66
Maryam's POV
I felt someone kissed my forehead "wake up beautiful, its morning already" 
I don't need to be told who it was. Of course it's my handsome husband
"No please, lemme sleep" I whined 
"Come on today is Saturday, you have to get up,we really need to go to Faruq's house"
"Oh! The routine visit!" I whined again still not opening my eyes
"Can't they come to our house?" I asked finally opening my eyes showing him my puppy face
"They came last week remembered? " he asked again
"Now I need to bath my baby girl,so stand up or I carry you my self...you choose"
"Kareem!" I exclaim and he only gave me a mischievous smile
"I love you baby,now up"
"I can bath my self!" I insist
"And who said you can't?"
"But you just-"
"Can't I bath you? Enough with the talk baby, now stand up"
"But-" Kareem cut me off as he scoop me up and walk towards the bathroom door
******
I can't believe him,he did bath me and also choose the cloth I was to wear. I smiled seeing him being caring and lovingly but my heart beat rapidly anytime I remembered that Safeenah is in our house
She told me she doesn't love Kareem and she will make sure she makes his life miserable. What has Kareem done to deserve this? Definitely there must be something, then what could it be?
I can't ask Kareem, he trust her a lot, and also I don't want him to see me as the nagging type. It best I find proof before I give out any allegation against her
"Hey! Are you alright? " I heard my husband voice. Never knew he was already beside me
"Erm....yes...yes I'm...I'm fine"
"You sure? You seem lost,do you want to tell me anything? I'm all listening"
"No!!! I mean nothing...nothing" I smiled nervously. I hope he believe my lies
He looked at me with an unknowingly look before he finally shrug off his shoulder 
"Kareem believe me, its nothing..I promise*
"OK beautiful, I've heard you"
******
"Are you set?"
"Yes I'm good to go"
Kareem stretch out his palm as I placed my mine on it. He brought my hand to his lip and kissed it "I love you"
"I love you too my Hero" 
We went out from the room and walk down stairs. I was busy smiling at my husband until we bump unto Safeenah
Great! The queen of dragons is here! Just great!
"Hi Kareem! Good morning " she said smiling
"Good morning Safeenah" Kareem gently replied
I saw her giving Kareem a flirting look. I'm burning from inside already
She move closer and pretend like she was about to fall. I'm a lady also,I know all the tricks. Kareem quickly hold her leaving my hand, I felt cold all of a sudden the moment he removed his hand from mine
"Are you alright?" He asked her
There we go
"I'm fine"
"Be careful next time,you could easily hurt your self" Kareem scold her
OK, I'm tired of seeing this caring side
I won't get angry coz I don't want my husband to be mad at me,so instead I choose to help,if she's smart,I'm twice smarter than her
I quickly pushed Kareem away and stood in front of her "are you alright? I hope you're not hurt?" I tried my best to sound like I cared
Kareem looked at me with shocked or surprised and Safeenah,guess she knew what I meant coz she only gave me a mischievous smile
"I'm fine Maryam....thank you for your care...I won't ever forget this day....I'll make sure I repay you your kindness"
"Will be waiting for that day"
"Is there any problem?" Kareem interfere
"Of course not,was just trying to see if she's fine and not hurt,you know she staying here is very important " 
"Yes you're right...OK shall we?"
"You two are going out? "
"Yes, why?" I asked
"Erm.....nothing. Bye"
"Bye and take care" I said 
Kareem looked at me one last time before we both walk out from the house
You don't know me yet Safeenah if you're a snake I'm more ahead of you
******
"What?" The two ladies asked with surprised look as I narrate all what happened to them
"Do you mean she said and did those things?" Kareemah asked with wide eyes
"Yes she did, in fact I thank God that Kareem finally come back to his senses,I think he kind of believe me that's why he later talk to me" I said and sighed
"Maryam I think we should make sure she leave that house for good" Mufeedah suggest
"You're not that desperate as me,in fact I want her out of our lives but I don't know how,Kareem likes her and above all he believe her!"
"Bestie,Mufeedah I think I have an idea"
"An idea?" We both asked Kareemah and she nod
"What idea?" We asked as she motion us to move closer to her. She whispered it to our ears as I turn to Mufeedah with a smiled face
"Excellent! " I exclaim happily and she smirk
"I told you girls,don't belittle this angel sitting in front of you"
"Enough joor......you've come again with this your bragging bragging. Anyways thank you for the brilliant idea,I love you so much. I'll make sure I tried it which I'm sure it will work"
"What idea? And what are you trying?" We heard my husband voice behind us as I glued to where I sit. None of us could talk as we all look at each others face
I quickly turn to him and saw him standing with Faruq and Khalid
"What idea are you talking about?" He asked again
"Hi there Kareem! What are you doing here?" I tried to change the topic
"Don't dare change the topic Maryam, and you Kareemah you're infecting my wife with that virus in you right?"
