𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠'𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐢𝐰𝐢

"90. The Naming Ceremony"

"Nanhe kadam jo ghar me aaye,
Khushiyon ki bahar le aaye,
Sajegi zindagi ab meethi kilkariyon se,
Aisi pyaari muskaan humare bachche muskuraye."

-Vaidehi
(Fictionflare_)

The soft morning light filtered through the hospital window, casting a warm glow over the quiet room. In the hospital cot, the two tiny bundles of joy slept peacefully, their delicate faces calm and serene after feeding. On the bed beside them lay Ruhanika, resting deeply, her body exhausted yet content from the most life-changing experience she had ever lived through.

Rudraksh sat silently beside her, his eyes moving gently from her to the babies, and then back to her again, as if trying to imprint this moment onto his soul. His heart felt full, fuller than it had ever been. There they were, his entire world,  resting in front of him. His wife, his soulmate, who had endured so much to bring their children into the world, and their babies, so small yet holding the entirety of his existence in their tiny fists.

Though the babies were born in the quiet stillness of midnight, and now the morning sun had long risen, Rudraksh hadn't moved an inch from the room. Kartavya and Ashvik had gently suggested multiple times that he at least go home to freshen up, to rest, to change. But Rudraksh refused, his voice firm, yet filled with emotion ,"I can't stay away from them... not even for a minute."

There was no stubbornness in his tone, only the vulnerable truth of a man who had just stepped into fatherhood with a heart so full of love and wonder, he didn't know what to do with it. His brothers saw it clearly, the soft, protective gaze, the quiet awe, the depth of his attachment, and they understood. So they didn't insist again. They knew that Rudraksh wasn't just a new father, he was a man completely, irreversibly in love with his little family.

Just then, a nurse entered Ruhanika's ward, and Rudraksh immediately turned his gaze toward her, his expression shifting to one of quiet attentiveness.

Nurse: "Sir, the doctor is calling you to her cabin. She wants to discuss the things that need to be taken care of moving forward."

Rudraksh: "Okay, just give me a minute."

The nurse gave a polite nod and stepped outside, leaving a calm silence in the room. Rudraksh then reached for his phone, his fingers moving quickly as he dialed Rishwik's number. The call was answered almost instantly, within two rings.

Rishwik: "Ji bhai?"
(Yes Brother)

Rudraksh: "Rishi, chote zara Ruhh ke ward me aana toh"
(Rishi, Dear, can you please come to Ruhh's ward?)

Rishwik: "Ji bhai but aap whisper kyu kar rahe ho??"
(Sure, Brother. But why are you whispering?)

Rudraksh: "Arehh betu aur bachche so rahe hai na"
(Because Sweetheart and the babies are sleeping.)

Rishwik: "Ohh okay, coming."

Within two minutes, Rishwik entered the room and paused at the doorway, taking in the heartwarming sight, Rudraksh sitting quietly, a soft smile on his face as he lovingly admired his sleeping wife and their newborns. A gentle smile tugged at Rishwik's lips, and he slowly walked closer, not wanting to disturb the peaceful moment but eager to share in its warmth.

Rishwik: "Bhai??"
(Brother)

Rudraksh looked up and his eyes landed on Rishwik, who had just arrived, his presence bringing a subtle sense of relief.

Rudraksh: "Chote tu Ruhh aur bachcho ke pass rukega kuch der, main zara doctor se mil ke aata hu"
(Dear, can you stay here with Ruhh and the babies for a while? I'll just go and meet the doctor.)