Chapter 5 - The Morning After

 The morning arrives with a gentle light seeping through the curtains, and she stirs awake. Her husband is already up, getting ready for work. She watches him, her eyes filled with a mix of love and resignation. She knows he wants a child just as much as she does, but they have been trying for years with no success.

As he leaves for work, she gets up and goes about her daily routine, trying to keep herself occupied. But her mind keeps drifting back to me, Ibrahim or Ibtihal, the child she longs for. She imagines what it would be like to hold me, to see my smile, to hear my laughter. She wonders if I would have his eyes or her smile, if I would inherit their determination or have a personality all my own.

Days turn into weeks, and weeks into months, but still, there is no sign of me. She continues to visit doctors, undergo tests, and try every possible remedy, but the disappointment weighs heavy on her heart. She puts on a brave face in front of her husband and loved ones, but deep down, she is crumbling.

She finds solace in talking to me, even though I am not there. She pours her heart out to me, sharing her fears, her hopes, and her dreams. She promises me that she won't stifle me, that she will let me grow into the person I am meant to be, but she also worries about her own desires and wishes conflicting with mine. She knows she won't mother me in the traditional sense, but she wants to protect me, guide me, and love me with all her heart.

Her husband tries to console her, but he doesn't fully understand the depth of her pain. She feels alone in her struggle, like she is carrying a burden that no one else can see. She longs for a child to call her own, to bring joy and purpose to her life, to fill the emptiness she feels inside.

But amidst the heartache, she also finds strength. She draws on her resilience, her unwavering determination, and her unyielding love for me. She refuses to give up, to let life defeat her. She continues to dream of me, to see herself holding me, to feel the warmth of my presence even though I am not physically there.

One day, as she is sitting by herself, lost in her thoughts, she feels a flutter in her belly. A glimmer of hope lights up in her eyes as she realizes that she might be pregnant. She rushes to the doctor, and the test confirms her suspicion - she is indeed expecting a child.

Her joy knows no bounds, and she thanks the universe for granting her this precious gift. She knows that her journey is not over yet, that there are still challenges ahead, but she is willing to face them all with unwavering determination.

Months go by, and her belly grows round with life. She feels me kicking and moving inside her, and her love for me deepens with each passing day. She prepares for my arrival with care and excitement, making plans and dreaming of the life we will have together.

Finally, the day arrives when she goes into labor. She embraces the pain, knowing that it is bringing her closer to me. After hours of labor, I am born into this world, and she holds me in her arms for the first time, her heart overflowing with love and joy.

As she looks into my eyes, she sees a reflection of her own strength and resilience. She knows that she has overcome countless obstacles to bring me into this world, and she is filled with a sense of awe and gratitude. She promises me that she will be the best mother she can be, that she will always love and cherish me, and