Chapter 57

The next morning she woke up early and did her morning routine. She felt sick and weepy. Probably because she spent the whole night crying over a man that looks at her with a negative thought. Nothing hurts more than saying the truth but no one was willing to believe you. It makes one broken and sometimes resentful. 

If he doesn't believe she was raped, then what was his thinking? She gave out herself to someone? Does he actually think that low of her? Yes, she had made a lot of mistakes before but people change, right? And she has repented for everything she had done before. For once why can't she be happy in her life? Every step she took has it’s own surprises and problems. 

Streaming tears cleansed her red cheeks. More came rushing down, consequently blurring her vision with waves of sadness only broken encounter. The salty release calmly flowed into her mouth so that she could feel her sorrow. 

Bitter. Unforgiving. Pain. 

She felt lifeless, she cried out her soul till she didn't feel anything anymore. She was slowly drifting into a slumber when a call came through. She couldn't remember when last someone called her. Well Amanda had called and texted asking why she haven't showed up but she didn't care. She sat up right on the bed and took the phone from the side drawer. She beamed and quickly answered the call. “Hello, mommy? I called you yesterday but you didn't pick my call. I miss you so much, please keep begging daddy to forgive me and let me come back home.” She lamented. Mommy heaved a sigh but smiled like maryam was in front of her. “How are you doing, my dear? How’s everything over there?” She asked instead. “I can't be okay knowing the situation I’m in at this moment. My life is slowly crumbling into bits and pieces.”

Even though she was tired of crying, the tears still flowed nonstop. She was so broken and helpless. She would only be at ease when she has her mother beside her. “Listen maryam, this is not the end of the world. And I want you to take this as part of your Qadr and pray for Khair in your life, okay? No matter how bad the situation is, no matter what you're facing or what you’re going through in life, there is always someone out there who's going through something worse than you, so always say Alhamdulillah.” 

Maryam nodded, “yes mommy you're right. Thank you so much for always being there. I really can't repay you for all the things you’ve done for me. I love you so so much.” She spoke, invigorated. “I love you so much more my love. And please, don't let anything come between you and mahmud. Stay far away from him. Mind your own business in the house. You know he's not your Muharram. I trust you and I know you will not do anything to tarnish our image. Surely the truth will unveil itself one day.” Maryam smiled for the first time that day. She nodded in agreement. “Yes mommy, In sha Allah I’ll do as you said. May Allah keep protecting you for me, mommy.” She said, delighted. They spoke for a while before ending the call. She was at ease now that she had spoken with her mother. She wanted to talk with daddy also but she understood that he's mad at he and surely he would learn his mistake and by Allah’s grace her life would be back to normal. Well, not completely normal but all she wished was to go back to her parents house. 

She came down from the bed when her stomach groaned. She had barely eaten yesterday cause of what mahmud had done to her. She hissed softly and quickly dismissed the thought. She had to stay positive and healthy for the baby anyways. She wore her hijab and slippers then sauntered out. She was glad she didn't see him in the living room. Maybe he was out or he was in his room but she knew he wasn't sleeping definitely. Mahmud never sleeps in. 

She entered the kitchen, looking around. It was the same as she left it yesterday night. She fried some chips and made tea. she was about to head back to her room when the view of the garden caught her eyes. She smiled, walking out to the backyard. She entered the gazebo and settled down on one of the sofas there. She kept the plate and cup on the centre table. 

She stared at a sunflower like her life depended on it. Like her world would be better if she actually keeps staring at it. She sometimes wished she wasn't human when life gets hard. She looked at the birds chirping and flying without having anything to worry about. She wished she was one. Nothing to worry about just flying around the world. She discharged the thought and sighed. She looked over to her breakfast and grimaced. She suddenly lost her appetite and felt nauseas. 

A call came through, halting her reverie. She looked at the phone beside her and simpered. “Hey Maryam, how are you doing?” Aydah asked from the other side. Maryam smiled again, second time someone was calling her that day. “Aydah, I'm doing okay alhamdulillah. How are you? How’s work?” She asked. She wondered if Aydah heard what happened. “Alhamdulillah. I....” She trailed off. She didn't know how to even start talking to maryam. She wanted to know what happened, how it happened. She wanted to be there for maryam. She knew she was having a tough time and it would be so awkward if she just starts saying something like ‘hey I heard my brother got you pregnant, is that true?’ Or ‘how did you get yourself pregnant?’ 

“I’m sensing that you've heard what happened,” maryam chuckled to ease aydah’s tension and it actually did. She heaved a sigh, “I did and I will always be there for you, dear. And we can talk about it whenever you are ready.” She gave her an assurance. “Can you come over to mahmud’s house please? I really need to talk to you,” she lamented. Aydah hesitated before talking. She didn't know how to start telling her baba has forbid them all from going anywhere near mahmud or his house. “In sha Allah I will come visit when I get the chance. Just calm down and take good care of yourself and the baby. Everything will be fine, okay? Don't stress yourself too much please,” aydah soothed and it surprisingly worked. 

