Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter - 137

The quiet, intimate moment barely lasted five minutes before the storm arrived.

It started with the door bursting open, and in a matter of seconds, the room was filled with voices, energy, and an overwhelming rush of love. As if on cue, the calm of the room shattered.

The moment Rahul and Athiya shared with their daughter had lasted only a few sacred minutes before the door creaked open again—and then, like a dam breaking, everyone tumbled in.

"Okay bas, I'm holding her first!" Meera announced, voice already thick with happy tears as she darted forward, only for Ahan to intercept her.

"Not fair! I'm her mama—I get first rights!" he exclaimed, trying to edge closer.

"You're not even married, how does that count?" Meera shot back, one hand on her hip, the other trying to reach for the baby.

Rahul clutched the tiny bundle tighter, eyebrows raised. "Arre—what is happening?" he laughed, glancing at Athiya, who was watching the scene unfold with a tired but amused smile.

Virat stepped between the siblings with a veteran's calm, gently placing both palms on their shoulders. "Okay, okay—calm down, junglee log. Baby ke room mein thoda volume kam karo." But his smirk betrayed the laughter he was holding back.

Sunil cleared his throat loudly, arms already half-open. "Before any of you touch her, main nana hoon. Mujhe pehle milna chahiye."

Mana raised a brow and turned to him, "And I'm nani. We share the top rank. You're not cutting the line, Sunil."

Rahul blinked at all of them. "Guys—she's literally two kilos. You'll all get a turn. Just don't start a WWE match."

Hardik, who had until now been oddly calm, leaned against the wall and said, "I say we draw chits."

"Shut up, Hardik," Meera and Ahan said in unison.

"Can I at least see her properly?" Arjun asked, trying to peek from behind everyone, only to have Mana gently but firmly elbow him aside. "Later, Arjun beta. Seniors first."

"I feel like I'm watching a cricket match where everyone wants to bat at the same time," Rahul muttered, utterly overwhelmed and still laughing.

Athiya looked up from her bed, eyes gleaming. "You all do realize she's not going anywhere, right?"

That finally made everyone pause.

"She'll be here," she added, voice soft but playful. "Every day. All yours. Just... one at a time, please. Her ears are barely even functioning yet."

Meera gasped as if that was a personal attack. "I'm not loud!"

"Sweetheart," Hardik murmured, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, "you cried louder than the baby."

That set off another round of laughter, groans, playful nudges, and mock arguments about who got to hold her first. Amidst it all, Rahul remained standing, still cradling his daughter, utterly smitten and stunned and slightly terrified.

The chaos slowly melted into a rhythm—disorderly, noisy, and laced with the kind of love only a room full of family could bring.

Mana was the first to finally cradle the baby, her hands surprisingly steady, her eyes glistening. "You look just like Athiya when she was born," she whispered, brushing a kiss to the tiny forehead. "But your calm? That's your father. For now, at least." She looked up at Athiya, her expression soft. "You've made me a nani. And you're going to be a beautiful mother."

Sunil hovered so close it was almost comical. "Okay, okay, ab mujhe dedo. Mana, thoda toh share karo," he said, his voice uncharacteristically choked. He held the baby as if she were made of glass, then broke into the warmest grin. "Welcome to the team, champ. You've already got a squad waiting for you." He turned to Rahul and Athiya. "You've brought more than a baby into this world—you've brought all of us closer."