21
Kareem's POV
It been two days that we've been in search for my wife but she's no where to be seen. Even Khalid's private investigator couldn't find her and it annoying, I really don't know where to look for her.
Khalid adviced to let my parent know about what has happened.
"I can't Khalid, Mom will definitely kill me if she comes to know about it".
"You should have known that before kicking her out of the house. Look here man, you need to inform them as soon as possible before eit get out of hand". " I rake my hair roughly because I'm getting frustrated already.
I can't believe I let her leave the house! It's all my fault, this is all my fault! I never trusted her! I let my anger and insecurity take over me.
*****
"Mom, Dad Kareem wants to talk to the both of you". Khalid said to my parent.
We've been together since we were kids and we both refer each other's parent as ours.
"What's all this all about? And why do you look so tensed? By the way, how's Maryam doing?". Mom asked smiling.
Shit! That's the point Mom.
"Erm...Mom, I...I had come here because of her". I said as I feel sweat from the inner.
"What?!...what happened to her? Is she alright? I hope everything is okay with you two?".
"Mom, you really have to listen to me okay, you have to hear me out from the beginning to the end".
"Okay, I'm all ears".
"Actually, it all happened when-
"What?! Kareem you let her out of your house at that time?! Just what have you done!". She's now pissed.
"Mom, listen to me. I-" she cut me off with a slap.
Yes! I deserve it.
"What's there to listen about? I trusted that girl, she can never do such a thing to us. You know why? Because she have a pure mind. You misunderstood her Kareem!.....".
"So, that was the reason you had called two days ago? You wanted to know if she had come here".
"Calm down Safiya" Dad says in his calm tone.
"Don't tell me to calm down Abdul! Please don't tell me to, that poor girl....Oh my God! Maryam, where could she be?". She muttered more to her self as she cried out in pain.
Shit! What have I done? Mom had cried all because of me.
"Is that all brother?!" I heard my twins sister's voice behind me.
"What do you mean, is that all?". Mom asked with a quizzical face as we all turn to Kareemah. Her fury gaze fixed on me. She's damn mad at me. Well, why wouldn't she, she love Maryam like her real sister.
I just hope it's not what I'm thinking, she won't tell them would she?
"Kareemah, not now". I warned.
"Will you keep quiet young man, don't use that tone in my home". Dad glared.
She moved closer to my parents and spill all the beans to them.
"What?!....Innalillahi Wa-inaillaihi raji'un (from God we came from and to Him we shall return back to)....Kareem, you did all of this? You smoke and take drugs too?! This isn't you Kareem! This is not the Kareem I have given birth to. I didn't raise you up to maltreat your wife! Not especially to my poor Maryam! How could you! Can't you follow your dad's foot step?! He was and would still be the most lovable husband a woman could ever ask for! Why? Why Kareem?! You drove the poor girl away. What were you thinking? That she would stay?! If I were to be in her shoes, I would have done the same thing. I wouldn't have get her married to you if I had known this is what you've turn out to be".
"Mom I'm sorry, now I realise my mistake".
"Then, how do you plan to rectify your mistake? The poor girl is now gone!".
"Omó yí ti pàmí (this boy has killed me)".
"Kareem, I'm really disappointed in you" Dad bursted angrily.
"Mom, what do we do? Her uncle deserve to know". Kareemah suggested.
"I think you're right, they deserve to know what has happened".
Mom pick up her phone and dial her Uncle's number. "Good evening Mr Jawad"
******
"Fine, Alhamdulillah".
******
"Yes actually, I wanted to see you and talk to you..... it's about Maryam, she's had a fight with Kareem and had left home."
******
"I'm sorry Mr Jawad, I'm truly sorry. I had scolded him too. I was so disappointed at him. Please, is she by any chance there with you?".
******
"What! Subhanallah"
******
"We will be there first thing tomorrow morning." She said before hanging up.
"Mom, what happened?". Kareemah asked.
"Nana, she's sick. She's been admitted to Salamatu Hospital".
"Young man, follow me to my study room". We all heard my dad's sternly voice.
