"What does it mean ammi?" a 4-year-old Naira asked her ammi. Zaid looked at her curiously too.
"Sweetie, it means you two will get a little brother or sister to play with." Zoya squealed at them. Asad controlled his laughter. A mother of two, soon to be a mother for another one and she still behaved like Zaid and Naira, their little kids. He looked at his kids and something in their expression conveyed confusion.
"What happened princess?" He asked Naira who looked like she didn't understand anything.
"From where will my sister come?" she asked innocently. Asad smiled at her and pointed at Zoya.
"Your ammi is going to get your sibling." He answered her question although he knew she will be asking more questions. Zaid however blanched at the sentence. It brought back memories of when his Najma phupi promised to give them a cousin to play with, only to later realize the cousin was going to be inside her phupi before it made it's grand entry. That was one horrifying conversation he has had in his life and he didn't want to be a part of it again. He quickly shut off his ears as soon as his abbu began telling Naira, from where her sibling was going to come. Zoya looked at him and giggled at the innocent action of his. She ran a soothing hand over his soft hair and dropped a light kiss too.
"But abbu I already have a brother, I don't want another one." She pointed at Zaid and then crossed her arms, pouting.
"A sister then." Asad kissed her cheek.
"Nooo. I already have a sister, I don't want another one." He mimicked his twin sister and crossed his arms, pouting. Also simultaneously looking at Zoya as if expecting her to assure him it will be a brother and kiss him just how his daddy kissed Naira.
Asad and Zoya however looked at each other, completely clueless on how to handle this situation.
"My little munchkins!" Najma called out to them as she stood near the door.
"Phuphiii!" They jumped out of the bed and ran straight towards their darlingest Phupi. Najma hugged them both and kissed each of their cheek.
"What is this? I thought you both will be excited about a new brother or sister. How does it matter whether it's a sister or brother? Imagine how much fun it will be. You will have such a tiny baby to play with, and the most important thing is you will be the big sister and brother. Someone really small will look up to you for help, and you both will protect your brother or sister from everyone, right my munchkins?"
Zaid and Naira nodded furiously at Najma and ran off to their room to think of all the games they will play with their little sibling. Naira went to bring out all her barbies, while Zaid searched for his Hot wheels car set.
"Najma you are a life saver." Zoya walked up to her sister-in-law, her best friend and gave her a tight hug. Asad kept looking at his baby sister in wonder. He practically taught her to walk and talk and here she was, so many years later explaining such complicated things to his children.
"I know I'm awesome with kids. Thank you." She replied cheekily and giggled.
Talking to the kids was supposed to be the most difficult part, and thankfully with the help of Najma, that went by smoothly. It had been a few days since they got to know Zoya was pregnant once again. Everyone was ecstatic, Asad was over the moon. Yes, initially he was a little worried about they will manage three kids together but one look at Zoya and he knew they will do it together and beautifully. Ever since the news, Asad had gone back to his over protective mode, not letting Zoya work, walk, stand for too long, sit for too long or do anything that would require her to move any muscle. All she was asked to do was lie on the bed all day long. Zoya was frustrated at his behavior and being the rule breaker never paid heed to most of his advices where she knew he was being unnecessarily strict. But even she had to agree she quite liked being pampered by him. He was being extra loving, extra affectionate and extra protective and she loved every bit of him.
Her sweet and angelic mother-in-law took great care to never make her feel the loss of a mother, especially during her pregnancy where during her hormonal days she would miss her presence to bless her and her children.
Her God sent aapi and jeeju already booked their flight tickets to India. They would be visiting during the last stages of pregnancy as Zoya would near her due date but that didn't stop them from spoiling Zoya rotten. Every other day they would receive international parcels containing more than what a pregnant woman required.
"Aapi it's not the first time I'm going through this. Some of the things you guys sent earlier are still perfectly usable." Zoya laughed into the phone as she looked at the large cuddly pillow her aapi sent from New York to reduce any discomfort at night. She didn't need the pillow as long her husband was there at night to spoon her and give her one of his amazing back and feet massages. Yep, no pillow would ever give her the same level of comfort as her husband would.
"Arrey Zoya tum nahi samjhogi, these things keep changing. Companies keep bringing better things in the market. Use that pillow, it's more cuddly and comfy than the previous one." Zeenat reasoned and completely shushed her up when she protested against anymore baby toys and clothes. One look around the nursery and she knew they wouldn't need to go baby shopping.
