Kabhi main, kabhi tum, kabhi yeh, kabhi voh

Part 26: Parenthood

After the arrival of their baby girl, Alina, named lovingly after Sharjeena's grandmother, their home was no longer the serene haven it once was—it had transformed into a whirlwind of love, laughter, and chaos. There wasn't a single dull moment in the house. Every corner of their space seemed to echo with a new kind of joy, even if it was wrapped in sleep deprivation and diaper changes.

Alina, with her striking grey-blue eyes inherited from her mother and dark hair like her father's, became the center of their world. Mustafa and Sharjeena often found themselves marveling at her features, obsessing over how she might look and act as she grew older.

"Yeh zaroor ek heartbreaker banegi," Mustafa would say, half-proud and half-terrified.

"And who do you think she gets that from?" Sharjeena would tease, smirking as Mustafa tried to pretend he wasn't flustered.

But their talks weren't always lighthearted. Mustafa would tense up whenever Sharjeena mentioned the possibility of Alina one day studying abroad or traveling the world to pursue her dreams.

"Par isko kahin jaane ki kya zarurat hai," Mustafa would argue. "Hum isey duniya ki saari azaishein yahi laa ke de denge."

"Aur iski independence ka kya? Yaa agar yeh duniya dekhna chaahe toh?" Sharjeena would counter, amused at how her calm, rational husband turned into a protective father at the mere thought of Alina making friends or leaving their home.

Mustafa would sigh dramatically, but deep down, he knew his wife was right. Still, the thought of his little girl navigating the world without him was something he wasn't quite ready to embrace.

While Mustafa struggled with his newfound protectiveness, Sharjeena was fully immersed in her role as a new mother during her maternity leave. Despite the presence of a household staff and constant visits from her family—especially her mother—she insisted on doing as much as she could herself.

"I don't want to miss these moments," she told Mustafa one night as she rocked Alina to sleep. "Yeh ek baar badi ho gayi toh phir dobara yeh time laut ke nahi aaega."

Mustafa understood, though he secretly wished she would rest more. He tried to work from home whenever he could, coming up with excuses even when his presence wasn't necessary.

"Mustafa, tum mere sar pe kyun naach rahe ho?" she said one afternoon as he set up his laptop at the dining table.

"Arey bhai, bas kaam kar raha hoon," he replied defensively.

"Toh office jaake kaam karo naa. Tumhaare kaam mein physical presence zaruri hai. Aur ghar pe itne sab log toh hote hain hamesha. I'll be fine."

"Par agar tumhein meri zarurat padi toh?" Mustafa countered, glancing at Alina, who was napping peacefully in her bassinet. "Agar Alina ko meri zarurat padi toh?"

"Alina ko is waqt sirf neend ki zarurat hai, aur tumhein bhi," Sharjeena said, rolling her eyes affectionately.

Even when Mustafa was at work, he couldn't fully focus. He would video call them multiple times a day, sneaking glances at the baby monitor on his desk or showing his colleagues pictures of Alina. The photo frame of his little family on his work desk became a source of pride, and he often found himself staring at it, a soft smile on his face.

"She's adorable," Danish remarked one day during a meeting. "But I think you're more obsessed with her than your games."

"Is it that obvious?" Mustafa asked, laughing but not denying it.

The presence of family members made their home even livelier. Sharjeena's mother, Salma, was practically a second mother to Alina, doting on her and offering gentle advice to the new parents. Mustafa often found himself seeking Salma's guidance, appreciating her calming presence and wisdom.