Maryam's POV

My eyelids droop shut beyond my control,Mybody aches and need rest.I wake up and splash the cold water over my face.I come back and sit on my study table again.I restarts what I was doing and I feel blankness in front of my eyes.I take deep breath and close my eyes tightly.

My head spins,but I am convincing myself," You cant sleep,Maryam.You have to clear this exam.You only have this solution for your every problem."

I start writing again and this time I feel cold,I turn off the AC immedietly.Its crazy how I am feeling freezing cold in the month of august.

After forcing my body to study I gave up because my body have already gave up.I walk towards my bed my steps are heavy.The distance from my study table to my bed feels like miles.I finally get to my bed and put blanket over me tightly but its of no use.I am still feeling cold I touch my forehead and its burning hot.

I forcebly open my eyes and see Anaya.I try to say something but I am unable to utter a single word.I can see Doctor treating me,injecting me and even feel Anaya's presence.She is giving me cold sponge on my head.I want to tell her to stop because the coldness is chilling my bones.She is asking me if I am alright,if I need something.I can see her concerened and worried.

I try again to say something but before I could say anything.My eyelid closes and I went to a restless sleep again.I struggle with a lot of problems,Firstly I am feeling extremely cold,secondly my head is hurting really bad and thirdly I am shivering .I am annoyed of this pain,its a bitter kind of pain.I feel everything but still cant move a finger.

I feel his warmth around me.He is hugging me close to his chest and I feel his warmth enveloping me and my chill bones feel little ease.His strong hand is cressing my spine,rubbing my back giving me warmth. I am clinging to him,my hand is on his back pressing him into me.I can smell his familiar scent,smell of leather and spices.Its his smell but he is far away how am I feeling him near me.I forcefully open my eyes and lift my head to see.

Samar looks at me,his gaze soft,his eyes concerened.I lift further as I can not believe he is near me.My hands are on his chest and I am looking at him in shock and misbelief.

He puts his hand on my upper back and press me against his chest again,"Dont wake up,Love.You are sleep deprived." he says and strokes my hair.

I can feel he is sweating obviously he is feeling hot.Its scorching summer in delhi and he is in blanket with no AC with me,to give me his warmth.To save me from this bone chilling cold.

In no time I sleep again.

I wake up with a jolt and realise Samar is not near me.I look around in the room,there is no signs that Samar was here with me last night.I get out of my bed and search in the bathroom.No, there is not a single hint of him.Was I dreaming? I ask myself.

I replay that scene in my head and it seems so realistic.How can a dream be so vivid.I think its medicines effect.

I look myself in the mirror,I pull out my toothbrush and starts brusing my teeth.I feel better now,I am not feeling cold anymore.My head is not spinning.I take a hot shower and change into my comfy clothes.I feel better,Pretty better but hungry.

I rush to the kitchen to eat something but my eyes cought a bouquet on the big table in the living area.Its Roses,my favourite.I go near it and search for the usual note in it.Samar sends it with his hand written notes.But I dont find the note today and I wonder why.

" Its day 17 and I am back here cuz my stubborn wife wont take care of her."

I turn to his voice,startled.Samar is in front of my eyes,it was not my dream,he  is here.He walks towards me and I say nothing still shocked.

He lifts me into his arms in bride style,its so easy for him it seems like I weight like a feather to him.He takes me to the kitchen and drops me to the chair beside the counter.He settles on the chair near me.He is wearing black Tshirt that is exposing his biceps and veiny hands.Black color enhances his fear skin tone.

He takes the aprin and wraps it around me,"Arent you going to say anything,Love."
I blink
And
Blink
" Hii"
He blushes
"Hii,Love"
"Sorry"
"It should be me who should apologize." He says,"I shouldnt have to leave you alone."There is sincerity in his tone.
He brings a soup bowl to me and tries to feed me,"Now I am here.Lets fix this fever together."
He brings the spoon to my mouth and I forcebly drinks it.
Its bad
I dont like it
Its chicken soup
"Love,whats wrong? Why are you depressed." He leans in towards me.I turn my face away to hold back my emotions that are on the verge of explosion.

" Alina aunty told me everything that happened with Roshni and her mother." He says," I know you are depressed about that,arent you?" He says but I am busy gazing at his neck,at his adam apple,how it bobs when he speaks ,its attractive.

"I am upset with Alina aunty." I say meeting his eyes." I requested her to not let Roshni leave the NGO but she didnt listen to me.Even after knowing Roshni will suffer the same abuse and mistreatment."

He tugs strand of hair behind my ear and the action electrifies my skin.
" I know how you feel about it,Love.I know you are hurt and betrayed but can you please see it from Alina aunty's point of view." He says and the tears I was holding burst out like a volcano.I put my forehead onto the kitchen counter and cry my heart out.

"Maryam,Stop crying." He says," Lets talk about it."

" No one is ready to understand me.Everyone thinks I am overreacting." He stroks my hair," Stay away from me,dont touch me,I dont wanna talk to you." I say.

"Love"
" Go away,Go back to Hong Kong"
He laughs
"Do you have any idea what these words doing to me.I came for you and you are saying you dont wanna talk.Its hearbreaking."
" Why you came I didnt ask you to come."
" I came for my Love.Tell me whats going on your mind.Why are you not taking enough sleep.Why you study all the time.You spent your days on study table.You are skipping meals." He says,a hint of anger in his voice.

