After the arrival of their baby girl, Alina, named lovingly after Sharjeena's grandmother, their home was no longer the serene haven it once was—it had transformed into a whirlwind of love, laughter, and chaos. There wasn't a single dull moment in the house. Every corner of their space seemed to echo with a new kind of joy, even if it was wrapped in sleep deprivation and diaper changes.

Alina, with her striking grey-blue eyes inherited from her mother and dark hair like her father's, became the center of their world. Mustafa and Sharjeena often found themselves marveling at her features, obsessing over how she might look and act as she grew older.

"Yeh zaroor ek heartbreaker banegi," Mustafa would say, half-proud and half-terrified.

"And who do you think she gets that from?" Sharjeena would tease, smirking as Mustafa tried to pretend he wasn't flustered.

But their talks weren't always lighthearted. Mustafa would tense up whenever Sharjeena mentioned the possibility of Alina one day studying abroad or traveling the world to pursue her dreams.

"Par isko kahin jaane ki kya zarurat hai," Mustafa would argue. "Hum isey duniya ki saari azaishein yahi laa ke de denge."

"Aur iski independence ka kya? Yaa agar yeh duniya dekhna chaahe toh?" Sharjeena would counter, amused at how her calm, rational husband turned into a protective father at the mere thought of Alina making friends or leaving their home.

Mustafa would sigh dramatically, but deep down, he knew his wife was right. Still, the thought of his little girl navigating the world without him was something he wasn't quite ready to embrace.

While Mustafa struggled with his newfound protectiveness, Sharjeena was fully immersed in her role as a new mother during her maternity leave. Despite the presence of a household staff and constant visits from her family—especially her mother—she insisted on doing as much as she could herself.

"I don't want to miss these moments," she told Mustafa one night as she rocked Alina to sleep. "Yeh ek baar badi ho gayi toh phir dobara yeh time laut ke nahi aaega."

Mustafa understood, though he secretly wished she would rest more. He tried to work from home whenever he could, coming up with excuses even when his presence wasn't necessary.

"Mustafa, tum mere sar pe kyun naach rahe ho?" she said one afternoon as he set up his laptop at the dining table.

"Arey bhai, bas kaam kar raha hoon," he replied defensively.

"Toh office jaake kaam karo naa. Tumhaare kaam mein physical presence zaruri hai. Aur ghar pe itne sab log toh hote hain hamesha. I'll be fine."

"Par agar tumhein meri zarurat padi toh?" Mustafa countered, glancing at Alina, who was napping peacefully in her bassinet. "Agar Alina ko meri zarurat padi toh?"

"Alina ko is waqt sirf neend ki zarurat hai, aur tumhein bhi," Sharjeena said, rolling her eyes affectionately.

Even when Mustafa was at work, he couldn't fully focus. He would video call them multiple times a day, sneaking glances at the baby monitor on his desk or showing his colleagues pictures of Alina. The photo frame of his little family on his work desk became a source of pride, and he often found himself staring at it, a soft smile on his face.

"She's adorable," Danish remarked one day during a meeting. "But I think you're more obsessed with her than your games."

"Is it that obvious?" Mustafa asked, laughing but not denying it.

The presence of family members made their home even livelier. Sharjeena's mother, Salma, was practically a second mother to Alina, doting on her and offering gentle advice to the new parents. Mustafa often found himself seeking Salma's guidance, appreciating her calming presence and wisdom.

"Ammi," he said one evening while Alina napped on his chest. "Aapne apne time mein yeh sab kaise manage kia tha? Mujhe toh har waqt lagta hai ki main kuch galat hi kar baithunga. Har time ek ajeeb si bechaini rehti hai."

Salma chuckled softly. "Tum sab sahi kar rahe ho, beta. Waaldein hone ka yeh matlab nahi hai ki kabhi koi galti ho hi naa, ab insaan hain toh koi na koi galti toh karenge hi naa, par pyaar aur sabr se sab kuch ho jaata hai. Aur tumhaare paas pyaar toh behisaab hai hi, sabr dheere dheere aa jaaega."

Mustafa's parents visited often as well, bringing food, gifts, and blessings for their granddaughter. His mother, Shagufta, who had once struggled to express her emotions, now showed an endless capacity for love when it came to Alina.

"Yeh bilkul tumhaari tarah chehre banaati hai," she told Mustafa one day, watching Alina furrow her tiny brows in concentration as she reached for a toy. "Aur tumhari tarah hi chhoti chhoti cheezon mein khushiyaan dhoondh leti hai," she said as Alina gave them a victory smile after Mustafa handed her the toy.

