Out Of Wreckage?

Chapter Twenty One

Good things take time.
From what I have learnt, joyous moments are short lived. They just vanish quickly till we can cherish it but terrible things makes time to halt and every passing second feels like a decade.

I had patiently waited so long only to witness this day. This moment was worth it. She was worth it. These past months of my pregnancy were dreadful.

My lips were quivering as tears rolled down my cheeks, my hands were full of sweat as I remembered each day till now when I'm finally holding her.
I planted a small peck on her forehead.
She moved slightly.

She was like a feather, so light and delicate in my arms.
My daughter!

She was the only good thing that had happened to me this year. I was cradling my baby girl after nine long months of wait.
All this time, I wasn't scared for myself but I was for my baby.
I was willing to sacrifice my life but the only thing that bothered me was my baby's future. If I had died, I couldn't have left this baby alone with him. Be it a boy or girl.

So I fought to survive. Every single day till today when I was in labour.

Aslam didn't show up at the hospital when I needed him. I was restless, in pain and he simply wasn't there. Although I didn't expect anything as such from him. I was prepared to endure it alone.
He was never there with me. Not even during my pregnancy cravings or my check ups.
My health was deteriorating with every passing day but Nida and her father, Naseer were always by my side.
I owe them a lot for being around.
For saving my life.

Aslam was adamant on calling a midwife but my water broke early then I was due which happened in his absence. Thankfully, Nida and her father rushed me to the hospital on time. Mr. Naseer had recited the Azaan in ears of my daughter.
Whenever I looked at him, his eyes had the same sensitivity for me like my Abba had for everyone.

It has been eight months since I lost him. His loss still stings my heart and I feel terrible that my daughter would never know her grandparents.
I want my child to be exposed to a healthy home with love and Chacha's family is my only way to escape this prison. I don't want to let my daughter grow up in that household but at the same time, I can't burden my responsibilities on their shoulder. They have already done alot for my father and secondly, Chacha's family is huge with Fahad, his wife Arsheen and their two children .
I'm still unsure of Aslam's reaction. He's very powerful man in terms of money and status.
He can destroy anyone in seconds. He can snatch my baby away under false pretense and no one would believe me.
I can't let it happen.
I can bear anything but can't let him take my child away.
I want a sole custody of my child but Aslam has the power to quickly turn the tables.

On the other hand, Chacha is having a hard time with finances. The medical expenses of Abba almost made them ran out of money. Even the money we got from our house he sold couldn't cover it alone.
Occassionally I got the opportunity to talk with them and that's how I came to know about their condition.

Rumana had mentioned that she is accompanying Chachi to pay me a visit. They'll be here by tomorrow. Farhana Chachi had insisted despite of Aslam's numerous attempts to avoid their intrusion. She wanted to be with me during my time of delivery. Aslam just gave up when he had no specific reason to refuse.
I don't know how will I face them.
Apparently, they have some news to share as well.
I hope it to be a good one though.
Atleast for now there is nothing more precious to me then this little angel in my arms.

I want to protect her and I'm going to do it from her own father.
I'm not ready to correct his misconception of our child to be a boy.
I shuddered on just a thought of how will he react to the news but I can't lie.

Lucky is the woman whose first child is a girl. She is a gift from you, my almighty Allah! Please help me. I wish to treasure her,  not hide her.

I sent a quick prayer and placed her in the crib next to my bed.

I was exhausted. I definitely needed rest but I had to be up in an hour to feed her again.

I closed my eyes and slept like I was sleeping after ages.

My eyes fluttered open and my hand immediately reached the crib only to find it empty.

My gut twisted and I was quick on my feet.

My daughter wasn't in there.

"Excuse me, where's my baby?" I asked one of the nurses who had just entered my room.

"I don't know ma'am, I just started my shift." She was frightened.

"Where's my baby?" I panicked.

"Don't worry ma'am, she must be taken for cleaning. I'll ask another nurse." She said.

"How can you take her without letting me know?" I yelled at her.

She flinched, "I didn't... I'll check with the other nurse. Don't worry." Before I could ask her anything, she had already stormed out.
I was mad at myself more than I was at her. I should have looked after her.
Where is the my girl?

The nurse returned with another lady in white uniform.

"Ma'am, your husband had taken her while you were asleep."

I froze. My husband! Aslam.

"Where is he?" I asked her after a pause.

"He is sitting outside with the baby in his arms." She mumbled.

"I'm sorry for lashing out at you." I apologised to the young lady.
She gave me a curt nod and got back to her work.

"Can you please ask him to come inside? I want to meet him." I requested the other woman.

"Okay."

I was eagerly anticipating his arrival as soon as she left.

It was something which I wanted to avoid yet was ready to face it.

And then I saw him walk through the doors, carefully carrying the baby in his arms.

His eyes held that solicitude which I had never seen since I met him.

He stood by the crib and carefully placed the baby in it.

I was speechless. I didn't know what to say.

"How are you?" He asked me in a low voice before he looked at the crib where our baby was sleeping peacefully.

I had never heard him talking with such calmness.

"I.."

He smiled.

"I'm fine." I managed to say.

"Sorry I had taken her outside. I didn't want to disturb you if she cried out loud." He uttered.

"You know it's a girl!" My voice was edgy.

"Yes, our daughter." He replied and placed his hand on mine.
It was like I was living a dream which was far away from the truth.

This was not the man I knew. He was not Aslam with whom I had lived in a hell of eleven months.

What had suddenly changed him?

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Until next time.
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