**Scene 1: The Chosen Name – A Whisper in the Dark**
The house was quiet, wrapped in the deep stillness of late night. Only the soft hum of the ceiling fan and the occasional rustle of sheets broke the silence. Maryam lay nestled against Haroon, her back curved into the comforting warmth of his chest, his arm draped protectively over her and the swell of their unborn son. The rhythmic rise and fall of his breathing against her was a familiar, grounding lullaby.
Maryam shifted slightly, unable to find the perfect position that eluded her these days. A well-thumbed baby name book lay open on Haroon's nightstand, illuminated by the faint glow of a small lamp.
**Maryam (softly, tracing patterns on his forearm):** "Haroon... we still haven't settled on *the* name. Rayyan... Ehsan... they're both beautiful, but..."
**Haroon (his voice thick with sleep, yet instantly attentive):** "Mmm? Feeling restless, meri jaan? Or just feeling the weight of naming a whole person?" He kissed the top of her head. "Let's look again." He gently reached for the book, careful not to jostle her.
They paged through it slowly in the dim light, whispering names and meanings. "Zayan?" "Too common now..." "Faris?" "Strong, but..." They rejected several, seeking something that resonated deeply. Then Haroon's finger paused.
**Haroon:** "Ubaid."
**Maryam (testing it):** "Ubaid..." She rolled the name on her tongue. "What does it mean?"
**Haroon (reading softly):** "Servant of God. Humble servant. Small servant... implying devotion." He paused, letting the meaning sink in. "It feels... grounded. Meaningful. Simple, yet profound. Ubaid Ahmed Khan."
**Maryam (quiet for a long moment, feeling the name settle in her heart like a promise):** "Ubaid..." she whispered again. She placed her hand over his where it rested on her bump. She felt a distinct, strong kick, as if in agreement. A small smile touched her lips. "Ubaid Ahmed Khan. It feels... right. Like it belongs to him." There was a quiet certainty in her voice.
**Haroon (hugging her closer, relief and contentment washing over him):** "Ubaid it is, then. Our little servant of God. Welcome, Ubaid." He kissed her temple, the name sealing their silent pact in the intimacy of the night. "Sleep now, meri jaan. Dream of our Ubaid."
**Scene 2: Eid Preparations – Silks, Smiles, and Soothing Cotton**
As the crescent moon heralded the end of Ramadan, the city buzzed with the frenetic, joyous energy of Eid preparations. Haroon, mindful of Maryam's limited mobility and Rimsha's enthusiastic presence, took charge of the Eid shopping. One afternoon, he returned home, arms laden with colourful bags, a triumphant gleam in his eye.
**Rimsha (bouncing up from the sofa where she was reading to Maryam):** "Haroon Bhai! What did you get? Show us, show us!"
**Maryam (smiling indulgently from her nest of cushions):** "Let the man put the bags down first, Rimsha!"
**Haroon (grinning, depositing the bags carefully):** "Eid Mubarak in advance, ladies. Thought you both deserved something special." He pulled out a large, flat box first. "For the soon-to-be Auntie Rimsha." Inside lay a stunning emerald green lawn suit, intricately embroidered with silver thread, paired with delicate silver khussas. "Saw it and thought of your energy."
**Rimsha (clapping her hands, eyes wide):** "Haroon Bhai! It's gorgeous! Shukriya!" She immediately held it up against herself, twirling carefully in the small space.
He then turned to Maryam, his expression softening. He pulled out another, larger box and a separate bag. "And for my beautiful wife, the mother of Ubaid." The box contained an elegant, flowing deep rose pink chiffon suit with subtle gold embroidery along the neckline and sleeves – comfortable yet undeniably festive. "Something light and airy," he explained. Then he opened the other bag. "And these... for the days leading up to Eid, and after..." He pulled out several sets of soft, high-quality cotton maternity kurtas and shalwars in soothing blues, lavenders, and creams. "Dr. Samina mentioned comfort is key these last days. These looked soft and practical."
**Maryam (tearing up, touched beyond words by his thoughtfulness):** "Haroon... they're perfect. The Eid suit is beautiful, and these..." she ran her hand over the soft cotton, "...these are exactly what I need. Shukriya, jaan." The gesture spoke volumes – he'd thought of her immediate comfort needs alongside the celebration.
