Chapter 37: Chapter 37
Author's pov
Maryam was in a meeting with her employees when a few people from the childcare service & two police officers came to meet her. Since the police are involved here so dismissing the meeting she thought to meet the police. She was wondering why the police are here. Sitting on a chair she gestured for them to sit and they obliged her.
" So, officer, how may I help you?" Maryam asked one of the officers.
The officer didn't say anything but a woman who was from a childcare service started questioning Maryam," You have three children, Mrs Shamsi. Am I right?"
" Yes, but why are you asking me this question?" Maryam asked sounding surprised.
An officer said," We got a complaint against you that you are not treating your children properly."
" Complaint? Who complained?" Maryam asked shockingly.
Another officer replied," You don't have to know who complained against you. We want to meet your kids to know the truth. Your kids will be under our supervision for one week. If we find anything suspicious then your kids will be taken from you and you may have to count a large amount of fine. Maybe you have to spend a certain amount of time behind the bar."
Hearing the officer Maryam was losing her patience but somehow she controlled herself. She needed her medicines immediately but in front of the people, she has to control herself.
" Sure. You can investigate," Maryam answered with great difficulty.
After that, for one week the kids were under the supervision of police and the child care service. They inquired the kids about their mother's approach towards them but got nothing suspicious. When they asked Maryam why Yamir & Omaira are living with one of her sister in laws, Maryam only said that due to her tight schedule she can't be with Yamir & Omaira all the time. That is why she leaves them Raisa.
They inquired Maryam's relatives and other family members. Among them, a few told that they don't know much about Maryam's kids and a few told that Maryam is a good & responsible mother. Since the police didn't get anything suspicious they returned Maryam's kids to her. But, they fined the person who falsely claimed that Maryam is an abusive mother.
Maryam thought that this matter is sorted out but she doesn't know that the worse is yet to come. One of her rival companies was keeping eyes on her and the moment they got to know about this abusive mother thing, they thought to use it as their advantage. To defame Maryam this news was leaked to the media and the media did what they do every time. They broadcasted this matter exaggerating a lot of things and Maryam became a headline in every newspaper. And, as expected it affected her image negatively. Some of her clients cancelled prestigious deals with her, a lot of customers boycotted her company and many more things happened against her.
It's night time and Maryam was sitting in an easy chair. She was holding a cigarette with one hand and a glass of alcohol with another hand. Recently she has started consuming all these things and she felt that these things give her peace. Mehzabin isn't in her room since she doesn't want her daughter to fell sick.
Thinking about the things happening in her life her eyes started blazing like fire and the thirst of destroying the person who filed a complaint against her just clouded her vision.
Her phone vibrated and receiving the call she asked angrily," Did you find out?"
" It's Mrs Aurin Sheikh. Mr Mikaeel Sheikh's wife," A male voice said and cutting the call Maryam threw the phone somewhere in the room.
Then, She whispered gritting her teeth," My reputation, fame, career. Everything!! You just ruined everything. Now, it's my turn. Mark my words. I am gonna make you shed blood tears."
A few moments later Yamir & Omaira entered Maryam's room. They found their mother unconscious on the easy chair. Walking towards her, they held her carefully and took her to the bed. They covered her body with a blanket and kissed her forehead just like she used to do a few years back. After the police incident, she brought them back to her.
They will just leave when Maryam said," Stay with me, Yamir & Omi."
They were startled by their mother's sudden voice. But, seeing her looking at them with a longing expression they obliged her. They laid down beside her when Maryam pulled them close to her.
" At least you guys don't hate me," She mumbled before falling into a deep sleep.
Yamir & Omaira whispered hugging her tightly," We will love you always, Mamma."
The Next Day
Aurin reached Maryam's office and reaching there she barged into her room without any permission. At the time, Maryam was playing with her daughter Mehzabin. Diverting her gaze at Aurin, Maryam chuckled sheepishly.
" I was waiting for you, Mrs Sheikh. What would you prefer? Tea, coffee?"
" Why did you call me here?" Aurin asked sounding annoyed.
Maryam replied chuckling," Just wanted to share a truth with you."
Aurin looked at her confusingly when Maryam said in one go," Do you know that Your husband & I had an affair?"
Maryam expected a dramatic reaction from Aurin but she got nothing that irritated her. Aurin was just looking at her calmly standing like a mute.
Maryam continued explaining," Let me tell the truth. After all, you deserve to know the truth. So, I was your husband's ex-girlfriend. We were in a relationship since high school. But, due to some reasons, we couldn't be together."