Even Sidra and Waqas made regular appearances with their son, Hamza, who adored his baby cousin. "Yeh bilkul ek doll ki tarah hai," he said one day, poking her chubby cheeks gently. "Main isey apne saath le jaaun?"

"Nahi, Hamza beta," Mustafa said firmly, pulling Alina closer. "Yeh yahin rahegi. Tum yahin aake khelo iske saath."

Despite the chaos, Mustafa and Sharjeena remained each other's anchors. They took turns staying up at night, juggling feedings and diaper changes, but they always made time for each other. Late at night, when the house was finally quiet, they would sit together, sometimes talking, sometimes just enjoying the silence.

"You're amazing, you know that?" Mustafa told her one night as they sat on the couch, Alina asleep in her bassinet nearby.

"So are you," she replied, resting her head on his shoulder. "Saath milke sab kuch figure out karne ka bhi apna hi mazaa hai."

Their bond had only grown stronger since Alina's arrival. Mustafa's love for his wife deepened every time he saw her with their daughter—whether she was singing Alina to sleep, calming her during a cry, or simply holding her with a tenderness that melted his heart.

And for Sharjeena, Mustafa's unwavering support and love made her feel stronger than ever. He was her partner in every sense of the word, and she couldn't imagine navigating parenthood without him by her side.

As the days turned into weeks, Mustafa and Sharjeena began to settle into their new roles. Their days were filled with giggles, milestones, and a deep sense of gratitude for the life they had built together.

"Do you think yeh bhi tumhaari tarah gamer banegi?" Sharjeena teased one evening as they watched Alina try to grab a rattle.

"Ban sakti hai," Mustafa said, grinning. "Agar uska mann hua toh."

"Aur mann nahi hua toh?"

"Toh kuch aur ban jaaegi," he said, looking at his daughter with pure adoration. "As long as she's happy."

Their journey as parents was just beginning, but they were ready to face whatever came their way—together. Because in each other, they had found not just love, but a partnership that could weather any storm.

And in Alina, they had found their greatest joy.

The transition into parenthood, as much as it brought moments of unfiltered joy, was not without its challenges. For Sharjeena, the initial months after Alina's birth were a whirlwind of sleepless nights, exhaustion, and navigating the overwhelming changes her body and mind were undergoing. Lack of sleep, the constant demands of motherhood, and the unanticipated emotional swings of postpartum life often left her feeling drained and disconnected from her old self.

Mustafa, though a loving husband and doting father, found his own struggles in balancing the pressures of running a company and being present for his wife and child. The responsibility of leading his growing business required his attention during long hours, but his heart constantly tugged him back home. Despite the tension, he made a point to be there for Sharjeena whenever she needed him, intuitively understanding her unspoken emotions.

One of Mustafa's first steps in easing their burdens was hiring a skilled nanny. Though Sharjeena initially resisted the idea, Mustafa gently yet firmly insisted.

"Sharjeena, mujhe pata hai ki tum sab kuch sambhaal sakti ho, but you don't have to do it all alone," he told her one evening as they rocked Alina to sleep together. "Yeh nanny sirf humein help karne ke liye hai, tumhari jagah lene ke liyr nahi. Tumhein saans lene ki, aaram karne ki zarurat hai."

Eventually, as the weeks passed, Sharjeena grew grateful for the extra support. Having a helping hand allowed her moments of much-needed sleep and gave her time to focus on herself, even if just for a few minutes in a day.

One quiet morning, Mustafa stayed home to spend time with his family. After nursing Alina and putting her to sleep, Sharjeena went to shower while Mustafa sat nearby with his laptop, catching up on emails. When she emerged from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around her hair, he noticed her unusually quiet demeanor.

As she brushed her hair in front of the mirror, he saw her pause, looking down at the strands that had come loose in her comb. Her expression turned crestfallen.

"Sab theek hai?" Mustafa asked, closing his laptop and looking at her with concern.

She sighed, setting the brush down. "Aaj phir nahaate hue itne saare baal jhadd gaye."

Mustafa stood up, walking toward her. "Doctor ko dikhaana hai?"

"Nahi," she replied, shaking her head. "Gynaecologist ne kaha tha ki postpartum symptom hai. It's just...frustrating."

As she slipped into an oversized t-shirt and a pair of pajama pants, Mustafa's gaze lingered on her, as it often did. To him, she was still the most beautiful woman in the world, but he could see the flicker of self-consciousness in her eyes.

