𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞

𝟒𝟑. 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐚 𝐛𝐨𝐲

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

तू रूह है तो मैं काया बनू
ता-उम्र मैं तेरा साया बनू
कह दे तो बन जाऊं बैराग मैं
कह दे तो मैं तेरी माया बनू
तू साज़ है, मैं रागिनी
तू रात है, मैं चांदनी

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

As soon as the doctor declared, "Congratulations, it's a BOY," I felt like I was floating. The world around me seemed to blur for a moment. We did it. My wife did it. Alaya, my strong, beautiful wife, brought our son into this world.

I looked down at her unconscious form, her face still etched with the exhaustion of labor but so peaceful now. My heart swelled with pride.

"Mr. Malhotra, you can wait outside. We'll shift both of them to the private ward after some procedures," the doctor said, gently pulling me from my thoughts. I nodded, glancing at our baby, so small and fragile. Every instinct told me to hold him, to protect him, but I understood I needed to wait.

As I stepped out of the operating room, the weight of the world seemed to lift. Our families were gathered in the hallway, their eyes wide with anticipation.

They all looked at me, waiting for the announcement.

"It's a boy!" I exclaimed, my voice bursting with joy. In an instant, Yuvaan and Arhaan pulled me into a hug.

"Congratulations, Malhotra!" Yuvaan said, beaming with excitement.

"Congratulations, Yuv, tu bhi mama ban gaya hai," I replied, as we laughed and congratulated each other. Arhaan joined in, saying, "Congratulations, bhai."

It was a flurry of hugs, handshakes, and smiles as we all shared in the joy of our newest family member. Our attention shifted as the door opened and the nurse stepped out, carrying our baby. My heart skipped a beat. He was so small, so delicate, and I felt an overwhelming sense of love and protectiveness wash over me.

As the nurse handed him to me, I hesitated for just a second, afraid I might somehow hurt him. But as soon as I cradled him in my arms, everything felt right. A warmth spread through me, a connection so strong I couldn't put it into words. His little face was scrunched up in the cutest pout, and I laughed softly to myself.

"Poora Maa pe gaya hai," I whispered, seeing so much of Alaya in him.

Dad, smiling proudly, rolled a few notes above his head to cast off any evil eyes, a tradition that had always made me smile. He handed the notes to the nurse, while Mom gently kissed our son's head.

Aadhya, unable to hold back her emotions, started crying tears of joy, and Aarti Maa lovingly placed a soft kiss on his forehead.

"Mr. Malhotra, Mrs. Malhotra has been shifted to the private ward. You can meet her now," the nurse informed me. I nodded, still holding our little one close, but knowing it was time to check on Alaya.