Chapter 40

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40| Nawal

Ahad looked so stressed that I was certain he would end up crashing the car somewhere. The roads were empty, given the hour, so he pretty much planned to race to the hospital until I asked him to slow down and focus if he wanted to reach the hospital as a visitor and not a patient. Everyone had already arrived, as we were informed, and only we were being waited for.

As soon as Ahad parked the car, he ran out and inside the hospital, leaving me to follow him. He asked the receptionist about his sister and we were guided to the second floor where Sameer bhai was pacing back and forth in the hallway with mom sitting down and reciting some duas as her dupatta was draped over her head and dad was sitting next to her, comforting her. We greeted everyone and I sat down next to mom and copied her actions. Ahad was so tense and he couldn't even sit still so he just resorted to walking, like Sameer bhai.

"Excuse me, who's the husband of the patient?" A nurse came out of the ward where Zoha Appi was. "Me. I'm her husband." Sameer bhai attended to her and we all stiffened up with worry that something might be . "She's asking for you inside." He nodded at us then followed the nurse inside as we all were left to deal with our curiosity.

"Ahad, sit down!" I whispered at him through gritted teeth when he was close enough and he wordlessly sat down next to me, head in hands.

"You're worrying too much, her and her baby will be okay." I rubbed his back to reassure him as my mind drifted off to my own thoughts. He was so worried for his sister and nephew/niece, I wondered how his condition would be if it was his own child. The possibility of our own child didn't seem too far away with all the things happening with me.

"Can I get you both anything?" Ahad was obviously not in the right state of mind to be considering his parents right now but I could care for them. Mom gently shook her head at me and patted my head lovingly. "Thank you for the offer, beta, but just look after Ahad for now. He seems to be losing his brain right now." She shook her head and I looked towards the opposite side at Ahad who wasn't even mentally present here to hear our conversation.

A while later, Sameer bhai came out, looking completely distraught, making my heart drop with worry. Ahad noticed too and got up to talk to him about what's going on because something was definitely not right.

"The doctors said they might have to go for an operation due to some complications." He sat down on one of the metal chairs and closed his eyes. Anyone could see that he was trying to be strong right now when he was definitely breaking apart.

Childbirth was difficult and a very sensitive concept. Even the most minor complications could be fatal for the mother or the baby so I understood why everyone was so worried right now. We could only pray that Zoha Appi and her baby would be safe and sound.

"Nawal, can you please call Rumi and inform her? I didn't want to disturb her in the middle of the night because she's newly married but I know she'll be upset if no one told her." I nodded at her and went off to a corner to call bhabhi. Her phone rang but I didn't get an answer so I tried bhai's number.

"Nino? Is everything okay?" Why is he always worrying about me?

"Yes, bhai. Can you please give the phone to bhabhi? I called her first but she didn't pick up."

"Give me a second." I could hear faint sounds of him waking her up before she came on the phone.

"Bhabhi? What happened? I'm sorry I couldn't pick up your call."

"Zoha Appi has been brought to the hospital for her delivery. Mom asked me to inform you." Instantly, after the words left my mouth, I could here shuffling in the back, telling me they would be preparing to come over at the hospital. I told them the name of the hospital we were at before joining the rest of my family in the waiting area.

In the silence of the space, I thought about how we were in a hospital and if I wanted, I could get a test done by a professional to check if my suspicions were right but then I quickly set those thoughts aside. Neither did I want to waste any money and I didn't want anyone from the family to know until I had a clear answer myself and I would have to clarify what I was going to do if I planned to get a check-up right now.

Sameer bhai looked tensed, rightfully so, so Ahad sat next to him on the line of chairs opposite to us. Mom seemed to be getting tired as it was almost four in the morning and she must have been woken up from sleep too like the rest of us so I suggested they go back home until the baby is born which was obviously going to take a few more hours but she refused and I understood because who would want to miss the birth of their first grandchild?

I, myself, was getting tired so I went to the canteen on the ground floor to get myself some coffee or tea– whatever was available. They had cup holders placed next to the disposable cups so I made five drinks for everyone. When I walked out of the canteen, I spotted Rauf bhai and Rumi bhabhi at the reception, most likely asking about Zoha appi's ward so I tapped on my bhai's shoulder and greeted both of them. He took the cups from me and I wordlessly guided them to the second floor where everyone was waiting. Everyone warmly greeted each other through all the worry and the men proceeded to sit together, facing the women. Mom and I explained Zoha appi's condition to bhabhi and her face fell as all of us repeatedly prayed for the good health of her and her baby.

Sameer bhai kept on taking several rounds in and out of her ward, keeping us updated on her condition before he was prohibited from coming inside once the operation started. The men had just returned from praying fajr in the praying facility of the hospital when a nurse came out and informed us that the operation was successfully done and both the mama and baby were healthy. Everyone was in tears as we congratulated each other. Someone was yet to inform us about the gender of the baby but a nurse came and took the father of the child inside since he was now allowed to go inside. We all eagerly waited for him to return, hopefully with the baby so we could see him or her. Mom could basically not contain her excitement anymore as I kept my arm wrapped around her while she told me how happy she was.

A thought occurred to me regarding the gender of the baby as mostly, sons were considered a greater blessing than daughters but as far as I knew my family, no one would discriminate between the two genders and they would be equally joyed on the birth of a son or daughter.

Just minutes later, Sameer bhai came out with a surgical mask around his face and a baby wrapped securely in a white blanket that he was lovingly looking at. Out of respect, we let the grandparents see their grandchild first.

"Everyone, meet my son, Ibrahim Sameer Rehmani. Born on the morning of 2nd April, Alhamdulillah." After him, everyone repeated 'Alhamdulillah' and once mom and dad were done showering little Ibrahim with their love, Ahad gently took him in his arms as the mamu of the baby and the older brother of Zoha Appi.

*mamu: mother's brother.

The way he gently and softly looked down at his nephew with so much love, I had no doubt he would love him to no limits. It almost looked like he could cry right then and there by just the sight of Ibrahim. Even Ibrahim looked up at his mamu with big, wide eyes as he nibbled at his small fist. I took that opportunity to place a small kiss on his small forehead, diverting his attention to me who was standing beside Ahad.

"Bhai, I understand that you love him but can I get a chance too?" Rumi bhabhi complained and Ahad rolled his eyes but handed him over to his khala. I took that chance to ask a nurse who was keeping a close eye on us, probably because of the baby, about how Zoha Appi was and if we could meet her soon.

"She's still in the state of anaesthesia and she was exhausted as it is so I would let her rest now before swarming her with visitors and she has to be moved to a private room soon as well so you all can meet her there." I nodded in understanding at her words and turned around to see mom listening in too. She patted my back in appreciation before placing a kiss on the side of my head.

"Agli aapki baari?" She teased and my eyes dilated in response but I just laughed it off. Who knew, I might as well be the next mother in the family.

*"Your turn next?"

(A.N): BABY IBRAHIM IS HERE YAY!
Drop a vote and comment as his birth present <3
We are 14 chapters + epilogue away from the end :(


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