𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓽𝓸𝓸 𝓰𝓸𝓸𝓭 𝓽𝓸 𝓫𝓮 𝓽𝓻𝓾𝓮.

Izhaan and Laiba had an auspicious life for 4 years. They were blessed with a three year old girl Izzah Izhaan Ali. She was adorned by her entire family. Shahzaib's best friend and the apple of her mamu's eyes. Laiba was more confident and more comfortable around him. He had the best life with her. She was 7 months pregnant with their second baby.

"You forgot about me?" Laiba asks as soon as she enters their room. "I want rasmalai as well, Izhaan." He closes his eyes in dismay. He was feeding it to his rasmalai, his daughter, and his moon. Izzah. "I am not eating as well. It's for Iba. The doctor has advised me not to let you eat sweets, meri jaan."

She sat beside him, looking as adorable as she is with her baby bump. "Sweets are a no for me but your child keeps asking for it."

"Is it tough?" She smiles when he asks. "No. But just one spoon please." Showing her puppy eyes, she requested. He couldn't resist it. He could never resist those eyes. Anything she wants, she gets it no matter what from him. He knows completely how to spoil his wife for that.

He gives her a bite and teases her not trying to actually give her. "Izhaan please. I am craving it."

"Acha." He laughs giving it to her and she sits there eating the delights with closed eyes. "Seriously this rasmalai could make you feel so good?"

She nods. "It's the ecstasy that comes with it."

"Can I give that ecstasy?" She glares at him. "You said you wanted to go to the office, right? The cook already set the table. You need to eat and go. It's five in the evening."

"Relax," he chuckled. "I'll go." He slept in her lap. Izzah chanted about her own world of toys. She was pretty silent like Laiba used to be but Laiba blewed up after their wedding. Like she was waiting for him all his life. Laiba played with his hair. Softening them a bit and looking at his eyes, he was already staring back at her.

"Sometimes, I wonder what if we hadn't bumped into each other," She says. "I would have been single for the rest of my life." He started playing with her fingers. "What did you think of the name for our baby?"

"What's there to think? You are gonna name him or her for sure. You are the mother, Iba." At times, he calls her Iba, making her feel like the top of the world. He knits his eyebrows making Laiba smile. "I named Izzah, this time I want you to name our kid."

"We will see about that. Are you going to the baat pakki ceremony of Fahad?"

Fawad got married to Kashaf two years ago. It was time for Fahad, the second brother of Laiba. Kashaf is eight months pregnant as well whereas Laiba is nine months pregnant. "I am tired of telling Mom that I do not want to go. She is forcing us both but just imagine two pregnant ladies sitting in a corner and people serving them with goodies. How awkward would that be?"

"Think of Fahad. He is your brother. It's a once in a lifetime thing." She nods. "He invited me as well. I told him I had a very important meeting to attend but he was adamant."

"I guess you should come as well. Everybody is coming."

•

"Snap your head back to the wall and yell at yourself three times and call yourself an idiot." Shahveer said to Rayed who stared back at him, amused. "What type of a physical abuse mixed mental torture of a dare is this, Shahveer?"

Izhaan laughed. Rayed says, "This is illegal."

"Why would it be? It's Regal." Rayed knits his brows at Izhaan's words. Fawad, Fahad and Faayaq were here as well. Shahveer and Izhaan pass a look at each other as they say together, "Anything is legal for Rayed."

He rolled his eyes and started the dare. Shahzaib is nine years old now, supporting Rayed as always. "Guys you were the one who put me in this position."

"But weren't you the one to bet that France would win the world cup?" Fawad said, sleeping on the couch of Rayed's room in his penthouse. "I thought they would get revenge for Portugal."

"This is the World Cup, Rayed. Not an 8pm soap opera. Messi won." Shahveer says eating the popcorn. Faayaq said, sad that France didn't win. "I guess it would have been better to watch a revenge drama then."

Shahzaib entered the room with two tins of coke and gave one to Rayed. Everybody gazed at him, confused. "I mean don't we deserve it for celebrating Argentina's win?"

"You guys can celebrate with a chai as well. But Rayed chachu and I need this to help us soak our tears." Now, they were drinking coke in a corner. Ordering burgers and more pizza.

