Samar's POV

Breathe,Breathe,Breath but How.It seems like oxygen is not enough in this room.

My fingers twitch with the urge to draw her closer, defying the restraint I've somehow managed to muster. It's astonishing, really - the love of my life, my everything, Maryam,is perched on my lap, and I'm exercising a monk-like self-control. But only I know the truth: it's taking every ounce of willpower I possess to keep my hands from wrapping around her, to hold back the tidal wave of emotions that threatens to engulf me.

As she turns to face me, our eyes lock, and for an instant, I feel my heart threatening to burst free from my chest. My anger momentarily forgotten, I'm transfixed by the piercing gaze that are capable of destroying me.

"Mr. Ibrahim," she says, her soft voice slicing my heart. "Work.Let me see What's so important for you more than your wife." A hint of mischief sparkles in her eyes, but I'm not fooled. I know she's trying to manipulate me, to weaken my resolve. I'm still reeling from the pain she caused me. Trust was always a struggle for me, and she was the one person I'd let my guard down for. But she betrayed that trust, and now I'm left to pick up the pieces of my broken heart.

I can feel her warm breathe dancing on my face,she is so close,so intimate,so romantic.

Its a disaster.

You cant melt like this,Samar.

I refocus on the laptop in front of me.The work I am pretending to do is just a flimsy excuse to avoid her.

As I am typing on my keyboard she starts touching the back of my hand,its all just so sudden,so new and so unlikely for Maryam.Why is she doing this to me.

Stop it,Love

Stop.

You cant resolve my resiatence.

I am angry with you,I should avoid you,I should stay away with you.

But look what I am doing.Shamlessly enjoying your clossness.Shamelessly inhaling your fragarance.

Its coconut and rose scent, I dont know what is it.Is it a body wash,soup or what but its amazing

And

Its distracting.

She plays with the veins on my hand, lightly pinching and releasing, her touch a gentle tease. I feel my resolve weakening, my fingertips frozen, my body temperature rising. I try to ignore her presence, her touch, her body molding into mine, but it's the most difficult task.

I close my eyes, seeking calm, but she continues, her touch a gentle persuasion. I'm lost, unsure what she's doing or why, but I know it feels good - her touch, her scent, her hair brushing against my chin, silky and enchanting.

She turns to me, and I'm caught, my heart racing. My heart skips a beat as she leans in, her voice a whispered challenge: "You're not very good at pretending." With those words, I lose control, my fingers clenching into a fist. "Maryam," I say, my voice rough, as she starts touching my hand again. She doesn't reply.

"Maryam, stop," I say again, my voice firmer.

"I'm sorry," she replies without looking at me "Please forgive me. I didn't mean to hurt you. My intentions behind that were pure. I just wanted to help you."

She looks up at me,her eyes guilty and desperate for my forgiveness.

"Do you think your apology can fix it?" I ask,looking deep into her eyes.

"Do you have any idea how much trust I had in you?"You were the last person I thought would distrust me, Maryam."

Her eyes drop, disappointment etched on her face, as if she can feel the weight of my pain and the hurt she's caused me. Then, she lifts her gaze, her eyes locking onto mine with a deep intensity. She reaches out, her fingers brushing against my cheek in a gentle, tender touch. "Love...no Maryam." she whispers, her voice barely audible."Please,forgive me." She request again.

I remove her hand from my cheek,"Okay." I say.

Her eyes lights in happiness," Did you forgive me?"she asks.
" Yes" I reply.She hugs me in excitement,her hands wraping around my neck tightly.

" Thankyou,Thankyou,Thankyou." She exclaims.

She sits up from my lap,I hold her arm,"Listen to me.I have to tell you something."

Her face shifts in confusion," I contacted the lawyer for our divorse."

She remains silent for some seconds then says," You are joking,right."

" I am being serious.We will leave for India on saturday and by the time we arrive,my lawyer will have prepared the papers." I say trying to stay calm and emotionless.

I know she knew I was lying the other day when I accused her and Rayan. But to protect her from my dad's wrath, I must let her go. It's better to lose her than watch her suffer the same fate as my mother. I'd fight the world for her, but risking her life, even at a mere 1% chance, is horrifying to my soul.

My love for her has changed a lot. I used to think that having her by my side would be everything, and I even took her away from Rayan to make her mine. But now, my love is different. I just want to see her happy, and it hurts me to see tears in her eyes. I want her to have a happy life, whether it's with me or someone else. As long as she's happy and safe, that's all that matters.

Letting her go is tearing me apart. I am not strong enough to do it.It's like ripping out a part of my soul. I'm consumed by the thought of living without her. But despite the agony, I know I'm making the right decision. My love for her is stronger than my desire to keep her by my side. I'd rather see her happy and free, even if it means I'll never have her again. The thought of her smiling, laughing, and living a life without me is a bittersweet comfort.

