Learning The Alphabet... Arshi Style! [COMPLETED] - Page 28

She placed the baby in his arms. He heard nothing but the roar of blood in his ears. He saw nothing but that little body that they had both created. It's skin was red and raw against the towel, with a black mop of hair on top of the head. Its eyes were scrunched shut, long lashes curling from their borders. The tiny little hands curled under the chin. The little round nose, the lips, pink against the white skin, puckered in an adorable pout. It was so small that it fit both of his large hands fully.

He felt his heart shatter with pride and bliss. Tears pricked his eyes and he released another breathless laughter. He raised the child to kiss its forehead, making it shift uncomfortably. He grinned, blinded by the tears, and cradled it closer to his heart.

"Ladki hai," the nurse managed to mumble before moving away. Even to her, who saw children being brought to the world every day, Arnav's reaction was touching. (It's a girl.)

He held his daughter fondly, his eyes only for her, scared that it was just a dream. What if he got up suddenly and she disappeared? A tear slipped from his eyes to his cheek and he felt a light tug on his sleeve. He looked down at Khushi, smirking proudly.

"Kaha tha maine! Laad Devi!" he chuckled, lowering the baby into her arms. Her face was wet, with sweat and tears. She looked into the tiny crimson face and sobbed, laughing at the same time, while he kneeled down to level his face with hers. (I had told you! Laad Devi!)

"Hmm... Arnav Singh Raizada kabhi galat nahin hote hain, na?" she smiled tearily at the baby's sleeping face. Their daughter. She was sure she would turn out to be like her father... (Hmm... And Arnav Singh Raizada is never wrong, is he?)

Khushi suddenly looked up at Arnav in alarm. "Arnavji..." She gasped.

"What happened?" he frowned immediately. She was already tired, she needed to sleep. Why was she worrying now?

"Naam?" (The name?)

His frown deepened before he realised what she meant and chuckled. His hand came up to smooth her forehead. He gently eased the bundle out of her arms.

"Abhi ke liye, tum araam karo. Maine kaha tha, na? Naam mil gaya hai," he whispered to her in reassuring tones. (Rest for now. I have told you, right? I have a name in mind.)

She feebly smiled up at him as he stood with his daughter. "Humein bhi." (Me too.)

His eye widened. "What do you mean, "Humein bhi"?"

Khushi giggled. "Humne bhi naam soch rakkha hai!" (I have thought of a name too.)

***

Nani held out her hands and a grinning Arnav carefully gave her his daughter. She smiled down at the baby.

"Bilkul aap par hi gayi hai, Bitiya," she smiled. Anjali and Arnav sat on either side of her while the rest of the family peered to see. (She's just like you.)

"Kya, Nani..." Arnav muttered, flushing slightly in embarrassment. (What, Nani...)

Anjali laughed, running a finger down her niece's face. "Nani bilkul sahi keh rahi hain, Chhote! Dekho to, tumhaari beti tumhaare hi jaise gusse wala chehra bana ke so rahi hai!" (Nani is absolutely right, Chhote! See, your daughter is rowning in her sleep, just like you!)

He grinned, remembering that day, a few years ago, only a few weeks after meeting Khushi. Di had come in his room while he had been brooding, and seeing his expression, she had naturally started worrying.

"Tum gusse mein lag rahe ho," she had said. (You seem angry.)

And he had briefly glanced at her before replying with his non-committed tone. "Shakal hi aisi hai." (My face's like that.)

One by one, all the family members had a look at the newborn. Arguments about who the new member looked like had already started, so Arnav took his daughter back inside, away from the hubbub, where another nurse was waiting to take her to the nursery. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead before letting go of her. He chuckled to himself as he walked to the bed where his wife was asleep, thinking about the crazy battle that was going on outside. It was his daughter, of course she would be like her mom and dad... Unique.

***

She pried her eyes open. Where was she? Khushi blinked, feeling her flat stomach. Panic started bubbling within her, but almost immediately, she remembered. A smile settled on her face. She had a daughter now. She tried to sit up, but there was a weight on her waist that impeached her. And her whole body was aching like she had just been run over by a gigantic truck.

She painfully lifted her head and peered to see her husband's angelic face huddled to her side while his arm was draped around her waist. Her head fell back but she smiled and placed her hand on his head, gently caressing his hair. She felt him lift his head.

"Hey," he croaked, rubbing his face. "Kaisi ho? Theek se soyi, na?" (How are you? You slept alright?)

Khushi nodded. "Aur aap?" (And you?)

Arnav grinned and got to his feet so that he could help her sit up. Then, he perched himself on the edge of the bed, cupping her cheek. He leaned in and placed a chaste kiss on her forehead, sighing heavily. "I'm fine."

She giggled. "Aur humaari Laad Devi?" (And our daughter?)

He chuckled as he nudged his nose against hers playfully. "Voh bhi apni Amma ki tarha theek hai, aur so rahi hai!" (She, like her mom, is fine and is sleeping right now.)

"Ajeeb ehsaas hota hai, na?" (It's a strange feeling, isn't it?)

"Kya?" he frowned. (What?)

"Kissi ke mata-pita hona?" she smiled shyly. (Being someone's parents?)

His expression softened. "Bohot ajeeb hota hai..." (It's very strange...)