I lift my head from the table and meet his eyes," Because I want to save people like Roshni." I yell.

" I wanna do something for people like me and Roshni.Who are hopeless and vulnerable.Even after knowing everything no one saved Roshni.I begged Alina aunty but she didnt listen.I even abused my position even though I hate it,I hate it but still I demanded her saying I am your wife and its my decision but Samar no one listened.No one listened.If I had power I would have not let that happen." My last words came out muffled due to crying.

Samar's hands cradle my face, his thumbs wiping away my tears. His forehead touches mine, and the warmth of his skin makes thousand butterflies dancing in my stomach. 'Don't cry,' he whispers, his breath dancing across my lips.

He gazes into my eyes, his own eyes burning with an inner fire. I feel the air thicken, heavy with unspoken emotions. His eyes drop to my lips, and back to my eyes.Its seems like he is fighting with himself,his jaw clenching in restraint. His fingers tremble slightly against my skin, as if fighting the urge to draw me closer. I can feel him struggling.

His voice is low and husky as he speaks, "I understand,Love but can you please stop crying.I hate it."

"I cant stop it." I reply shaking my head,our forehead still touching.

" Love " He says as if he is pleading me to stop crying.

The moment seems too intimate,too private and too vulnerable.

I move away so does he and there is a moment of silence before he says," Did you actually said that."
"What"I reply,confused.
"That You are my wife,like you actually order them saying that in a proud tone."
"Stop it Samar."
"Can you tell me the exact sentence.Did you say'I am Samar Ibrahim's wife"
I roll my eyes.
"Does it matter"
"Yes,it matters a lot to me."
" Mr Delusional Ibrahim"
" Soup is getting cold." He gives me another spoonful and i feel anxiety rising," Samar I cant eat it.I am sick,shouldnt you feed me something good."

"It is good,good for your health." He says and hovers his hand towards my mouth.
"Samar please." I plead looking into his eyes.
"No excues,no seduction with those pretty eyes." He says and forcebly feeds me.

After finishing the soup he give me my medicines and I sleep again.When I wake up he was doing something on his laptop.He asks me to go somewhere with him.I change into new clothes and wear my Abaya.

We reach to an excluded alley and I am wondering where he is taking me.He stops by a house,whole caravan that is his security stops behind.We get out of it.I ask," Where are we?"
"Roshni's house"He says
" What are we doing here?" I ask confused.
" You will know." He points me to get into the house.

I step inside and find Roshni,she runs into arms,Shalini appears from a room.
She comes to me and says," Thank you,Maryam.I hurt you by not listening to you and I reunited with my husband but you still did a lot for us."
My brow furrows in confusion," What I did?"
"You dont know.Mr Ibrahim bought this house for us.He even enrolled Roshni into a pretegious school.He employed Raghav into his company.Thank you so much."

Samar did all this.For me.Its wonderful.I am still in thoughts when Roshni clings to my arm saying," He even send me toys." She takes me to her room.

When I came outside I see Samar standing in front of his Car.He is dressed  formaly as if he is going to work.He is wearing black shirt and covers it with black coat.He is wearing his sunglasses.I am happy,he fixed everything,literally everything.

His eyes catches me and he smiles,wide.His white teeth symmetrical and pretty.I walk to him in happiness to thank him.I am walking quit fast it seems as if I am running.I reach near him and I stop confused how to thank him.

" I was expecting a hug after this." He says smiling," You are right,Love.May be I am too delusional."

I lift my arms over his shoulders and hug him.He is frozen for a moment and then he hugs me back.
" Thank you." I say
" Is this moment real?" He asks.
I am on my toes to hug him.He is a foot taller than me.My back hurts so I try to pull away but he is hugging me tightly.His arms strong around my waist.

" Love,tell me is this real?" He says.
I pinch his arm hard and he pulls away in pain.
"Now you know that its real."

He smiles and rubs his arm.

" Sir,Please sign here." Someone approaches him and I turn to look,Its him.Assistent of Mr Statue.

" You" I say in shock.
He looks at Samar in confusion and fear.
" Its okay Nitin we can not hide it forever." Samar says," Hii I am Mr Statue."

I gasp," You were the person who kicked the ball at Roshni."

" Love,believe me.I did it by mistake."
" Mam,I am still going to say that She was not hurt,she overreacting." Nitin says looking down as if I am gonna burst on him like the last time.
" Obviously she likes drama just like you." Samar teases me.I stare at him in anger.
"I apologize and plus you scold me enough that day." Samar says.

I recall the incident and he is right I did scold him a lot.I was frustrated because he was not showing his face and now I know why he did that.

Samar signs a lot of papers and I thinks its house ownership papers.

We sit into the car and he takes me to a restraunt.He ask me what I want to eat.Its indian restraunt and I love how he started eating indian food.

I order Golgappas as my mouth feels bitter due to fever.I pour water into my Gol gappa and fill my mouth with it.

Salvation.

Samar is watching me mesmerized," You wanna try." I ask.

" Only if you feed me with your hands."
I raise my one eye brow.
" Okay"
I make another golgappa,I hide lots of chillies in it.
I feed him and the way he is struggling to swallow it ,I can tell he dont eat Gol Gappas.This man is lacking a lot in life ignoring such tasty things.

Spice hits him and he gives me a straight familiar expression of dissapointement.

I burst into laughter.

I love teasing him.

Poor Samar.