Kabhi main, kabhi tum, kabhi yeh, kabhi voh

Part 17: Bunny and Car

The kitchen was a disaster zone—spilled sauce on the counters, uncooked pasta scattered on the floor, and a lingering smell of over-roasted garlic. Yet, despite the chaos, Mustafa and Sharjeena stood side by side, beaming with pride as they looked at the creamy pasta they had managed to create. Mustafa couldn't help but laugh as he wiped some sauce off Sharjeena's cheek, feeling an immense sense of joy just being in this moment with her.

As they sat down to eat, Mustafa found himself watching her more than his plate. He realized how long it had been since they had shared a meal like this—no rushed bites, no lingering tension, just easy conversation. Sharjeena seemed more at ease than she had been in months, animatedly telling him about her plans after her promotion and the little victories she had achieved at work. Mustafa listened intently, occasionally sneaking bites of his pasta, and then shared stories about Danish, their expanding game, and his hopes for the future.

After dinner, they tackled the messy kitchen together, falling into a natural rhythm. It reminded them of how seamlessly they used to work as a team before the distance had crept in. Mustafa couldn't stop smiling every time their hands brushed while cleaning or when she scolded him for not wiping the counters properly. By the time they were done, the kitchen was spotless, and they were laughing like they hadn't in a long time.

That night, Mustafa couldn't wait to get into bed. For the first time in what felt like ages, he had nothing weighing on his mind—no deadlines, no guilt, just the excitement of spending an intimate night with his wife. As he lay on his side of the bed, he looked at Sharjeena, who was standing by the bookshelf, seemingly lost in thought. His smile faltered as a flicker of worry crept in. Was she uncomfortable with the idea of sleeping together like this? Had she grown used to being alone? He hesitated, then asked softly, "Sharjeena, tum theek ho?"

She turned to him, her cheeks flushing slightly. After a pause, she shyly admitted, "Nahi kuch nahi, bas voh.... ek new routine hai raat ka jo follow karti hoon aajkal, toh tumhaare saamne...bas thoda ajeeb—um."

Mustafa sat up, his confusion evident. "Kaunsa routine?" he asked gently, not wanting to pressure her but desperate to know what was on her mind.

Biting her lip, she sheepishly picked up a book from the shelf and held it out to him. "Baby ko stories padh ke sunaati hoon sone se pehle," she said quietly, her voice almost apologetic.

Mustafa's heart melted instantly. The image of her curled up with the storybook on her belly the other night flashed in his mind, and he felt a deep sense of love and admiration for her. Without hesitation, he extended his arms and said with a soft smile, "Idhar aao mere paas, saath mein padhte hain."

As soon as Mustafa extended his arms, Sharjeena's face lit up with a brightness that made his heart flutter. She climbed onto the bed without hesitation, slipping into his arms as if she belonged there—and she always had. Mustafa wrapped himself around her from behind, resting his chin gently on her shoulder. He couldn't help but marvel at how she still fit perfectly against him, just like she used to, despite the gentle curve of her growing baby bump. She felt small and delicate in his embrace, yet he knew the strength she carried within her, the strength that had held them both together when things had fallen apart.

In her usual matter-of-fact tone, Sharjeena began, "Okay, toh yeh story hum aadhi padh chuke hain. Let me catch you up." She turned slightly to look at him, her eyes gleaming like a teacher ready to explain an important lesson. Mustafa suppressed a grin and nodded with mock seriousness, his eyebrows raised in exaggerated concentration.

"Ji, ji, bataayein. Main sunn raha hoon," he said with a teasing smile.

"Good," she replied, her tone firm but playful. "Toh yeh story ek chhote bunny ki hai who is trying to prove to everyone that he can climb the tallest hill in the forest to reach the juiciest carrots at the top. He's small, but he's determined. Abhi tak usey raaste mein ek chaalaak fox mili hai aur thoda sa bad weather. But he's not giving up."