Arsalan

I smiled as an old nurse grinned my way, noticing the big bouquet of fresh red roses tucked in my arms.

I turned the corner of the familiar hallways and stepped towards the closed door that read,

Room 33

Peeking through the window, I saw my wife lie in the bed, her eyes closed as she slept.

" She waited an hour for you before she fell asleep." A woman in light peach uniform informed, as she offered me a smile. I nodded at the nurse and opened the door quietly. Keeping the roses on the bedside table besides Amal, I took the seat on the cushion stool by her bed.

My hand folding her cold one in mine, as I planted my lips against her skin.

A clip remained firm on her index finger, the wire from it attached to a beeping monitor while an IV was tugged on her arm, supplying her with essentials. Her pale skin soft and cold.

I lay my head on her pillow, curling my arm with hers before wrapping it around her rounded stomach. The smell of shampoo wafting past my nostrils as I nuzzled her black hair.

Thinking back to the events that had lead us to this.

-

Coming back from our vacations, we were happy to find out that we were going to be parents again. Amal was pregnant. Amal and I were over the moon. And so was the family. Amaan was esctastic about the news. Our little guy was impatient about welcoming his brother or sister.

Amal's pregnancy was smooth. Sure we drove around the city at four in the morning to sate my beautiful wife's craving. Or I baked vanilla cakes on countless nights so that I could see that beautiful smile of hers. Amaan and I were obedient boys in front of Amal because angry Amal in pregnancy was dangerous.

All in all, Amal and I enjoyed Parenthood. And we were damn ready to extend our family.

When we enrolled Amaan in preschool, my wife was a crying mess.

" My baby, mama would miss you!" Amal crushed Amaan in an embrace again.

" Amal, leave him. All girls are looking at him." I hissed whispering to her.

She looked up at me with teary grey eyes, her lips puckered.

" He's only four and a half. I don't want to send him to school." She said bushing the boy's hair from his little forehead.

I kneeled besides the duo. Taking both of their hands in mine.

" He'd be back in a few hours, janaan. And this is the right age for his schooling." I said to her. Turning to my boy, I said.

" You be a good guy at school, have fun and make friends." He nodded, his black hair like his mother's, falling onto his forehead again.

" Yes, baba" he kissed my cheek, his little arms curling around my neck.

" Baba loves you, buddy." I patted him before hoisting him up in my arms.

" Come on, the bell is about to ring." I held Amal's hand as she sniffed, making me bend and kiss her head.

We made our way into the school building and in Amaan's class. His teacher was waiting and I let him down. He waved at us before sending a flying kiss to his mother, as Amal laughed.

We walked over to the car, as I helped Amal inside.

Two months passed and we easily fell into a routine. When I'd drop Amaan off at home after school, Amal would hug him for half an hour before letting him go and I'd shake my head and laugh.

It wasn't until a few days ago that Amal's backache and cramps increased, making her hiss a lot while doing any action. At night, I would roll her in my arms and she'd sleep in my embrace. But I couldn't see her in pain. Two days ago, her pain increased and she screamed my name.

" Arsalan!"

Hurrying out of the office, I ran frantic to her, seeing her face twist in pain and she bend over crying. Her arms going around her belly. My heart thudded against my ribcage and I held her hand soothing her. Wiping her tears.

Her face constricted and I helped her up from the sofa as she whispered,

" Hospital."

I nodded and ran to the bedroom to retrieve the bag Amal had prepared a few days ago for the hospital. Amaan was besides us, crying whilst looking at his mother. I hugged him to my chest and took him across the hallway to Bashar's door. Explaining the situation to the blue eyed man, I handed over my child to him as he helped to look over Amaan.

Rushing back to Amal, I picked her up bridal style before rushing out of the house.

She was gasping, and I stared horrified at her.

" Janaan, we are just there, hold on, baby" I kept whispering to her as I drove. She could barely keep her grey eyes open and she tilted her head in discomfort.

