DARBAAR دربار

Mahafaz-۲

" You want me to take her?" Murtuza asked groggily as he rubbed his eyes of sleep.

Hareem was visibly surprised when she heard his morning voice, the husky baritone sending a shiver down her spine.

" She couldn't sleep all night...didn't have her cradle so..." Hareem explained, looking everywhere except at him.

Murtuza gave her a lazy smile before forwarding his hands and the smile grew wider when Hareem handed over the crying baby to him.

" Hey my little love bug, don't you like your new home?" Murtuza cooed at the whimpering baby as he swayed her gently.

" Shhhh darling, it's alright. I've got you" his voice calming her down and she now just looked at him with her grey eyes wide in innocence.

" That's my girl" Murtuza leaned down and kissed her head, feeling proud of himself for having achieved that.

Hareem looked at him in amazement. He who was killing people left and right last night, could be so gentle with her daughter? A mercenary being so kind with them? Especially when no one has ever shown them such mercy!

" You didn't sleep?" Hareem asked him as she saw him baby talk with her daughter.

" I need just a few hours of rest. And last night I couldn't even get that" Murtuza smiled down at the baby as he answered her.

Hareem looked away guiltily, knowing well why he couldn't sleep. Because of their presence. Of their unwanted presence.

" I was just so excited to meet with this love bug that every time I closed my eyes, all I could see is Aa'idah smiling at me..." He continued much to her surprise.

Murtuza was excited to meet her daughter?

" And when I heard her crying, I couldn't help but come to you both" he smiled and laid Aa'idah on his shoulder, patting her back softly.

He came because he couldn't hear them in pain? What is this man!

" Thank you" she said gratuitously, her eyes reflecting the same.

Murtuza just smiled at her and moved his body in a gentle manner, effectively putting the baby to sleep.

" I'll put her down" Hareem tried to take her daughter from him but the traitor started whimpering as soon as she touched her.

Murtuza chuckled seeing the expression of betrayal on her face but stifled it when she glared at him as well.

" Aww don't be like that" Murtuza teased her and Hareem fumed at his smug face.

" I can't help that I'm soooo gooood with my lady bug!" Murtuza sang looking too proud of himself.

Hareem sulked for a second but then giggled seeing him so playful like that.

" Breakfast?" He asked after a while of patting the little girl to sleep.

Hareem nodded and walked behind him to the living room. Murtuza tried putting her down on the huge couch but Aa'idah had other plans. She started crying as soon as she felt his loss of touch.

" Oh oh! I'm so sorry!" Murtuza apologized and pouted at her annoyed face, rocking her against his chest.

" You don't want to be put down? We'll not put you down, nahi Mama? Aa'idah will sleep in our arms. My darling little love bug will sleep in my arms" Murtuza talked with her and swayed her around.

Hareem was stunned for a second when he called her Mama. It felt as if her daughter was not hers alone.

As if she belonged to both of them!