"I want a divorce."

Qaran stiffened hearing Zania's words. She looked angry.

"Why?"

"Because you again impregnated me just after the six months of my first pregnancy."

He huffed a sigh of relief, but then recalled her words.

Pregnant?

Again?

They are expecting their second child?

"We are expecting again?" Qaran asked carefully, already ready to explode with happiness.

Zania nodded with a pout and a latent smile.

Holding her both hands he pulled her closer to him. Looking into her eyes, he spoke with a smile.

"Aren't you happy about this?"

"I am. But it's too early. First Zaan happened unexpectedly and now our second child is also unplanned. How will I take care of two kids?"

"Nia, don't overthink. Our case is different and comfortable from other couples."

"How?"

He made her sit on the couch and himself sat on his knees opposite to her. His hands resting in her lap.

"Look, we are living with our parents, unlike the majority of the couples."

She nodded.

"And that gives us advantages."

"How?"

"When we are at work, Mom and Dad can take care of kids. We don't have to rely on any stranger for our kids. So it won't be difficult for us."

"That's true."

"And the major advantage is that when our kids will see us taking care of our parents, eventually following our footsteps they will be there for us in our old age. Right?"

"Well, that's important nowadays."

"So now stop sulking and be happy." He pinched her cheeks.

Zania finally smiled and kissed his lips. Their eyes closed instantly. It was a sweet and slow kiss. The atmosphere was getting heated. Qaran was gradually increasing his pace, making the kiss intense.

But a shrill cry startled them and they pulled away.

"Zaan is awake." Zania rushed into their room to find a six-month-old Zaan crying in a shrill voice. His hands and legs moving in the air. Four pillows around him were securing him from falling.

Zaan was a cranky kid. Being alone or among strangers was torture for him.

Picking him up in her arms, she put his head on her shoulder. Zaan moved a little and looked at Zania's face. As if asking, "Where were you, Mom?"

Zania kissed his cheek lovingly.

"So the little troublemaker is up," Qaran remarked while entering and took Zaan in his arms.

Zania silently went to prepare milk for Zaan. While Qaran sat on the bed and began observing Zaan.

Zaan would never cry in Qaran's presence. Not because he was afraid of him, but he was fascinated by his father. He would keep looking at Qaran, straight into his eyes. And Qaran couldn't understand why Zaan behaves weirdly with him. He would simply keep observing him, and try to read him.

💞💞💞

Zania was in the kitchen. Preparing milk for Zaan from milk powder. She was unable to breastfeed him because her breasts couldn't produce milk. Initially, she was sad about it but this sadness didn't stay long as the happiness of motherhood blossomed in her life.

Her mind went back to five years ago. When Qaran had confessed his love. She was so confused. Okay, she loved him but how she could forget the way he distrusted her over a fake picture. There is no love without trust, which meant his love was fake.

But it wasn't the case. His love wasn't fake. There are times when we are emotionally exhausted, tired of betrayals, longing for love. Qaran had gone through the same.

He was betrayed once. And he thought he was betrayed again.

Can you understand?

When you were an innocent kid, a friend of yours pretends to be your best friend. But when she met another girl, who according to her is more fun than you, she will begin ignoring you.

It happens, right?

If it happened only once then it can be forgotten. But if it happens again, then? Won't you get emotionally exhausted? Won't you get angry?

In the case of love, the same thing happened with Qaran.

Can you relate with him now?

Initially, Zania avoided Qaran. But there came a day when she was in a hospital bed. She met an accident. Till the time she was at the hospital, Qaran would be there to take care of her.

That accident made her understand that she should not waste her life holding onto grudges. Who knows when her end will come nearer? So she let go of her insecurities, fears, ego, anger and everything which held her back from accepting Qaran.

It's been two years since their marriage. Zania's marital life was nothing less than a rollercoaster ride.

Managing studies.

Taking care of her Mamu-Mami.

Giving attention to Qaran.

Nervousness for intimacy.

Unexpected pregnancy.

She cried the whole nine months because she didn't want to get pregnant so early. But the moment she took Zaan in her arms, she forgot everything. She forgets her fears. She only remembered that now she is a mother.

💞💞💞

Coming back to the bedroom with Zaan's milk and Qaran's mango milkshake, Zania found the father-son duo enjoying their time. They were doing nothing. Zaan was lying on the bed and Qaran was lying beside him. But what she noticed was the way Zaan was looking at Qaran.

Qaran couldn't understand it, but she could. Because the same thing used to happen with her and her father.

Zaan is looking at Qaran, trying to read him as much as he can. Because he wants to be just like him. Sometimes we make a bond with someone just through a simple conversation. Zaan and Qaran had this bond through their eyes. And their bond is rare like a pure diamond.

Getting out of her thoughts, Zania put the tray on a side table. Qaran had a huge grin plastered on his face while he picked his milkshake. While Zania fed Zaan with a milk bottle.

"Qaran, what do you think? It will a girl or a boy this time?"

"It will be a girl."

"How are you so sure?"

"Because gender of the baby depends on father. And I have given my XX chromosomes, I know that?"

"XX chromosomes?"

"Yeah, XX is a girl and XY is a boy. I have even decided her name as well. Qyra."

"What's with you and Q?"

*Nice rhyming, right?

"I am not going to compromise with the Q-factor this time. You named our son, I'll name our daughter."

"What if it's a boy?"

"It's a girl. I can bet."

"Boy!"

"Girl!"

"Boy!"

"Girl!"

Ting-Tong

The doorbell rang and their silly argument ended.

"It must be Mom-Dad. They will be so happy when we will give them this good news that they will get a granddaughter soon."

"Qaran!"

"I am coming, Mom-Dad!"

This was their life together. Imperfect yet perfect.

Qaran and Zania.

#Qania

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁
I hope you could understand Qaran's condition. I used my childhood experience to explain it.