A year later

"Noorani by Noor Bajwa Gill" was written big and loud on the board of the one-story grand store. It stood proud in the bustling heart of Chandigarh, with customers flowing in and out, eager to experience the magic within. Noor Bajwa Gill, now one of the world’s top designers, had built her self-made brand from the ground up. The store gleamed with elegance, a symbol of her success, and it stood tall, an icon of creativity and craftsmanship in the fashion world.

Behind the store, Noor stood in her work studio, shouting orders with her hands planted firmly on her waist. Her hands rested on her waist, and her body leaned slightly back to accommodate her visibly enlarged belly, a clear indication that she was seven months pregnant. Despite her condition, Noor was fully in control as she oversaw the last-minute preparations for a large order that was to be shipped to both Mumbai and New York for an exclusive event. 

A call interrupted the shouting, momentarily calming the atmosphere and bringing a collective sigh of relief from the constant instructions. As Noor was about to pick up her phone, she shouted again, "Oye paaji, oh Mumbai wala hai! New York vich na paao!"("Hey, Brother, that's for Mumbai! Don't send it to New York!") Her voice cut through the brief pause, ensuring that the order details were clear and precise.

Taking a deep breath, Noor picked up her phone to hear her husband's voice, who had been on tour in Zimbabve since last month. "Kudiyye, what are you doing?" he sang with affection. Shutting her eyes, Noor replied, "Kaake, I love you so much, but right now I can’t talk."

Shubman sighed and said, "I’m ending the call now, but please, don’t shout too much about the orders. That kid will go deaf," he chuckled. Noor scowled and replied, “Oh, stop teasing me. I’m just trying to make sure everything goes smoothly. You know how hectic it gets here!”

Shubman gulped, thinking it was better not to mess with the soon-to-be mama bear. He knew that under normal circumstances, Noor would have joked back, but her mood swings were speaking louder right now.

Shubman's tone softened as he said, “Okay, Noori, calm down, love. I was just joking. Don’t stress too much; it’s not good for your health. Everything will be ready on time. Pammi Aunty and Parminder are there to help too, so take it easy.”

Noor sat down, her shoulders slumping with exhaustion. As she did, she clicked her fingers to signal her workers to keep up the pace and not slow down just because she was on the phone. Her eyes remained focused on the task at hand, determined to ensure that everything continued running smoothly despite her fatigue.

“How are you, Kaake?” she said, rubbing her tummy and leaning her head against the chair. She gazed at the workers moving swiftly, knowing her presence kept them focused. Pammi Aunty was checking the designs to ensure everything was perfect, while Parminder brought in empty boxes for the dresses to be packed.

Lying on his hotel bed, Shubman stared at the ceiling and asked, “Are you sure you’ve got time to talk, love?”

“Yes, I have time now. I was just so wrapped up in work that I didn’t realize some things can wait for the ones you love. I’m sorry for shouting earlier,” Noor said, her voice softening.

Shubman’s voice softened with understanding. “It’s okay, Noori. I get it. You’ve got a lot on your plate. Just remember to take care of yourself too.”

Noor sighed, feeling a wave of relief. “I will. It’s just been hectic with the orders and everything. But hearing your voice makes things a bit better.”

Shubman’s voice softened further. “I’m glad to hear that. I wish I could be there to help in person, but knowing you’re managing so well is comforting.”

Noor chuckled softly. “Well, it’s a good thing I have you to keep me grounded. Even from miles away, you manage to be my anchor.”

Shubman’s tone grew tender. “I love you, Noor. Take care of yourself. And tell our little one that dada misses them very much.”

Noor caressed her belly gently and whispered, “See, little one, your dada misses you and me so much. Just a little while longer, and we’ll all be together again.”

Shubman smiled, biting his lip, and said, “I love you.”

Noor’s eyes softened as she echoed, “I love you too.”

As the call ended, Noor looked up, smiling contentedly after talking to her bestfriend. Her smile grew wider when she saw that all the parcels were packed and ready to move. Parminder approached her, holding a stack of papers.

"Didi, please sign these so we can send them," Parminder requested.

Noor nodded and moved toward the table, leaning forward to sign a bunch of papers. As she signed, Parminder’s curious voice broke the silence.

“What do you think, didi? Is the baby a boy or a girl?”

Noor rolled her eyes and looked up with a sarcastic smile. "Do you want to name the baby?" she asked.

