In the quiet, sunlit cabin of Finden Pvt Ltd’s London head office, an unexpected ring shattered the calm. Rishi glanced at his client with an apologetic smile before answering the landline, a growing tension in his chest.
Caller (maid’s urgent tone): "Sir, ma’am is in labor. We’re heading to St. George's. Please, come as soon as possible."
A moment of shock and then adrenaline hit Rishi. His voice trembled slightly as he responded, "Get her there right away! I'll be there in 10 minutes."
Without a second thought, he grabbed his coat, leaving his bewildered client and rushing out of the office. As he got into his car, the weight of the moment hit him — Kriti was in labor, and their child was on the way. A flood of emotions surged through him: excitement, fear, and a fierce determination to be by her side. He couldn’t afford to miss this moment.
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Kriti was in a whirlwind of pain and anticipation. Each contraction brought a wave of agony, but her heart was steady, fueled by the thought of finally meeting their child. Her maid held her hand, murmuring words of comfort, worry etched on her face as she watched Kriti endure each painful contraction. The journey to St. George's had been a blur, and now, every ticking second felt endless.
As Rishi approached the hospital, his phone rang again. He picked up, and it was the maid’s familiar, calming voice, though strained.
Maid: "Sir, we’ve just reached St. George’s. The doctors have taken her inside."
Rishi’s grip tightened on the steering wheel, his heart pounding as he neared the hospital entrance. Once parked, he barely remembered to lock the car as he sprinted towards the maternity wing, pushing past his own nervousness and racing against time. His mind raced with prayers, memories, and hopes for the little one about to enter his life.
Inside the hospital, Kriti was now in the delivery room, her face pale but resolute. She focused on breathing through the pain, drawing strength from the thought of holding her baby soon. The medical team moved with calm precision around her, their instructions blending with her own thoughts. Despite the fear, she held onto a sense of peace — knowing that Rishi would be there soon, by her side.
Finally, Rishi reached the reception, almost breathless, when a nurse approached him with a soft, reassuring smile.
Nurse: "Mr. Khanna? Congratulations! You have a healthy baby boy, and your wife is doing just fine."
Relief washed over him as he struggled to take in the moment. A sense of wonder and pride filled his heart as he realized he was now a father. His eyes sparkled with joy, and he silently thanked Kriti for her strength, her patience, and her love.
Moments later, he was led to the room where Kriti lay, exhausted but peaceful, with a small bundle cradled in her arms. Their eyes met, and no words were needed. In that silent exchange, they shared a lifetime of dreams, hopes, and love. Rishi moved closer, his hand trembling slightly as he reached out to touch his son for the first time, his heart swelling with emotions he had never felt before.
Rishi leaned in, his eyes moist with emotion as he gently brushed his fingers over the baby’s soft cheek. Varun’s tiny fist instinctively curled around his finger, gripping tightly. Rishi felt a surge of awe at the little life he now held responsibility for, realizing that nothing would ever be the same. He looked at Kriti, her face still flushed from the effort and intensity of childbirth, but her eyes were filled with a glow he had never seen before. She looked at him, a silent question in her gaze: “Did I do okay?”
Rishi (whispering with a choked voice): "You were incredible, Kriti. I can’t believe we made this… he’s perfect."
Kriti gave him a tired smile, her heart swelling as she watched Rishi cradle their son with such tenderness. Every ache and pain faded in the warmth of that moment, the pride and love evident on his face.
The maid, who had stayed nearby, couldn’t help but wipe her own tears as she witnessed the new family. She had known Kriti for years, seen her through many phases, but this… this was different. This was pure happiness, something she knew would only grow with time. Her hands folded in a silent prayer, thanking the heavens for the safe arrival of the baby
As the room settled into a hushed calm, the soft coos of the newborn filled the space, creating a symphony that Rishi would remember forever. The gentle rustling of the nurse adjusting the blankets, the rhythmic beeping of the monitors — all of it blended into the background, leaving only the sound of his son's delicate breaths at the forefront. Rishi couldn't take his eyes off the tiny bundle in his arms, marveling at the way the baby's eyes fluttered, struggling to open as if trying to get his first glimpse of the world.
Kriti reached out a hand, and Rishi gently shifted closer so that their fingers met. Her touch was weak but steady, her eyes glistening as she looked at their baby boy. The exhaustion etched on her face was replaced by the glow of fulfillment. A soft laugh escaped her lips, and Rishi leaned down to press a kiss on her forehead, his gratitude for her bravery seeping into that simple, tender act.
The nurse’s voice broke the silence. “Would you like me to take him for a moment?” she asked kindly, noting the way Kriti’s eyelids fluttered with fatigue.
Kriti shook her head ever so slightly. “Not yet,” she whispered. Rishi smiled, understanding. They needed these precious minutes together, just the three of them, savoring the reality that their world had irrevocably changed. He adjusted his hold so that Kriti could run her fingers over the baby’s soft hair. Their son wriggled slightly, letting out a tiny sigh, and Rishi felt laughter bubble up within him at the sheer miracle of it all.
The nurse nodded, giving them space as she stepped back, her gaze soft with understanding. The light streaming through the window fell on Kriti’s face, illuminating the shadows and painting them in gold. Rishi knew that outside the walls of the hospital, the city was buzzing with its usual fervor, but in this room, time had stopped, wrapped in a moment that was theirs alone.
The minutes passed with Rishi and Kriti exchanging quiet looks and whispers, the weight of this new chapter slowly settling in. The baby stirred, a small yawn stretching his tiny features. Rishi’s heart clenched; he hadn’t known it was possible to feel so fiercely protective, so utterly overwhelmed with joy. The moment their son’s eyes opened — deep brown and curious — a lump rose in his throat. He looked up to see Kriti watching too, her eyes misty with love.
“He’s got your eyes,” Rishi said, his voice cracking slightly.
Kriti smiled, letting out a breath that was half a laugh, half a sob. “And your stubborn chin,” she teased lightly.
Rishi chuckled, the sound rich and full, a release of the tension he hadn’t realized he’d been carrying. He pressed his lips to the top of his son’s head, breathing in the newness of him — that unique scent that he knew would forever remind him of this very moment.
Kriti’s eyes started to droop, her body succumbing to the exhaustion. Rishi noticed and nodded, a silent agreement passing between them. “Rest, love,” he said softly. “I’ve got him.”
She sighed contentedly, letting her eyes close as she drifted into sleep, knowing their son was in safe hands. Rishi sat by her side, holding their boy close, feeling the weight of his heart swell with every passing second. This was his family, and in that moment, the world outside could wait. All that mattered was here — a promise of love, laughter, and endless tomorrows wrapped up in a tiny bundle resting peacefully in his arms.