"Let's call it a night, guys." Faayaq announced that France lost. Shahveer, Izhaan, Fawad and Fahad were in the support of Argentina whereas Shahzaib, Rayed and Faayaq were supporting France. "You call it or not. It's midnight, sir. The ladies are fast asleep." Fahad laughed.

Shahveer and Sahar were blessed with another three years old girl child, Mannat Shahveer Siddiqui. Meesha and Rayed had a two years old Raysha Rayed Atif.

"Let's sleep, guys." Izhaan said. "Shahzaib, Rayed and Faayaq will be traumatized for the rest of the night." Fawad laughed, hitting Fahad beside him. Izhaan, Shahveer, Fawad and Fahad were out of breath laughing at them. Rayed yelled, "Kamino! Mera bhi din aageya!"

(My day will come as well)

"Yeh saal toh completely mera hai. Kal meri baat pakki hai yaar!" Fahad yelled with excitement.

(This year is mine though. It's my betrothal ceremony tomorrow!)

"So ja. Kuch excited hone wali cheez nahi hothi kal. Bas life seal hothi hai." Fawad tapped him, winking at Shahveer and Izhaan. "Last clear bachelor night is your win, our boy!" Shahveer said.

(Sleep. Nothing that lifts your excitement happens tomorrow. Just life gets sealed)

•

The baat pakki ceremony of Fahad was going on smoothly. Laiba and Kashaf sitting awkwardly in a corner, Izzah and Shahzaib playing around with the kids of Riza's family. Riza Shoaib is Fahad's fiance. It was a love marriage. Riza and Fahad met in their college.

Izhaan glanced at Laiba to make sure she was fine. It's the last month of Laiba's pregnancy. The due date was anytime now. She was looking cute like a teddy bear as she had gained weight. Usually, she is curvy and tall but due to being overweight, she looked cute.

Shahzaib was eating by himself beside Shahveer who fed Mannat. Izhaan feeding Izzah. Mannat and Izzah were best friends. Sahar passed them the plate of biryani. Laiba glanced at Kashaf who stared. "I have never felt so stuffed in my entire life."

"It's all Mom's fault. She won't let us stay home." Laiba grunted.

"What's the problem guys? You are here instead of sitting home doing nothing. It's your brother's ceremony. Enjoy!" Meesha said, feeding Raysha the chocolate croissant. "It's awkward to sit this way, Meesha. Only Kashaf and I are the girls of our family. We both are pregnant. What would Riza think?"

"She would think she is the next in line soon." Meesha jokes, making them laugh. "But on a serious note, don't think much about it and enjoy it."

Sahar chuckled remembering the way they were introduced. "Why are you laughing?" Laiba asks. "I never really focused on it but now that I look at it. It makes me laugh."

"What?"

"That Meesha's sister in law is me, my sister-in-law is you, Laiba and your sister-in-law is Kashaf. Who is Kashaf's sister-in-law?"

"Azaan is too small for that." She says. They laugh realising what their relation is between each other. They made Riza sit with them. The new one in their squad now. "Welcome to bear Fahad's life, Riza. And welcome to the family, especially our squad." Laiba said. She blushed. "Thank you, Di."

"So, how did you two meet? I mean were you guys friends at first?" Meesha asks.

"Not really. He and I didn't even look at each other in class until we were paired up for our project. We became good friends after that. I didn't know him until last semester. Just saw him once or twice in class or college, though he knew me from before we were paired up because I was the class' representative from girls."

They nod. Kashaf began, "How can Fahad be the silent guy in the class? He is the loudest in the family."

"I wish I knew. He was famous for being silent in class," Riza says. "That's actually shocking to me," Laiba smiled.

After a while, Izhaan walks towards Laiba with Izzah in his arms. He stands in front of her and asks, "Do you need anything, Iba?" She stands next to him. "No, I am fine."

She attempted to take Iba but she was adamant to stay in her father's arms. "She always chooses you."

"Maybe our second one would always choose you." She smiles at his words. Just a moment later, they see Areeb Ghafur walking in. For the first time after four years, Laiba was seeing him. Everybody in their family knew who Areeb was to Laiba.

Laiba held his hand and he glared at him. Riza walked towards them. "Thank you so much for coming, Bhai." Areeb was Riza's cousin. Nobody knew it. Fahad stood shocked about the discovery. Even he was unaware of these facts.

"Who is he to you?" Fahad asks Riza. She glanced at him for his straightforwardness which she never thought he would do.

