"Muskaan! Muskaan, look here!"

I glanced up as Inaya lay down on the floor in her attempts to catch a good picture of Muskaan, her arms at a weird angle to click the perfect view.

Muskaan paid her no heed as she busied herself with her lego blocks and I smiled to myself.

My sister looked happier than ever, and it was no doubt that the reason behind the sparkle in her eyes was Sami. Inaya continued clicking their pictures, moving on to coaxing Mehek once she was done with Muskaan. I shook my head and got up, moving towards the stairs and skipping one at a time to reach my room.

The room was dark, curtains shielded against the rays trying to peep in. My eyebrows furrowed as I looked around,

"Kainaat?"

I called out, and upon receiving no answer, I turned the lights on. When I found no one, I walked inside. I sighed when I saw her leaned against the washbowl in the washroom, panting, a hand on her chest. A sharp pain shot through my chest when tears left her eyes, and I swiftly moved to her, wrapping her in my arms as I rubbed her back. She rested her head on my chest, and I caressed her hair, kissing the top of her head,

"My love," I whispered, not knowing how to comfort her. I held her for Allah knows how long, before leaning back and assessing her face,

"Is it getting worse again?" I asked, referring to her morning sickness.

She nodded, taking in a deep shaky breath. I watched her as she shut her eyes close, her lips quivering as her hand clutched the sleeve of my shirt. I sighed against her hair, and leaned back to get a better look at her face. She shut her eyes close, and I took in the tired features that made my heart skip a beat. I kissed her forehead, and lead her to the bed, tucking her in,

"Sleep, darling." I was just about to step back, when her eyes shot open, as if in sudden pain, and her hand clutched my bicep in a deadly grip. Panic surged through me, and I instantly leaned forward,

"Kainaat? Love, what is it?"

She took in a deep, shaky breath, clutched my hand tighter as a tear streamed down her face and shook her head, bringing my palm down to her belly.

My worried, confused gaze turned into one of surprise and shock, as something moved beneath the palm of my hand on her covered protruding stomach.

Movement.

The baby's movement.

I looked at her in bewilderment, and she let out a laugh. A warm, throaty laugh which echoed around me and seeped through my skin, instantly warming me up. My heart thudded against my chest, and I leaned down so that my face was levelled to where the baby moved.

"Assalamualikum, lovebug."

Another laugh left her, this time mixed with a sob, causing my own throat to clog up as unshed tears clouded my view. I felt her hands cup my face, and I looked up to meet her gaze. Her eyes had never shone brighter, her lips fighting a grin that threatened to break free the clutches of her tears. She motioned for me to come closer, and I obliged.

Kainaat rested her forehead against mine, and let that grin spread across her face. I rested my head on the back of her head, kissing the tip of her nose,

"Our baby is moving."

She nodded, letting out yet another unbelievable laugh, "She is."

I chuckled against her lips, "She?"

Kainaat tilted her head back, allowing me access to her jawline, my lips fervent against her skin. She turned warm beneath me, and I pecked her behind her ear, her hand clutching my shoulders as she slowly seemed to lose her senses.

She let out a small moan, and then focused back on my question, "Maybe."

I smiled at her, assessing her face, "I won't mind another girl."

Her gaze dropped down to my lips, "And maybe, another after that?"

I fought the chuckle that tried to escape me, my eyes turning fire at her implication, and I leaned closer, barely touching her lips, teasing, as I whispered against her lips,

"Maybe,"

She dipped her head low, her hair framing her frail neck, and I grazed her collarbone with my lips, pecking her neck until I reached back to her lips. She had her eyes close, her breath heavy with anticipation, her body warm against mine, our clothes only proving to be a hassle between us.

"But now," I whispered, leaving a kiss on her lower lip, "the baby is listening."

With that, I moved back, and took in her shaken form, my gaze going up and down her form, causing her to blush at my expense.

She shook her head and exclaimed, "Haye, zaalim" in not more than a whisper only meant for me to hear, making my heart race up in overdrive as I draped a blanket over her, moving away and I instantly craved her warmth, "Take care, Mamaa darling,"

I dimmed the lights and pecked her forehead, my heart so full I was afraid it'd burst, and then I winked at her, walking out of the room once I was sure her eyes had drooped down in a slumber.