"Kaash mere paas bhi tumhaare jaisi nazarein hotein," she said suddenly, her voice tinged with vulnerability.

He tilted his head, confused. "Matab?"

She sat on the edge of the bed, her hands resting on her knees. "Jab pregnant thi naa tab kabhi conscious nahi hui khudko lekar. In fact, I felt...powerful. Like my body was doing something incredible. Par ab naa, kabhi kabhi ajeeb sa feel hota hai. Sometimes I don't feel like myself. Khudko dekh ke acchha nahi lagta."

Mustafa's heart ached for her. He walked over and knelt in front of her, taking her hands in his.

"This body," he said, his voice low and full of conviction, "has created a miracle. Don't ever call it anything less than amazing. This body belongs to the most beautiful, strongest, most incredible woman I've ever known."

She looked at him, her grey-blue eyes misty, and he saw the depth of her emotions—love, exhaustion, gratitude, and a touch of sadness. He stood and wrapped his arms around her from behind, holding her close and resting his chin on her damp hair.

"Tum bohot khubsurat ho, Sharjeena," he whispered, meeting her gaze in the mirror. "Aur mere liye hamesha rahogi, duniya ki sabse khubsurat ladki, agar meri nazron se dekhogi toh khud bhi mehsoos kar paaogi."

She smiled through her tears, leaning back into his embrace. "Tumhein pata hota hai kab kya kehna hai."

"Only because I mean it," he replied, turning her gently to face him. "Hey, come here." He pulled her fully into his arms, kissing the top of her head and murmuring words of reassurance as her hands clung to his shirt.

Just then, Alina's soft fussing interrupted the moment. They both froze, listening for a second, before laughing together.

"Yeh tha humaara aaj tak ka top 5 breather," she said, pulling away reluctantly but with a smile.

He chuckled. "Haan. Chalo ab service pe lagein, boss ka bulawa aa gaya hai."

Their days were often like this—a mixture of chaos, tender moments, and stolen glimpses of each other amidst the whirlwind of parenting. Mustafa's unwavering presence and support became her anchor during the hardest days, while her resilience and humor kept him grounded.

For Mustafa, fatherhood and marriage had transformed him in ways he never imagined possible. The love he discovered when he first fell for Sharjeena had grown into something limitless, all-encompassing, and selfless. It was a kind of love he never thought he could experience, a love that prioritized his little family above everything else.

His life, which had once been marked by uncertainty and longing for recognition, now revolved around this nucleus of joy, companionship, and devotion. Every time he looked at Sharjeena and Alina, he felt as though his heart expanded, taking in more than he thought it could hold.

One evening, Mustafa was at the office when a sudden technical glitch in their flagship game's coding demanded his immediate attention. What should have been a routine day turned into hours of troubleshooting with his team. By early evening, as it became clear he would be staying late, he picked up his phone and called home.

"Sharjeena, mujhe aaj late ho jaaega," he said regretfully, running his hand through his hair. "Ek glitch aa gayi hai yahaan, aur jitna socha tha usase zyaada time lag raha hai theek karne mein. I'm really sorry."

On the other end, Sharjeena's voice was calm and reassuring. "Mustafa, it's okay. Tumhein sorry bolne ki koi zarurat nahi hai. Tum apne kaam pe focus karo, hum yahaan theek hain. Nanny bhi hai saath mein toh koi problem nahi hai. Just make sure ki tum kuch khaa lena beech mein, bhookhe mat rehna."

Even through the phone, Mustafa could hear Alina babbling in the background, her tiny voice filling his heart with warmth.

"I love you," he said earnestly, a smile creeping onto his tired face. "And please meri beti ko bhi meri taraf se bohot saari kisses de dena."

"I love you too," she replied, her voice soft but warm. "Aur haan, de dungi."

The call ended, but Mustafa carried the sound of Alina's baby voice with him for the rest of the night, a little ember of love keeping him grounded amidst the stress of work.

By the time Mustafa finally resolved the issue and left the office, it was almost midnight. Danish walked out with him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Mustafa, thank you for staying late. I know how much your family needs you, especially now with the baby. I really appreciate it."

Mustafa shook his head and smiled. "Family's important, but so is this. Main tujhe akela nahi chorrne waala tha yeh handle karne ke liye."

Driving home, his mind was a mix of exhaustion and longing. As he pulled into the driveway, the lights of their bedroom were dimmed, signaling that both Sharjeena and Alina were already asleep.

