Until It Was Real

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐲-𝐅𝐢𝐯𝐞

I sat on the edge of the bed, now removing my damp shirt.

My mind wandered, unbidden, to the thought of her carrying our child. That tiny spark inside her, our child.

I realized how fiercely I already loved this little life inside her, though I had yet to hold it. The thought of protecting her, of being there for her through every tiny discomfort or sudden pang of fatigue, filled me with a mix of awe and possessiveness.

She had always been the center of my world, but now there was an extension of her in me that I had to shield, nurture, and cherish.

I smiled, remembering. One and a half months ago.

The moment she told meI'm pregnant,time had seemed to stop.

Her words hung in the air like a delicate, shimmering promise, and I felt my chest tighten, not with disbelief, but with a rush of emotion so intense it almost knocked the air out of me.

I thought back to the countless quiet moments I had entertained the idea of us having a child. A little version of me, or a miniature Zoya, with her fiery eyes and gentle heart.

I want to see her happy, truly happy, not just in fleeting moments, but in every single day. I want to cradle her exhaustion, soothe her fears, laugh with her, tease her, and watch her bloom in every way. She is everything to me, my anchor, my flame, my heartbeat.

And in quiet moments, when I am alone, I marvel at how lucky I am. To have her trust, her love, her presence, it is intoxicating, humbling, and a weight I bear gladly. I would do anything, just to see her smile, just to hear her laugh, just to know she feels cherished beyond measure.

Gosh, I'm so whipped for my wife.

I chuckled at my own thought.

It was a quiet Sunday afternoon, though nothing about it felt peaceful for me. The last four weeks had been relentless. Nausea, dizziness, exhaustion... it had drained me more than I ever imagined. And yet, Zaigham refused to leave my side, never letting me feel alone for a single second.

He was curled beside me on the bed, his strong arms wrapped around me sideways.

My head rested against his chest, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat somehow grounding me.

I could feel his warmth radiating through every inch of contact, and even the faint scent of his cologne was comforting, though today almost everything else made me recoil.

"Come on, baby," he murmured softly, brushing a strand of hair from my damp forehead. "Just a little bite. Nothing big. Just something to keep you going."

"I... I'm not hungry," I whispered, my voice barely audible. My stomach churned at the very thought of food.

He was trying to feed me the soup that was strictly ordered by Tayii jaan and Mama.

Zaigham tightened his hold slightly, nudging me gently with his chin against my temple. "You have to eat something. I can't watch you starve yourself like this. Please, just try a little."

I wanted to protest, to tell him I was fine, but the exhaustion weighed heavier. My eyelids drooped, and the relentless nausea gnawed at me. I tried to lift myself slightly, but even that effort made my stomach rebel.

He pressed his lips to the top of my head, whispering against my hair, "I know, I know... it's hard. But I'm here. I won't let you suffer alone. Just a little, for me?"

I nodded weakly, trying to summon the energy to cooperate, but as soon as I smelled the faint aroma of the soup, my body reacted violently.

I pushed the bowl away, gagging slightly, and before I could stop it, tears started rolling down my cheeks.

My mood swings made it harsh for me.

"Oh no, baby," Zaigham murmured immediately, holding me closer. His hand stroked my back in slow, soothing circles. "Don't cry. Please... my strong baby, it's okay. I'm here. I've got you."

The sobs shook my body as I buried my face into his chest. Every wave of nausea, every pang of weakness, every fear I had been holding back, they all spilled out at once. His chest felt impossibly comforting, a steady anchor in the chaos of my emotions.

"You're doing so well," he continued, his voice low and tender, rubbing gentle circles across my spine. "It's been rough, I know. But look at you... my fighter. You're doing this, baby. I'm so proud of you."

I choked back a sob and whispered, "I hate feeling like this... I hate being so... weak."

Zaigham's hand cupped my cheek, tilting my head to look into his eyes. "Shhh... don't say that. You're not weak. You're the strongest person I know. You're carrying our baby, and that takes more courage than anything else in this world. You're my miracle every single day."

I sniffled, trying to absorb his words, feeling a mixture of relief and guilt.

Relief because he understood, because he was here. Guilt because I had never wanted him to worry so much.

He pressed a lingering kiss on my temple, murmuring, "I'll do everything for you, for both of you. I promise. I'll never leave your side. I'll carry the weight with you if you need me to. My baby, my heart... you're not alone, okay?"

I clung to him, letting my tears flow freely, my body relaxing just a little in his hold. Even though nausea still lingered and exhaustion tugged at every limb, in that moment I felt light.

"I... I don't deserve you," I whispered hoarsely.

He shook his head, smiling softly despite his worry-filled eyes. "No, Zoya. You deserve every ounce of love I can give, and so much more. Never doubt that. Just rest, my love... I'm right here."

I nodded against him, the warmth of his embrace and the gentle strokes across my back easing the tremors in my body. The tears slowed, replaced by a quiet comfort I hadn't realized I was longing for.

The garden glowed in the soft moonlight.

I, despite feeling weak from the past weeks of relentless nausea, had managed to join the gathering, wrapped in a cozy shawl.

We had been sprawled across the garden cushions for what felt like hours, but somehow the energy wasn't dying down. Laiba was busy juggling strawberries and pretending each one was a miniature soccer ball. Rumman had grabbed a plastic cup and was loudly announcing herself as the referee.

