"Come on Nandini,you can do this na?" said Manik wiping off the sweat from Nandini's forehead as she continued pushing hard. There were complications and here she was in labour earlier than expected.

"Can you please shut up Manik you are not helping at all" said Nandini struggling for breath as her nails dug deep in Manik's pal. Well,he couldn't even complain right now. Her eyes were reflecting her state and tiredness. It was 6 hours and the baby had no intentions of relieving the mommy yet.

"Mrs. Malhotra, you can't stop and quit. It can be very fatal" said the doctor as she saw Nandini drifting in to unconsciousness. "Can you hear me Mrs. Malhotra? Oh shit. Mr. Malhotra you move out. This is critical now. We need to go for Caesarean" said the doctor

"What arey but you said it was a normal delivery what's wrong?" said Manik clutching tight on to Nandini's hand as she lay, barely conscious now.

Manik had no choice but to agree. This was all too much to sink in. Amayra had a minor surgery a few weeks back , she was doing well now. Cabir was back. He was no more with Navya now.  She had a miscarriage as she slipped from the stairs, while she was threatening Cabir to kill herself because of the distant behaviour he was throwing at her. Cabir knew there was something wrong with her mental stability. He could never forgive her for being the reason that their child was not in this world. A part of her also knew it happened for good. He couldn't imagine Navya as a mother to his kids now, after all the negligence she was showing for Radhika. Radhika lived with Cabir for Navya was in a mental asylum now. He couldn't just leave the little girl like that , he loved her ofcourse. The relationship they shared would be very complicated for her to understand but he knew she would be happy, with Nandini , Amayra and ofcourse the lil one on the way.

Manik came out of the labour room and settled himself on the bench with his head in his hands. The family knew a caesarean was up as informed by the doc. Cabir settled beside Manik rubbing his shoulders giving him the much needed comfort.

"This is not how we had planned it " said Manik , softly yet audibly. He was on the verge of breaking out. It were instances like these which made him realise how much he needed Nandini, and how much dependent was he on her. "I didn't want to fall in love this hard man. She seems so helpless right now and I can do absolutely nothing"

"Manik, remember what Nandini always says? God's plan is greater than all of ours. We are seeing the present and probably the near future but God is seeing it all in a wider sphere. It's going to be okay." said Cabir.

Manik nodded at him. "Cabir, you go home to Amayra please. Take mom with you. I am here"

"Are you sure? Amayra is okay. I called Abhimanyu. I will be here to help." Cabir insisted.

"Alright, you drop mom home and then come" said Manik. Nyonika had been unwell too. He knew she needed rest too but she wouldn't budge. Sometimes , the love that she had for Nandini surprised him so much but then it's Nandini, can make anyone fall in love with her and oh so hard.

Cabir took Nyonika after bringing Manik a coffee. His eyes showed be needed it.

"This doesn't have the magical effect of Nandini's coffee but might work for the time being" said Cabir making Manik chuckle faintly.

It was an hour now. 15 minutes more when he finally heard those muffled cries. Not very clear, not too faint. Just enough for all his tensions to fly away,enough for that smile and content to be back on his face. He couldn't wait and be patient anymore now. It was a matter of few more minutes when a nurse came out holding a tiny tot in her hands. Manik could not stop his tears anymore now. Before he knew they were flowing like anything, down his eyes. He could feel the happiness and also the haziness in his eyes. He looked at that little red face.
He looked at the nurse and extended his hands for her to give him what was his, his baby.

"You are a father to a daughter, Mr. Malhotra" said the nurse.

"How's Nandini? Is she okay?" asked Manik , the lines of tension making their comeback.

"Yes sir, just a little weak and unconscious as of now. We are shifting her to the room." Manik nodded as the nurse went away. He messaged Cabir about the same. He was too overwhelmed to put words to his happiness,just yet.
He went in the room , his eyes not leaving those doe eye for a second.
He was so happy his daughter had Nandini's eyes, the doe cute ones and also her lips, her round face. He couldn't contain his happiness and feeling the same, the little girl started crying, wailing loudly, too loud to not let a person go deaf.

