We sat there in silence. My stomach was churning. The worry on our faces must have been evident to anybody who saw us. Ma’s gynaecologist was not there, but she was monitoring everything remotely, over the phone.

At long last, the doctor stepped out of the examining room where they had taken Ma.

Papa stood up, his face pale.

The doctor looked at us and smiled in a tired sort of way. The smile eased some of my worry.

‘The baby’s heartbeat is good. It should be fine. But just to rule out any issues, we’re taking her to the ultrasound room now. She wants you all to come with her,’ he said.

We got up in a rush and followed him. It was nearly midnight now and my body ached, but I tried to push it all to one corner so I could focus on Ma.

The orderlies wheeled Ma out and took her to the lift that would take them to the ultrasound room. The lift could only fit in the stretcher, Papa, Aunty V, the doctor and the orderlies.

Raghu and I took the stairs. We ran up to join them as the lift doors opened and even though Raghu didn’t say a word, I was glad of his company.

I finally got a good look at Ma. She was holding Papa’s hand and still looked pale. Papa’s expression was grave.

‘What are we waiting for?’ I asked, wanting to do something, the burst of energy and adrenaline inside me strong.

‘The ultrasound doctor is coming now,’ Aunty V said.

When the ultrasound doctor came and saw all of us, he looked displeased.

‘Only the husband, please,’ he muttered and walked away, but stopped when Ma called out to him.

‘No, I want my family,’ Ma insisted.

He looked annoyed. ‘Who are all these people?’ he asked.

‘My family,’ she said.

Shaking his head, the doctor opened the door and the orderly took her inside.

We crowded inside the small room as they shifted her to the bed near the machine.

‘I think Mom and I should wait outside.’ Raghu looked uncomfortable and anxious.

‘Please stay,’ I told him, suddenly needing him beside me.

The doctor applied some gel on Ma’s exposed stomach and started rubbing the stick-like instrument over it. The black and white screen beside him sprang to life.

Papa moved forward and the doctor observed everything in silence at first. Then sighing, he beckoned us closer.

‘See, that’s the head,’ he said, pointing at a spot on the screen.

I peered but couldn’t see a thing. It looked like a few bubbles floating around.

‘And those are the limbs,’ he said.

I still couldn’t understand anything.