"Out of bounds!" she yelled, pointing at a rogue blueberry that had rolled too far.

I tried to stifle my laugh but failed miserably, sending a few giggles tumbling out.

"Why do I feel like I'm babysitting a circus?" I gasped between giggles.

"You are babysitting a circus, Zoya!" Laiba shot back, dramatically adjusting an imaginary monocle.

I threw a strawberry at her. "Fine, then I'm the ringmaster!"

Nouran Api immediately pointed at me with a theatrical gasp. "Ringmaster Zoya, what are your orders?"

I paused, squinting at everyone like I was giving a very important speech. "All cupcakes shall be eaten... immediately. No exceptions."

"Excellent decree, oh mighty ringmaster!" Rumman api said, saluting with a cupcake in hand, which she then carefully shoved into her mouth.

By now, we were all in stitches, our laughter echoing through the garden. Aaliya tried to sneak up behind me with a cupcake in hand, clearly aiming for a playful ambush. I spun just in time, sending her into a pile of cushions with a squeal.

"Traitor!" she shrieked, throwing a cushion at me.

I retaliated by launching a strawberry, which hit Nouran Api square in the forehead. "You've been warned, ma'am!" I shouted.

She wiped her forehead, glaring with mock seriousness. "This isn't over, Zoya. I will avenge this!"

"What is going on here?" Zaviyaar asked, hands on his hips like some disapproving parent.

"Chaos," Laiba answered proudly, popping a grape into her mouth. "Beautiful chaos."

Zayyan bhai raised a brow. "Looks more like a fruit war." He bent to pick up a stray blueberry, holding it up like evidence.

"Correction," Rumman api said, pointing dramatically, "it was a fruit war. Now it's a truce."

"Only until supplies last," Aaliya added, licking frosting from her finger.

Laiba, Rumman Api, Aaliya, Nouran Api, and I exchanged glances, silently pointing with our eyes toward Yusra and Zayyan.

I grinned at the two brothers. "You came at the perfect time. We were just about to play a game."

Zaviyaar groaned immediately. "Oh no. Not one of your games, Zoya."

"Yes, one of my games," I said sweetly. "Because I'm the ringmaster."

Everyone cheered dramatically, except Zayyan bhai, who just smirked. "Fine, what's the game?"

"Truth or Dare!" Laiba declared.

"Oh God," Yusra muttered, already burying her face in her hands.

"How many more times are we going to play this game, Zoya?" Zayyan Bhai asked, clearly not interested.

I pouted, trying to look cute. "Just one more time, please?"

He shook his head. "Nope. Not interested. I'm leaving."

I gasped silently, and Laiba nudged me, urging me to do something. Desperate, I decided to name the one person who could actually stop him.

"If you go, I'll cry... and then I'll tell Zaigham that you made me cry, Zayyan Bhai."

Inside, I cringed at my own ridiculous threat, but I acted it out anyway.

He froze mid-step, turning to squint at me. "You wouldn't."

"Oh, yes I would." I smiled wickedly.

He groaned, rubbing his forehead. "Fine, I'll play."

Laiba and I squealed dramatically, throwing our hands up in triumph.

The first few rounds were harmless.

We were in hysterics by the time Nouran Api picked out a slip and smirked. "Yusra."

Yusra froze. "No. No, no, no, not me!"

"Yes you," Nouran Api said with evil glee. "Truth or dare?"

"Truth," Yusra squeaked.

We secretly exchanged glances when Laiba winked that said 'watch me' and spoke.

"Coward!" Laiba booed.

"Fine! Dare!" Yusra snapped.

The group went silent for a moment, everyone grinning mischievously.

Then Rumman api leaned in. "We dare you... to do something for Zayyan."

Yusra's eyes widened in sheer horror. "What?! No!"

"Oh yes," Zaviyaar encouraged, clearly loving this. "Something nice. For your scary professor."

Zayyan bhai leaned back against the cushions, his face completely unreadable, which only made Yusra panic more.

"I... I refuse," she stammered, hugging a cushion like a shield.

"Not allowed," Aaliya sing-songed. "Rules are rules."

"Fine!" Yusra groaned, glaring at Zayyan. "What do you want, Professor?"

The title made everyone laugh, but Zayyan just tilted his head. "Surprise me."

"Fine," she said, tossing the cushion aside. "I'll recite my biggest confession."

That got everyone's attention. "Wait—confession?"

Yusra turned toward Zayyan, eyes sparkling with mischief. "You are the scariest and boring professor on earth...but also the most handsome one."

We all froze.

Laiba screamed and rolled onto the grass. Aaliya covered her mouth in shock. Rumman api almost spilled her drink, while Nouran Api choked on her drink.

I stared wide-eyed, my jaw hanging. Did Yusra just say that out loud?

Meanwhile, Zayyan bhai's expression barely shifted. Barely.

"Oh my God, Yusra!" Laiba laughed. "You didn't—oh my, you did!"

Yusra just folded her arms smugly. "There. Dare completed. Surprised much?"

Zaviyaar whistled low. "Bold move."

Zayyan bhai finally spoke, "Unexpected."

I did not miss the unmistakable pink that tinted his cheeks even as he acted nonchalant.

Oh my my what on earth is going on here?!

To be Continued.....