Suffocation ھوٹن (A Pakistani Romance)

Part 8

Omair poked his head out from the laundry, holding a paint splattered Noorulain. His own shirt which was pristine white prior to his daughter's antics, was now a canvas of reds and blues.

It was a relatively beautiful day. The temperature was in between crossroads but damp. The lawn had been trimmed yesterday and so the green was sparkling with drops of water.

Omair had the Friday off and upon 1 year old Noorulain's babbled insistence, he found himself painting in the sun room. It only took one look at her doe like brown eyes, a spitting image of her mother's. In fact, even Noorulain silky locks were akin to Nina's.

Omair winced as cold water splatter him. He looked at Noorulain who was wiping her tiny hands all over his face and kissed her nose.

"Let's not do that, sweetheart. You're mother will have my head." He worriedly whispered, hurriedly walking into the closest bathroom.

As always, Noorulain came first. He started a small bath for her and placed her inside, washing off the paint and grime with a lightly scented soap and then shampooing her head, careful to watch out for her eyes. Noorulain loved the water, so she excitedly splashed about. She got Omair in the eyes with water a few times, but he only chuckled in response.

Once Noorulain was washed, dried, dressed and had her hair styled into twin ponytails, he carried her into the kitchen.

Nina looked up, smiling as she took Noorulain from Omair's arms. "Someone's been having fun, hmm?"

Noorulain immediately buried her head into her mother's neck. Omair wished to do the same but he was still splattered with paint.

"I'll go wash up." He stared. Nina nodded, reaching forward and brushing his hair out of his eyes. He grinned at her, smearing his cheek against hers in a moment of impulsivity and watching her gasp as she felt the cold paint.

"Omair!" She shouted after him. But he was already halfway up the stairs.

By the time he was showered, Noorulain and Nina had made their way upstairs. Nina was placing Noorulain into her day crib, smoothing her hair back lovingly.

He smiled fondly, walking up behind Nina and kissing the side of her temple. "She's beautiful."

Nina nodded, taking in the baby who lay fast asleep, rolled onto her stomach.

"Just like her mother." He teased, snaking on hand inside her baby pink kameez.

Nina playfully rolled her eyes. "Uhuh."

Omair sighed, turning her around to hug her. "We should do something tonight."

Nina laid her head against his chest. If she listened hard enough she could hear his heartbeat. "Like?"

"Like we could go to that fashion exhibition?"

Nina stilled. "No thanks."

Omair sighed. "Nina..."

"Nope."

By now, Omair knew better than to push her. "Fine. Give me a kiss then."

Nina leaned on her tip toes and pressed her lips against his clumsily. Omair hummed in approval, deepening the chaste kiss, and then prolonging their embrace by adding small sultry pecks.

"Bohot khoobsurat lag rahi ho." He raised, playing with the ends of her hair, taking in her appearance appreciatively.

Nina smiled. "Acha?"

"Gee. But you'd look even better if you wore clothes that screamed Nina."

Nina glared at me. "I don't want to go there, Omair. Bas karein."