"Samar," she says, her voice trembling. "Why are you like this? Why don't other people's emotions matter to you? You decided to marry me, you loved me as if I was the only person who mattered in the world. You made me dream of a fairytale life... and then you suddenly drop me, saying you want a divorce because you don't feel deserving of me. Where was I in all of this? It feels like you were the only one in this relationship."

Her tone is filled with emotions, her words laced with hurt, confusion, and a deep sense of betrayal.

"Believe me, it's best for you," I reply, trying to sound convincing. "I'm saving you from being ruined. I was never good for you. Didn't you refuse to marry me in the first place? I'm still the same person, so leave me."

She looks at me, incredulous. "Wow," she says, her voice trembling. "As if it's that easy. I'm a human, I have emotions." Her body begins to shake, her words laced with pain and anger.

Her words made me silent.I am searching for words to make her believe that its all to save her life.

"Say something"She asks,"You're just going to throw me away like I mean nothing to you?" she asks, her voice cracking. "After everything we've been through, after all the promises you have made?"

I take a deep breath, trying to remain calm. "Maryam, please understand..." I start to say, but she cuts me off.

"No, Samar, I don't want to understand," she says, her voice firm. "I want to know why. Why are you doing this to me? Why are you throwing me away from your life?"

She's crying now, her body shaking with sobs. I feel a pang in my chest," I am not throwing you away.I'm doing this because I love you," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'm doing this because I want to protect you from the pain and the suffering that I know I'll bring into your life."

Maryam's eyes, filled with sadness and anger, lock onto mine. "But I don't want to be protected," she says. "I want to live with you."

I wipe her tears with my sleeves,"Why are you acting like the world is about to end?" I ask my voice gentle, "Didn't you want this? You never wanted to marry me. Remember?"

She closes her eyes and say something under her breath I lean down to hear," Its not that hard just say it,just say it."

"Say what?"I ask.

"Samar..."Her eyes searching mine. "I love you."

My heart skips a beat.

Its not true.

No Love, tell me it's a lie.

You are joking.

I try to process her words, my heart racing with emotion. Maryam loves me, I think to myself, still trying to wrap my head around the revelation.

I take some steps to calm my speedy heartbeats before saying," You cant."

"What?"She asks.

" You can not love me."

" Its not in my control.It just happened."

"No it can not happen like this.You are just confused, its not love.You feel sorry for me after reading my journal.Thats all" I say.

She looks at me and blinks several times," Are you serious?" She asks.

" Yes I am.Forget everything.We are having divorse and I will fix everything the way It should be." I state.

She comes closer to me," No we are not having divorse because Mr samar Ibrahim I love you,you are traped with me.There is no escape from this.You and Me will live together always and forever." She says in a warning tone, her eyes peircing into mine.

There is determination in her cute warning and I feel flutter in my chest.However I have to convinse her to agree to this divorse.

" Try to understand." She puts her finger on my lips to shut me.Her eyes intense,locking onto mine.

" Shut up.I dont wanna hear the word divorse again." She says.

I am shocked,amazed and confused watching her confidence.

Who is this woman.The maryam I know is a shy girl.From Where she gathered such courage

A sly smile spread across her face, and she leaned in, her voice taking on a flirtatious tone. "Don't force me to bite you again, Samar. Understand? We're not having a divorce."

There is a long moment of silence where we both stare into each others eyes.

A knock on the door breaks the silence.
Maryam gets to answer it, saying "You should focus on the important work. I'll get the door."She points at the laptop laughing.

As I watch Maryam walk towards the door, I'm still reeling from the flirtatious tone she used just moments before. Her words echo in my mind.

I'm so caught up in my thoughts that I don't even notice Ayesha standing at the door.Maryam nods and follows Ayesha out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I'm still trying to process the events of the past few minutes, and I'm not sure what to make of Maryam's bold behavior.

.............................

"Maryam, you've learned cooking!" Anneanne exclaims, beaming with pride as Maryam brings the dishes to the table.Its great to see Anneanne getting healthier day by day.

"No Anneanne I just helped in chopping and other stuff." Maryam replies.

The lunch table is less crowded than usual, as most of the family has returned to India. I wonder why Rayan is still here, but he is also not present here.

"Maryam, sit down now. The helpers will bring the rest of the dishes," Ayesha instructs, smiling at her.

Maryam takes her seat beside me and begins serving me food. "Eat," she says, her eyes sparkling with warmth.

As Maryam serves me food, her hand subtly brushes against mine under the table, sending a spark of electricity through my body. At first, I think it's an accident, but when her foot deliberately nudges mine, I realize she's doing it on purpose.