Maryam couldn't help but smiled. At least she knows now she has her mother and aydah on her side. She can have some peace of mind knowing there are some people that have hopes on her and they believe in her. “Thank you so much Aydah. I really needed that. You're the best. Thank you so much, really.” Aydah laughed a bit. “I have to go now. I will inform you the day I'm coming.” And with that, they bade each other good bye. 

**

His usually orderly routine for leaving the building site he was designing passed in a blur and he was already in his car wondering where he was going exactly. His brain was screaming to go there and see it for himself. He hissed furiously and stepped on the gas, taking a turn that would take him to the house. He impatiently tapped his fingers on the steering wheel and thought of any possible ways to strangle his brother if what he was told by his father was true. 

The anger rises, unstoppable. He felt a Peng of pain his heart when the thought of maryam being with another man not him crossed his mind. He wouldn't mind hurting whomever it was even if it was his brother! But now he had the audacity to impregnate her? He would deal with him definitely. 

What angered him more was the wedding being canceled. He was so close to getting what he wanted. This was the first time he was demanding for something and didn't get it. He was so rigid with fury. He ran his hand through his hair roughly, breathing heavily. He didn't want to lose his temper especially when he reaches the house. 

He parked the car in front the gate and stepped out. He opened the gate and entered. The gate man knew he was mahmud’s brother. He greeted him but mujahid ignored. He reached the main entrance and banged on the door loudly. He knocked again impatiently. The door got swung open and she appeared. Her eyes bulged out in awe. She stepped back looking at his eyes seething with aggravate. He moved closer to hold her hand but she swatted her hand away. “What are you doing in his house, maryam? I heard what happened. Did he force you to stay with him? Did he rape you? Why didn't you tell me what he did to you?” He lamented, still trying to hold her. “What is wrong with you?” She rigidly spoke. 

He walked down the stairs, undisturbed. He looked at the both of them, hands in his pocket. “Go to your room,” he instructed giving her a hard look. She looked at mujahid one last time before walking away. Mujahid attempted to follow her when mahmud stopped him. “Is something wrong with you? What are you trying to do?” He asked, calming. Mujahid pushed him away but Mahmud pushed him back. He was stronger than mujahid was. Who could actually compare a pilot that goes to gym every single day with an architect that never bothered much about his work and body even though he had a well built body also? 

“I’m taking her with me and you better stay out of this before I punch you, mahmud.” He warned and took another step to follow her. She stood by the door of her, looking at them. Mahmud glared at her, “I said get into your room,” he shrieked making her to stumble a bit before closing the door. 

He turned his gaze back to his brother. “What exactly do you want from this girl after what you have done? Haven't you gotten enough? Haven't you gotten what you wanted? What else do you want? Kill her?” He gave utterance to, unbothered. Mujahid wanted to punch him in the face but he restrained himself, just not yet. “Get. out. of. My way. Mahmud. I will wound you if you get in my way again. She's my wife to be and I can do whatsoever I want with her,” he spat making mahmud to laugh. His words had officially convinced him that mujahid was the father of the child. 

He pushed mujahid away but before he could move again, mujahid punched his chin. He winced in pain, holding his chin. He looked up, massaging the place. He didn't know he was angry till mujahid punched him and that was the breaking point of Mahmud's patience. At that moment, he was blinded by five-course serving of rage that tasted bitter. He reached out. He went to punch him in the face. When his fist came in contact he fell to the ground wailing in pain, as he tried to shake the aching after taste, upon the taste buds of his hand. Much like coffee, its bitterness drew him in to take another sip knowing he would be more awake than minutes before. 

Mahmud tackled him and held him down so he could not fight back. He seriously doubt he could’ve anyway as his fists continued to hit mujahid’s face. He felt guilty, but he couldn’t stop. So many months of hurting him that sunk deep into his mind and added a divine spice that completed the vexed dish he was serving. He stopped hitting him when he was finally satisfied and he knew all the anger for the past two years had finally washed away. He felt relived. “I swear the next time you'd come to my house and try this nonsense, an ambulance would be the one to take you out.” He claimed looking down at his elder brother wincing in pain. 

Mujahid stood up weakly holding his head that was spinning. “You hit me right? You will surely pay for all what you've done. This is just the beginning of the war, bastard!” He cursed before storming out. Mahmud couldn't help but smile. He didn't care, he was even more than happy to even allow mujahid’s words scare him or hurt him. 

He so badly wanted to go check up on her but he restrained himself and went to his room instead. He was trying to avoid her as much as he could. It was impossible but he had to. It’s for the best, for the both of them. And it was the right thing to do. 

And he knew his brother. This was just the beginning of a new war.