Arrael

Arrael
“I’m sorry… for the way we once fought over having a child. I still can’t forgive myself for that,” Arnav murmured, his voice low and weighed with guilt.
“Have you thought of a name yet?” Raellyn quickly interrupted, steering the conversation away. She didn’t want to let guilt shadow the happiness they finally held in their arms. This was their moment—a moment too precious to taint with the ghosts of the past.
Though she had cut him off, Arnav wasn’t offended. Instead, he smiled softly, easily understanding her reason. “You have the right to name him.”
“We’re his parents,” Raellyn replied, her voice a gentle whisper as she gazed at their baby. “We should name him together.”
“Don’t do that,” Arnav chuckled, his voice thick with warmth as his thumb brushed her cheek. “Don’t make me fall even deeper in love with you, my love.”
“Shh, just answer the question,” Raellyn whispered, her voice soft yet flustered. “Stop teasing his mommy all the time.”
“His mommy, hm?” Arnav’s eyes gleamed with mischief.
Raellyn’s cheeks burned the instant she realized what she’d just said. There was nothing wrong with the words themselves, but saying them aloud like that… it felt embarrassingly intimate.
“Why are your cheeks turning pink?” Arnav teased, his tone smooth and low, laced with that effortless seduction that always made her heart race. “It’s true, isn’t it? You are his mommy. The mommy of our son.”
“Enough… stop bringing it up,” she muttered, quickly looking away as she tried to change the subject. “Do you… have any name in mind?”
Arnav pretended to ponder for a moment, then said casually, “What about… Andres?”
“Andres?” she repeated, tilting her head slightly as she tested the name on her tongue.
“A true warrior, brave and strong from the moment he was born,” Arnav said with unmistakable pride in his voice.
Raellyn chuckled softly. “And where did you even find that name and its meaning?”
“I stayed up late last night looking for baby names, actually,” he admitted, his tone carrying that quiet excitement only a new father could have. “I thought it sounded good, catchy, even. And the meaning… it just felt right for our son.”
Raellyn nodded in agreement, her eyes bright with adoration. “It’s a good name. But… what about Bill? That’s my favorite basketball player’s name,” she said, her expression lighting up playfully.
Arnav’s lips twisted into an exaggerated grimace. “I don’t want my son to become a basketball player. If he’s going to be an athlete, I’d rather he play football.”
“Hey, let him choose for himself what he wants to be one day. Don’t start acting like an authoritarian father already,” Raellyn countered quickly, a faint pout forming on her lips. “Besides, giving him the name Bill doesn’t mean I want him to become a basketball player.”
“Oops, my apologies, love. I was only trying to be a good father,” Arnav replied with a sheepish grin.
“Well then… what about Dario?” Raellyn swiftly changed the topic, focusing again on the search for the perfect name.
“Or maybe Alden?” she added thoughtfully.
“And why those?” he asked, tilting his head in curiosity.
“They both mean friend,” she explained. “Dario means ‘beloved friend,’ while Alden means ‘wise friend.’”
“Can’t we start with another letter?” she teased, her eyes narrowing playfully. “So far, all the names you’ve suggested start with A.”
Arnav chuckled, his voice warm and low. “Maybe because my name also starts with A.”
Raellyn let out a tired sigh. “This is exhausting. Damn, it’s even harder than a job interview.”
Arnav chuckled softly and gently squeezed her shoulder, trying to ease her frustration. “It’s not that hard, love. The most important thing is that the name carries our prayers for him. Whatever it is, it’ll be beautiful.”
“Kylian?” she offered after a brief silence.
Arnav raised an eyebrow, instantly catching the reference. “Now you’re naming football players? Is this because I mentioned football earlier, or are you secretly obsessed with athletes and have memorized all their names?” His tone was teasing, but the subtle hint of jealousy was unmistakable just like the way he had fiercely guarded her during the labor yesterday, snapping at doctors and nurses alike when he felt they got too close.
“Arnav, don’t start,” Raellyn warned, narrowing her eyes at him with mock irritation.
“Alright, alright,” he muttered, falling into thoughtful silence as he rubbed his chin. Then he looked at her with a glint of mischief in his eyes. “How about... Karma?”
“Karma?” Raellyn repeated, raising an eyebrow at her husband. “You mean our relationship?”
“No, love. We’re not karma. We’re… destiny,” he corrected, brushing a strand of her hair away from her face. “We were paired by God Himself. Proof? You barged into my office that day, remember?”
Raellyn’s lips parted, then closed again as she fought back a smile. “I was going to praise you for being wise, but I take it back.”
“Why? I need to start practicing wisdom, you know. I officially became a Daddy yesterday,” he said with mock seriousness, though his eyes glimmered with warmth.
“You’re insufferable,” she muttered, but her voice carried the gentlest affection. “Though… I did hope you’d be like this.”
Her gaze softened as it fell on the tiny bundle in her arms. Their little boy was staring up at her with round, curious eyes, as if he was already trying to understand the world—and the playful arguments of his parents.
Then, the baby’s delicate hand lifted into the air, fingers curling and uncurling. Arnav instinctively extended a finger, and the tiny hand grasped it with surprising strength. A rush of emotion swelled in his chest.
“Arrael,” Arnav whispered suddenly.
The baby let out a soft, almost musical coo, as if acknowledging the name. “Aa!”
Raellyn and Arnav froze for a moment when a soft, garbled murmur came from the tiny bundle in Raellyn’s arms.
“Did he just… talk?” Arnav’s eyes widened in disbelief, though they shimmered with excitement like a child witnessing magic for the first time.
Raellyn shook her head, a gentle smile tugging at her lips. “Not yet. That was just his voice.”
“Arrael?” Arnav tried again, his voice soft and careful, as if he were calling out to the most delicate part of his soul.
There was no coo this time, no sound at all, only a sudden, heart-melting smile from the little boy. His tiny lips curved ever so slightly, his chubby cheeks lifting as if he was in on the secret his parents were sharing.
“Alright,” Arnav said, his voice filled with a quiet, awed certainty. “It’s decided. His name is Arrael.”
Raellyn tilted her head, the name lingering on her tongue like a whisper. “Arrael… What does it mean?”