" Ibtihaaj, stand sideways by the mirror" Shahveer instructed his wife as she came out of the washroom, peeing for the hundredth time. His poor baby girl!

" Kyu?" Ibtihaaj was confused.

Ever since she has decided to give him a chance, give their relationship a chance; Shahveer has yet to let her down. He's doing everything in his power to ease her difficulties.

With all the preparing, pampering and worrying he's doing for their baby, he's already in the makings of a good father!

Shahveer brought out a new measuring tape and circled it around her big belly. He wrote down the measurement and cross referenced it with the table from his pregnancy book.

Hmmm, she's almost the perfect size for her gestationary month. Maybe an inch less, but he has already noted down that point.

His big black journal is already halfway through with all the notes he takes to ensure his wife has a smooth pregnancy.

He has divided the book into three sections.

The First Section is all the good points that he finds from various pregnancy books and maternity journals. He has read almost upto the topic of childbirth and is now deliberating on the birthing methods- Natural delivery or Drug Induced and supported, Pain free labour?

The Second Section is filled with Ibtihaaj's medical records and all the changes that he sees in her. It has everything in it, starting from her weight to the number of stretch marks on her body. He even notes down the appearance of each new stretch mark with the exact location.

Two new ones on her left arm? Noted!

The Third Section is filled with all the questions that he has come up with to ask her doctor when he accompanies her for the next visit.

Shahveer is already shameful that he has missed out on so much due to his stupidity but not anymore. His wife and child are his first priority, now and forever!

The last page is however his favorite. It is where he doodles all the possible names they can give their child. He is leaning towards a daughter and already has a list of his favorite baby girl names but he'll be happy if it's a boy too. There are a few names for his little son as well.

Over all Shahveer is totally making it up to his baby. And now it's his baby's mother's turn. He needs to give her attention and make good on all his promises.

" Ibtihaaj ?" Shahveer was reluctant to broach this topic.

Sure they've interacted in the past few days but that was only pertaining to their baby. They were trying to be better at co-parenting, but they've yet to take those little steps towards each other. This will be the first.

" Jee?" Ibtihaaj sat down on the bed and applied moisturizing lotion on her hands. The weather these days was drying her skin excessively.

" Wo main poochna chahta tha ki..." Shahveer was not sure how to progress this further without seeming desperate or embarrassed.

" Kya poochna chahtey hai aap?" Ibtihaaj kept the bottle aside and gave her husband her full attention.

" Kya tum mere saath baher lunch par chalna chahogi?" Shahveer rubbed his neck in nervousness.

This is way more difficult than his brothers told him it would be!

" Main?" Ibtihaaj was shocked.

" Haa tum" Shahveer smiled at her.

" Aaj?" She questioned again.

" Ha, aaj doctor ke appointment ke baad?" Shahveer had begged her to let him accompany her to her doctor's appointment.

He had so much making up to do and so many questions to ask the doctor!

" Mama se poochu?" Ibtihaaj wasn't sure that going for an outing was included in the Teaching a Lesson plan!

" Date par jaane se pehle Mama se poochne ki kya zarurat hai?" Shahveer grumbled adorably.

" Date?" His wife blushed furiously at the word.

She has never been on a date!

" Yes, but only if you are comfortable with me" Shahveer didn't want to take advantage of her kindness which she's bestowing on him. It was her meherbaani that he could be there for their baby.

" Appi se poochu?" Ibtihaaj asked him innocently.

" Hania Bhabhi ne mera katal kar dena hai!" He muttered under his breath.

" Main permission leh lunga tumhare Mama aur Appi se. Tum batao kya tum mere saath date par chalna pasand karogi? Mere saath waqt bitanaa itna bhi boring nahi hai..." He teased her at the end.

Ibtihaaj gave him a small smile, happy that he was taking efforts to make her feel good about their marriage and relationship.

It would be just a lunch between two people who know each other right? She shouldn't expect too much too soon! With that thought she made a decision.

" Okay!" She said after a while.

Shahveer fist pumped in the air as soon as she turned her back to him, not realizing that she could see him in the mirror!

Ibtihaaj smiled at him. Maybe they'll be alright after all!

" Ye main kya sun rahi hoon?" The door to their room banged open and in walked Haina like the Queen she is followed by an excited Qiraat.

