63
Maryam's POV
After Kareem left angrily, we all took a sit as I explained everything to them
"No! That was not how it happened! " Mom exclaimed. Surprised, I take a look at Kareemah and she gave me the look of 'I told you so'
She started "I walk into this hotel one day to lodge there coz I have a business meeting with some business partners,on my way going in I saw her
Is this not the girl Kareem said he wish to marry? I blink my eyes so many times just to be sure and when I move closer to her she was indeed the one
"Safeenah?" I called out her name
The cigarette on her hand fell out of shocked "no pick it up" I encourage in a sarcastic tone
"No ma" she shook her head
"So this is the real you? This is what you've become? No wonder my daughter never likes you. Why? Because she knows more about you than anyone. So you smoke? You're the one influencing my son into a bad habit! You made him spends money a lot!"
"In fact I don't have anything to say to you...Don't just let me see you around my son..is that clear?" I warned 
"But Ma, I love your son"
"Shut up! What do you know about love? Tell me, what do you know about it? You this useless girl! " 
I came back home and told Kareem he won't marry that girl,I told him to be far away from her. Then I was hoping that you'll say yes to my proposal and luckily for me you did which I was so happy
The next third day I receive a call that Kareem got into an accident. I got panic, I wanted to call my husband to inform him but it will only worsen the situation coz at that moment he was not in Nigeria, I can't just blow that news to him knowing that he could get panic too and lost his business deal
"Ma,you don't have to worry, your son is perfectly fine,just a few bruises and in few fays it will be gone. He just need a lot of rest. Luckily he and the other lady was saved"
"Lady?"
"Yes ma'am"
"Which lady are you talking about?"
"They were two of them in the car when the accident occur and Alhamdulillah nothing happen to the both of them"
Sure it would be Safeenah
"Can I see her? Is she awake already?"
"Yes,sure why not" 
****
I entered her room and our gaze locked together immediately. I move closer to her 
"You almost cost my son his dear life"
"I'm sorry" she said
"Do you think sorry could solve this?!'
"I want you out of my sons life....don't try me Safeenah,remember I saw you at the hotel that day smoking,but I never explain in details to my son, so don't make me"
"I'll give you 5million naira,leave my son and don't ever show up your face to him again"
"But-"
"Take it or leave it...and Safeenah you might regret not accepting my offer"
After some minute she finally agreed
"OK ma,I'll take it"
"Good... And one more thing,for my son to forget about you entirely you need to pretend that you're dead"
"What?!"
"No I can't do that ! Kareem loves me!"
"Additional two million " I added and she accept again
"We both planned it and that was how Kareem agreed to marry you Maryam but I never threatened her,no I didn't. She took 7million naira from me as an agreement that she won't show her face to my son again"
"What? You did all this? And you never let me know about it?" Dad asked angrily
"I'm sorry Abdul,I'm really sorry,I didn't mean for all this to happen! I only thought may be by doing this Kareem will find his happiness and change his ways....I'm sorry" Mom explained crying
"Mom please it OK... You know your health,you're not that strong please... And for Safeenah...,Kareem believes her a lot, it will be hard to make him realise the truth but I'll make sure it happens, please just put your faith in me please Mom"
"Thank you dear,I'm so blessed to have you as my daughter in law"
I smiled "I need to leave now. I'll call to check up on you"
"OK dear. Do take care of your self"
******
It's in the night already and Kareem is not here yet. I called his number numerous times but he didn't pick up.
Safeenah is not at home and so is Kareem. Could the two be together? I was still pacing around the house when the door opened. The two showed up and Kareem was smiling. As in real smile 
He has never smile like that to me
He opened the door for her like a very gentle man,still they didn't noticed my presence 
"Great! Wonderful! " I said clapping my hands together
Good! Now I've gotten their attention
"Welcome home lovers,I see you two have a very nice day" I said sarcastic
"Maryam it's not what you think?" Safeenah said showing a pitiful face. That, I know it was because Kareem take a look at her coz the moment he look back at me she smirked at me
Great!
"What are you still doing here? Aren't you suppose to be asleep?"
"Why? Are you disappointed that I ruined your moment with your love?"
"Mar-"
"Don't you dare utter my name Kareem!"
"Mar-" 
"Shut up! I wasn't talking to you, I'm talking to my husband! " I cut her off
Kareem got angry and take hold of my wrist as he drag me to our room. The moment we entered, he closed the door with force 
"What's wrong with you?" He asked after pacing around for a while
"Let me ask you...what is really wrong with you Kareem? Tell me! Oh now are you regretting it? Because Mom made her lie to you? Because she was suppose to be your wife and now I'm? Is that it? Do you want her back now? Tell me do you?!"
"You know what? I'm tired of all this! Must you bring up her matter anytime we had an argument? She haven't done anything wrong!"
"And I'm the one at fault? So it was now my fault?! Fine! Why don't you just divorce me and marry her instead since she's now back! Why don't you?!"
He never replied instead he looks at me with disappointed face
"What? I'm no more the perfect Maryam again right...so why looking at me like that? I'm the bad one here! I'm the reason you can't be with her! So just divorce me so you'll be free from me!"
"WILL YOU PLEASE KEEP QUIET!!! " He yells angrily. Now if look could kill I would have been dead by now
"What has gotten into you Maryam? What? Ever since that girl showed up since yesterday you've turn into something else" he said sadly
"Oh now I'm the bad one here? Do you even know what you're saying? You're the one who has changed! You changed because she's back! You change because you regret marrying me! You even got angry at your mom for making you marry me!"
"Do you regret it now? Of course you do! I mean you never love me! You only want me back because you have no one to lean unto and now that the love of your life is back you changed into the cold, monster I used to know!! " I angrily said as tears come out from my eyes and flow down my cheeks
"What?" He asked surprise. Even I my self is surprise but I quickly mask it off
"Yes Kareem! You've changed to the old Kareem I used to know... When you learn about what happened you got angry...have you forgotten the statement you made in the morning? You said mom made you marry someone else because of her own interest
"But no you're wrong! She was only helping you but it seems like you hated the fact that you married me....that is why you left in anger,you never come back home since then, even at work you didn't show up instead you were busy enjoying your day with your love! You were enjoying it with that Safeenah of a girl Kareem!"
"Tell me am I nothing to you again? Am I? If you don't want my presence in this house again you could have just said it instead of making me go through hell just because the woman you love is back to your life!"
Still with the sad face,Kareem brought out his phone from his pocket and called Faruq 
" Hey man what's up? " faruq said
Not allowing Kareem to say anything he continued "Please Man don't think about anything for now, don't feel sad, just as you've said that you want nothing but for Maryam to be happy, it will surely happen. Yes she might be hurting for now but I know she can't forever...you said it your self that you love her and you won't let anyone come in between you two not even Safeenah"
"Are you home already?"
"Just entering" he answered shortly
"Good! Just sit her down and say sweet words to her, I think that's what you could do to make her knows that you're sincere about your love for her"
"Faruq you know what? I'll call you back....Thanks" he said and hang up
What? He was with Faruq since all day? But why was he and her entering and smiling together? God! I've made a big mistake. I was busy getting angry that he would leave me and here he is trying to fix things between us
"Did you hear that?" He asked
"Kareem I-"
"Instead of knowing the truth you keep blaming and accusing me"
"I-"
"I'm so disappointed in you Maryam " he said and left the room,slamming the door so hard 
"What have I done? I just ruin everything for good " I thought crying