" Hold on, Janaan." My fingers had shook on the staring wheel as I glanced at her limp form. She had gone unconscious.

When the nursing staff had rolled her onto the stretcher, my heart broke. And a tiny tear slid down my cheek but I held her hand, wanting to stay close to her.

Hours later after her full checkup, her doctor informed that Amal and the baby were absolutely fine. And her cramps had worsened because of her nearing due date. Her glucose levels had also dropped at the time causing her to loose consciousness. Due to her pregnancy, they couldn't increase the dose of her painkillers, so the doctor advised that it was better if she stayed in hospital under observation for a few days.

Amal was due in two weeks, and avoiding any risks, I had agreed as long as my wife and my child were safe.

-

" Arsalan-" fingers ran through my hair as I nuzzled my nose in her wavy hair.

" Mm" fluttering my eyes open, I saw Amal's beautiful face inches away from mine,

" Janaan" I croaked and sat up seeing her large grey eyes look up to me.

" How are you feeling?" I asked kissing her forehead. She nodded her head, running her hand over my stubbled jaw.

" Where's Amaan?" She asked.

" He's with Aunty Marena, she assisted to watch over him for tonight." I stated.

" Hm." My nine months expecting woman turned before she sat up, a hiss escaping from her lips.

I straightened the pillow behind her amd noticed the IV detached and the bag gone. The nurse must've done it while I slept.

Amal's eyes shined and a grin stretched her lips as she glanced at the roses and pulled them in her lap.

" They're very beautiful." She said holding on my collar and pecking my cheek.

I grinned.

" They checked all vitals in the afternoon and by the grace of our Allah, everything was completely fine." She informed, playing with the petals.

" You scared me." I gulped sitting before her on the bed.

Leaning toward her, I cupped her cheek. Her black wavy hair falling around her shoulders.

" Why?" She asked softly, her voice a whisper. Her grey eyes searching my charcoal ones. I caressed her soft skin, the fear around my heart coiling tightly.

" I thought-- I was going to lose you." She let out a breath and kept her hand over mine on her face. Before leaning an inch closer.

" How could I leave you, when your love and duas won't let anything happen to me, then how could I-" Tears brimmed in her eyes, mirroring mine and I wrapped my arms around her.

" Don't ever scare me like this ever again." I hissed against her warm body.

" I won't." She murmured.

When night fell upon the land, the lights dimmed on the hospital floor and silence fell around. Amal was fast asleep again, wearing the medications off.

Earlier, the doctor had said that we could go home and return on the appointed date. A young physiotherapist had also came in, revising exercises to Amal in case she felt any pain.

I stared at my wife as she stirred before opening her eyes.

" Dinner time, sleepy head." I joked seeing her smile.

" I want to go home." She said stretching her arms.

" I want to take you home." I flashed a smile at her.

A nurse came in ready to help Amal and I walked out to clear the bills at the reception. When I walked back inside, my wife was all ready in her maternity dress, her hair tied neatly and a light lipstick on her lips.

She smiled at me, as I stared at her. Even being heavily pregnant and standing in a hospital room, she still was the most beautiful woman for me. And I couldn't dare take my eyes off her.

" Janaan-" I held her hand and brought my lips to her knuckles, kissing them.

" Let's go" I added.

When we left the room, the nurses all grinned our way and flashed us winks making Amal's cheek go pink as she hid in my chest. As I shrugged off my blazer and draped it over her shoulders. Apparently, in these three days, the nurses told us a thousand times a day that we were the most adorable couple of the month. And geez-

I chuckled as I pressed for the elevator. Stroking Amal's back.

When we sat in the car, deafening silence boomed around us.

" Janaan-" I called out.

She turned to me before sighing and sinking in her seat. Her hands resting on her baby bump.

" I don't know Arsalan. When you confessed you were scared, I wanted to say the same. I still am. We've made it through, I am just on the brink of giving birth. But unlike last time, I am very nervous. I am scared that what if something happens. I didn't want to spend the days in hospital, instead I wanted to pad around in the house-" She huffed as I pressed the breaks on the red light.