Saying all these Maryam stopped for a few moments to understand Aurin. She was wondering why Aurin isn't reacting. Shouldn't she yell or protest? Why she is looking so calm?
" After 10 years we met each other under unexpected circumstances. And, after meeting each other we couldn't control our emotions anymore. We started having an affair and truth to be told I enjoyed our time a lot. You may think that I am telling the lies but this is the truth. I am sure he didn't tell you the truth that I was his ex-girlfriend. Do you know why he didn't tell you the truth? Because he wanted me. He wanted me in his arms and I don't want to share how he used to make love to me," Maryam lied in one go but still Aurin didn't react. She just heard everything calmly.
Maryam felt like she failed to make Aurin believe in her. So she tried the last attempt. She was hell-bent to see tears in Aurin's eyes.
" You must be wondering why we broke up? Well, when I got pregnant with Mikaeel's child he refused to accept his responsibilities and broke up with me. Since I am capable enough to raise my child alone so I let him go instead of pressurising him to accept me & my daughter. He requested me to not tell anything to anyone and I kept my mouth mum considering your feelings. After all, no woman can tolerate her husband with someone else. But, you know that the truth can't be hidden for long," Maryam finished her talking expecting Aurin to break down but surprisingly Aurin was calm.
Then, she pointed her finger at Mehzabin and said to Aurin," She is your husband's daughter. If you don't believe me then I can show you the DNA report."
Saying that she forwarded a paper to Aurin that Aurin took calmly. She read the reports and indeed Mehzabin was Mikaeel's daughter. Even after seeing the report, Aurin remained silent.
" So, don't think that I am gonna beg in front of your husband to accept me & my daughter. I will never do that. I won't even request you to leave Mikaeel considering my daughter. My daughter is only mine and your husband has no right on her. I just wanted to share this truth with you so that you can realize what a cheater your husband is," Maryam finished whatever she wanted to say about Mikaeel.
She was waiting for Aurin's reaction. She was hoping Aurin to cry, scream and shout at her but Aurin didn't say anything. She just stared at Mehzabin for some time like she was scanning her.
" You know what Mrs Shamsi I never saw such a shameless woman like you. You slept with another man and even got pregnant by him. Instead of feeling ashamed, you are saying all this so proudly!! You really surprised me!!" Aurin said and Maryam remained silent clenching her jaw.
Then, Aurin said with confidence," What did you think that you will sprout some rubbish about my husband and I will believe you? Do you think I am a fool who will believe you just seeing a fake DNA report? The woman who confessed shamelessly that she slept with another man and even got pregnant by him can say anything!"
Maryam was astonished seeing Aurin's reaction but remained silent. She didn't show the disappointment on her face. She wanted to see blood tears in Aurin's eyes but didn't get the satisfaction.
" My husband loves me more than he loves himself. You tried your best to make me believe in your bullshit but sorry to say that you failed. Tsk.... Tsk....tsk......" Aurin taunted getting close to Maryam.
Then, Aurin whispered mockingly," Cheater is you. Not my husband. You cheated on your husband. What a pathetic and shameless woman you are!!"
" Aha!! I am amazed to see your confidence in your husband. Anyway, I wanted to share the truth so I did it. It's up to you whether you are gonna believe me or not," Maryam said masking her angry expression.
Fuming in rage Aurin said," You know what you are a bitch."
Letting out a chuckle Maryam whispered in Aurin's ear," You have to be a bitch to survive in this cruel world. And, remember that innocent people are played most in this world."
Aurin didn't feel like hearing Maryam anymore and came out of her office. After coming out Aurin's facial expression got changed and she started breathing heavily. Recalling Maryam's words she felt like her heart will explode anytime soon. She didn't show her emotions in front of Maryam because she didn't want Maryam to get the satisfaction of breaking her marriage. But, after coming out she couldn't control herself anymore. Now, she understood why she felt that she heard Maryam's name before. Maryam was Mikaeel's girlfriend.
Aurin was walking aimlessly having a blank expression. Though she didn't believe Maryam's words, the question is why Mikaeel hid such a trivial matter from her? Why he didn't tell her that Maryam was his girlfriend?
Coming out of the building Aurin walked toward her car. Looking at her facial expression the driver realized that something is wrong with Aurin.
" Mam, are you ok?" The driver asked.
Aurin replied emotionlessly," Take me to Mikaeel's office. He has a lot to answer."