Substitute Wife

Chapter-4

Author's pov

Maryam & Yarden were sitting in front of each other including her family members. A curtain made of flowers was hanging in front of them making two partitions. At one partition Yardan, her father and her brothers were sitting. And, in another partition, she and the female members of her family were sitting. A moulvi(priest) was also here to perform the Nikah.

Today is Yardan & Maryam's Nikkah(wedding) and everyone is happy except the groom and bride. Maryam was wearing a white colour gorgeous sharara and looking breathtakingly beautiful.

The make-up did a good job of hiding that Mark on her face that her father gifted her. But, the heavy make-up couldn't hide the gloominess on her face. Her eyes were blurring with water and she was crying silently but due to the red dupatta(stole) over her face, no one could see her tears. Even if someone notices her tears, what will happen? Nothing. Because nobody cares about her.

Yardan was wearing his usual clothing according to his culture. He was wearing a white kandura with white kifayah and black agal. He never changes his dressing style whether it's a wedding or a party. The wristwatch which was made of pure gold was screaming the wealth he has.

Looking at his facial expression no one can guess the storm that was ripping apart everything inside him. The guilt of marrying someone else was killing him from inside. He felt like he is doing an injustice to Mehzabin. But, remembering her lifeless face and his kid's faces he glanced at Maryam. Though he couldn't see her face, his jaw clenched automatically due to anger.

The moulvi asked Maryam," Maryam Baig, daughter of Abdullah Baig, do you take Yardan Al Shamsi, son of Yusuf Bin Ayubi Al Shamsi as your lawfully wedded husband?"

Maryam remained silent like a mute and automatically Mikaeel's face flashed in front of her eyes. Whimpers left her mouth but putting a hand over her mouth she controlled her whimpering. The moulvi again asked her the same question and still, she couldn't utter a single word.

" Say Qubool hai( I do), you dumbhead," Ayesha whispered in Maryam's ear and another whimper left her mouth.

Clutching the ham of her dress tightly she whispered," Qubool hai(I do)."

The moulvi asked her the same question two times more and she answered shedding tears. When the moulvi asked about Yardan's consent he said 'I do' without any delay. When the moulvi announced them as husband and wife, Maryam couldn't control herself anymore. She let her tears flow silently.

Right now, Yardan & Maryam are sitting beside each other. Noor brought some sweets and placed them in front of the newlywed. She told them to feed each other sweets and it was the first time Maryam looked at his face properly.

Looking at his expressionless wrinkled face and burning eyes, she couldn't continue looking at him anymore and lowered her eyes. Yardan isn't handsome like all other w*****d heroes. Instead, he looks old and serious. Remembering Mikaeel's handsome face, Maryam felt like running away from here. She fed him the sweets but when it was his time he didn't feed her. Without saying anything he left the venue which was very embarrassing for Maryam.

At Night

Maryam was sitting in her room on her bed holding Omaira in her embrace. Yamir was already asleep circling one of his tiny hands around her waist. The whole room was decorated with flowers since it was her wedding night but there was no excitement in her.

Her phone vibrated and it was 79th missed call from Mikaeel. Having no other choices she switched off her phone. Not before deleting all the pictures she had with Mikaeel.

Omaira stirred in her sleep when Maryam cooed," Shh.....baby........Mamma is.....here......don't cry."

Maryam started rocking Omaira singing a lullaby for her when Yardan barged inside the room. He shut the door with a loud sound and Maryam flinched hearing the loud sound.

" Don't make noise. The kids are sleeping," Maryam said politely but he only glared at her.

Taking calculative moves he stood in front of her and Maryam gulped down. She took a look at his beastly body and found him fisting his palms like he is preparing to punch her.

" You are ugly. I never saw someone so ugly like you," It was his first sentence to her and she looked at him in disbelief. Tears already made their way down her cheeks.

She mumbled with an inaudible voice," If I am ugly then what are you!!"

"You know very well why I married you?" He asked rudely.

She replied controlling her tears," Yes, for your children."

Then, he said calmly," If I find any kind of carelessness from your side regarding my children then trust me you will see the worst side of me."