I turned to look at him. "Now!". He added.
"Abdul, he promised to change. Please don't be too hard on him". Mom plead on my behalf.
"Stay out of this Safiya".
"But-". He cut her off with his right hand raised. I gave her an assuring smile as I followed my dad to his study room.
****
"How could you let her out of your house?! I brought her up my self, she can never do such a thing to you!" He yelled angrily. I bow down my head in shame.
"Where is she?! Where is Maryam?!"
"We're very sorry Mr Jawad,this is all my fault. I promise you, I'll personally look for her"
"This is not your fault but your son's fault, he never believed my daughter in the first place!"
"I'm sorry please"
"Mr Jawad please, I need a moment with you" the doctor announce.
*******
Ringgggggg. I woke up at my phone's ringing tone. I saw the caller ID and it turns out to be my father in law.
Father in law? like seriously?
"G...Good morning Sir"
"Morning Kareem, I just receive a call from Maryam, she's safe and would be coming to the hospital soon"
Silence
Silence
Silence
"Kareem? Kareem are you there?"
"Ye...yes...yes..I'm sorry....I'll be there in a jiffy...thank you Sir".
"OK bye"
What have I just heard? Maryam is safe? I smiled and dial my mom's number.
"Kareem"
"Mom, Mom! Finally!". I exclaim happily.
"Morning, and how was your night Mr". She said instead.
"sorry Mom... Good morning"
"Morning, so why do you sound happy this morning? And what was all this finally of a thing is all about?". She asked in a duh tone.
"She's back Mom!"
"Who's back, Kareem?! Look, Kareem I'm having serious headache with Maryam's issue already please don't add to it".
"I'm sorry Mom but, it's Maryam"
"What?! Maryam?! Where is she?"
"Her dad just called, he told me she would visit the hospital soon".
"Great! come home now, we're leaving together. I'll inform your father and sister".
"Okay Mom"
*******
On entering the hospital, the first thing that caught my attention was her figure, she look absolutely stunning in her gown, she looks just like an angel. I saw her talking to a nurse, and her gesture has changed a lot from her side view, from the way she's speaking to the nurse, she doesn't look like the old Maryam I had know. She looks different, the old Maryam I had come to know is a shy type while the new Maryam standing right in front of me now was different.
I moved closer to her forgetting that my family are trailing behind me.
"Thank you" I heard her said to the nurse.
I engulf her in a tight hug and whispered. "Maryam, it's really you!..."
"I'm so sorry for everything, I really am! I'm sorry for judging you without knowing the whole truth. I should have known that you're innocent, I'm such a fool for doubting you,I'm sorry please". I said again.
She broke the hug and studied my face. I guess she's trying to see, if I meant what I had just said.
"You're sorry?". She asked raising her eyebrow.
"Yes Maryam, I'm truly sorry. I swear, I never knew. If I had, I wouldn't have reacted that way. She looks just exactly like you, Maryam I think you have a twin sister".
"Well, aren't you smart?". She sarcastically replied me before kicking me where the sun shine.
"Maryam". Mom called her name to stop her.
"Ouch!". I yelp holding the place she had hit me.
She tried to hit me again as she asked. "How does it feel? Do you want me to give you more? Does it pain? Do you feel the pain comparing to the one you had given my-". She was cut off from her word as we heard another same voice from behind. And that person referred her as Muneerah.
Wait, did I just hear the same voice? And she isn't my wife! Her name is Muneerah? If she isn't Maryam then where is my wife?
I turned and saw my wife, standing few feet away from us. She glared at her angrily. . She....she is a twin...she really is a twin. I wasn't that surprised because I had an hunch that she was a twin.
"Well, I don't care and he deserves it!".
Yes, I really do deserve it.
"A twin?!" My family asked in surprise.
I stood on my feet and start taking few steps towards her while she was also doing the same thing. Just more few steps and my best friend appeared from no where and engulf her in a tight hug. I halt as I watch him hug her tightly as if, she was the most valuable thing in his life.
Without thinking twice, I turned around and left the hospital angrily.