As the gentle rays of the sun kissed her face, Maha frowned and squinted her eyes, the morning light causing a brief discomfort. Opening her eyes tentatively, she quickly shut them again, feeling the warmth almost burn her eyes. Rising from the bed, her gaze fell upon her peacefully sleeping husband, with their daughter Maya nestled on his stomach.

A heartfelt smile played on her lips as she approached them, showering both her husband and daughter with tender kisses. Moving towards the washroom, she couldn't help but marvel at the joyous scene that greeted her in the early hours.

Prepared to make her husband's favorite breakfast, Maha ventured into the kitchen. The rhythmic process of making puri dough, crafting aloo tarkari, and preparing halwa formed a symphony of love and care. Plating them on a tray, she added a cup of chai, intending to surprise her husband with breakfast in bed.

Rayyan stirred awake to find his daughter drooling on him and his wife absent. Frowning, he planted a soft peck on Maya's forehead and headed to freshen up. Upon returning, he discovered Maha setting up their breakfast, Maya now adorned in her cozy baby coat. Maha turned around, blushing at the sight of her practically naked husband, clad only in a towel around his waist.

Smirking, Rayyan gathered her into his arms, teasing her about her persistent shyness. Chuckling at her bashful demeanor, he showered her lips with tender kisses, thrice, the moments never feeling quite enough for his fond heart.

"Nashta karlen na... Maine apka favorite banaya hai," Maha's voice interrupted his thoughts, and he nodded in agreement. They began to eat, but amidst the comforting routine, Maha cleared her throat, hinting at a revelation.

(Have breakfast, I made your fav)

"I... I have to... tell you something," she confessed, and Rayyan nodded, continuing to eat. Curiosity marked his expression as she mentioned "I...took a test" she uttered nervously, "konsa test?" He asked, confusedly eating.

(Which test?)

"Pregnancy," she uttered, and his hand, in the midst of forming another niwala, froze. His face blank, he stared at her as she uttered the words, "And... it came out positive."

"Ya Allah..." escaped his lips, the food left untouched as he embraced Maha tightly, offering silent thanksgivings. Amidst her tears, she shared the news, expressing her disbelief and overwhelming happiness.

"Rayyan... I'm so happy... I don't know what to say... I never thought I'd be a mother again," Maha confessed, her tears mingling with joy. Rayyan, whispering sweet affirmations into her ears, looked upward and offered a quiet thank you.

Confirming the news with the doctor, Maha's heart overflowed with love and gratitude. Guilt for momentarily forgetting herself in the pursuit of motherhood dissipated, replaced by a profound appreciation for the journey they had traversed together. Their hardships were now but distant echoes, replaced by the boundless joy of another blessing. In the glow of that morning, they knew they would always stand by each other, united in love and resilience.
_

________

Mahad couldn't shake off the feeling of unease as he observed changes in Zoya, five months into their marriage. Her once vibrant conversations with him dwindled, and there were moments when she seemed to purposely ignore him even in the presence of their family. A sense of confusion clouded Mahad's thoughts as he pondered whether he had unintentionally caused any distress.

Despite his attempts to address the issue, every inquiry from Mahad was met with Zoya's reassurance that nothing was wrong. She insisted that she wasn't deliberately ignoring him, but Mahad, attuned to her demeanor, sensed otherwise. The silent rift left him grappling with questions, uncertain about the cause of the growing distance between them.

"Zoya, at least tell me what did I do to deserve your silent treatment?" Mahad implored, frustration evident in his tone. Zoya sighed in irritation before turning towards him. "Mahad, I'm telling you, nothing is wrong. Why can't you just understand?"

He scoffed under his breath, refusing to accept the vague explanation. Looking at her, he gently grabbed her arm, guiding her to sit beside him. Cupping her cheeks, he spoke with sincerity, "Zoya, it's not just nothing, my baby. I know something is going on. Tell me if it's something I did, and you did not like it, then I'll change. I'll change for you, my love."

His heartfelt words stirred emotions in Zoya, and tears welled up in her eyes. Unable to hold back any longer, she broke down completely, which sent a wave of concern through Mahad. Worried for her, he hugged her tightly, comforting her in the midst of her vulnerability.

"D-did you r-really ma-rry me... because I remind y-you of y-your first w-wife?" Zoya hesitantly asked, her voice laced with insecurity. Mahad, taken aback by the question, looked at her in disbelief.

"Zoya, from where do you think I'll love you if you remind me of her... She was my horrible past, Zoya. She broke me completely. Do you think you are like her? I love you because you aren't her. You are my Zoya, and I love you, not her."

"But then why is everyone reminding ME that I'm not the one for you and you just married me because you needed someone to warm you up and to fulfill your needs, Mahad? Why is everyone treating me like I broke your marriage?"

