Babies, you know, can be mischievous.

They're constantly learning about the world by making observations, and love to explore.

Exactly what your daughter did, flipping from her back to her stomach.

Her hands patted at her blanket for a while before she rolled over, again and again, until she was almost off the bed.

Shubman was just on call with his manager.

He spoke with him regarding the situation to post a message, one that read 'requesting privacy for our daughter.'

When he inquired, he was told that his daughter was hungry and being fed.

That was twenty minutes back, so right now, he can enter without the possibility of walking in on you.

Because, like said, you both have only just started dating.

Shubman thought that maybe he should've waited until you came out by yourself.

But when he entered an empty room and his daughter was about to fall off the bed, he was glad he didn't.

He was quick to react, rushing forward and catching her when she was just about to fall.

His heartbeat has never risen to such a level before.

An odd sense of panic.

Shubman looked to make sure she wasn't hurt and returned his gaze to the bed.

As time would have it, you'd just ended the call and walked inside the bedroom.

"There are no pillows on the sides," he said as you entered.

"She hasn't gone to sleep yet?" You asked while also noticing a change in his voice.

"Where were you?" He asked back, still holding Nini.

"Work call," you answered as you stood in front of Shubman.

"The least you could've done is make sure our daughter wasn't about to fall from the bed, Y/n," he didn't sound like he always does.

"Did she-"

"Yes, she almost fell from the bed," he cut you off.

"I was about to come back again and lie beside her, also-" you tried explaining but he was still caught up in alarm to listen.

"Why did you leave her alone?" Shubman's voice put you on edge, and while you did get the trepidation behind it, he couldn't sound like you didn't care at all. "What if-"

"Shubman, please," you cut him off this time. "You weren't there for one year of her life and I was doing just fine."

As you snapped, you heard the room fall silent again.

He stared at you, and said nothing.

You loved Shubman's eyes, and the way he always expressed his emotions through them.

But right now, you couldn't find the meaning behind them.

You couldn't read between the lines, as he walked silently out of the room, with Nini in his arms.

It took time for the adrenaline to wear off, and you closed your eyes, slightly tired.

The door opened again, and wishing it was Shubman, you turned your head. It was his cousin.

"What happened?" She asked, taking in the sight of your definitely not fine state. Or an aura that wasn't present when she'd initially left.

You shook your head slightly, asked her to let you know if she had some other work, and left the room.

For ten minutes, you paced back and forth the empty hallway, while everyone downstairs thought the three of you might be taking an afternoon nap.

It was still completely silent when you knocked on his bedroom door once. Nothing.

You tried again, but realizing there wasn't going to be any response, you twisted the doorknob slowly.

As the door opened, you peeked in, eyes on Shubman's back while entering.

He sat on the floor, watching your daughter play with her toys on the playmat.

An entire store for toys and baby products would be emptied by him every week.

"Hey," you started in a low tone as you walked forward, crouching down before you sat beside him. "Want to put her to sleep?"

He didn't say anything and continued watching Nini.

You looked down at your lap, wanting to say so many things but none that could find their way out of your mouth.

"Are you still mad at me?" You tried again as Shubman observed even the slightest movements your daughter made. "Do you want me to go back?"

And he finally responded, though with a mere shake of his head.

"I'm not mad at you," he brought his knees closer to his chest, ankles crossed. "Did I-"

He paused, swallowing thickly before speaking again.

"Did I miss too much of her life?" He asked, chest feeling hollow with the absence of knowing the first months of his daughter's life, heavy with all the emotions weighing him down.

Something you understand only if you've lived it.

Only if you know you've missed many important moments in the life of someone you love so much.

"Memories are shared, Shubi," you answered, watching him rest his chin on his knees. "You might've or might have not missed too many. But you're right here to make more along the way."

Shubman's eyes were a little misty, but he shook the tears off so that they didn't obstruct his vision of his daughter.

"I'm sorry," you apologized softly in the end. "I know it wasn't your decision to stay away. You didn't know. And I shouldn't have held it against you."

"We all say things we don't mean," he replied, letting go of his knees. "But you did seem occasionally thinking about something else."

His eyes stared into yours; you could finally see the ones that made you fall for him, and would pick you up too.

"Are you with me because of Nini?" You asked him. "And this is not because of any comments on social media, but I just keep thinking what-if."

Shubman looked at you for a few more seconds, and tilted his head to the side. You were seriously asking him this.

"Baby, I thought this was like one plus one is two," he said the obvious. "I started loving you and Nini even before I knew I was her father."

"I know," you mumbled to yourself.

"You overthink a lot," he stated, leaning forward to place a kiss on your forehead. "And I'm sorry for getting too worked up."

"Can we just cuddle already?" You asked and he smiled before wrapping his arms around you.

"Of course," Shubman replied as he kissed your forehead again.

He cradled you like he'd do to Nini, who was still playing with the toys, placing kisses on your head now and then.

"Baby," he called and you hummed in response. "I've been thinking."

"You've been thinking," you repeated, head still on his chest.

"I found the perfect nets and practice routine for me in Ahmedabad," he went on. "I see Nini in the mornings and evenings, but I miss her all the remaining time."

You raised your head up and rested it on his shoulder instead.

"I talked to my parents," Shubman said, still holding you close. "Can we move in together?"

"Together?" You asked, doubting if you heard it right.

"I'm not familiar with anything like moving in 'separately,'" he replied.

And that was a joke he tried.

"At Ahmedabad," he continued. "On your way to and back from work, you can drop me off at practice and pick me up. I can make a really good breakfast, and we'll take care of Nini when one of us is home."

Shubman's cradling didn't stop and your daughter crawled towards you both, joining the hug.

"Sounds good, Shubi," you said as your family hugged. "You can make lunch and dinner too. I love you."

And that's how you said you love him for the first time.