[Alia's POV]

Flipping through the magazine, I rested against the headboard. A soft music played in the air as I heard shuffling beside me. 

My two year old baby boy digging for toys from his drawer.

Rayaan was already the soul and life of our home and lives. His liveliness brought unimaginable joy into our lives. His dada-dadi who lived two floors below us in our 15 floored monstrous home, adored him to no ends. He was their constant source of comfort. His biggest fans. 

Most of the time he'd either be at theirs or loved being around his father. Our son has a strong inclination towards his dad, a bond quite rare and precious. They were the best of mates, bonding over toys, football, food and love. Rayu loved me of course but he is more closer to his dad. Their love is a treat to everybody's eyes including mine. 

Ranbir is away for an ad shoot while I had a day off from my own film's schedule. He had just texted me on his way back home. After becoming parents, our world revolved around Rayaan. He became the center of our lives. 

"Daada" 

My child squealed the moment he spotted his father at the entrance of our room. With giggly eyes, he ran towards Ranbir, aiming for his trunk like legs. As soon as he got hold of one, he laughed uncontrollably, hugging his daada's leg. Ranbir leaned down to pick him up in the arms, rubbing his belly, smothering him with kisses. 

My heart would always puddle at the sight of them. They brought the most vulnerable and purer side of me. Nothing could ever be more precious than their bond and I knew it better to enjoy. I felt my husband look at me with his usual big smile (Mom calls it post raayu syndrome). He had recently grown beard for his film and it brought a youthful glow to his face. 

I still get looks from people when he carries Rayu in a sling or in his arms. Jealous women mostly. Maybe their husbands aren't this involved in raising a kid. Mine is, luckily.

A bit too much according to his father. Ever since we found out that I was carrying, Ranbir took on a role that still has me in awe. He became extra responsible, mature, caring, cautious and of course, loving. 

My needs will always be kept ahead of his. Now we had Raayu to take over ours. We two were spoilt rotten from our respective families as well. When I complain about the same, he would shrug it off with a smile. He loved pampering us. 

"Do you know how much he missed you ? He was stuck to the window the whole day. I had to dig out the new cars you bought to distract him."  The boys walked towards me and plopped on the bed. Rayaan still clutched to Ranbir's shirt as he sat on his lap. 

He kissed Rayu's crown and stroked his silky hair. "My baby missed me ? You wanted to play with daada ?" Rayu nods eagerly. "I missed you daada. Why are you late ? Mumma said you come soon." In his broken english, Rayaan tried to voice his complain. These two have been an inseparable force since Rayu's birth. Ranbir had taken a paternity leave before my delivery and then went on to stay with me for a month and more after the gestation period. It was taken positively by the public and the industry. 

I was more than elated to have him by my side all throughout my pregnancy. Rayaan is used to seeing his father around. We manage to work our dates and schedules around him to make him feel comfortable. So on the rare few days he has to miss seeing daada, Rayu gets upset. He would only budge till Ranbir comes and picks him up. 

"Daada was busy with some work. I did everything jaldi jaldi so that I can come and play with my love. I missed you too my heart." I rested back to bask in the moment. 

They were the apple of my eyes and it was quite evident. 

"No one's missing mumma," I pouted for fun. Ranbir made a guilty face as soon as I said it, making me mentally facepalm. He was always guilty about Rayu preferring him a little over me unlike other boys. I was never fazed by it and wondered why it even bothered him. In fact everyone in his family and around us had good things to say about this. They thought it was quite unique to have such a bond. It also proved how involved Ranbir is as a father. 

On Leo's bark, Rayu ran outside to fetch his playmate. Which gave us time to address this issue. 

"Dont!" I ordered glaring at his face. 

He sighed and took my hand in his. "It's not like I'm doing this on intention. We just happened to be this way, you know it na... I am sorry!" 

I closed my eyes in frustration. He was being unbelievable! 

"Who needs your apology Mister ? And for what ? Did I asked ? No! And stop giving me those guilt driven looks. It annoys me. You are not committing any crime by spending time with your kid - boy or girl. It's totally fine for the kid to choose his preference, as much as we parents sometimes do, unfortunately with gender. He loves being around you, loves you a little more than me, that's completely fine with me. I enjoy that. And you know it. So stop making me feel bad with those eyes now." 

Going by his faint nod, I guessed he understood my stand. 

"I know how much you wanted this. You wanted to be a better dad, a good friend and genuinely involved in his upbringing. We are blessed enough to have you in our lives. So don't overthink okay ?" His eyes melted a little for a wide smile. 

I scooted closer to peck his cheek. Meanwhile my cheeky prince had completed his schedule and had wobbled inside the room noisily. His tiny feet tried to climb up Ranbir's lap. We laughed at his efforts. I picked him up in mine and kissed his chubby cheeks. He giggled and mirrored the same for me. 

Ranbir pulled out his phone and held the front camera up to take a selfie of us three. 

"What will be the caption, Mr Boring Instagrammer Debut ?" I asked with a grunt. He had recently joined Instagram with a public account after much requests from fans. The first six posts were of his parents, friends, pets, and us. But none had a caption to make the post look personal. He just wasn't going to let them into his privacy, yet! 

As Rayu and I waited to see his response, Ranbir typed away on his phone and asked me to check mine. I picked mine from the bed stand to open Instagram. There it was. Our family picture. Ranbir's head leaning on mine as I leaned on our son. Our smiles had increased the ambience of our dim lit room. 

My eyes widened at the little line beneath it. It said, 

My world. The universe I always craved. Finally in my arms. Grateful. 

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NOTE : Hey babies! Wassup ? 

I know I was supposed to make an appearance pretty sooner. Was caught up in things. This was a draft I wrote few weeks back and left it untouched. I polished this up a bit and completed it since many of you have been waiting for an update. This is small but hope it tugs your heart and makes you smile. 

Creatively speaking nothing much is happening. So I may need more time to come up with something new or better. 

Meanwhile excited for tonight's birthday trend for my Aloopie :p Been a tradition for the last 10 years! So so excited for her entering 29th year ... gosh time flies! Hope Bir can join the birthday vacay squad pretty soon :( We ain't getting a 'hbd my life' post so that's another disappointment! But hopefully someday, Mr Private can make a public acc (this year before wedding pls) and give us our heart's desire. 

And if your reading this, Happy birthday my life <3 You've been my absolute savior in an otherwise dull world. Ily mostest! 

Love,

Jemi :)