Chapter 36: Chapter 36

Six months later

Author's pov

Mikaeel, his brother Miraz and some of their employees were sitting in a board meeting. They were discussing some serious issues regarding business and the downfall in their profits.

" Bhai, I don't know how we are gonna overcome this loss. People aren't buying our products anymore because they are now becoming more interested in

'Mehzabin Industries' products because they are cheaper than our products," Miraz said to Mikaeel sounding extremely worried.

Mikaeel remained silent when one of the employees turned on the TV. It was the xyz channel where there was showing a comparison between Mehzabin Industries and other multinational companies.

" Mehzabin industries is giving tough competition not only to us but also to other companies. I have to admit that The chairman of 'Mehzabin Industries' Mrs Maryam Shamsi is a very talented and skilled woman," one of the employees complemented while Mikaeel just continued hearing them silently.

It's been six months since Maryam returned to Pakistan. And, after returning she has shaken the whole business community here. Just in a short period her company 'Mehzabin Industries' has become one of the most popular companies in the whole country. Maryam changed her company's name from ' Al Shamsi Industries to 'Mehzabin Industries.' Her success didn't just attract Medias attention. Her success has brought her a lot of rivals and Mikaeel is one of them. Maryam is not less than any celebrity. A few business magazines has already featured her as a business icon and a symbol of women empowerment.

" She succeeded because her products have high quality but the price is reasonable. Her products are customer-friendly and that's the reason behind her success. The technologies she is using to improve her products are incredible," Mikaeel mumbled looking at the tv.

Miraz started changing the channels when Mikaeel's eyes caught something. Snatching the remote from Miraz's hand Mikaeel rewind the channels and stopped at a particular channel. He noticed that a talk show was broadcasted and Maryam was the guest. Crossing her legs she was talking to the host smilingly.

Mikaeel looked at her carefully and started wondering how can he act so normal after whatever she did to him. She was wearing casual pants with a casual shirt and a hijab. She was looking so confident and calm.

The host said to Maryam,"I have asked you a lot of questions about your professional life. If you don't mind may I ask you some questions about your personal life?"

" Sure," Maryam answered politely.

The host asked," Umm....I want to....In fact, a lot of people want to know whom d........

" Whom do I owe my success?" Maryam said before the host could finish asking.

Letting out a chuckle the host answered," Umm...Absolutely."

" I owe my success to my children,"Maryam replied having an affectionate smile remembering her children.

The host said chuckling," That's so sweet. If you don't mind may I ask you something about your husband?"

The smile from Maryam's face vanished in the air and she answered emotionlessly," Yes."

" Umm....You said you owe your success to your children. Don't your husband have any contributions in all these?" The host asked curiously.

Letting out a chuckle Maryam replied," He supports me emotionally. He is the reason that I am here."

" Seems like you love your husband a lot," The host said while Maryam started laughing.

The host felt Maryam's laugh unusual and an awkward smile formed on her lips. To avoid any kind of embarrassing situation the host diverted the topic.

The host asked curiously," Standing at the peak of success have you ever felt lonely or do you miss something or someone?"

" Yes. I miss someone," Maryam answered looking down.

The host asked," May I know who is the person?"

" The old me," Maryam answered having a longing expression on her face.

Snatching the remote from Mikaeel's hands Miraz turned off the tv. Miraz gave an annoyed look at Mikaeel which he returned equally.

" This woman is getting on my nerves," Mikaeel mumbled having a pissed-off expression.

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Aurin was sitting in a restaurant with her friend Adha. She was crying continuously since she divorced her husband. Aurin was trying hard to console her but she was just crying nonstop.

" I don't know why I feel like he was saying the truth. He was framed," Adha said to Aurin hiccupping.

Aurin answered with pure hatred," I told you already that it was just an excuse of him to cover up his wrongdoings. He is a cheater and you shouldn't give any chance to him."

" What you would have done if you were in my place?" Adha asked wiping away her tears.

Aurin replied confidently," There is no way that Mikaeel will betray me."

" I used to have this same confidence in my husband but in the end, he betrayed me," Saying that Adha looked at Aurin and found her looking somewhere else.

Aurin was looking at Maryam who just entered the restaurant with her children and Raisa(Maryam's third sister in law). She is the one who takes care of Yamir & Omaira though Maryam bears their expenses. She is meeting the kids outside since she doesn't go to her house. Because she doesn't want to face her mother & other two sister in laws. Except for emotional pain they never gave anything to Maryam.

Aurin doesn't know why she always crosses Maryam's path. Like Destiny wants them to meet often. She doesn't know why she only meets Maryam coincidentally.

Taking out the report card Yamir gave it to Maryam having a nervous expression. He started sweating profusely when Maryam frowned her brows.

" Why aren't you improving in Mathematics? If you continue making such trashy results I will stop your education!!" Maryam almost yelled at Yamir that Aurin didn't like at all.

Though she wasn't hearing Maryam's conversation with Yamir her blood boiled seeing Maryam talking to Yamir with rude expression.

Omaira handed her report card to Maryam with trembling hands. She was on the verge of wetting her pants seeing Maryam checking her report card.

" It's the third time you have failed the exam, you dumb girl," Maryam literally shouted throwing the report card on Omaira's face.

Omaira looked down while everyone looked at Maryam with wide eyes. Looking at her for a few moments everyone started minding their own business but Aurin couldn't control herself. She walked towards Maryam hurriedly.

" Are you really their mother?" Aurin asked pulling Omaira towards her but Omaira pushed away Aurin & stood beside Maryam.

Maryam replied having a pissed off expression," Are you unemployed that you don't have any work except poking your nose in other people's business?"

" Whenever I meet you, I find you abusing your children or having careless attitudes. Do you have any explanation about this?" Aurin asked rudely.

Standing up Maryam questioned back," Why do you think I will explain to you how I treat my children?"

Aurin felt insulted by Maryam's words when Maryam warned Aurin," Stay away from me Mrs Sheikh. You won't like it if I show my real face to you."

" Sure, I have seen that already. You are a child abuser! You should be sued for abusing your children now and then," Aurin accused without understanding that Maryam was losing her patience and felt humiliated seeing people whispering looking at her.

Sensing the tension between these two, Raisa came forward and said," Maryam, let's go. Why are wasting your time by talking to ignorant people?"

After that Maryam left the place with her kids and Raisa while Aurin continued standing because something has caught her attention. The name 'Maryam' caught her attention. She is sure that she has heard this name before but couldn't remember where she heard it. Recalling Maryam's face she started feeling weird like she has seen her somewhere else even before Mikaeel introduced Maryam to her.

" Where did I see her before and this name Maryam!!" Aurin thought trying hard to recall where she saw Maryam.

She was trying to remember when she felt a hand over her shoulder. It was Adha.

" What happened, Aurin?" She asked curiously.

Aurin answered suspiciously," I swear Adha, this woman is dangerous for these little kids."

" Her kids! Let her handle her kinds. Why should we bother?" Adha said but Aurin wasn't in the mood to hear.

Aurin replied with determination," She didn't bother to answer to me but she will obviously answer to the childcare service & the police."