I try to ignore the flutter in my chest, but Maryam continues to tease me. She reaches under the table to adjust her napkin, and her hand grazes my thigh, making my heart skip a beat.

"Maryam, stop it," I whisper urgently, trying to sound stern, but my voice comes out husky and uncertain. "There are people around us." I glance around the table, hoping no one noticed us.

"I will not stop until you call me love," Maryam whispers, her breath tickling my ear.

I'm grateful that the table is large and the conversation around us is loud, masking our hushed voices.

"Maryam, stop," I say, trying to sound firm as I remove her hand from mine.

But Maryam just giggles and continues to tease me, her fingers tracing patterns on my thigh under the table. "Just say it, Samar," she coaxes, her voice husky and persuasive.

"Samar, what do you think?" Anneanne asks, breaking the spell that Maryam's touch had cast over me.

I snap back to reality, trying to focus on the conversation. "About what?" I reply.

Anneanne raises an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her voice. "About the charity event tomorrow. Where is your mind, Samar?"

I force myself to concentrate, trying to push aside the distracting memories of Maryam's touch. "Will you come with me?" Anneanne asks, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. " I want to do charity for you two as well. I haven't given any charity for your wedding yet."

I hesitate, concern etched on my face. "But Anneanne, you're not well enough to go there," I say, trying to reason with her.

Anneanne waves her hand dismissively, a determined glint in her eye. "I'm good now. I have to get rid of this responsibility. You, me, and Maryam will go there tomorrow morning."

I nod, trying to focus on the conversation,but Maryam's touch is distracting, sending shivers down my spine.

Maryam seems determined to get what she wants, and I'm not sure how much longer I can resist her charms.

" You just have to say Stop,Love and I will stop." She says.

I am wondering how to handle this new version of Maryam.I will find out later but right now I should give her what she wants.

As I say the words "Stop, Love," Maryam's face flushes with a delicate blush, and she immediately stops her teasing. I feel a pang of surprise, followed by a strange sense of disappointment. Why do I feel sad that she's stopped?

I glance at Maryam, who's now focusing on her food, a shy smile still playing on her lips. I realize that, despite my initial resistance, I was enjoying it.

...........................

I am watching the silent water of swimming pool,thinking about Maryam's confession and how am I gonna convince her for divorse.

I am sitting on a deck table,mind filled with number of thoughts that haunts me.

But I try to focus only on her confession the way she told me she loves me and I am traped with her for my whole life.

Cute.

I say.

"Whom are you talking to." I turn to see Maryam.

" Are you stalking me." I say sounding normal when I am a whole mess inside.

" Stalking is a harsh word.I would prefer admiring." She replies.

I smile how she still remembers my words .I said those words to her when we first met in KINDNESS.

She sits beside me at the table, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "What are you doing here alone?" she asks, her voice husky.

"Nothing," I reply, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Let's go for a walk on the beach," she suggests, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Maryam, please try to understand me," I say, trying to reason with her.

But she's not having it. She stands up, her face set in a determined expression. "I'm leaving. I can't listen to this again," she says, her voice firm.

I get up and follow her, trying to stop her. "It's important, Maryam. We're not good together. Let's just do this."

She spins around, her eyes blazing with anger. "Do what?Try to say it." she demands.

"Divorce."

With a sudden movement,she pushes me into the water.

She laughs.

Enjoying messing with me.

I stand in the pool and remove hair from my eyes to see her."I expect you would stop this nonsense from now on."She says.

I pull myself out of the pool and stand over her, water dripping from my hair. Maryam looks up at me, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Why do you want a divorce? Is it because I bite you, or do you have a valid reason?" Maryam asks, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

I clear my throat, trying to sound serious. "Well, it's not only the biting reason, but it's the cumulative effect of all your teasing and pushing me around."

Maryam raises an eyebrow. "Oh, I see. So you're saying I'm a bit too much for you to handle?"

I nod, "Maybe just a little."

Maryam's grin widens, and she takes a step closer to me. "I'll take it as a compliment."

I sigh, feeling a surge of affection for this playful, teasing woman. "Maryam, let's be serious."

She nods, her expression turning mock-serious. "You're right. Let's be serious. Let's have a divorce. So, what will you give me in alimony? Can I ask it by myself?"

I nod, confused. "Yes, you can."

Maryam smiles mischievously. "I want you as alimony."

I raise an eyebrow. "You're not good at flirting."

Maryam grins. "Then why are you blushing?"

"No I am not."I say looking anywhere but not her.

But Maryam just laughs, and then her expression turns serious. "Get this nonsense out of your head. There will be no divorce. You are mine. Understand?"

I smile to myself, feeling a sense of surprise at the sudden role reversal.

" I am going alone for a walk as You are not interested." She says and walks away and I am left wondering what to do next.