'Baba'
The word rang in his ears. The word in itself sounded sweeter than honey. From the very moment he wanted to do everything for his little miracle. He wanted to be the child's hero, as he hoped his father would have been for him, if he had been with him. He wanted to be with his child. To fulfill the child's every wish. To hear him or her before they could even speak. To be there for his baby, for his wife is all he wanted from then on.
He had always respected every relation he had been subjected to, be it his parents, his sibling, his family, or his extended family. He always believed it was his duty to carry forward the relations and the legacies of his family and thought he was bound to do every bit. But with this little bundle of joy, who has not even entered the world yet, he didn't feel any obligation to maintain, the little one, his little one, was a miracle to him- a miracle they created.
It wasn't like he didn't love Meerub before she broke this news to him, but his love for her manifolded the very moment she told him, rather surprised him with the best gift he could ask for. He had tears, of estacity , of pride, of love and affection. It was in that very moment he promised to himself he would always be there for his little world that consisted of his love and his baby, the two souls he could not even imagine his being now.
"Murtasim, tum baba banne wale ho" is all he could hear, all he could feel. And his heart knew no boundaries, he engulfed her in the warmest hug ever. And with a bright smile he thanked Allah for his blessing. He kissed Meerub's head and a tear dropped from his eyes as they were not able to hold his emotions anymore. Khan Murtasim Khan cried. He cried out of joy. Out of escalation. He never knew this type of happiness existed until today.
As his tear drop fell on her shoulder, she broke the hug and wiped his tears as gently as possible, as if he were a baby. Both of them had this weird elated look in their eyes, one that screamed happiness.
"Ye meri zindagi ki Sabse behtareen news hai. Main tumhe bata nhi sakta main kitna khush hu!" He left a chuckle at the end.
"Tumhe bolne ki zarurat bhi nhi hai, tumhari shakal , aur tumhari aankhen sab bayan kr rhi hai."
They smiled at each other and endulged in another bone crushing hug, careful of the little nugget now between them.
***
"Mashaallah.. Allah tumhe har khushi se nawaze. Tumhari aulaad tandrust ho. Meri toh aaj saari tammannaye poori krdi tum dono ne." Maa begum cried with happy tears.
"Feena, ye lo, apas me baant lena" she handed feena bundles of notes after utaro-ing meerab's sadqe.
Anwar hugged murtasim with a big smile and turned towards meerab.
"Mujhe bhi bohot Khushi ho rhi hai Aaj. Tum toh mujhe baap nhi maanti, pr ye..ye toh mujhe nana keh kr hi pukarega na. Humare rishte ko nayi pehchan dega ye bacha. Iss khandan ka varis hoga ye. Bohot Mubarak ho" Anwar showered his love. Meerab too, without any protest, accepted his blessings owing to the auspicious moment.
" Maa begum aaj toh aap bhi mujhe Naa rokiyega, phupho banne wali hu, aaj toh jam kr dhamal hoga iss ghar me" maryam screeched.
"Aree jee khol kr Dhoom machao. Poori duniya ko pata chalna chahiye ki iss gaddi ke jaa-nasheen ki aulaad aane wali hai, iss gaddi ka waris aane wala hai. Main dadi banne wali hu. Meerab tum chalo mere saath, tumhare sadqe utaarne hai, aao!" Off she went with meerab leaving behind a bunch of extremely happy people and haya.
"Mariyam, bete zara mithaiya mangwao aur poore khandan me bhijwane ki taiyaari kro"
"Ji. Main abhi mithaiya mangwati hu aur saare intezamanaat mukkamal krti hu." She was about to leave but saw haya's face, "haya tum bhi saath chalo, akhir ye bacha tumhe bhi phupho hi kahega"
"Tum hi kro ye sab,mujhe kuch kaam hai" and she left with tears in her eyes- not of happiness obviously!
" Mariyam! Kya zaroorat thi.."
"Aree rehne dein Bhai,thodi der naraz rhegi theek ho jaegi fir. Use kisi na kisi tarah toh samjhana padega na, toh aise hi sahi. Aap rukein main mithai laatu hu"
***
As meerab entered her room she saw him standing near the window staring at the stars as if searching for someone.
"Kya hua? Kya dekh rhe ho?"
"Baba."
"Kya matlab?"
"Mere liye iss shabd ke mayane bohot zyada hai meerab, wo kehte hai na jo cheez na mile uski keemat zyada hi samajh aati hai."
She rubbed his back sensing his emotions.
"Aaj jab tumne bola na ki main baba banne wala hu aisa laga jaise...jaisee..I don't know how to explain, bas laga jaise life ne mujhe dobara chance diya hai 'baap-bete' ke rishte ko jeene ka. Mujhe nhi pata ye rishta kaisa hota hai pr jo bhi ho.." he turned towards her and took her hand in his, " I promise you, humare bache ki hifazat main apni jaan de ke bhi krunga, world's best baap ban ke dikhaunga .."
"Mujhe is promise ki koi zaroorat nhi hai murtasim kyuki main jaanti hu ki tum world's best father ho, aaj se abhi se kyuki jo aadmi apni aulaad ke aane pehle hi uspe apni jaan waarne taiyaar ho usse behtar baap toh nhi ho sakta na koi."
He kissed on her forehead, resting his head on hers, still trying to process the word 'baba'.
***
I really don't know what I have written, just some rant, still hoping y'all like it.
Do give feedbacks!
{Feedbacks will help me know whether to continue it or not (◠‿◕) }