Zoya's midnight cravings had returned with a bang. The sequel was bigger and better than the prequel which left Asad groaning in frustration almost every night. He had stocked up all the flavours their nearest ice cream parlor had but then Zoya's pregnancy couldn't see Asad snoring peacefully. No, she had to crave cutting chai at 12 in the night, or the most absurd flavour of ice cream that would require Asad to drive on the long, lonely roads of Bhopal, or the malai rabdi of the halwai at the market and sometimes she would take pity on the poor guy and settle down with just some good ol' mac & cheese specially made by Asad.
Then there were times when her overly emotionally self would cry for no reason and then it would be the sanctuary of her dearest husband that would calm her down. The safe haven that was her husband's arms and her sweetest babies who would make colourful drawings of their unborn sibling to cheer her up.
It was one such emotional outburst when Asad had come back later than he usually does.
"No you don't love me anymore." She threw a pillow at him. The same pillow, her aapi sent from New York which was never used for its intended purpose was now lying on the floor unceremoniously.
"Zoya, I'm sorry I was late but I have to clear as many meetings as possible to take a few weeks off after your delivery." He tried to reason with her.
"It's your new secretary isn't it?" She asked with her tear filled eyes.
"Zoe, baby you know that's not true." He tried to move forward in order to hug her but was stopped by a flying teddy bear. Nooo, not Mr, Bear. It was Zoya's favorite toy, one which Asad got for her, or rather the kids during Zoya's first pregnancy. It never reached the children as Zoya hogged the stuffed toy to herself and even named him something as kiddish as Mr. Bear.
"I asked you not to hire anyone who is pretty. Why would you hire Sheba then? You don't love me." She sobbed.
"No, Zoya, you know I love you, only you!" if he had his arms wrapped around her it would have produced a better effect.
"Get out of the room Asad, you don't get to sleep in the room today." She practically pushed him out.
"But Zoya, liste-" he was cut off mid sentence as she shut the door on his face. He continued to stare at his bedroom door until he heard some giggles behind him.
"Abbu is thrown out again." Zaid giggled into Naira's ears.
"Because Abbu does not know how to handle his wife." Their Ayaan chachu joined in and gave them a high-five.
"Ayaan Ahmed Khan, stop troubling Asad bhaijaan and instead of giggling come and help me feed Ayra." Humaira yelled from behind him.
"Do I have to?" he groaned but one angry look from his wife and he made a beeline towards the dining table where their daughter sat.
"Chachu can't handle his wife too." Naira giggled as she looked at Ayaan.
Zoya could be as angry as she can but she knew she needed Asad at night. No amount of snuggly pillows from New York would give her the sleep that her husband's arms would. Hence after a hundred sorrys, Asad was forgiven and given access to his room. As they lay snuggling on their bed, Zoya looked at their joined hands and burst into tears.
"I'm so bad Asad. You sacrifice your sleep for me and I accuse you of something so bad." She buried her face further in his chest.
"Babe, don't cry. You know it's just the hormones. We've been through this before. Just remember I love you, and you can have a hundred such outbursts and I will still love you." He kissed her head and hushed her crying. Zoya's hormones were one thing that Asad could never catch up on even if it was their 10th pregnancy. He was glad this outburst ended soon.
oOo
"Zoya don't run around." Asad called out to Zoya as she ran around the living room with a bowl of food in her hand. Zaid and Naira giggled and dodged past their pet dogs Sarah and James who thought it was a game and ran behind them.
Zoya stopped in her tracks and turned to her husband. "Really? Then why don't you feed the kids today?" she handed him the bowl and sat down on the comfortable sofa, while placing her aching, swollen feet on the table. Asad cringed slightly but decided against pointing it out to her. He simply took the bowl from her and walked towards their children. Zaid and Naira shook their head as they saw their father approaching.
"Nooo abbu we don't want to eat this khichdi, its ewww." Naira stuck her tongue out and made a face. Zaid covered his mouth and turned away, hiding his face in James' fur.
"Oh well, you guys have no idea about the secret potion that I mixed in this khichdi. Your dadi's, dadi's, dadi taught it to me. When someone eats this they become very strong." He sighed dramatically and turned his back.
