Author's pov
" Stay away from my mamma. You can't shout at mamma like that," Omaira said while Yamair was rubbing Maryam's sweaty forehead to calm her down.
Maryam said shuttering," Omi, don't talk to him like that. You guys should go back to your room."
Yamir shouted at Mikaeel," Get out."
" Your upbringing is so impressive!! No wonder Aurin complained against you!" Mikaeel taunted and then left Maryam's house.
Maryam was having difficulty breathing so she told Yamir," Bring my medicines."
Yamir obliged his mother's order and after taking the medicines Maryam is now feeling a little bit good. Ordering the kids to go back to their room she returned to her room as well.
A few hours later 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. Mikaeel's words were ringing inside her head non-stop making her heart bleed.
" 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. Her eyes moistened remembering how Yamir & Omaira stood in front of her like a shield.
" 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 hairs she kissed their heads gently when a few drops of tears escaped her eyes.
" I was never angry with you," Maryam whispered when 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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It was almost midnight and Mikaeel & Aurin were laying on their bed. There was no sleep in both of their eyes because Aurin was still in shock and Mikaeel was worried. Both of them were looking in another direction and knew that they are awake but no word came out of their mouths. Aurin was numb to say anything while Mikaeel was scared to talk to Aurin.
Finally, Mikaeel broke the silence and said," Wifey, I am sorry."
Aurin remained silent when Mikaeel turned at her. Holding her shoulder he made her look at him. Aurin looked deep into his eyes with her emotionless eyes. There was no malice in his eyes except regret, fear and sadness.
" Forgive me, Wifey. But, I swear whatever she told you about the baby is a complete lie. That child is not mine," Mikaeel said holding Aurin's hands that were cold like any ice.
Aurin was still silent when Mikaeel requested," Please, say something. Your silence is scaring me."
" I want to sleep," Aurin answered timidly turning away from Mikaeel.
Mikaeel remained silent for a few seconds and then asked," You believe me, right?"
" Yes," Aurin answered shortly closing her eyes.
Two days passed just in a blink after all these and the situation between Aurin & Mikaeel was calmer than usual. It was like the silence before the storm. Mikaeel was trying to make the situation normal between them but Aurin wasn't helping. She stopped talking to him which was killing him mentally.
For the last two days, Aurin was completely silent and everything was roaming in her mind making her mental situation worse. Mikaeel's words and Maryam's words have occupied every single cell of her brain.
No, she doesn't believe in Maryam's words but Mikaeel's lying doesn't let her avoid Maryam's words. No matter how much she tries to forget Maryam's words she can't. Moreover, she was hurt beyond level by Mikaeel's lying. She never hid anything from him. She shared her body, mind, and soul. Everything with him then how can he not share such a serious matter with her!
After thinking for a long time finally Aurin gave up and decided to look into the root of this situation. The baby thing wasn't leaving Aurin's mind at all and she is sure that until she gets any strong proof that the baby is not Mikaeel's, she won't have any peaceful sleep.
Aurin is now standing in front of Maryam's apartment. After hesitating a lot finally she rang the doorbell and it was Maryam who opened the door. Maryam starred in Aurin from head to toe with suspicious eyes and of course, she was shocked to see Aurin here. On the other hand, Aurin was literally burning with anger looking at Maryam.
" I don't like to beat around the bushes so I will come to the point directly. I want your youngest daughter's blood sample for a DNA test. I don't believe in the DNA report that you have shown me," Aurin said directly swallowing her hesitation.
Aurin expected a few taunting from Maryam but she didn't say anything. Aurin thought Maryam will mock about Aurin's confidence in her husband but to her utter surprise, Maryam didn't say anything. She only remained silent keeping a neutral expression.
" What do you think Mrs Sheikh that my daughter is some kind of commodity? You will come from nowhere and ask for her blood sample and like a stupid, I will give you that," Maryam answered and Aurin clenched her jaw tightly.
Then, Maryam said politely," You have created enough havoc in my life so it would be better if you leave right now because I am not in the mood to argue."
" Why, you shameless bitch? Are you scared that your truth will come out? Are you scared to admit that two days back you just wanted to defame my husband? Are you scared to admit that you wanted to break my marriage by uttering bullshit?" Aurin spit venom with every word she took while Maryam swallowed the insult silently.
A few seconds passed away and Aurin expected Maryam to react but Maryam shut the door right across Aurin's face. Aurin was startled by the sudden noise but didn't knock at the door again. She realized that Maryam won't let her find out the truth. But, she is determined that she won't stop until she gets to know the truth about Maryam's daughter.
And, then another day passed and Aurin finally collected Maryam's daughter's blood sample. How did she do that? Well, when Maryam went to the office dropping her elder kids at the school and leaving her youngest daughter with the nanny, Aurin took this chance. She bribed the nanny with a huge amount of money and collected blood samples of Maryam's daughter. It's not that hard for Aurin to collect Mikaeel's blood sample because he is her husband. Then, Aurin sent the samples to a clinic and now she is waiting for the result.
Two days later Aurin was working when she got a call. She looked at the phone screen and this call was from the clinic. Without wasting a second she received the call.
" Hello, Mrs Shiekh. The DNA report is out," A lady voice said and a chill ran down Aurin's spine.