" Amal, why are you thinking all this? Nothing will happen. Just hold on. Everything is going to be fine. Don't stress yourself."

I reached my hand and held hers.

" I wanted to enjoy with you. We were supposed to be at home with Amaan. But the pain. It just made things worse. I want my normal pregnancy days back." She groaned and her frustration lighted an idea in my mind as I took the next u-turn.

For the next ten minutes my Amal kept telling me that how frustrated she felt and how careless she had become when my mother was advising her to be careful. Amd how she had not eaten well during this time, or how she did not take her diet seriously. And how she wanted to be at home and watch TV and not cook and watch me bake vanilla cakes with Amaan besides her. And she wanted to do last minutes shopping for the baby.

" What do you want? A boy or a girl?" She asked turning to me.

I gave her a quick glance and smiled.

" Well, you have been asking me this for the past 6 months now." I chuckled and she grinned.

" Either its a boy or a girl, I'll love them. Because they are going to be the symbol of our love. Something we and our love has created." She blushed and sank back in her seat, her fingers ruffling my hair.

" Hey" I protested.

" You know what we're having." I stated and she grinned. Her hands landing on her bump.

" Of course I know. I am the mother."

" - and I'll make sure that it remains a surprise until the baby is here." She winked my way and I burst into a chuckle. Parking in the lot, I turned off the engine seeing Amal glance at the restaurant and turn to me.

" Oh my God!! You are the best husband ever!" Unexpectedly she threw her arms around me from across the seat, taking away my breaths.

I grinned as she pulled away before ordering me to get down so that I could help her out. Complying, I helped her out as we walked into a Pakistani dine in. We ordered everything my wife was craving and as our food was served, I couldn't help but give her a hesitant smile as she mixed green chilli sauce into mutton karhai.

Amal was happy, and that was all that mattered at the moment. She was smiling and talking and I could do anything to see her smile the way she was. I often thought back to the early few months of our marriage and how quiet she was. She barely had a conversation with me. But now as she discussed every single thing with me, I was amazed. She loved me and trusted me and I was the most happiest man alive.

When we reached back home, we stopped by Aunty Marena's place as Amal wanted to see Amaan. Our boy was sleeping and we couldn't disturb him so we let him be and came back.

Three more days passed and our excitement doubled. I made sure that we do everything Amal wanted. Calls from Pakistan were very often as well. Everyone was excited there about the baby.

It was a normal night for us when I heard shuffling from besides me. My eyes shot open and I sat up in bed seeing Amal sit against the headboard and whimper in pain.

" Ouch-"

" Amal, baby. Do we have to go to the hospital? Let's go. Come on." I held her hand but she stopped me. Her head shaking.

" No. There's no need for hospital. It's just the cramps." Her head tilted as she closed her eyes. Her grip tightening.

" Baby, are you sure. Tell me what can I do?" I asked figuring any way I could ease her pain.

She cried out, rubbing her back. Pulling away the black wavy tendrils from her forehead, I cupped her cheeks and kissed her forehead.

" Come. Let's sit outside." As I bend to swing her in my arms she shook her head hissing. I nodded understanding her condition. Helping her out of the room, I made her sit on the sofa as I rushed to the kitchen my eyes briefly catching the clock read past three in the morning.

I took a pan, before filling it with water and keeping it to boil. I tore the plastic of the heating pack away as I waited for the water to boil. As the bubbles started to came up, I turned off the flame before dipping the pack into water. My eyes traveling between my wife and the pan. Making sure it was hot enough, I wrapped one side of it in a towel before making my way to my wife.

My heart broke into a zillion pieces seeing silent tears stream down Amal's eyes. My stomach twisting in misery. Pulling off my shirt, I bend before Amal and kissed away her tears. She cried out as my cold lips contacted her warm skin. Her hand coming to rest on the contour of my shoulder.