Parminder chuckled nervously, shaking his head. "No, no, didi," he stammered.

Noor's smile broadened with more sarcasm. "Don’t worry," she said, handing him the stack of signed papers. "You’re going to be the uncle, so I’ll give you the chance to spoil my baby."

Parminder muttered under his breath with a hint of disappointment, "Mamu bana rahi hai..."

Noor, catching his words, raised an eyebrow and smirked. "What was that?" she asked teasingly, pretending not to have heard him clearly.

Parminder quickly shook his head, avoiding eye contact, "Nothing, didi. Just happy to be the spoiling uncle!"

As Parminder walked away pouting, Noor shook her head and muttered, "Namuma." She would’ve entertained his question if it had been any other time, but with so much work on her plate, she couldn't indulge his curiosity. She sighed, thinking, He never learns, does he?

Noor leaned back in her chair, exhaustion washing over her as she realized the orders were finally completed. The room seemed to exhale with relief as everyone stretched, breathing in the satisfaction of a job well done. They began to quietly disperse, heading out for snacks and to freshen up.

Her team loved Noor and her warm, caring nature, but when it came to work, she turned into a perfectionist—a force to be reckoned with.

Pammi Aunty sat next to Noor, a warm smile on her face as she gently patted Noor's face with her chunni. "Will you eat some aloo paratha? I made it specially for you and the little one," she said, her hand resting lovingly on Noor's belly.

Noor leaned her head on Pammi Aunty's shoulder and hugged her gently. "Is that even a question?" she replied with a grateful smile.

Pammi Aunty nodded eagerly, bringing her tiffin from her bag. She broke off a piece of aloo paratha, ready to feed Noor. However, Noor gently held her hand and guided her towards the big couch bed she had set up for herself and her workers to rest on after long hours. “Now, as we both rest, we eat,” Noor said with a smile. She took a bite of the paratha and then fed a morsel to Pammi Aunty in return.

Pammi Aunty’s eyes prickled with tears as she watched Noor’s genuine affection. She felt a deep, emotional gratitude, realizing how much Noor cherished her, even more than her own children had.

As Pammi Aunty blinked away her tears, she smiled at Noor, her heart swelling with emotion. "You're too kind to this old woman," she whispered, her voice thick with gratitude.

Noor gently wiped Pammi Aunty's tears, her touch tender. "Of course you deserve it, Aunty, after everything you've done for Tavleen and Lucky. You’ve been their rock, and now you’re mine too."

Pammi Aunty bit her lip, trying to hold back a smile. "And yet, here I am, receiving so much love from someone else," she said softly, her eyes shining with warmth. "Life has its way of surprising us, doesn’t it?"

Noor chuckled, leaning back into the couch. "It does. But I think you deserve all of this love, Aunty. You've given so much, and now it's time for you to receive."

Pammi Aunty placed a hand on Noor's belly once more, her smile warm and motherly. "And soon, this little one will give you the same love," she said softly. "Just you wait."

Leaning down, she kissed Noor's belly gently and whispered with a tender hope, "I pray this little one inherits your kindness, beta."

Pammi Aunty smiled warmly at Noor’s modesty. “Stop it, Aunty. I’m not that great,” Noor said, blushing as she gently pushed Pammi Aunty's hand away.

Pammi Aunty chuckled softly and patted Noor’s cheek. “Nonsense, beta. Your kindness shines through everything you do. You’ll be a wonderful mother.”

Noor’s smile widened, her cheeks still flushed with embarrassment. “Thank you, Aunty. That means a lot to me.”

As the two women shared such heartfelt moments, a pair of jealous eyes watched them from the door. “So much love for Noor Bajwa, wow, Mother,” Tavleen's envious voice interrupted, cutting through their smiles.

Their gaze turned towards the door and Pammi Aunty took in her daughter's appearance, her breath catching at the sight of Tavleen's swollen belly, which was visibly several months along. She quickly composed herself and asked, her tone laced with disgust, “What are you here for, Tavleen?”

Tavleen’s lips shuddered as she spoke, “Mumma, I wanted to meet you.”

Pammi Aunty chuckled bitterly, her gaze shifting to Tavleen’s belly. “After a year?” she asked, her tone heavy with hurt.

Tavleen’s eyes welled with tears as she said, “Mumma, I missed you. When I found out you were here, I rushed over.”