"He is my cousin, Fahad. Areeb Bhai meet Fahad, he is-"

"Your fiancé." Areeb cuts her sentence. She nods, passing a smile. Unaware what's going on in the minds of everyone. When they realised something wasn't alright, Riza's mother queries, "what happened, Lyana bhabhi?" Lyana looked towards Laiba to make sure she was fine and perfect because she remembered that every time she saw him, she had panic attacks.

"Why didn't you tell me about it earlier?" Fahad asks Riza. He was aware everybody heard it.

"Tell you what, Fahad?" She asks, confused. "Areeb Bhai? What should I tell you about him?" He closed his eyes and sighed, glancing at Laiba who kept her hand on his wrist. "Stop it, Fahad. It doesn't matter." They were happy about how she had grown up from that toxicity. She could see Areeb smirking. "You're welcome, Areeb." She said, looking away at him and at Izhaan.

He was proud of his wife who knew she had to stand up and grow up of her fears. She wasn't scared of men anymore. She knew exactly which she needed to replace her fear with power and that's the power Izhaan gave her in some way from staying away from the men to changing people's habits. He cannot still attack. Because now, Laiba isn't a degreeless girl who was forced to get hitched with him. Laiba is a graduate, wife of a millionaire, Izhaan Ali and mother of two kids.

She wasn't weak.

Riza knitted her eyebrows on the atmosphere of the room slightly tilting towards awkwardness. "What happened, Fahad?" She asks, as tears streamed down her eyes. She is a strong girl but in times like these, she cannot help but cry. Somewhere she thought that she could be the reason for the embarrassing moment though she wasn't aware what was actually happening.

"Don't cry, Riza. It's nothing." Kashaf says. "Yeah, It's alright." Laiba consoles and she is cut in between by Areeb. "How is it nothing, Laiba?"

"It's nothing." She stated, glaring at him. Izhaan stood in front of her. "If it's nothing for her, It's indeed nothing for her," he says to him with gritted teeth. Seeing Izhaan's anger, Riza grew more anxious. "What happened, Bhai?" She asks Areeb.

"It's nothing like they said, Riza. I hope the best for you, always." He said looking at Riza, wiping her tears off. "Don't cry. My sister's eyes weren't made for tears." He looks at her with a smile.

With a look at everyone, he says. "I am sorry for spoiling the mood, everyone. Sorry, Laiba for everything. You guys can have your time. I need to depart."

"But Bhai-"

"No Riza. I came because you called. Congratulations on your new life." He left like he never wanted to stay. Like he knew this was what he deserved. Maybe he had started to realise and change.

•

"You shouldn't have been rude to her, Fahad." Laiba stated. They were sitting in the hall of Patel Mansion. "I wasn't rude, Lee." He said sitting on the couch, gulping down the water. "Yeah that's why you are drinking water for the nth time."

"Where was I rude? I just lost it when I saw Areeb."

"Yeah, that's how you were rude." Faayaq said while playing with Izzah in his lap. "Apologise to her, Fahad." His father announced. "Even Dad said now. You need to somehow," Fawad said. "I don't understand where I was wrong?"

"Told you. Nothing exciting happens." Fawad teased, winking at Kashaf who threw the couch's pillow at him. "You need to get used to it. You weren't rude but girls have sensitive hearts, Fahad. A simple no or turning away can make their hearts cry. That's the reason girls are girls and men are men in a couple. Both have their entire different personalities and perspectives. It's difficult at first but you'll get used to it."

"Then say Bismillah to your apology." Izhaan said, sipping his coffee. "Well then, Bismillah." He took his phone to call Riza to apologise as he got up to walk towards his room.

Everyone got up and departed towards their rooms. Laiba was staying here in Patel Mansion because her delivery was due anytime and she needed to be comfortable. Though, she is a lot comfortable to be there in the Ali Mansion, Intezaar. But staying in their homes feels different to every pregnant woman in their last trimester.

They called it a night and Laiba was stroking Izzah's head. Her soft hair felt too good to stroke. Izzah had just started to talk. She had learned to call everyone a name but doesn't capture how to say an entire sentence at once correctly. Same goes for Mannat, Sahar and Shahveer's daughter.

"She slept?" Izhaan asks, entering the room from the washroom. "Almost."

He sat beside Laiba. Glancing at her with love, he said, "You were brave today, Iba. I am proud of you."

