maryam" he mused to himself. "I'll get you back soon and never let go!"