***

We were sitting outside the mansion with Inaya and my mom, the latter fussing over my wife to eat more. Mehek sat quietly in Inaya's lap, while Muskaan ran around the garden, trying to touch every new flower she could spot.

"Nahi, ammi," I heard Kainaat say for the nth time, "I'm okay, alhamdulillah."

My mother frowned, "Alhamdulillah you are strong, the baby has now moved too, but look at you beta, see how thin you are!" She then turned to me, "Zaidaan, tell her."

I looked helplessly between the two of them, just as Kainaat threw a death glare my way. My mouth parted in an attempt to utter something, but I ended up sighing and shrugging,

"Eat a little, jaan," I muttered looking at her, my voice low, before I addressed my mother,

"She'll be fine, mamma."

My mother rolled her eyes, "You don't know anything, although I agree she'll be fine, let me feed my daughter."

I shook my head as Kainaat gave me a pleading look, but nonetheless took a sip of the soup Ammi was trying to feed her.

Once the duo had coaxed each other into reassuring the other would do just fine, Ammi happily left with Muskaan at her toe, tagging behind her daadi babbling something along the lines of pizza and hunger, and I was pretty sure she would convince her to order whatever she wished for as soon as possible.

Kainaat leaned behind, flinching at her own movement, her eyes meeting mine.

She rested her hand on her stomach and smiled at me, and I walked up to her, adjusting the pillows behind her as Inaya watched us with awe,

"Nearly four years of marriage, and you both still have heart eyes for each other, ma sha Allah."

I grinned at my sister, and turned to Kainaat, raising an eyebrow, and she got the hint of our earlier unfinished business. She instantly turned a shade darker, and pushed my hand away.

Four years of marriage, and we still set the room on fire.

I added in my head, chuckling to myself.

I took Mehek from Inaya and held her in my arms, as she clapped her hands and let out a giggle at something behind us.

I pushed her hair away from her eyes, the slightly long locks of brown framing her chubby cheeks as she moved her lips and croaked out nothing but sounds in her baby voice.

I rocked her in my arms, listening intently to the noises she made, "Yes, Baba ki jaan?"

"Baba!" she clapped her hands again.

I paused in my steps, my eyes wide, before I turned back to Inaya and Kainaat, just as Kainaat gasped, "Ohmygod."

I turned to my daughter, kissing her cheekbone, "What did you say, Baba ki jaan?"

She giggled in my arms, her lips moving again, before she squeeked out, "Baaa-baaa"

I let out a laugh and spun around, startling the poor baby, "Baba! She said Baba as her first word!"

Kainaat watched us with awe in her eyes, and I watched as Inaya held her arm to help her get up, I covered the distance to them so she wouldn't have to walk, and watched as she kissed Mehek's cheek, and then, surprisingly, mine too,

"Baba and Baba ki jaan are Mamma's favourite,"

I watched her, just as Muskaan ran up to us, "Mammam!"

She hugged Kainaat's legs, and looked up at us with a toothy grin. Kainaat let out a laugh, and it was the most happiest, the most rich, the warmest and the most soothing sound I had ever heard in my life.

I looked at them with a smile on my face, just as a flash went off in front of us.

Inaya pouted, "I'm sorry, this was just so beautiful, Allahumma Barik,"

The picture she had captured was indeed beautiful, but the moment lingered longer in my heart, and I knew it would always be my most favourite for the rest of my life.

***

Another month and a half had passed in a whiff, and with it, Kainaat's condition had taken a turn for the worse. She was thinner than ever before, her frail, thin frame scaring me to some extent. Her fragile arms were often seen massaging her stomach, and her eyes had gone hollow due to the lack of sleep. All her clothes were now too baggy, her rings loose around her fragile fingers, her thin wrists needed a new size of the plain bangles she loved to wear.

I entered the house and loosened my tie, my eyes searching for the vision I yearned to see. Her presence lingered in the house, as if to tease me with the distance that separated us. Her presence, I realized, lingered within me.