It was half an hour later that Ibtihaaj was alone in her room and Shahveer had gone to his little brothers to iron out the last minute details of their date!

" Kya hua Appi?" Ibtihaaj had an idea about the topic of her outrage but she wanted to hear it from her.

" You're going on a ?" Hania screamed.

" You're going on a Date!" Qiraat awwed at her little sister.

The contrast between the two Hamdaani Bahus was drastic. One wanted the couple to reconcile immediately but the other wanted her doll to make her brother work hard.

She was right!

Qiraat immediately went towards her closet and started going through the various dresses Ibtihaaj could wear for her first date!

Hania on the other hand was glaring at Ibtihaaj but seeing her puppy eyes and guilty expressions she sighed.

" Okay fine! But don't you dare go soft on him" and so it began.

" Ibti wear this powder blue dress" Qiraat came out with a lawn material knee length kameez with loose pants and matching dupatta.

" No, not that. Wear this one. The cream colour makes her eyes pop" Hania took out another dress.

" Also it makes her look like a siren and I bet Veer Bhai will not be able to resist her beauty!" Hania added cheekily.

" Haww Appi!" Qiraat was baffled. When did her Hania appi turn so bold?

Ibtihaaj was just blushing throughout the conversation.

" I'll do your make up. Since it's a lunch date so we'll keep it light. Aur haa Appi, wo brown juttiya nikaal dein please" Qiraat went towards Ibtihaaj's dressing table and retrieved her makeup case.

Ibtihaaj changed into the beige outfit and her Hania appi was right. It did make her blue eyes shine brighter.

Hania Appi knows everything!

" Zyada smile nahi karna. Don't show him that you're easy" Hania instructed Ibtihaaj as Qiraat combed back her hair in an elegant bun.

" But try to enjoy the lunch. There's no point in being too angry over food. Food is life!" Qiraat made a counter point.

" Don't let him get too touchy" Hania again said.

" But let him help you whenever you feel uncomfortable. Veer Bhai is a thorough gentleman" Qiraat smiled remembering all the times her brother was a sweetheart for them.

" Order for your own self. Don't let him boss you around, show him who wears the pants in this relationship. YOU!" Hania was going through her accessories to pick out the right ones.

" Ibti pout" Qiraat instructed her so as to apply an even coating of the light pink lip colour.

They finished with dolling her up and now she looked even more of a hoor than she already is!

" Don't forget to ask your doctor about the light discharge you had last week. It's normal but just to be on the safer side" Qiraat reminded her softly.

Ibtihaaj had confided in her sisters about her personal problems, too shy to say anything to Shahveer. They didn't share that level of comfort or intimacy just yet.

" Aur mere pyaare se BAINGAN ka acha wala picture lete hue aana" Hania laughed making the other two girls groan.

She had been calling the baby as an eggplant ever since the first sonogram picture that she saw. He did kinda look like a baingan!

" What? My Abaan and Usaamah looked like potatoes and this one is their sibling. The baby is bound to look like a brinjal. Haaye mere Hania sighed dramatically making them shake their heads.

They descended down the stairs carefully and saw Shahveer being grilled by Azaan and Rayyan.

" Don't drive the car too fast" Azaan told a somber Shahveer.

" Jee Baba"

" Apne tevar zara kaabu me rakhna" Rayyan warned.

" Jee Abbu"

" Take her to a fine dining experience. Zyada kanjoosi nahi karna" Azaan added.

" Jee Baba" Shahveer wanted to add that the Kanjoos Department is with Bakhtiyaar but he valued his life more than momentary pleasure!

" Fast Food restaurant na lekar jaana. No matter how cute you find her pleads. NO GOL GAPPEY!" Hania said cheekily from behind.

" She will give you her best puppy eyes and the cutest pout but pighalna nahi hai! Look away from the tear filled blue eyes. It's a trap! Ussey jab gol gappey khaane hote hai tab hi ye cuteness overload hota hai. Understood? !" Hania instructed in a serious tone to an amused Shahveer.

" Haww Appi!" Ibtihaaj was scandalized at her sister's accusations. She did love gol gappey though!

" Aww Meri Jaan! Appi loves you " Hania pulled her puffed up cheeks.

" Chalein? Doctor ke appointment ke liye late ho jayege" Shahveer told a pouting Ibtihaaj.

