Saad had arrived last night. It had taken him longer than the usual six hours thanks to the February foggy nights. Mahrukh would be going into labour in a few days and so he had come back to be there for his daughter. He was guilty of having spent the past few months apart from her. But it was the need of the hour. He needed to get over Shifa's death. Thankfully, his daughter was understanding and held no grudge towards him. Mahrukh and Zain had decided to not find the gender out hence why Saad had brought a load of gifts suitable for a girl and a boy. Claiming that in the future they could be used when they have more kids.

Faris, Akbar's son, was the apple of his mother and aunts eye. Mahrukh adored him and spent so much time with him that at times Zain would be immensely jealous.

The past nine months were not blissful. Mahrukh had been a handful. From throwing tantrums to picking fights that were absolutely unnecessary. Clealry the family had not had any dull moment. Even now as they sat on the dinner table, Mahrukh and Zain were having a fight.
"No Zain. I do not want to eat this,"she said while turning her face away from the soup that was placed infront of her. Defeated he sighed
"But you love soups". Mahrukh glared
"So you are saying that I am a liar?" Not even waiting for a reply tears began streaming down her fluffed cheeks. She pouted and looked at her mother in law for help. Aliya shook her head and Mahrukh gasped at the utter betryal and began to slowly gulp the soup.

"Waisay Aliya mami, you guys should talk to Laraib".
Amal passed a snide remark to triger her. She was smirking as none of them knew that Fahad had done a second marriage. Laraib had been reduced to the servant of the house and she had no where to go.
"We have no relationship with her. She chose a man who could not even care for her over us. I will not forgive her," the finality in Akram's words was a sight seen rarely. But it caused goosebumps all over the body. After that the dinner table became very awkward. Heavy tension. Aliya decided to lighten up the mood.
"Saad bhai. Have a kebab"
"Yes. Yes I am".
Saad smiled at Aliya and began to chew carefully.

Zain was massaging Mahrukh's swollen feet as she tried to get comfortable in their bed. As she had neared the end of her final trimester, her life had become difficult. She would find it hard to do the most basic of movements. At night she would wake up every five minutes as the baby pressed onto her bladder causing her to rush into the bathroom. After which it would take her forty five minutes to find a comfortable position to sleep. She felt very bad as in her tossing and truning she would wake Zain up. And when she would apologise to him, he would just say
"It is the least I can do".

It was twelve am. Mahrukh was turning around in her sleep. She felt a severe pressure on her lower belly. The cramps were so hard that she almost forgot to breathe. Walking to the bathroom, a hand resting on her back, she sat on the toilet. Seeing a bit of yellow fluid and streaks of blood she realised that it was her mucus plug that broke. The baby was coming soon.

Laying in her bed, she peered at Zain who was going through some files.
"Zain"
"Hmm"
"My mucus plug broke".
"Fuck. Does that mean our baby is coming tonight?"
"I dunno the doctor said it could take even a week or two after it broke ". Sighing, Mahrukh sat up and turned her back to Zain.
"Zain could you please massage my lower back? It hurts," immediately Mahrukh felt the warmth of Zain's hand seep into her back as he began to rub slowly. Mahrukh felt relieved and rested her head on his chest. Zain kissed the top of her forehead.
"Tired?" Mahrukh hummed.
"Try to sleep okay?" She nodded her head. Zain adjusted himself in a position that he was resting against the head board and Mahrukh on his chest. He ran his hands up and down the bump. Talking to their child about how much he loved them.

○~○

The clock chimed three am. Zain woke up feeling something wet under him. Mahruk was sleeping but a look of pain on her face. Zain got out from under her and removed the blanket just a tiny bit (to protect Mahrukh from the cold February weather), to see what was happening. Seeing Mahrukh lying in a puddle of fluid he woke her up.
"Mahrukh?"
"Hmm"
"Wake up"
Hearing Zain, she woke up and her face scrunched up as a contraction passed through her.
"Is everything okay?" Zain asked.
"No I feel pain"
"Mahrukh I think your water broke". It was only when she heard him speak that she reslised that there was something wet underneath her. Mahrukh got up with the help of Zain and changed into a thick sweater and some leggings. Zain grabbed her bag and they headed to the hospital. Deciding to call everyone once they had reached.

