‘See, Ananya, I’ve told you so many times that no one likes fat girls. So it’s good that you are doing some dieting. Otherwise, if you are not careful, you will become a saand like your father and you may not be as lucky as he was, to get someone beautiful like my Chitra. Of course, I can’t say she was very lucky when she got married to him. But I can see that you are doing something about your weight,’ she said with a smile that was meant to be approving.

Raghu’s hand tightened over mine as my ears buzzed. Everyone looked either horrified or shocked at how Nani had managed to insult the entire family in one monologue.

‘You can’t speak to my family like that!’ Ma said, her face flushing in a way that worried me. Ma shouldn’t be getting so angry. It wasn’t good for her or the baby!

‘I didn’t say anything that wasn’t true,’ Nani defended herself.

‘Ma, please calm down,’ I told her. But she looked like a volcano that was about to erupt.

Suddenly, Ma clutched her stomach and winced, her face screwing up in pain. ‘Something is happening!’ she gasped.

‘What?’ I shouted. Everyone got up all at once.

‘Shekhar, she needs to go to the hospital!’ Aunty V said as Ma bent over double, breathing through her mouth.

In a series of uncoordinated and haphazard moves, we managed to get Ma to the car. Aunty V picked up the bag that Ma had packed some days back, and Papa ordered Nani to calm down and to get inside the car with Ma.

The baby was coming!

38

There wasn’t any space for Raghu so he said he would follow us in an auto. Papa started the car. Nani and Aunty V were in the back, trying to help Ma breathe. I was in front, on the phone with the doctor, not knowing anything that the doctor was asking me. How was it possible for water to break? Because that was what the doctor kept asking.

I asked Ma anyway, and she shook her head. The doctor said she would come to the hospital soon.

The journey seemed interminable and I kept turning around to look at Ma’s flushed face.

As soon as we reached, nurses whisked Ma away. This was it! Despite my fears, I was excited.

Raghu joined us soon and we all waited until Ma was shifted to the labour ward. The gynaecologist came to check in on Ma and then came outside to call Papa to one side. Papa’s face paled.

Something was wrong. No! My heart raced and I felt like throwing up. Was something wrong with Ma? Or the baby?

Papa came back speak to Aunty V and Nani in low tones.

Nani looked annoyed. ‘But why does she want to operate? There is still time, no?’