Pammi Aunty, her anger simmering, replied with a sharp edge to her voice, “Why don’t you get to the point, Tavleen?”

Tavleen hesitated, her gaze dropping to the floor before she spoke again. “I... I wanted to apologize. I’ve been selfish, and I know I haven’t been around.”

Pammi Aunty’s eyes narrowed. “Apologize? After all this time?”

“Yes, Mumma,” Tavleen said, her voice breaking. “I know it’s too little, too late, but I wanted to make things right.”

Pammi Aunty’s voice dripped with sarcasm as she spoke. “Oh, now you want to make things right, Tavleen? After you got pregnant and left, now that you need support and money, you come rushing to Mumma?”

Tavleen winced at the harshness in Pammi Aunty’s tone. “Mumma, I know I made mistakes. I’m here to try and fix things, but please—”

“Fix things?” Pammi Aunty interrupted, her voice thick with disappointment. “It’s not that simple. You can’t just waltz back in and expect everything to be forgiven.”

Tavleen’s voice trembled as she pleaded, “Mumma, please. Where will I go? I don’t have any money, and I need to raise the baby. I don’t have the heart to consider any other option."

Tavleen looked down, her tears falling freely now. “I know I’ve made mistakes, but I’m asking for a chance to make things right. I need help, and I don’t know where else to turn.”

Noor, sitting nearby, gently rubbed Pammi Aunty's arm. “Maybe, Aunty, we should let her come back,” she suggested softly.

Pammi Aunty’s reaction was immediate and sharp. “No!” she said loudly, causing Noor to flinch. Seeing Noor’s reaction, Pammi Aunty felt a pang of guilt. She quickly turned back to Noor, rubbing her belly apologetically.

Tavleen, watching the interaction, couldn’t help but feel a surge of jealousy. “What has changed so much that you can’t take your own daughter back? And why are you showing Noor so much love?” she asked, her voice tinged with bitterness.

Pammi Aunty’s anger surged as she faced Tavleen. “Noor picked me up when you and your brother left me in loneliness. And now you come back expecting support and money? How dare you!”

“What will you do with the money? Who will you give it to?” Tavleen asked angrily.

Pammi Aunty smirked and replied, “I’ll donate it, but not a penny will go to you and that gambler.”

Pammi Aunty nodded bitterly. “Yes, your brother turned into a gambler and is rotting in jail. You can do whatever you want, but right now, just get out.”

“Mumma, please, how will I manage?” Tavleen said, feeling defeated.

Pammi Aunty’s voice was laden with bitterness as she spoke, “You know what? Go earn money and raise that kid alone, just like I did with you and Lucky. I did it without any help from your drunkard father. You’ll learn what it means to fend for yourself.”

“Mumma, don’t do this, please!” Tavleen cried, reaching out to her mother. But Pammi Aunty stood up, firmly holding Tavleen's hand. “Get out now. You need to understand what your mother went through raising you and Lucky. Leave, and don’t come back until you’ve learned what it means to struggle and work hard.”

“Mumma, please!” Tavleen cried as Pammi Aunty dragged her towards the door. Noor, holding her belly with difficulty, struggled to stand up and intervene. But Pammi Aunty's stern warning halted her. “Noor, don’t. This is something she needs to face on her own. Let her understand the consequences of her actions.”

Noor tried to speak, but Pammi Aunty, with stern eyes, said firmly, “Don’t stress about this woman. Sit down and eat those parathas. No arguments.”

Pammi Aunty then led the crying Tavleen out, and her voice could be heard scolding Parminder as she left. “Parminder, I don’t want you to let in Tavleen or Lucky here. Not now, not ever.”

Footsteps moved upstairs, and the door closed with a soft thud. Pammi Aunty wanted to avoid causing any additional stress to Noor during her pregnancy. She turned towards Noor, who moved towards her, cupping her face with a worried expression.

“It feels good to stand up for yourself,” Pammi Aunty said with a smile. “It feels like you’re finally free from the heaviness, and I feel it today.”

Noor’s smile widened. She leaned in and kissed Pammi Aunty gently on the forehead before pulling her into a warm, heartfelt hug.

Pammi Aunty chuckled, her eyes misty with emotion. “My strong khadoos pammi,” Noor said, kissing the top of her head.

As she felt her daughter’s warm embrace, she reflected on how Noor was the only child she had ever accepted as her own.