**Rimsha (peering at the maternity clothes):** "So practical, Bhai! And so soft! Baji will feel like a queen in cotton!"
**Haroon (winking at Rimsha):** "She *is* a queen. Just making sure her robes are comfortable." He looked at Maryam, his gaze lingering on her tired but radiant face. "Only seven days now, Maryam. Ubaid's almost here."
**Scene 3: The Final Check-Up – A Doctor's Gentle Warning**
Two days before Eid, Maryam had her now-weekly appointment with Dr. Samina. Haroon, as always, accompanied her, his presence a steady anchor in the clinical setting. Rimsha waited eagerly in the reception area.
Dr. Samina performed the routine checks – blood pressure, fetal heartbeat (strong and steady), measuring the bump, a quick ultrasound to confirm position (Ubaid remained stubbornly and perfectly head-down).
**Dr. Samina (smiling, removing her gloves):** "Everything looks excellent, Maryam. Ubaid is perfectly positioned, good weight estimate, and you're holding up remarkably well considering you're carrying a little footballer." She made some notes. "Just keep doing what you're doing: rest, hydrate, small nutritious meals, listen to your body. Any twinge, any change, you call."
Then she turned her sharp, kind gaze to Haroon, who stood attentively beside Maryam's chair.
**Dr. Samina (her tone firm but gentle):** "Inspector Haroon Sahib, a word for you specifically." Haroon straightened instinctively. "Your wife is doing wonderfully, but these final days... they require immense energy and resilience. She *needs* you. Not just physically present, but *emotionally* present. Tuned in. Her body is working overtime, her emotions are riding a rollercoaster. She needs your patience, your calm, your unwavering support. Don't let the Eid rush or," she gave him a knowing look, "the demands of the station distract you. Her comfort, her sense of security, her peace of mind – they are paramount now. Understood? She needs you *too much* these next crucial days."
**Haroon (meeting the doctor's gaze squarely, the weight of her words settling on him):** "Understood completely, Doctor. Loud and clear. She is my absolute priority. Station can manage. Eid preparations can manage. Maryam and Ubaid come first. Always." His voice held no hesitation, only resolute commitment. He placed a reassuring hand on Maryam's shoulder.
**Maryam (feeling a surge of love and relief at his immediate response):** "Thank you, Doctor. He's been... incredible."
**Dr. Samina (nodding, satisfied):** "I can see that. Good. Now, go home. Rest. Enjoy a peaceful Eid before the real excitement begins! I'll see you next week... or sooner if Ubaid decides otherwise!"
**Scene 4: The Calm Before – Anticipation and Assurance**
The drive home was quiet, filled with the shared understanding of Dr. Samina's words. The festive city lights seemed brighter, the air charged with anticipation – both for Eid and for the imminent arrival.
Back home, Rimsha fussed over Maryam, plumping cushions and bringing water. Haroon hung up Maryam's new Eid suit in their wardrobe, the soft chiffon catching the light. He then neatly folded the new cotton kurtas and placed them in her drawer, within easy reach.
Later, as they prepared for bed, Haroon turned to Maryam, taking both her hands in his. The name 'Ubaid' hung unspoken but potent between them.
**Haroon (his voice low, intense):** "Maryam... Dr. Samina is right. These next days are about you. About us. About Ubaid. Nothing else exists. If I seem distracted by work, pull me back. If you need anything – a foot rub, silence, to talk, just a hug – you tell me. Rimsha is here for the daylight, but the nights, the weight... that's mine to carry with you. I'm here. Fully. For everything."
**Maryam (looking into his eyes, seeing the unwavering promise):** "I know, Haroon. I feel it. I'm not afraid. Not with you here." She leaned into him, resting her head on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart – the same rhythm that soothed their son within her. "Eid Mubarak in advance, jaan. Our last Eid as just us two."
**Haroon (holding her close, his hand resting protectively on the curve where Ubaid lay):** "Eid Mubarak, meri jaan. And the first Eid where we wait for the greatest blessing of all." The countdown wasn't just days now; it was measured in heartbeats, in whispered hopes, and in the profound, shared readiness for their son, Ubaid, to join their world. The stage was set, the final pieces in place. They were waiting.