"Stronger than Superman and Powerpuff girls?" Naira asked innocently while Zaid nodded at her sister, as if agreeing with her sister's query.
"I guess you will never know because you don't want to eat it." He shrugged his shoulders and moved towards the kitchen. Sure enough he heard the tiny footsteps behind him.
"Abbu I want to be strong." Zaid lifted his arms and showed off his non-existent biceps. "After eating this will I be as big as you?"
"Well you have to eat it regularly. After eating it for so many years, see how strong I am. I can carry your ammi in my arms and then run around in the house. Look at how heavy your ammi is, do you think anyone can carry her?" he whispered the last part very softly. As strong as he is, he didn't want to get on the wrong side of a heavily pregnant Zoya.
"What did you say? Thoda zor se bolna toh." Zoya squinted her eyes and moved her head closer in order to listen.
"And that's how strong your abbu is, so if you want to be strong as well then come, eat the khichdi." He quickly changed the topic and the kids rushed to sit on their chairs in the dining table, eager to eat the "magical" khichdi.
And that's how Asad Ahmed Khan managed to feed his kids and pacify his wife. Phew, mission accomplished!
oOo
Zoya's pregnancy was proceeding smoothly, the baby was healthy and so was Zoya. She was now almost 8 months pregnant and she felt like she swallowed an entire house. The weight may have been burdening her a little but her favorite time was when her kids would make her sit in their room and talk to their little sibling about all things nonsensical. About fairies and superheroes, about their school bully and their favorite teacher, about the cool new words their Ayaan Chachu taught them and the discoveries they made in their garden regarding new insects and flowers.
"Baby see this, this is called a flowerrr." Naira held a flower in her hand, one that she drew and coloured herself.
"No, baby see this. It makes noise." Zaid switched on his fire engine truck and the room was filled with the noise of the siren.
"My dearest babies, what did ammi tell you? The baby can only hear what you are saying, he cannot see things." Zoya laughed at their innocent attitude and proceeded to turn off the fire engine. That sound was a cacophony, she would have to ask Asad to get more sensible toys next time.
oOo
"You look more beautiful day by day Mrs Khan." Asad nuzzled her neck and placed a sensuous kiss there. Zoya tilted her neck giving him better access and let out a deep moan. Asad knew the sensitive, weak spot at the base of her neck and proceeded to kiss and lick it, eliciting husky, sexy moans of approval from his wife. Zoya ran her hands through his hair and clutched at it drawing him closer to her neck, she wanted to be closer to him but her huge belly wouldn't allow that. Asad trailed kisses upwards from her neck, to her throat, to her chin and finally pausing at her lips.
"So beautiful." He murmured huskily against her lips before capturing them against his own in a deep, passionate kiss. As always Zoya let out a loud moan and responded with equal fervor and passion. It was like they were in their own little bubble of passion and it was only the light pounding on their door and the wailing of their daughter that brought them back on Earth. Zoya pushed Asad off her and moved out of the bed as she waddled towards the door to let her baby in.
Naira came inside with her eyes red and tears streaming down her face while a sheepish looking Zaid followed behind. Asad rushed off towards them and took the apple of his eye in his strong, safe arms.
"Aww my little shining star, what happened?" he kissed her forehead and wiped her tears. He then turned to give a pointed look to his son. "What did you do Zaid?"
"She asked me how the baby will come out of ammi." He shrugged.
"And abbu he told me- he tol-told me, that they will c-cu-cut open Ammi's tummy and get it out." She said in between her tears and hiccups. Zoya gasped loudly and glared at Zaid. Asad pinched the bridge of his nose. He still had to find out how his son comes up with some of the most absurd explanations.
"Who told you this, Zaid?" "Naira baby don't cry, it's nonsense, no one will cut me open." Zoya caressed Naira's back and took her in her arms.
"My friend Rohan told me this when I told him about my new brother." Zaid pouted.
"Babies, its nonsense. No one will harm your ammi okay? No cutting!" Zoya explained to both of them who nodded at her while making a mental note to have a talk with this Rohan's mother.
Naira had quitened down and rubbed her red nose furiously until a thought popped in her mind and she looked at her parents wide eyed.
"Ammi, abbu, then how will the baby come out?" she gasped.
Asad and Zoya looked at each other and stuttered and stammered to come up with some logical explanation. Why did their kids have to be so inquisitive.