"No!"
"No!"
We both said at the same time
"Hey! No accusing of my fiance OK?" Khalid warned and Kareemah only stick out her tongue at Kareem. The glare she receive from him didn't go unnoticed by everyone
"Kareem calm down OK? We were not doing anything bad,this is girls talk please"
"Really?" He asked raising one of his eyebrow
"Uh um" I answered as Kareemah and Mufeedah nod too
"It evening already we need to go"
"What?"
"I'm not surprise,you guys are so engross that you didn't even know that it almost 8pm...gossip much" Faruq said and he received a glare from me
"Admit" I said in a dangerous tone
"Fine! My mistake...sorry" he said and I smiled
"I really don't want you two to leave" 
"I'm sure you guys will see each other before next week, so stop the acting"
"Why are you always harsh? " I glared at Faruq
"And why do you always act like a baby?" He asked back too
"I-"
"OK fine! stop it you two.....and you let go,we need to go to my parents house remembered? "
"Yes....yes"
We all went out as we leave for our respective house,since we were going to my mother in-law's house,Kareemah decide to go with us and Khalid went home
******
"As salami alaikum"
Wa alaikumu salam" Dad was a seat reading news paper and Mom? I think she's in the kitchen
"Kareem! Maryam!" Dad exclaim happily as he stood up from his sit,guess mom heard him coz she ran out of the kitchen and a genuine smile was plastered on her face
I knelt and greet Dad "Good evening Dad"
"Evening dear...stand up dear" he said 
Kareem greeted him too and I ran to Mom,I was about to kneel and greet her as she quickly pull me up "you don't have to dear, how are you doing?"
"I'm fine Mom....thank you"
"Mom" Kareem called her
"Kareem I'm sorry I-" she said and Kareem cut her off by hugging her
"I'm sorry Mom please forgive me"
We advise them to go to Mom's room so they could have heart to heart talk and they both oblige
*****
I'm in Kareem's old room while Kareemah and Dad decide to take a walk around the mansion. Guess they want to have father and daughter talk
As I walk into his room, I saw a lot of his pictures. When he was a kid riding a bicycle with Kareemah, they both look cute. I saw many of his drawings and art work but all of a sudden something caught my attention, The signature. Why does it look so much similar like my benefactor's signature 
K. Olatunji?
K. Olatunji?
K. Olatunji?
"What?!"
Could it be him? Could it be that Kareem was my benefactor? But how? He doesn't know where I school right? He can't be the one who sponsored me
"But the signature " I said out loud
"It look so similar right?" I heard the voice
"Dad? " I turn surprised to see him behind me and how did he know what I was talking about?
"Dad,you-"
Yes my dear,I knew about it all along. Please dear don't get mad at him. When you left he was so devastated that he couldn't get him self. I can't bare to see him in that state so I talk to your Dad, he gave me your contact and we track your location,I told him about it and he was so happy, fortunately the school you attend, every year they normally submit name of the best students to him coz he's one of the sponsors and luckily for him your name was among, by seeing that you made him have the strength to fight for the love he had for you"
"He....he-"
"I know you are surprised but please think about it"
"But Dad-"
"It fine my dear, I know how you feel but try to think of it in a positive way OK?"
"I will like to take a rest dear"
"O....OK Dad.... Good night"
"Good night my dear" he said and walk out
I slump my self on the bed as I start thinking about it. So it was Kareem all along,he...he was the one who sponsored me? He was the man I've been dreaming to meet? He was the man who has always inspired me,he was the one,it was my Kareem all along! It was him
K.Olatunji?
How comes I never thought about it?