She remained silent when he shouted," Words, woman!!"

" Yes, I won't give you any chance of complaining," She shuttered and a satisfied smile formed on his lips.

Then, he declared stabbing her already wounded heart," I can never give you the place which my wife holds in my heart. You are just a substitute of her."

The word 'substitute' stabbed right across her chest but she didn't mind at all. Yes, she is a substitute of her sister and she has already accepted this harsh reality. She didn't mind his words since she was also reluctant to become his wife. She has always imagined Mikaeel as her husband and she can never give this place to someone else. She might be married to him but only she knows who is the owner of her heart.

Venting his frustration on her he lay down on the couch but this small couch couldn't accommodate his huge body. Moreover, the mosquitos were making his condition worse. Seeing him struggling she thought to help him due to humanity. She pulled Yamir more towards her making enough place for him to lay down.

" You can sleep here," She said showing her side but his next sentence literally made her loath him.

He snapped at her," Stop trying to be my wife. Ok. No matter how much you try to be Mehzabin. You can never be like her."

Rolling her eyes she replied," To fir inn maccharo ka gana enjoy ki jiye. Hume Kiya!! ( Then, enjoy the singing of these mosquitos. I don't care)."

" Did you say something?" He questioned raising his brow since he didn't understand her language.

She nodded her head and he didn't say anything further. She went to sleep hugging the kids whereas he kept struggling. After having numerous bites from the mosquitoes he realized that he should have listened to her. So, without wasting another second he laid down beside her and looked at her sleepy face.

She was looking exactly like Mehzabin and he couldn't continue looking at her anymore. Closing his eyes he tried to sleep and very soon he drifted into a deep sleep. And, as expected he saw Mehzabin in his dream.

Maryam's pov

" And, this is sir's bedroom," the maid said opening the door and I was like did I come to any celebrity's house.

Well, a few moments ago I reached Dubai with my unwanted husband. Reaching his house I felt like I am in another world. I never saw so much luxury at once. Dropping me and the kids at home he went somewhere and I am not interested in knowing where he has gone.

The maids received me politely like they were expecting me. Maybe he told them. Returning home the kids were happy but I couldn't be happy. Mehzabin api and Mikaeel's thoughts were clouding my mind every time I tried to think something else.

" Umm......Where should I put my clothes?" I asked the maid showing her the luggage.

Walking towards the closet she opened it and replied," Here."

The moment my eyes fall inside the closet I couldn't control my tears. The whole closet was filled with Mehzabin api's dresses. Just sensing the fragrance I can tell that these clothes belonged to Mehzabin api. Walking towards the closet I took one of Api's clothes in my hands and tears blurred my vision automatically.

" I am sorry, api," I again apologised bursting into tears.

I said hiccupping," Api, I really miss you. I hope you will forgive me."

I was still crying my eyes out when a harsh tug in my hair made me yelp in pain. I looked behind with startled eyes and found Yardan standing in front of me raging like a bull. Before I could say anything he took away Api's dress from my hand and pushed me away. I was going to fall on the floor but the maid saved me. Balancing myself I looked at him with astonishment.

" Don't ever touch My Mahi's dresses with your filthy hands, you murderer," He shouted on my face and I stumbled back behind. The word murderer felt like an arrow in my chest.

Holding my hair tightly he growled on my face," And, who permit you to enter here?"

" Leave me," I shouted trying to free my hair from his tight grip.

Dragging me towards the door he threw me outside of the room and I fall on my knees. Hissing in pain I looked at him in disbelief and found him fuming in rage.

" Never try to enter here. This room belonged to Mehzabin and it will belong to her always," He screamed at the top of his lungs and I was still looking at him with astonishment.

Looking at the maid he ordered her," Take her stuff and her to any of the guest rooms. I don't want to see her near this room."

I was trying to digest his insults when he shouted catching my attention, "And you."

I stared at him when he said clenching his jaw," I don't even want to see your face. When I return from the office I want you not to come outside and show me your ugly murderous face."

I wasn't finding any words to say when he shouted," aidhhab baeidan!( Get lost)"