I walked through the halls as the servants retired for the evening, and I entered the hall to find her seated on the plush sofa, her back leaned forward, eyes distant yet concentrated. She hadn't noticed me yet, and she gnawed at her lower lip, letting her teeth graze the delicate redness in frustration, a sigh leaving her lips once she let go of them. I watched the movements that seemed disturbed, and I was just about to walk up to her and end her misery with everything I could do, when my mother walked in,

"Zaidaan, beta, tum kab aaye?" (son, when did you come?)

Her gaze instantly shifted to mine, and her hands fisted on her sides. I narrowed my eyes at the movement, but turned to my mother with a smile, "Abhi, ammi." I kissed her hand in greeting. She smiled back at me, and then walked ahead, me following her lead.

Closer to Kainaat, just a few steps away from her. My mother sat in between, turning to Kainaat,

"Kainaat, did you have your lunch?"

I watched her as she looked at ammi, her reply taking a second longer, hands fisting the dupatta on her lap, "Ji, ammi."

I gazed at her, forcing her to look at me.

Look at me, Kainaat. Look at me.

And she finally did, her gaze dropping in a second.

It was a half-lie, she didn't have lunch.

Ammi narrated the incidents of the day, and I listened patiently, Kainaat adding in bits here and there. A few minutes later, I got up to freshen up inside my room.

Once I reached my room, and then stood at the edge of the door, "Kainaaat!" I called out, "please come up, I need you."

I did, I needed her.

I waited a few beats of silence, peaking out the door and waiting for her to enter. I tapped my foot on the ground, leaning against the wall beside the door. I could hear her steps approaching closer as she quietly called out, as if she knew I would be listening,

"Ji, aayi!"

I could imagine the soles of her feet gently pressing against the cream tiles of the floor, the pinkness around her toes a stark contrast against her milky tone.

Her silhoutte has just appeared in my view, and I grabbed her wrist, pirouetting her around and pinning her to the wall I had previously leaned against.

I rested a hand above her head, while another held her wrist, fisted against her back. Her eyes widened as she regained her balance,

"Zaidaan!"

Not Zaid.

She squirmed under my gaze, and a throaty chuckle escaped me, I let her anticipate my moves for a few seconds, before my gaze softened.

She was delicate.

I moved my arm which caged her, and gently tucked the strand of her hair behind her ear, before bringing her hand in front, and holding both of hers in mine,

"Tell me." I simply said.

Her eyes roamed my features. It had only been a few days after things had calmed down after our honeymoon, and we were slowly, but surely, reaching our little milestones. So now as my words registered in her mind, she looked down, her gaze dropping to our feet as she shook her head,

"Kuch nahi," she said, "it's nothing."

I inched closer, our foreheads touching, "What is troubling my darling?"

I held her palms against my chest, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her closer. Her warmth instantly engulfed me, and I brushed my nose against her. We were now touching dangerously close, my other hand on the crook of her neck, gently lifting her face towards me. Her eyes met mine, large, doe-like, absolutely serene with chaos swimming inside her depths.

She shivered as my knuckles touched the bare skin of her waist.

And I was on fire.

My voice softened again, "Kya hua?"

She set her lips in a thin line, the plump, inviting bow of her lips settling quiet. I motioned with my eyes, prodding her again,

What is it, jaan?

Her lips parted, and she breathed through her nose. I dipped my head lower, waiting to hear her worries. Waiting to destroy anything that troubled her.

"I'm," she gasped out, "worried."

I grazed my nose against her jawline, "about?"

"You."

I breathed slowly at the skin of her neck, inhaling her scent as I unwillingly leaned back to look at her,

"whatever for?"

She averted her eyes. Her hands dipped lower on my chest, one of them finding its way on my shoulder as the other fisted my shirt.

She wanted me closer,

I let her fisted palms pull me, just as her back hit the wall.

I leaned down again, whispering less than an inch closer to her lips,

"Why?"

She rasped a breath out, her palm straightening out while my hand dipped to her lower back, pulling her closer,

"I don't know" she whispered, her breath fanning my neck, her eyes closing on their own.

My lips traced the skin along her neck, her back arching to give me access,

"You don't?"

