The first night after Ria and the baby were discharged from the hospital was nothing short of an emotional rollercoaster. Their tiny apartment, which once felt spacious, now seemed to overflow with baby supplies, flowers from well-wishers, and the unspoken promise of a new beginning.
Ria sat on the couch, cradling their baby girl—whom they had named Aarya—in her arms. Her face was still pale, and her movements careful as she recovered from the ordeal. Arun hovered nearby, his protective instincts in overdrive.
"You should rest," Arun said, placing a pillow behind her back.
"I'm fine," Ria insisted softly, though her tired eyes betrayed her. "I just can't stop looking at her."
Arun sat beside her, gazing at Aarya. "She's got your nose, you know."
"And your eyes," Ria countered with a small smile. "She's the best mix of us."
As they admired their daughter, Aarya stirred and let out a tiny cry.
"She's probably hungry," Ria said, adjusting her position.
"I'll grab the bottle," Arun said, leaping to his feet.
Ria laughed weakly. "Arun, I'm breastfeeding, remember?"
"Oh. Right," he said, scratching his head sheepishly. "I just... want to help."
"You already are," Ria said, reaching out to squeeze his hand.
That night, as Ria tried to sleep, Arun volunteered to stay up and watch over Aarya. The baby's crib was set up next to their bed, but Arun pulled a chair close, unwilling to leave her side.
Around 2 a.m., as Aarya dozed off after a feeding, Ria stirred awake to find Arun still by the crib, his head resting on the edge as he dozed lightly.
"Arun," she whispered.
He woke with a start. "Is everything okay?"
"Yes," she said, smiling. "But you need sleep too. Come to bed."
"I will," he said, rubbing his eyes. "I just... I can't stop checking if she's breathing. Is that normal?"
Ria chuckled softly. "I think it's called being a parent."
Arun moved to sit on the bed beside her. "Ria, do you ever think about how close we came to losing this moment?"
She nodded, her eyes growing moist. "I do. And it makes me even more grateful for everything we have now."
He took her hand, his voice firm yet tender. "I promise you, Ria. I'll always be here for you and Aarya. No matter what."
"I know," she said, leaning her head against his shoulder. "We're in this together."
In the days that followed, Arun and Ria navigated the steep learning curve of parenthood. Sleepless nights blurred into busy days as they adjusted to feeding schedules, diaper changes, and the endless cycle of soothing Aarya's cries.
One morning, Arun attempted to take over diaper duty while Ria rested.
"How hard can it be?" he muttered to himself as he laid Aarya on the changing table.
Moments later, a loud cry erupted, followed by a misfire from Aarya that left Arun's shirt splattered.
"Ria!" he called, panicking.
From the bedroom, Ria's laughter rang out. "You'll be fine, Arun. Just keep the wipes close!"
Despite the challenges, there were moments of pure joy. Aarya's first smile melted their hearts, and her tiny fingers wrapping around Arun's thumb became his favorite memory.