"Um, uh, woh, actually, ah..." Damn!
oOo
Zoya clutched Asad's hand tightly as the next contraction came and she was asked to push. It was the most difficult part, the pushing and the pain, it felt like everything tightened around her like a steel band, squeezing the life out of her. Asad was beside her like a rock, she tried to draw in his confidence and his strength. They had been waiting since 9 months for this baby and she didn't want to wait anymore. She pushed and then fell back exhausted.
Asad wiped the sweat off her forehead with a handkerchief and murmured sweet encouraging words in her ear and pecked her forehead every now and then. The last time they had been here, she was hurling accusations at him and hitting him. This time around though, she was calmer and quieter. No accusations, no fists, no sarcasm.
"Asad I'm too tired." She whined.
"I know Zoya but don't you want to see our baby? Zaid and Naira are waiting for their sibling too." He caressed her forehead and went back to whispering soothing, motivating words in her ears.
"Mrs. Khan, just one last push and you will soon meet your child. We need you to push, have faith." The doctor, an elderly, warm lady encouraged her.
Zoya tightened her hold on Asad and gave the final push necessary for the baby to make it's grand entry into this world. The room soon filled the sound of a loud wailing, as Zoya slumped back on her pillow in exhaustion and Asad rested his head against her shoulder as he thanked God again and again. As much as he loved the prospect of having kids, he hated the pain that Zoya had to go through. He was thankful it was less complicated this time since they didn't have to deal with twins.
"Congratulations Mr and Mrs, Khan it's a girl." The Dr announced as she held the tiny little human in her hand to let them see. The baby was small and so tiny and it was the most beautiful person for the two proud parents. Zoya smiled through her tears and Asad kissed Zoya's hand repeatedly, whispering a thousand thank you-s for this miracle. The doctor soon cut the umbilical cord and passed on the baby to the nurse to clean up.
"I love you Zoya." He whispered in her ear.
"I love you too Asad." She ran a tired hand on his cheek lovingly.
oOo
The baby was passed from one proud relative to other as several oohs and ahhs rolled out of everyone's mouth as they looked at the beautiful bundle of joy wrapped in a warm pink blanket.
"She has Asad's eyes and nose. Yes, I can never forget those big beautiful eyes as they stared at me whenever I would talk to him. That's the perfect reflection of a baby Asad." Dilshad stated as she lovingly ran a finger across the tiny eyes and nose. Zoya pouted and crossed her arms. So adorable.
"Ofcourse Dilshad bi but that mouth and the face shape, that's my little angel, Zoya." Zeenat said proudly while giving a side hug to Zoya and she smiled jubilantly at her aapi.
"Ok so after the seal of approval from the grandmothers, I guess it's safe to say this beautiful baby is the perfect mix of her parents." Ayaan joked, making everyone laugh. After completing the entire round, the baby was safely handed back to her ammi who cooed at her and blew kisses at her.
Even though all infants are a sight worth watching but this little one was something. She was so beautiful and so innocent that she just felt special. She felt like she had a different aura around her, and so she was named Nayesha, the most beautiful and special one.
"Ammi, abbu I want to hold my sister." Naira pouted and raised her arms so that someone could place her baby sister in her arms. Asad picked her up and made her sit at the edge of the bed near Zoya so that she could have a look at Nayesha.
"Naira, she is very small now, you need practice and some time before you can hold her. You remember how you weren't allowed to hold Ali when he was this small?" Asad explained. Naira nodded and leaned over her sister to touch her soft cheeks. Her eyes gleamed with joy and kissed her lightly on her forehead.
Initially Zaid wasn't too fond of another sister but when he saw her, any dislike vanished as if it didn't even exist.
"She is so tiny abbu." Zaid had whispered in awe.
"Yes and you are her elder brother. So will you promise me to look after her and protect her?" Asad asked him to which Zaid nodded and proceeded to hug and kiss his baby sister. Oh yes he will be protective and over protective like his father.
oOo
"Nayesha eat this." Naira tried feeding the one month old baby some banana.
"Naira, baby no, she is too small to eat a banana." Asad reprimanded her and took the banana from Naira's hand. He then proceeded to peel it off and feed it to Naira herself. Naira made a face, clearly she was trying to pass off the offending fruit to her younger sister. Heck, if she couldn't even do that then what was the fun in being an elder sister?
