Levirate [Haniaal/Zarry]

Chapter 24

Since spending time with his friends, Harry has found that being around people keeps the depressing thoughts away and he craves that as well when he gets home. HOME. It hasn't been that in a while. The place has lost so much of the vibrancy and warmth that he was used to. Now it was more of a torture house. A box filled with memories of love; loss, dread and uncertainty. He would rather be away from here on most nights but Yaser had warned that a mourning spouse should never be seen outside the yard after sunset and he has tried to respect that and only disobey when it is absolutely important. Damned Malik customs.

Things in the residence have gotten better. Zayn and him are not friends by any means but they are at least civil. Since his tantrum a few weeks ago, the atmosphere has gotten better with Zayn letting him be independent and assisting only when asked. They are on their way to the prenatal appointment, Zayn being his designated driver now, and Harry actually invites Zayn in for the appointment. Zayn is astonished and tries to hide his smile in fear of annoying Harry. 

Zayn is fidgeting a lot while they are sitting in the waiting room. He keeps taking different magazines, paging through a bit and pulling a different one again. Harry can tell that he is nervous and internally it is the funniest thing he has ever seen. Zayn the cocky guy has been reduced to a kid waiting to see the principal. Zayn is the first one up on his feet when the nurse calls for Harry. He abruptly sits down when Harry informs him that they are calling him for weighing and checking the blood pressure first and not for the actual check up. 

Harry comes back to find Zayn in a conversation with a couple that must have walked in when he was with the nurse. The male is discussing cravings and mood swings with Zayn while the woman sits back with a scowl on her face probably brought on by how much the husband is sharing with Zayn. Sensing the awkwardness of the situation, Harry makes his way back to the nurses' office and scrolls through social media, rating outfits while he waits for his appointment. There is no need to join Zayn and make their situation even weirder. Maybe inviting Zayn wasn't such a good idea after all. 

When the nurse comes to call him, he goes to call Zayn and he overhears him telling the male how he has it easy with Harry because his cravings are under control and mood swings are minimal. Harry smiles to himself. He has not believed that he could do this pregnancy alone and he is managing so well even if he says so himself. Hearing the compliment from Zayn offers assurance that he needed that he is on the right track and he can do this. Zayn seems to sense Harry as he stands up as Harry walks over to call him. He offers a smile to Zayn and nudges his head towards the doctor's room to indicate that they are ready for them. 

Zayn is sitting by the bed, hands sweaty as he waits for Harry who is changing in the attached room. To keep himself from fidgeting, he reads the posters all over the wall about pregnancy and childbirth. He has not thought much about the pregnancy but seeing all these development stages and the comparison of the baby's size to fruits and vegetables peeks his interest. When he hears Harry pack up his belongings, he quickly collects the brochures he finds on the table in the office and tugs them into his jacket. Harry walks out in a gown and walks towards the bed in the room, moving multiple times to find a better position to climb the bed. Zayn offers a smile when he is finally resting on the bed and they sit in awkward silence for what feels like forever.

Dr Corden walks in happily, apologising for the delay and as soon as he sees Zayn, he quips and extends his hand for a greeting "Mr Malik. It is so good to see you again. I hope you had safe travels". Zayn is momentarily confused but when he sees the slight blush on Harry's face, he can imagine how he contributed to the confusion. "Thank you doctor, all is well. I am glad I could join you guys today" says Zayn, shaking the doctor's hand.

"So are we ready to see the little ones?" Zayn turns to look at Harry in shock and confusion but Harry seems to be purposefully ignoring him as he stares at the blank screen while the doctor sets up the machine. 

"Yes we are" Harry responds with a grin. Zayn manages to pick up his dropped jaw quickly and composes himself as soon as the screen comes on and the doctor moves the handle thingy on Harry's tummy. Soon the doctor touches the screen and the image pauses. There are 2 babies that Zayn can see clearly on the screen. They are in a yin yan position seemingly and they are very close to one another. Zayn is amazed at the beauty of nature and from the looks that he is getting from Harry and the doctor, he can tell that his face must be consorted in some way. He clears his throat and smiles softly when the doctor asks Harry if he still wants to keep the gender secret. Harry nods and the doctor walks out, announcing mostly for his benefit he guesses, that he is fetching the printed pictures of the babies. Once they get his next appointment date and his bags, Harry rushes to the bathroom and Dr Corden pulls Zayn into his office quickly.

"Mr Malik, this might sound unconventional to you but I am getting a bit concerned about Harry's mental health state. Does he seem okay to you?"

Zayn is taken off guard by the question and he is not really sure how to respond. Should the doctor even be discussing this with him? He briefly thinks about shutting down the conversation before it goes further but curiosity grips him. "Yeah. Why?" he questions.

Dr Corden seems a bit uneasy at first but he takes a seat on the bed where Harry was previously laying and looks Zayn deep in the eyes. "I don't want to cross any boundaries but Harry seems to be living in oblivion. I saw the shock on your face when you found out that you are having twins and it's really none of my business what happens in your home but I feel like you are both not ready for the hardwork that is to come soon" he pauses as if he is trying to find a way to clarify what he wants to say. Zayn remains quiet, watching the doctor closely and waiting impatiently. He knows Harry might be annoyed if he does not find him by the car. Sighing loudly Dr Corden continues "I have asked Harry about preparations and plans for the birth and other normal things like the nursery and stuff in passing the other day and he brushed it off but to me it seemed like he had not really thought that far about it. I hope I am wrong about this all but I sense unpreparedness.  I apologise once again if I am overstepping any boundaries"

Zayn promises the doctor that they are okay and tries to explain the doctor's observations as momentary lapse in mind on Harry's side. He assures him that all is well and prepared and that his shock was just excitement at seeing his babies for the first time. Dr Corden seems to believe him and lets him go, thanking Zayn for being understanding and not being offended by his misinterpretation of the situation.

Harry is just walking out of the bathroom when Zayn exits the office. They get to the car and drive in the direction of the greek place. On the drive back home, Zayn cannot help but think about what the doctor said. It is true. They have not done anything at all for the baby, now it's babies and time is running out. With his uncertainty of which role he is meant to play, he is not sure whether he would be the right person to ask about preparations for the babies. Stealing a quick glance to the side, he finds that Harry is quietly munching on his salad oblivious to the battle ahead. Zayn cannot help but wonder just how sheltered Harry really was by Daniaal.