Baby Saira tugged on Mom's coat and pointed at a shiny photo frame on the wall.
It showed a younger Saira and Navaz walking down a long school hallway. She traced the two figures with her finger.
Baby Saira marched into the living room and pushed two cushions together. 'Stage to staircase!' she called out.
She wobbled along the cushion trail, rushing past an invisible podium. Navaz watched from the kitchen doorway and chuckled as she landed with a soft thump.
Over the next few days, Baby Saira built more pretend hallways — between chairs, across the bedroom, under the dining table.
Each time, Navaz followed behind, pretending to notice her for the first time. She'd rush past him and spin around laughing.
One evening, Baby Saira tripped over her own feet near the sofa. 'Waaah!' she let out a loud wail.
Navaz scooped her up without hesitation and rocked her gently. She pressed her cheek against his chest.
Soon she sat between Mom and Navaz on the couch, swinging her legs. She looked up at both of them and rested her head against Mom's shoulder.
The photo frame on the table caught the warm lamplight. Navaz wrapped an arm around her. Now she understood why it mattered.