Ma gave me a look, but didn’t say anything. I should have realized then that something strange was going on.

It was only when I was halfway through my boring orange and spinach salad that I noticed that Papa fidgeting way too much. Ma kept looking at him uneasily. What was going on? I put my fork down, finally, and dabbed the corner of my lips with a napkin.

‘What’s the matter?’ I asked.

Ma and Papa started and looked at each other once again. I had a terrible sort of premonition. Something was seriously wrong. Was one of them sick or dying or . . .

Ma mumbled something and my eyes widened. I must have misheard . . .

‘What?’ I choked out.

I took a sip of my spinach smoothie, the gross taste not even registering on my tongue when Ma repeated her words, looking at Papa sheepishly.

‘I said I’m pregnant.’

The horrid smoothie went down the wrong pipe and I sputtered and gasped, my eyes watering. This can’t be happening. I can’t die on my birthday, right after listening to this awful news.

Papa got up and quickly delivered a few well-placed thumps on my back.

Ma looked at her untouched salad and ate a few bites. I realized she was avoiding my gaze. Papa also looked away, trying to pretend he was anywhere but here.

‘You’re pregnant,’ I repeated.

Ma looked up and nodded.

‘How on earth did that happen?’ I asked.

At this, Ma couldn’t control a smile. ‘Well, you know, the usual way,’ she said. Papa had the grace to turn red but he still couldn’t bring himself to look at me.

‘Yikes!’ I got up from my seat. I had to get out of here.

‘Where are you going?’ Papa asked, worried.

‘Restroom,’ I muttered.

I walked away, looking straight ahead and reached the restroom. Thankfully, there was no one else there and I washed my hands perfunctorily because I needed something to do as I processed this information.

How could my parents do this to me? On my birthday! I turned around and walked right back outside and marched up to them.

‘Why did you have to tell me today?’ I asked Ma.

‘I found out this morning, Ananya. I was shocked, yes, but I wanted to share this news with you . . .’ she said.

I sat down on the chair with a thump. This baby was already stealing my thunder.

‘We wanted to tell you later but your father felt we should tell you right away. Because you know, once I start getting morning sickness . . .’

‘Stop,’ I told her. I did not want to know more.

‘Listen, love, this doesn’t change a thing,’ Ma said.

I refused to answer her. How could Ma think that this wouldn’t change anything?

‘It will be great, Ananya. Think of the fun we’ll have!’ she said.