Her arms wrapped around my neck, she buried her fingers in my hair. I pecked her collarbone, causing her to stand on her toes,

"Maybe,"

Such a tease.

I breathed along her jawline one last time, before I whispered in her ear, "But I do," and moved back, instantly feeling cold.

She looked at me, her eyes shining, her lips threatening to breakout into a smile that would torturously kill me if I didn't have them on my own, as she leaned against the wall, slightly breathless. Rose tinted her cheeks in a shade that surpassed all beauty, and my eyes glinted.

What was she trying to do?

She looked down again, before lightly pushing me away with the palm of her hand, "I have work to do,"

I nodded, moving back and running a hand through my hair, "I will freshen up."

She gulped, "I'll leave now."

"You'll come back tonight." I grinned back, now leaning against the door frame, my legs crossed, as I watched her bite her lower lip.

She noticed my gaze, and I assessed her from head to toe, "And you won't have work." I added.

She let out a breath, her lips parting, before she adjusted the dupatta and walked past me.

She paused at the last step, and met my gaze,

"And I won't leave, because I missed you today, Zaid."

Zaid.

My heart throbbed against my chest as her feet carried her away before I could react. So that was the problem? The trouble? she missed me? She missed me.

And she had no idea how much I loved her.

Now, as she sat in front of me, her eyes tired beyond words, a hand on her stomach and her eyes far off, I found it difficult to read her mind. Her fingers absentmindedly played with the tassels of her beige kameez, before ruthlessly falling into her lap.

She heaved a sigh.

She was nervous.

Kainaat could feel my smoldering gaze, I was aware of that. She shifted between the pillows on the sofa, adjusting them herself. She looked behind me, didn't meet my gaze, and then looked down at her hands again.

She closed her eyes.

She was thinking hard.

I got up from my seat across her, and kneeled infront of her,

"Kainaat, meri jaan?"

She didn't open her eyes, but hmmed a reply, "Ji?"

I took her hands in mine, tugging them closer, "Tell me."

I eased the creases between her eyebrows with the pad of my thumb, gently massaging her forehead as her eyelids fluttered open and the dark, charcoal brown orbs gazed into mine. She knew that I'd figured something was on her mind, and her eyebrows furrowed again, her eyes reading the depths of mine, my eyes searching the unknown.

"Zaidaan," She finally whispered.

Zaidaan, not Zaid. I don't even remember the last time she called me by my full name, and I rose my eyebrows in question, my heart going out for her. I had to know what was troubling my jaan.

She took in a deep breath, "Something's wrong."

I looked at her with a blank expression, not understanding, "What do you mean?"

"I don't feel good, something-something's," her voice cracked, "wrong."

I shook my head, "No," I told her, confidence lacing my tone, "you'll be fine. Our baby will be fine. Just a few more months, my love."

I rubbed my palms against hers, trying to soothe her. She held mine in hers, and I let her stay that way for a while, before engulfing her in my arms, "We have an appointment today. We'll be fine, please do not fret like this."

I moved, clearing her hair away from her face, "Mamma has to be strong. For babybug, for me."

She wrapped her fingers around my hand which cupped her face, nodding, calming herself down. She was still unsettled, and I didn't know what to do.

"Tell me what to do," I asked, "What can I do to help you feel better?"

"Stay," she whispered back, "Just stay."

***

Dr. Samra smiled at us, having coordinated with Dr. Maysa over the weeks, she was handling our case with ease so far. I watched as Kainaat gave her a small smile, her guard still up.

"How have you been, Kainaat?"

"Good," she instantly replied, "alhamdulillah."

Samra frowned, "What about the pains?"

"They have worsened." I piped in.

Her lips set in a thin line. She assessed Kainaat, "You look weaker than the last visit."

My heart dropped at the statement, because it was entirely true. Kainaat's frame had gone even thinner, and that wasn't a good sign.

We sat in silence, until Dr. Samra sighed, "There is something you should be aware of."

No.

Kainaat didn't look at me, focusing on her lap as she nodded, while I looked between them, wanting to wake up from this nightmare already. I knew what was coming. I could feel it.

And I desperately prayed I was wrong.