Mahad, perplexed by her words, replied, "Zoya, who... kon hai jo tumhe aisa keh raha hai, my love? And before listening to them, understand this correctly. Zoya, she was in my past. I did like her at one point, thought of always staying with her, but she never deserved it, Zoya. She left a bad impact on my life. I was suffering when you came, and you changed my life completely. I love you, Zoya."

(Who is that person saying all these to you?)

Zoya rested her head on his chest, mumbling, 'I love you too,' which brought a smile to Mahad's face. He hugged her tightly, comforting her.

"Kon hai jo tumhare kano mai itni fazool baten daal raha hai?" he asked. Zoya looked up at him and revealed the names of those who worked at their company. Mahad, with determination, assured her, "Don't worry, my love. By tomorrow morning, they won't be there to say anything to you. I'll take care of them."

(Who is filling your ear with nonsense?)

Hugging her even more tightly, Zoya closed her eyes, finding solace in the reassurance that her husband would handle everything.
___________

"Baba... Baba," Mahid's ears perked up hearing his favorite voice. Looking towards the front door, he saw Abeer running up to him with her small legs, followed by Ayaan and Azeem.

Holding her up in his arms, he cradled her and showered her with kisses, making her laugh loudly. His heart found peace in the joyous sound of her laughter.

"Baba... I have to tell you somethin'," Abeer said in her baby voice. "G," she giggled before shyly placing her head on his shoulder.

He sat down on the sofa, Hadia came while holding the tray of tea for everyone sitting in the lounge. She kissed Abeer on the cheeks and asked her to continue.

"I dot boyfriee," hearing her, Mahid's heart almost leaped out of his chest. Everyone laughed at her innocent declaration, but Mahid was still looking at her in shock, making her pout. He asked her to repeat, and she again said the same thing.

"Ayaan bache... Tell me who the fudge is that boy, who dare to ask MY daughter out," Hadia lightly slapped him for his stern voice. "Her friend chachu... She's always with him in class too," Ayaan innocently replied.

"Abeer beta, there's no such thing as a boyfriend, and I'm dropping you to your school and will also meet that boy." Abeer pouted at her father. "Nuuuu..ashuu mine boyfiee," she whined to her dad while glaring at him, who also glared back.

"Shut up, Mahid... She's a kid. Of course, she doesn't know anything about that... and no need to be overprotective," Arshad bhai said with an amused-filled voice.

Mahid shook his head, saying, "No... she's not getting any man in her life until she's 30 years old." Everyone laughed at him while Abeer pouted her lips and her doe eyes filled with tears. She started crying loudly.

Panicking, he hugged her, saying sorry. "I'm sorry, baby... No baby... don't cry, please," he pleaded, asking her to stop crying. "Yuui nuui... He my frieen dat ish boii," she explained. He took a breath of relief.

Hugging her once again, "Oh my love, thank god.... almost got a heart attack." Hadia, who was sitting beside him, again slapped him, but this time a little harder, and took Abeer from his lap, saying she needed to change, while he looked at her with a pout. She looked at him, trying hard to control her smile at her cute husband before making her way to their room with Abeer. Turning back, she winked at him, and he smiled, knowing she's his... always.
__________

Arshad's sleep was disturbed by the sound of someone crying. He sat up, rubbing his eyes, and saw Dua sleeping beside him with Ayaan nestled on top of them.

Smiling, he kissed both his babies and glanced towards the baby cot where his son, Ammar Arshad Khan, was peacefully sleeping. Not wanting to disturb Dua, who looked exhausted, he quietly went towards Ammar, who was sucking his thumb – a clear sign of hunger.

As his sons were fed formula milk, he prepared a bottle for Ammar. Later, he cradled him in his arms, offering the bottle, and chuckled at Ammar's adorable sucking. Kissing him on the cheek, Ammar swayed away as if saying, "Don't disturb me."

Laughing, Arshad moved to the balcony and settled into the swing chair with Ammar on his lap. After finishing his milk, Arshad burped him and noticed Ammar wide awake, showing no sign of sleepiness. Even though Ammar's baby babble was incomprehensible, Arshad enjoyed their time together.

As the first rays of the sun illuminated his face, Arshad marveled at the breathtaking view. Grateful for the beauty of Allah's creation, he whispered, "Alhamdulillah," before lulling Ammar back to sleep.

Returning to the bed, Ayaan, who recognized his father's warmth, hugged him from the side. Almost instantly, Dua nestled onto his arm, making it her pillow. Smiling, he felt content with his family in his arms.

Looking at Dua, he softly said, "I love you so much, my love. It's incredible how you've become so vital to me – an addiction I wouldn't want to live without." The serene encounter filled the room with a sense of peace and love.