K? Kareem
"I...I need to talk to him...I need to thank him...." I thought as I stood up in a swift and walk out of the room with big smile on my face
"Wait a minute Maryam,he is having a talk with his mom,it won't be right to disturb them" my subconscious advised me
"Kareemah, bring me the plantain" I heard mom voice
Oh! So she was already in the kitchen...lemme quickly talk to Kareem then I'll go and join her in the kitchen
I placed my hand on the door knob and twist it slowly. I entered and his back was facing me. I don't want him to know that I was there in the room so I tip toe till I reach where he was standing. I smiled and tickled him from the back
"Safeenah!" He called smiling 
I stood there frozen looking at him,he was also shocked too
I knew it! He was here busy thinking about her while I was thinking about him
"Mar.....Maryam I.... I-" I raise up my hand to stop him from saying another word
I didn't know when tears flow down my cheeks 
"Mar-"
"I see you're busy....excuse me" I said and ran out crying
Chapter Sixty Two
Maryam's POV
How dare him! He keep saying that I get paranoid over nothing, what about this? He called out her name! He was busy day dreaming about her! 
This is getting out of hand,I can't cope anymore!
I've made my decision. Kareem, I'll free you very soon. I'm going to do so
I wipe away my tears and walk to the kitchen
"Mom....Kareemah " I called and they both turn to look at me. Kareemah raise a brow at me and Mom? Thank God she didn't notice anything
I walk towards them smiling "Mom you're here?"
"Yes my dear,I want to prepare today's dinner"
"Mom, you don't have to stress your self. I'm here and so is kareemah,we will do the work"
"No!.... I insist"
"Mom please it's not proper for me to be here and you'll be doing the work,let do it"
"OK fine! Stubborn much" 
"You can go and join Dad Mom, I and Maryam will do the rest. When we are through, we will let you know"
"OK my babies.....and Maryam thank you so much. Because of you, Kareem forgives me,even though I know I was not totally at fault, I believe that I made a mistake but all the same thank you my dear"
"Mom you don't have to thank me...and I didn't do anything...seriously"
"You did,and he told me. Anyways, I'll leave you two to do your work"
"OK Mom"
Immediately Mom walk out, Kareemah slapped me so hard on my right arm "what was that?" She whispered
"What was what?" I pretend as if I don't know what she was saying
"Don't you dare pretend like you don't know what I'm talking about!" She glared
Again I  burst into tears "I'm tired Kareemah" I confessed
"You're tired? What happened? Wait a minute! Was it my brother again?" She asked and I nod my head
"What did he do?"
I explained everything to her as she immediately hug me "it's fine Maryam"
"Nothing is fine Kareemah, he still loves her! He called her name! He was busy thinking about her!" 
"Please Maryam calm down OK? Please" she beg
That night I didn't talk to Kareem and I don't wish to do so. I decide to sleep in Kareemah's room. We were not able to leave for home coz it's late already
******Next Morning******
"Maryam please talk to me" we were in his car already going home. He has been trying to talk to me since morning but I never gave in
"Maryam, this silence is killing me. Please talk to me"
Still I never answered him. We arrive home and I quickly hop down from his car
"Maryam wait!" He called but I ran to our room and lock my self up
I don't care if she's home, I don't care if she knew that we are not in good terms. After all, he only thinks of her. I can't believe this is what I'm getting after going through so  much just because of him
"Maryam" the bang on the door make me jerk out of fear
"Maryam open this door" he said in a dangerous tone
"I swear if you don't open this door, I'm going to break it down and believe me I'll do just that" he threatened
What? Will he really break it? Is he crazy? If I'm ask to buy that door I'm sure I won't be able to afford it
"Maryam before counting of three, open this damn door if not I'm-"
I didn't let him finish as I quickly open the door panting out of fear
He entered,locked the door and roughly drag me me to sit on the bed
"Kareem what are you doing?" I asked out of fear
I hope he won't start beating me again? What if he beat me? What if he slap me? What if he punish me?
What if....what if, was the only thing running on my head  
"Ka-"
"Maryam I love you and only you! Please believe me,I only say out her name because...because..... Shit! I called out her name because she's the only woman who can do that to me,she used to tickle me from the back then before I met you. You don't do that to me,I mean we've never do anything as such"
"I know it's wrong of me to call out her name but it wasn't intentional, please believe me! I'll never leave you for her"
"Why?"
"Why?" He asked confused
"Why? Was it because you will feel bad for me? Or because you already promise that you won't leave me?"