Entering the house quietly, he tiptoed into the bedroom and stopped in his tracks at the sight before him. Sharjeena and Alina were snuggled together, both sound asleep. Alina's tiny fist rested against her mother's shoulder, and a soft smile played on her lips even in her dreams.

Mustafa stood there for a moment, his heart swelling with love. He knew he was tired, but the sight of his little family made him feel alive, as if all the day's weariness was melting away.

He quickly changed into his nightclothes and slipped silently into bed on the other side of Alina. As he adjusted the sheets around them, Sharjeena stirred.

Opening her eyes halfway, she saw him and smiled sleepily. "Aa gaye tum," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Kuch khaaya tumnein?"

"Haan," he replied softly, lying down beside her.

Her hand reached up to his hair, her fingers running through it gently. "Thak gaye hoge naa?" she murmured, her eyes closing again.

"Thoda sa," he admitted, his voice equally quiet. "Tum bhi toh thak gayi hogi naa."

"Thodi si," she said, a faint smile on her lips.

Without saying another word, Mustafa leaned over, planting a soft kiss on her head. Then, turning to Alina, he placed an equally tender kiss on her tiny forehead. His arms wrapped around them both, holding them close, his protectiveness enveloping them like a cocoon.

This was his life now. His world. His everything.

As the steady rhythm of his family's breathing lulled him into sleep, Mustafa thought about how this was all he had ever wanted, and more. With his wife and daughter in his arms, he didn't need anything else.

The next year of their lives was a whirlwind, but it was the most fulfilling whirlwind Mustafa and Sharjeena could have ever imagined. Parenthood brought sleepless nights, unexpected challenges, and moments of pure joy that made all the chaos worth it. Every milestone of their daughter Alina's life felt monumental, like the world stopped for a moment to celebrate her first crawl, her first scoot, her first tooth, her first words, and her first wobbly steps.

Each of these moments was documented with enthusiasm—photos, videos, little notes. True to her promise, Sharjeena filled an entire wall in their home with memories of their little family. Mustafa would sometimes stand in front of that wall, tracing the smiling faces in the photos with his fingers, marveling at how their lives had transformed.

Sharjeena, being the planner she was, extended her maternity leave by a few extra months to spend more time with her daughter. When the time came for her to rejoin work, she negotiated a work-from-home arrangement for a while, occasionally visiting the office for important meetings. These days were hard—juggling work and motherhood—but she managed, bolstered by Mustafa's unwavering support and her family's help.

Her colleagues and boss were remarkably accommodating, understanding the challenges of a new mother. On days when she had to go to the office, Mustafa made sure to stay back with Alina. Watching her ease into this new phase with her usual quiet strength, Mustafa's admiration for his wife only grew.

One particular Friday, after a busy week of working from home, Sharjeena had to attend a client meeting in the office. By evening, as she prepared to leave, she received a call from Mustafa.

"Hum tumhein lene aa rahe hain," he said.

"Nahi main aa jau—"

"Argue nahi karo, Sharjeena," Mustafa interrupted with mock sternness. "Hum already raaste mein hain."

When the car pulled up outside her office, her heart swelled at the sight. Mustafa was driving, and Alina was nestled securely in her baby chair in the back, her little hands reaching out as soon as she spotted her mother. Mustafa stepped out to greet her, and she opened the back door to shower kisses on her daughter's chubby cheeks. Alina squealed with happiness, her face lighting up at her mother's touch.

"Meri jaan ne miss kia mama ko?" Sharjeena cooed.

Alina's giggles were all the response she needed.

She then hugged Mustafa, who kissed her hair gently, and slid into the passenger seat. The warmth of her family surrounded her, making the exhaustion of the day melt away.

Mustafa drove them to one of their favorite cafes, a cozy spot that they hadn't visited in a while. The three of them spent the evening there, laughing, chatting, and enjoying the simpler joys of life. Alina, ever the charmer, drew the attention of several other customers. Strangers waved at her, cooed at her, and complimented the proud parents on their beautiful daughter. Mustafa, protective as ever, tensed up a bit at the attention, but at Sharjeena's reassuring touch on his arm, he relaxed.

As they sat there, watching Alina babble and play with a toy spoon, Mustafa noticed a distant look on Sharjeena's face. He reached across the table and placed a hand over hers.

"Kya soch rahi ho?" he asked softly.

She looked at him, her eyes filled with both love and worry. "Bas soch rahi hoon ki kaise manage hoga