Subhan knew something was up. As he slept soundly, he was constantly aware of the little whining sound coming from somewhere in the room. He was sleeping on his side. The weather had increased in Karachi. The mid summer air was cool but sweats beads still formed on his back and neck. Sleep has come to him after a very long time when he came back home after a tiring work day. His each muscle was aching for staying up late and not taking much rest. Fortunately, he was taking a week off. So whatever was disturbing his much needed slumber, he didn't pay any attention.
"Subhan." He felt someone poking his sides. He vividly heard his name being called, but he was so sleepy and tired that he only managed to let out a drowsy hmm.
"Sune na!"
(Listen!)
He again heard the same voice, but this time it was closer, like just beneath his ear. The whisper was hushed but enough to get into his sleepy mind.
"Hmm." The voice stopped before he heard something close to an....insult.
"Chorein. So jaye ap."
(Leave it. You just sleep)
Unfortunately, he replied with a hmm again and went back to his slumber causing an already fuming Safa to go red. Her eyes filled with tears as she cradled her nine months belly and padded down the stairs. She opened the refrigerator in search for strawberry ice cream. She was craving it so much. She even called him to buy one for her and he said he would. But as she searched for it, she couldn't find any. Fresh hot tears rolled down her eyes as she sat down on the chair. Her messy hair fell on her face curtaining her cheeks as she cried for her ice cream.
"What happened, Jaan?"
She sniffed loudly and deliberately wiped her tears harshly to show her husband how upset she is. That seemed to do the trick because in a second he was on his knees, wiping her tear streaks and cradling her face in his big palms.
"Why are you crying, Safa?"
His concerned voice made her stance falter. Right now, as she gazed at her husband, she could clearly make out the dark circles beneath his eyes and the exhausted look on his face. Guilt quickly took over her residing anger and she sniffed
"Nothing." She tried to stand up, but he was adamant to know the reason of her crying.
"Tell me. Is it hurting? Do we need to go to hospital?"
His tired voice broke her heart and another set of tears left her eyes. He panicked, not understanding the situation. She held his hand tightly and told him the real reason behind her crying rivers.
"You forgot to buy me ice cream."
She wiped her nose which was red. A relieved sigh left Subhan's lips. He was sure that something happened to her. Caressing her face, he told her
"I didn't forget, Phoenix. Wait."
Standing up, he opened the freezer part of the refrigerator and took out a pint of strawberry ice cream. Her eyes twinkled and she was suddenly excited to have a spoonful.
But her excitement extinguished quickly as he didn't hand the pint to her. She was sure he won't let her have it when he pulled a chair and sat in front of her before making a spoonful to feed her. A blush crept upon her cheeks at his antics. He looked at her blushing cheeks and deadpanned
"Really Phoenix, you're still shy of me."
He pointed at her protruding belly which earned him a horrified gasp from Safa. Slapping his thigh, she chided
"Besharam."
(Shameless)
A laugh poured out of him before he fed her the ice cream. She happily ate half of the pint before her taste buds had enough of the sweet dish. He closed the lid of the pint and put it back inside the freezer. This time at the front, so his wife won't cry after. Turning towards her, he carried her bridal style in his arms. She shrieked before letting her head fall on his chest. As he climbed the stairs, he felt a kiss on his cheek before he felt her lips trailing down to his jaw. Giving her a fake angry look, he teased
"Aren't you a naughty minx."
She only shrugged before going back to lay her head on his chest. He opened the door to their room and closed it with his foot before putting his wife back on the bed. She adjusted her pillows before making herself comfortable. He laid down beside her and held her hand.
"What do you think it's going to be? Girls or boys?" She whispered while drawing circles on his chest. He shrugged.
"I really don't care about the gender. But I'll love to have a mini Safa running around." He placed a kiss on her nose making her laugh lightly.
"I want to have a boy." She admitted. He shrugged yet again. They didn't find the gender yet. Wanting to be surprised.
"Whatever gender they are going to be, I'll love them so much."
Subhan said before nuzzling in her neck. A shiver went down her spine and she clutched his shirt tightly. But nothing happened for a few minutes. Frowning, she glanced at him only to find him sleeping soundly. Smiling, she caressed his hair before muttering
"Sleep all you want. Once your twins come, you'll be up all night."
She threw one leg over his waist before surrendering to sleep too.
~~~~~~~~~~
"Calm down. Everything will be fine."
Subhan's pacing was once again halted by his mother. He nodded his head at her before resuming pacing back and forth. Narmeen sighed at her son before taking a seat on one of the chairs. Opposite to her, sat Rafiqa, reciting Surah e Marium who flew in that afternoon.
Safa was admitted to hospital last night, so everyone was here worried for her and the twins safety. Subhan slumped down on a chair. Glancing at his watch, he voiced out
"Why hasn't the doctor come out?"
His question was answered soon as the doctor finally came out. A huge smile was on her face as she announced.
"Congratulations. It's a boy and a girl."
Series of thank yous to his Lord left his lips before he was embraced in a hug from his mother.
"Mubarak hu bete."