His wife was too cute!

Shahveer carried her handbag and the other one holding her medical records.

He kept the bags in the backseat, helped her sit in his car, buckled her up and jogged to his side.

Ibtihaaj noticed a third small bag that looked a lot like the tiffin basket that Usaamah carries to school.

" Usaamah apna lunch bhool gaya? Allah! Mera shehzaade ko kitni bhook lagi hogi ab tak. Ek kaam karein, aap pehle uske school chalein. Hum usse lunch dete hai aur phir hospital chaltein hai" Ibtihaaj was worried for the little boy that she loves so dearly.

How would his small self survive without food?

Shahveer shook his head at his dramatic wife. He didn't know about this side of hers. Infact, he didn't know her at all!

The sole purpose of this date is go get to know his wife and he will embark on it with full sincerity.

" Ibtihaaj, Usaamah school se laut aaya hai. Aur ye bag Sammy ka nahi hai. Ye maine tumhare liye pack kiya hai. Isme water bottles hai, fruits aur chocolates hai. Mama ne ek tiffin me makhaane aur Mathri bhi di hai. Just in case you get hungry before lunch" Shahveer explained to a now shocked Ibtihaaj.

Her husband was making tiny cracks in the walls around her heart!

" Achaa..." She tucked a strand of hair and blushed at his intense gaze.

"You look absolutely beautiful" Shahveer said softly, like he meant every word.

" Thank you!" Ibtihaaj was on a blushing spree today.

They reached the hospital with ten minutes to spare. Shahveer helped her out of the car and took all the three bags with him.

Ibtihaaj couldn't help but swoon at him.

He was a manly man. His towering height and rugged features paired with his honey brown eyes made him look like a Macho Man.

And yet this Macho Man of hers was carrying her pink coloured handbag so effortlessly.

It looked better on him than her!

" Kya hua?" Shahveer asked her when she didn't move from her place for a few minutes now. He found her gazing at him with adoration?

" Kuch nahi. Aap ye handbag mujhe de dein. Aapko isse carry karte hue sharm aa sakti hai" she told him timidly.

" What? You don't think I can pull off carrying a handbag look? Let me tell you something, I can totally rock this fuchsia handbag like a Vogue Model" he joked.

" Infact I think you're jealous of me. Because you know that I look better with it than you do! Jealousy isn't a nice colour on you sweetheart. I can't help that I'm blessed with such good looks!" Shahveer removed his sunglasses and combed his long hair strands back.

Ibtihaaj had to admit then, her husband was extremely handsome.

He was the kind of handsome that looked macho even while holding a fuchsia pink ladies handbag!

Masha Allah!

" Achaa chalein, zameen par wapas aajayein"

Ibtihaaj was not one to fall for his charms. Inside this transcended beauty is a Sassy Diva. One that would compliment Shahveer's naughty nature perfectly!

" Aapke Husn Ki Hawabaazi hum baad me dekhenge. Abhi hum late ho rahe hain" Ibtihaaj walked ahead with a secret smile leaving a gobsmacked Shahveer behind.

Did she just flirt back playfully with him?

Shahveer could not believe his luck today.

First she decided to give him a chance.

Then she agreed to let him accompany her for the doctor's appointment.

Then she agreed to go out on a date with him.

And now she's all playful around him?

He had a silly doubt which weirdly made him happy.

Did his wife speak fluent SARCASM?

Allah! Did he luck out with her or what!

With a goofy smile on his face he ran behind a waddling Ibtihaaj.

Shahveer took out his black journal as soon as they sat down in the doctor's office.

He was moved to tears when he saw his child for the first time. If he felt his baby was soothing for his tired eyes, then his baby's heartbeat was a balm for his battered soul.

He immediately blew over some protection prayers over the two of them and that didn't go unnoticed by Ibtihaaj who smiled at her husband.

They were now seated across the doctor who was giving her the routine instructions. More sleep, better nutrition so on and so forth which Shahveer wrote down in his book.

" I had a question" Shahveer interrupted the doctor from her spree.

" What are your views on vaccination? Like Adult TDAP and Influenza? " Shahveer consulted his list of questions.

" I would recommend both of them but Adult TDAP is to be taken in the third trimester between week 27 and 36" the doctor was impressed with him.