The moon from the large windows in the lounge showered our dark house with moonlight. I pulled away and guided Amal to sit further away from the headrest before pulling her feet before her so that her legs were straightened on the sofa. Slipping in behind her, I pressed the covered side of the pack against her back.

She hissed and turned back. Gasping, seeing the hot pack directly in contact with my torso.

" Arsalan-" she moved away but I held her still and massaged her shoulders.

" It would burn you." Her tensed words made me aware how hot it was against my skin, burning through my flesh but I distracted myself.

" Your pain is my Pain. This is not the slightest of what you are feeling." I said kissing the back of her head. She reached her hand to mine before intertwining her fingers with mine and placing it on her bump. I felt the slight movement underneath my hand and smiled.

" I love you Amal." I sighed against her shoulder.

She leaned against my chest, the pack still in between us.

" You know Arsalan. You are the only man I've seen take care of this pregnant wife's tantrums. When I used to work in the hospital, before marrying you, I used to witness how men would leave there wives crying when they would come for ultrasounds or how they would treat her as if the women had a deathly disease. You are the only exception." She stated.

She turned in my arms, a stray tear rolling down from the corner of her eye, as her eyes met mine. Grey met charcoal, and her lips met mine.

-

" Hey buddy-" I hoisted Amaan in my arms as I came down from Amal's labor room.

" Your a big brother to a beautiful sister now." I announced as the boy in my arms squealed.

" I have a sister now. I have a sister now." His large eyes widened as he hugged me.

" Congratulations!" Bashar said as he side hugged me.

" Thank you."

" I want to see the baby." Amaan wiggled in my embrace as I nodded.

" I'll just grab coffee and join you guys in a few. Would you like something?" Bashar asked and I nodded.

" I'll have tea please." He smiled before walking off. I took my son to the room they had shifted Amal to.

Upon opening the door, we were greeted to the sight of pink balloons and flowers. The nurse walked out and I nodded her way in thankfully that she had managed it pull the whole thing off on such a short notice.

" Mama-" Amaan shrugged down as he ran to resting Amal.

" Meri bacha" She hugged her son, kissing him on his cheeks.

I leaned against her bed and winked at her. She smiled beautifully.

" I love your surprise." She looked around the room.

" And I love yours." I said referring to our daughter.

" Where is my sister?" Amaan asked cutely and Amal and I laughed.

Just then the door opened and a baby crib was rolled in. When the nurses walked out, Amal sat up and I leaned towards the crib before taking my daughter in my arms. She was beautiful, a carbon copy of Amal. She was wide awake, her large grey eyes looking around her. A cute nose and pink skin.

" Awwwwe" Amaan said as he had a look at his sister. I sat on the bed besides Amal.

" She's so beautiful." Amaan said and the next moment he was crying. My own vision blurred as Amal hugged him close.

" MASHALLAH she is." I stated.

" I want you to name her." Amal said looking at me expectantly.

I looked at her features, soft and innocent.

" Hayat."

" Hayat Arsalan Khan." Amal tested the words and grinned.

" -oh my God, I love the name. What do you think big brother?" She asked Amaan and yeh boy nodded with a red nose. His reaction was priceless.

" Hayat Arsalan Khan."

-

We were all sprawled out on the sofas after dinner watching a football match. Having a team of white shirts and blue shirts. I was supporting white team whilst my wife and son were amendent that the blue team would win.

" Ha! Goal." I said seeing my team goal.

" Whatever." Amal mumbled.

I looked over at her and smirked. Before casting my eyes to my daughter who slept peacefully in my arms while Amal sat besides me, once cheering Amaan now sleeping on her legs. My arm was stretched out as Amal was leaning against it.

Taking the bag of chips from Amal's lap, I munched some. Seeing my team cast a goal again. Amal groaned. Her attention soully on the match.

I leaned closer to her shoulder and placed a kiss there. Sliding the thin strap of her night dress from under her blush pink overall, I teased her skin with my cold lips.

Grey eyes shot towards mine and Amal glared. Her hands swatting me away.