Parenthood ka decision ho chuka tha.
Par execution immediate nahi.
Anaya ne kaha —
"Main emotionally ready feel karna chahti hoon. Sirf age ya timeline ke basis par nahi."
Aarav ne agree kiya.
Unhone baby shopping list nahi banayi.
Unhone conversation list banayi.
Parenting philosophy
Discipline vs dialogue
Career adjustments
Mental load distribution
Family boundaries
Ek Sunday dono café me notebooks le kar baithe the.
Aarav ne poocha —
"Tumhe sabse zyada kis baat ka dar hai?"
Anaya ne bina filter ke kaha —
"Apne aap ko lose kar dene ka."
Aarav ne jawab diya —
"Tab hum rule revise karenge. 'Love without losing self' upgrade hoga — 'Parent without losing partnership.'"
Preparation me romance kam tha.
Clarity zyada.
Balcony par us raat unhone ek aur line fridge par add ki:
Prepare. Don't Panic.
Unhe realise hua —
Life ka har major step unhone consciously liya hai.
Yeh bhi wahi hoga.