"Seems like papa is too inexperienced even now baby" said Nyonika as she made her entry taking the baby from Manik and dropping a gentle kiss on her her forehead.

"Hi bud, here's your chachu cum future best friend" said Cabir kissing her little fair feet.

Manik smiled as he saw his baby going from arms to arms as everyone cooed something or the other in her ears. He didn't realise his tears were still flowing until Cabir wiped them before hugging him tight.

"What the actual fuck man. Kitni jaldi bade ho gaye na ham. Tu do bacchiyo ka baap hai baap re" said Cabir patting his back as Manik hugged him.

They were all admiring the princess sleeping in her cot when the staff brought Nandini in the room. Her face looked drained. Completely drained and tired. Manik kissed her forehead and sat waiting for her to open her eyes with her hands in his. The family left leaving them and the baby as it slept in the cot. Cabir had to go pick up Amayra and Radhika who were too excited to meet the little baby.

It was a minute or two when Nandini woke up. A smile made way on her lips as Manik's tear stained face welcomed her.

"So many tears and such an overwhelmed face husband.I am sure it's a girl isn't it?" said Nandini looking to her side in the cot.

Manik nodded before giving her a brief kiss on her lips. "Thankyou thankyou so much" whispered Manik in her ears as her smile grew wider.

"Nandini, you remember when Amayra was born? I had told you how I didn't know how to react and my hands were trembling as I held her. I was overjoyed , overwhelmed and you had told me how it would get better when we have a second child. That I would learn what to feel. Nahi hua vo. When I saw her , I went blank just like that day. My hands were trembling, just like that day. I can't get used to this feeling ever. Feels just as new as then.Our daughters are so beautiful,they take after you" said Manik taking her lips in a kiss yet again. Nandini nodded at him as she gestured him to bring the baby to her. Manik got up as he passed on that little girl who whimpered a little but as soon as she found Nandini's warmth, she was back into the solace again.
Nandini was feeling it all again, so new ,so raw. A feeling that felt inexperienced. She looked at Manik nodding at him "We can never get used to this". Said Nandini before kissing her forehead and keeping her close to her chest.

"What do we name her?" asked Manik holding her little fingers in his.

"Not our department, Amayra would never forgive us if we decide the name" said Nandini looking at her as Manik chuckled nodding.

"Dad" they heard Amayra who made their way to them. The smile just grew wider as she saw Nandini's arms.

"She is so pretty mom, just like you. She has your eyes" said Amayra coming closer as Manik guided her to his laps shifting the stool closer.

"See, she also agrees" said Manik kissing Amayra's forehead as Nandini chuckled.

"Amayra do you want to sit up here so you can hold her safely?" said Nandini making space for her on the side. She nodded as Manik helped her sit comfortably and Nandini put the baby in her arms. It was pretty evident that she couldn't control her happiness either.

"So big sister, what have you decided her name to be?" said Manik holding Nandini's hand and caressing her. She still looked so drained but glowing.

"I get to do that?" asked Amayra surprised.

"Ofcourse, thats your responsibility" said Nandini faintly resting her back on the bed.

"Mom, do we name her Gauravi?" asked Amayra. Nandini and Manik smiled as the name hit their ears.

"Gauravi,it is then." said Nandini and Manik together looking at both of their daughters,looking at their world as they joined their foreheads.

This was the happily ever after that people probably talked about. This was it. This was them.

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And here we come to the unexpected end of this story. Wanted to do so much more but I think the essence is no longer alive. I have lost touch with the characters. Not writing for such a long time, reason is their on my posts. I didn't want to leave this story incomplete. And trust me when I say this, I have given my heart to this chapter. I think I have evolved as a writer if you compare the first chapter of this story to this, last one. Anyway, hope to see you all soon with a new story which promises consistency.

Bye bye,love to you all!