(Congratulations my son)
He pulled back with a huge smile on his face. Rafiqa ran a motherly hand on his head before he asked the doctor
"Can we see her?"
He was taken inside the room where he saw his wife's figure perched up on the bed with a wide smile plastered on her lips. He walked to her and placed a tender kiss on her forehead. She smiled bashfully at him and muttered
"Both of our wishes came true." A laugh escaped his lips before he went into husband mode.
"Are you fine? Are you feeling any pain?"
She shook her head and waited for the nurse to bring them their children. The door opened and their family strolled in. Mehreen and Natalia hugged their brother before congratulating Safa. Rafiqa kissed her daughter before Hamza hugged his sister. He just arrived as he couldn't get vacation from hi work. Owais patted his son on the back before saying
"Congratulations."
Safa's eyes glued to the door before she asked
"Where are Altamash Bhai and Zainab?"
She turned to Mehreen while asking about Zainab. She told her that she'll be a little late. Altamash, however, came with boxes of sweets which were soon distributed in everyone. Zainab soon joined them after a little while and everyone waited for the babies to arrive.
After a wait of few minutes, the nurse came in carrying their babies in her hands. Safa grew excited before her daughter was placed in her arms and their son in Subhan's. As she gazed at her daughter, she couldn't help but fall in love with her pink skin and big doe eyes. Addressing her husband, she gushed
"She has such beautiful eyes."
He nodded before placing their son in her arms and taking his daughter in his own. Caressing her soft skin, he was in awe of his daughter already.
"He has your eyes." He smiled as he gazed at his son. Indeed, he was combination of both of them but got his physical features.
"Have you both decided on names?"
Someone asked before everyone started throwing in their suggestions. But Narmeen saw the expressions on her daughter in law's face. She addressed her and asked
"You have anything in mind, beta?" Safa looked at her husband and he nodded. He looked at everyone before announcing the name of his baby girl
"Hoorain Fatima. Since she has big doe eyes."
Everyone was in awe of the name as it suited little Hoorain. Everyone's gazes settled on Safa and she suddenly grew a bit nervous, but she knew this was important. Facing everyone, she announced her son's name.
"Hammad. Hammad Subhan Durrani."
Zainab's eyes flashed to her and she momentarily stopped to breath. Tears filled her eyes as the emotions clogged her throat. The room grew silent as everyone fell into a deep emotional ride. Safa felt her hand being squeezed and heard her husband say
"You're beautiful inside and out." Placing a warm kiss on her hand, he turned to everybody and announced
"Welcome Hoorain Fatima and Hammad Durrani to our family."
The family rejoiced again. Zainab slowly inched to Safa. She smiled at her before placing little Hammad in her arms. Zainab rocked the little boy in her arms before facing the new parents with an emotional glance
"He's so cute. Thank you for the name."
Safa shook her head and assured her
"You're his khala. And I wouldn't have been with Subhan if not for him."
Nodding Zainab sat down on a chair before getting busy playing with the little boy. Subhan lifted his daughter in his arms who was sound asleep.
"She looks so much like you. A mini you."
A sleepy laugh poured out of her chest before her eyes fall closed due to exhaustion. Subhan smiled at his wife before placing a soft kiss on her forehead. Glancing at his daughter, he muttered
"You're going to be my precious Princess."
~~~~~~~~~~~
Hushed whispers registered in Safa's mind as she poked one eye open. The side of the bed was empty and she heard her husband's voice coming from the washroom.
"No Hammad. Stop. Don't splash water all over your dad, hmm."
A laugh resonated in the room and Safa glanced at her daughter. Hoorain was wide awake making giggling sounds. Tickling her little tummy, Safa asked her
"You're laughing too much, Young Lady."
The door to the washroom closed and Subhan came out all wet carrying an equally energetic Hammad in his arms. The twins turned six months a few days ago. They've been super active, making everyone in love with them and their cute tactics.
"He did that to you." Safa laughed at her husband's wet form. He shook his head before tickling his son's tummy.
"He's a naughty little man." Hoorain shrieked suddenly before making grabby hands to her Dad.
"Give Hammad to me. He's falling asleep."
Subhan passed a sleepy Hammad to his wife before cradling his daughter in his arms who started to pull his cheeks.
"You can rest. I'll take care of both of them." Safa offered but Subhan was head over heels over his daughter.
"No let's have some father daughter time. "
He made little Hoorain wave at Safa before he left the room telling his wife to sleep. Smiling, she cuddled her little boy to her chest and slept again.
Life was finally good to both of them. They have a little family. Two beautiful little children and an evenly beautiful family. Their life's puzzle was finally pieced together leaving room only for love and more.....
••••••••••••••
That's a wrap everyone.
Asalamoaliukm everyone. Here's the Epilogue and with this the story finally came to an end. To people asking about Zainab and Altamash, they deserve their own book which I plan to write soon.
It's been an amazing journey writing this book and literally your comments make my day. I love listening to your thoughts and feedbacks. I want to dedicate this story to my followers. Keep supporting me. And thank you all so very much for taking out time and reading my story.
Until the next story, Allah Hafiz.