In her experience, not many husbands accompany their wives for the checkup, take interest in the baby's development and ask questions. Let alone researched questions such as these.

" And I was going through her records. It says here that the routine HIV test was done. Should the group B streptococcus also be screened?" Shahveer was concerned about it.

" We have already done those tests and the results are with us. If you'd like we can issue a copy of it at the reception for you" the doctor smiled.

" What about genetic testing? Did you screen for birth defects?" Shahveer asked making Ibtihaaj's breath hitch.

Was her child at risk?

" Relax baby. It's only routine tests. I just want to be cautious. I can't be too sure regarding your safety. You both are very important for me" Shahveer whispered in her ears and rubbed his thumb on her hands.

It did manage to soothe her down. Especially his term of endearment.

Baby!

The doctor answered that and every other question that Shahveer threw at her. He had come well prepared for this session.

They were collecting their prescription of pre-natal vitamins and Shahveer picked up a maternity journal from the book rack placed beside the counter.

" I should get this subscription. It has such useful articles" Shahveer leafed through the magazine pages and thought out loud.

Ibtihaaj smiled at her adorable husband. He would be a good father.

" Chalein?" Ibtihaaj stood patiently beside him as he read an article on epigenetics, mentally making a note to google it when he gets home.

" Haa, let me help you with that " he took the brown medicine packet from her and kept it inside the bag containing her files.

" I've booked us a table at OLIVE'S. I wanted to take you to BASHEER'S par Baba ne inkaar kiya. Apparently they had a row there in their ancient history with an employee and now the entire family has to boycott the restaurant " Shahveer rolled his eyes and opened the passenger side door for her.

He sat in the driver seat and placed the tiffin bag in her lap, opened it and brought out the fruit's container. He then handed her a fork that he wiped clean with a paper towel and even unscrewed the blueberry flavored water for her. Qiraat Bhabhi told him that it's her favorite flavor.

Ibtihaaj was moved at his care, she wanted to protest saying it's all fake but it just didn't look like it. This was by far the most genuine her husband has ever been with her and she was loving being the center of his attention.

" What Baba does not know is that Behroz, Zohaib and I frequent that place for it's sea food. Allah! It has the best shrimp ever" Shahveer continued his BASHEER'S talk.

He did all that for her subconsciously. Taking care of her and their baby was like second nature to him. It just came naturally to Shahveer.

" When our baby is here, I'll take you out for it's live sushi bar. You'll love the wasabi!" Shahveer held the bottle of water at her lips, urging her to drink it; all the while steering the car with one hand.

" Why did you go to that place if Baba has banned it?" Ibtihaaj gulped down the huge sip of blueberry water.

She wants to know her husband and his naughty shenanigans!

" It's fun Babe. Rebelling is so much fun!" Shahveer laughed wholeheartedly, remembering all the times that him and his brothers had knowingly irritated their parents.

" Aur kya kya karte the aap sab?" Ibtihaaj was excited to know what it was like to grow up in the Hamdaani Haweli. She never had a playful and naughty childhood but that doesn't mean her baby will be deprived of it too.

Shahveer thought over all their pranks and jokes but couldn't decide which one to start with.

" Okay so this one time Zohaib was trying to flirt with a girl in college..." Shahveer burst out laughing just remembering the incident.

Ibtihaaj was intrigued, if her husband couldn't get through the first line without laughing maybe it was extremely funny!

" Batayein bhi" Ibtihaaj nudged his shoulder eager to know the rest.

" Okay, so the girl like obviously complained and the Dean called our PARENTS " Shahveer air quoted the word parents.

" Aise kyu kaha aapne?" Ibtihaaj was confused.

" Because we didn't give our parent's phone number in university. We gave each other's!" Shahveer snorted.

" Kyu?" Ibtihaaj had never done this.

" You're so cute!" Shahveer pinched her cheeks with one hand while concentrating on the entrance to the parking ahead.

They reached the restaurant and Shahveer parked in front of the porch, helped Ibtihaaj out and gave the car keys to a valet.

They were seated in a corner booth and after ordering which Ibtihaaj did for herself ( as Hania had instructed) but after asking her husband for help because she has never been to an upscale restaurant before and all these exotic dishes were too confusing for her.

Like what even is Cacciatore?