She smiles, "Thank you-"

Her smile dropped, realising how bad her hip pain was growing. It had started to hurt her from an hour. He noticed she was not comfortable. "What happened, Iba?"

She gasped as the pain was increasing. She knew when she got this pain last for time for Izzah. It was time. She glances at him through her pain, holding his hand tightly, scared to even move. She nods. "It's time, I guess."

He nods. "I'll call Mom."

He took his phone and dials Lyana, who rushed in after a few minutes. They agreed to leave right away to the hospital because the pain was increasing every minute. Just seeing Laiba in so much pain in the back seat of the car with Lyana made Izhaan hard to see. Fahad was driving the car because all the drivers were asleep in their quarters. Fahad, Kashaf and Faayaq stayed back with Izzah. Kashaf wanted to come with them but Laiba denied knowing the fact that Kashaf will grow scared.

She held Lyana's and Izhaan's hand tightly screaming another time as the pain was increasing too hard now. She was taken to the labour ward. Izhaan paced around the corridor, tensed as he kept hearing her screams. He informed his parents and Sahar who were coming in here in no time. He didn't even think before going on. "Sir you can't go inside." The nurse said. "My wife needs me." He said going inside. He stood beside her and held her hand. She was sweating badly. Lyana was continuously wiping her head and face. "You'd be alright, jaan."

She shakes her head. "It's too much."

When the delivery was near. The nurses forced Lyana and Izhaan out because at the time of delivery, they can't stay indoors. It was a rule of the hospital though it was hard for Izhaan to but Laiba told them to go. Because she always abides by the principles and rules she'd been given.

A while later, Izhaan's parents arrive followed by Shahveer and Sahar leaving Shahzaib and Mannat with Shahnawaz who was always better with their kids than Shahveer and Sahar themselves. They hadn't heard from the doctors yet.

Shahveer bought a bottle of water for him from the cafeteria looking at how tense he was growing. He gave it to him as he kept denying, "Drink it at least a little yaar."

As soon as he drank the water, he watched the nurse walking out. He went to her with nervousness. "It's a boy, Mr. Ali." She announced.

Everybody congratulated him and were happy to see that she had delivered a beautiful baby boy. The nurse gave Izhaan his baby boy wrapped in a blue shawl. Witnessing this blessed moment made Izhaan tear up with happiness. He never thought a few years ago that he would be so blessed with Laiba.

He felt the world in his hands.

He passed him carefully to his father and then he passed the baby to Laiba's father, who was still astonished with the fact that Laiba, his daughter who was always scared and feared anything or anyone was a mother of two kids now.

Everybody was astonished to see the baby boy too pretty in the shawl. After that Laiba was shifted to the normal VVIP ward. She held the baby mildly with her hands, it felt tiny in her hand. Tears were streaming down her eyes. She slightly pecked his forehead. The beautiful smell of soil was fresh and warm. She passes him to Lyana, who wraps another shawl knowing it will be cold for the newborn. They informed Fahad, Faayaq and Kashaf about the arrival of the baby boy.

"So what do you think of the name?" Shahveer asks. "Laiba will decide." Sahar said. "This time, I want Izhaan to decide."

"Lihaan? How's Lihaan?"

"It's beautiful. Ma Shaa Allah!" They started to praise the names and hence it was kept.

Izzah Izhaan Ali.

Lihaan Izhaan Ali.

It was four at night. Everybody left for home except for Izhaan, Fahad and Lyana. Lyana was sleeping in the room just beside her's, they had an intercom connected so it was not a problem. Lihaan was sleeping peacefully in a cot beside Laiba. Izhaan sat near her and kept staring at her.

She smiles.

"I don't understand how I should thank you for giving me Izzah and Lihaan."

"Your existence near me is enough for that, Izhaan." She says.

"You were brave today, Jaan. Too brave." She smiled when he did and held his hand. "I love you!" He said.

"Of course, I love you too."

They were growing beautifully together. Their relationship had circumstances yet they figured things out. All together. Their unity was their biggest strength. After 2 months, Kashaf delivered a baby boy as well. The first heir of Patel family after the three sons. Life was happy and blissful to them. To everyone around.

To Izhaan and Laiba.

To Izzah and Lihaan.

It was a blessing. After all, she recovered his ruined hope of love.

•