"Maryam I beg you, believe me I wasn't thinking about her,in fact I was thinking on  how to get an apartment for her,I know you're not free with her being in our house and that's why I want to make this decision. But please believe me,I swear with Almighty God that I never intend to make you sad...please"
"You can be angry at me,you can hit me,do anything you want but please I can't bear to see you getting hurt all the time. You deserve happiness,I know I've not been giving you that and that's why I'm hating my self for that...sometimes I think I don't deserve you... You're too good for me and I'm nothing but giving you sorrow and-"
I cut him off and kissed him with all my heart,I pour out my anger,love,fear on the kiss. Few minute later we both pull apart to get some air
"Kareem I'm scared" I said sincerely
"I know...I won't make promise again but you'll soon see the Kareem you deserve"
"I hope so" I replied smiling
"I won't promise, but I'll make sure I change for good
"OK I've heard you Mr K. Olatunji" I smirk
"You....you knew?" He asked surprised
"Well let say I find out from Dad after seeing the signature on the painting you placed on the wall in your old room"
"Maryam I-"
"You don't have to explain anything to me Kareem,Dad told me everything, in fact, I want to be the one to thank you for giving me the courage, for supporting me. Without your courageous words I wouldn't have known what to do with my life" 
"You're not mad?"
"Why would I be? I'm just sad that I hated the man whom I thought was the reason for my heartbreak which in fact he was actually the man who make my life colourful again,he was the one who gave me the courage and above all he was the one who sponsored me....Thank you so much Kareem,you really are the best"
"I'm glad that you're happy" he said softly
"Of course bad boy"
*****THREE WEEKS LATER*****
It been three weeks and everything has fallen into places. I'm now my husband favourite, even though I never followed the advise Kareemah gave three weeks ago, Kareem treat me good now,I'm now his first priority,even before his work. The house helps complain about Safeenah all the time to me,telling me how bad she treat them and how much hatred they had for her,they wish she could leave the house as soon as possible. Though it was also my wish too but what can I do? My husband now trust me a lot and I don't want to break that trust. If he can put me first before anything then why can't I do the same thing?
I told them to keep flowing with the way things are going for now and that very soon she will leave the house
And that's the truth, because next week is Kareemah and Khalid's wedding, which I really can't wait,not because of Safeenah but for my friend who's more like a sister to me
We have been preparing for it for the past weeks now,and today I was suppose to be with them for the shopping but these days,I'm always feeling headache then in few minute it will turn to dizziness. I don't really know what is wrong with me. Kareemah and Mufeedah suggest I stay home today believing that I'm stressed a lot, and I think that is the truth, I really need a lot of rest. But this dizziness is getting out of hand, in fact yesterday when I was preparing food for my husband I nearly pass out, if not because of Kareem, thank God he came home early and he entered the kitchen on time. He insist we inform the doctor but I begged him and assured him that I'm fine that I don't need the doctor. Though he agreed but he gave strictly order to the maid not to let me do any work in the house. He's so unbearable some times!
And Safeenah? Well thank God! She no longer cause trouble again,even though she make the life of the maid miserable in the house, though she never tried to cross my path as she now knows that I'm now in charge,I mean my husband don't even acknowledge her presence in the house anymore and I'm so happy. I just don't know how to say this to Kareem, and I haven't gotten evidence yet but he needs to know that Safeenah is not whom he thought to be
My Mom, my mother in-law and Khalid's Mom travelled to get some wedding stuffs,they are all eager for this wedding and so was I
I took my phone and dial Mufeedah's number
"Hello girl" she said as she pick up
"Hi baby " Kareemah said too
"Put it on speaker" I heard Kareemah said
"So how are you feeling now" they both asked
"I'm fine,you girls could have let me followed you. I'm sure I'm really missing a lot"
"Yes baby you're, but don't worry we're done shopping. On our way to your house OK?"
"OK, you guys should not stay long"
"We won't, see you in thirty minute " they said and hang up
I sigh and get up from the bed,I stood in front of the mirror and saw my face getting pale
What's really wrong with me? Was this how fever disturb people? Huh! I hate getting sick" I thought before going into the bathroom
********
"Hello"
"Hello Ma'am"
"I hope you didn't forget about our plan?"
"Not at all,in fact I'm preparing already" the guy said to Safeenah and she smirk
"Good! I need you to be at the house by 12 noon,I'll text you the address,we need to carry out the plan that day if not everything will get ruined" 
"Got it!"
"Copied Ma'am"
"Good....see you till then" she said and then hang up the call
"Wow! Wow! Wow! Let see who laugh last Maryam,I know you intrigue this,you made Kareem did this, I'm sure of that. You wanted me to leave this house in next week time right? Well let see who will leave after my plan is been accomplished. You will leave and I'll make sure I ruined his life,he will regret knowing me and above all he will regret letting you go, coz by next week your happiness will turn to sadness I promise you" Safeenah thought to her self as she laugh wickedly before taking a cab back home.