At the hospital, the doctor had shifted Mahrukh into a private ward, telling them that labour would begin once she is dilated ten cm. Meanwhile, Zain had called his parents and Saad, informing them that he and Mahrukh were in the hospital.

Mahrukh and Zain were keeping a count of her contractions. How long they lasted and how far apart they were. The pain, which had just begun, was making Mahrukh squirm with pain. Zain kept giving her some juices so that she would have some strength when the actual labour started. At around four am, their family had arrived. Aliya had taken charge. Wiping the sweat off of Mahrukh's face every few minutes. As the pain increased, Mahrukh's screams increased in intensity as well. The shouts she was giving, made Zain's heart clench. He wanted to take away her pain but it was a part that you had to go through to get the most precious gift.

The clock struck six thirty. Zain had sent Saad and Akram home. Aliya had claimed that
"My bachi is giving birth. If she needs anyone its me"
(My girl).
And had glared at them all. Mahrukh by now was exhausted. Everything around had blurred. Finally at six forty-five, the doctor had come to check her. Asking Zain and Aliya to leave, she inspected Mahrukh and asked for the nurses to prepare the operating theatre.
"Madam and Sir. She is going in labour". Asking the two to pray for her, she took Mahrukh into the operating/labour room.

The doctors asked Mahrukh to push. As she began to push as hard as she could, Mahrukh could not stop the screams. The process was painful. She could feel everything inside her hurt with the amount of pressure she was adding onto her body. Thrity minutes after pushing, she felt the body slither out and a shrill cry rang through the room. The doctor cut off the umbilical cord and weighed the child.
"Congratulations.  It is a daughter. 10 pounds (4 kilograms). Ten fingers and toes. As healthy as they come."
A MashAllah left Mahrukh's lips as she then expelled out the contents of the after birth. Resting her head on the pillow she closed her eyes.

The doctor exited the room, Mahrukh being wheeled to her room. She walked to Zain and Aliya.
"Congratulations are in order. It is a girl."
Zain thanked Allah and his mother kissed his head. Blessing him. They entered the room to see an exhausted Mahrukh and a small crib next to her.

Zain peered in and saw a small girl. He held her in his arms with care. Scared to harm her. He brought her close to himself. The girl, opened her eyes. Her grey eyes and pinkish skin made her seem adorable. The small button nose and heart shaped lips. Hair as black as night. Zain forwarded his finger that she grabbed in her tiny fist. Zain felt a tear fall from his eye as he made a promise in his heart that he would never hurt her.

"Zain our Malika is so pretty".
Mahrukh spoke opening her eyes slightly. Aliya walked in, following behind her was everyone else.
"Zain beta give adhaan in her ear and feed her honey".
Zain nodded and did what he was asked to. Mahrukh and Zain smiled as their daughter was passes around amongst the famiky members who looked at her with an adoring face. That was until she broke into a shrill cry. Aliya handed Malika to her mother.
"Everyone leave. It is time to feed Malika for the first time."
Aliya guided Mahrukh on how to do it once every one had left. Mahrukh immediately felt a bond form and her heart felt full.

○~○

Laraib had learnt from her sister in law, Amal that Mahrukh gave birth to a girl. And they had named her Malika. She told her how the little girl was adored so much and loved by everyone. Laraib felt bitter. Had she not gone against her family then perhaps she would still live a happy life. But what could she do. She was the one responsible for her life right now. How she regretted the day she married Fahad.

Now she did not have a family nor did she have a husband for hers did not deserve to be called one.

○~○

Mahrukh and Zain had gotten used to their routine. They would wake up at odd hours. Once to change her pamper and then to feed her. They decided to set up a crib for her in their room and then give her her own room when she was old enough to decorate it.

○~○