‘Okay really, I’m not nauseous anymore. But I am very tired. I think I’m going to have a catnap,’ I say and walk into the bedroom before Sid can ask anything else.

I lock the door. The suitcases Sid had packed yesterday are sitting beside the bed. He had all intentions of declaring his love for Lalita and then leaving the house. He had not been expecting the news about the pregnancy. Yet, he made his plans with the doctor very quickly …

I empty the bigger suitcase and pack my clothes in it. I don’t bother with heavy saris. I only take the practical clothes I will need. Soon I will be wearing maternity wear anyway.

I open the locker in the cupboard and pull out my gold jewellery, my passport, graduation certificates and other personal documents. I check my tattered passbook for my savings balance. Once the situation settles down somewhat, I will get an internet banking account.

I have roughly Rs 1.25 lakh in the bank, my entire year’s salary from a previous job I held as an editorial assistant at a listings magazine. I’d been living with my parents back then and didn’t have too many expenses. Once I’m alone—and with a newborn—I will need more money. I don’t even know the delivery costs at hospitals.

But I must not panic. I have to be calm and rational.

I hear Sid’s phone ring, he answers it jovially enough.

‘Oh hi, yes she’s back and said that—WHAT?’ Sid shouts.

I can’t hear what he says next but I think I know who he’s talking to—I hear him hang up the phone.

Footsteps approach the bedroom door, I expect a knock … the footsteps retreat.

I look around the room one last time, lock the suitcase and check how much cash I have in my purse. I go out into the drawing room.

Sid stops pacing when he sees me come out. We both stare at each other. He is breathing heavily, his expression part anger, part fear—I find it amusing.

‘Something wrong, Sid?’ I ask him sweetly.

He walks towards me, there’s a dining chair in his path. He picks it up and flings it. The chair crashes into the wall, one of its legs come off.

‘What happened? Did someone get hurt?’ Dragon calls out from her room.

She opens her room door and steps out. She stops when she sees the chair. Her eyes dart from the chair to her angry son. She glances at me, worried and confused.

‘Did she know?’ I ask and indicate Dragon.

‘Why couldn’t you—you lied to me. You didn’t wait for the procedure,’ Sid accuses.

‘What do I know? What procedure?’ Dragon asks.

‘You’ve got it wrong, Sid. You lied to me,’ I tell him politely. ‘Did your mother know?’ I ask again