"Abbu what does a baby eat then?"
"A baby doesn't eat, they drink milk." Asad said as waited for her to bite into the fruit.
"So abbu Nayesha will be hungry, you feed her first and I will eat the banana later." She smiled that little angelic smile she learnt from her mother whenever she wanted to get away from things like food. Asad knew his little daughter far too well to now fall for her charms.
"Ammi will feed her, now finish off the banana soon and then you can play with Ayra."
Oh yes Naira wanted to play, so she gobbled on the banana to finish it as soon as possible.
oOo
"No, no, no, no!" Zaid shouted like a banshee at the others, simultaneously hugging Nayesha.
"Zaid baby what is this? Why won't you let Ayaan Chachu hold Nayesha?" Zoya chastised him.
"No Chachu can't come near my baby." He said and kissed her chubby cheeks as the little baby yawned.
"Zaid, I thought you were in Team Chachu. Dhoka, dhoka, dhoka." Ayaan said dramatically, but Zaid didn't budge. He tried to hide Nayesha from Ayaan.
"Humi khala said not to touch the baby without hand samifizer. Chachu's hands are dirty." Replied the over protective brother.
"Sanitizer. Zaid who told you chachu's hands are dirty?" Ayaan asked while showing his hands.
"No Chachu you were outside. Abbu was saying there are many germs outside. My Nayesha will get sick." He covered Nayesha with a blanket and lay beside her, his arm around her stomach in a protective gesture.
Zoya became emotional at the sight and controlled her emotions.
"But Zaid that was only when Nayesha was in the hospital. She was very small and hospital has so many germs. She is big enough now." Zoya reasoned.
"Yes and don't worry champ, your Chachu washed his hands before coming here. See!" He placed his hands right in front of his eyes. But Zaid didn't budge.
Zoya sighed heavily. Typical Asad! God save her!
oOo
"She is a miracle." Zoya exclaimed as she traced a finger over the contours of Nayesha's face as she lay beside the sleeping baby on their bed. Clearly she was still not over her fascination with her baby. Asad hummed in approval. He draped a hand across them, pulling Zoya closer to him.
"I have the most perfect family with me. I don't think I could be more content." He pecked Zoya's forehead.
"Of course. Our kids are so adorable. Zaid adores Nayesha and Naira can't wait for her to grow up a little more to share her barbies with her. Ammi looks so happy as she sees all the kids running around in the house. Ayaan and Humaira are so happy together with Ayra. I love my life." Zoya said gleefully.
"Thank you Zoya, for coming in my life and blessing me with so much happiness I never imagined I would get. Yes our kids are no less than miracles but for me, you are my biggest miracle, my biggest blessing. One that I promise to cherish forever." His eyes shined with pure, unadulterated love.
"Oh Asad, I love you so much." Zoya whispered tearfully and moved up to kiss him.
"I love you too my angel." He leaned closer giving her the kiss she wanted. They smiled against each other and whispered promises of a happy future. Soon they were interrupted by their wailing daughter. They chuckled and proceeded to cuddle her and make her comfortable. Maybe she didn't like being ignored. Their kids never gave them a moment's rest. All the kids along with adults who weren't less than kids themselves, were a chaos. Their house was full of chatter and laughter and a mess, but it was their mess, it was their chaos and they wouldn't have it any other way.
A/N - Hey guys, I know it may seem weird to see me back with something other than an update of Woh Actually but I was reading my old OS and I came across two of them that I absolutely love, I legit fell in love with them all over again so I felt inspired to write a sequel of it. Now I have already written 2 prequels of this part and I'll link them for you guys if you havent read it or you want to read it again to refresh your memory. Those topics have been closed so you can't comment. Sorry about that! 😕
I hope you guys like this OS! I have been very disappointed with the number of comments on my FF but I thought I shouldn't be complaining since I did neglect that FF for so long. I do hope I get more comments for this OS though, or else I'll be very disappointed 😭
Ok enough babbling. Do leave your comments pleaseee!
@affu - I hope you are happy now? This OS is finally complete and posted.🤗
PS - Naira means - shining or glittering and Nayesha means - the most beautiful and special one.
PPS - here are the links - AsYa OS ~| Picture Perfect Family |~
OS ~ Meri Bhabhi ~
Love,
Sadie!😃
Cricket
Indian Mythology
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