Sunrays fell across Anika’s eyelids, pulling her from sleep. She burrowed deeper into the duvet, rubbing her palms against her cheeks.
“Morning, Baabu,” she whispered, her hand resting lovingly on her swollen belly. For a moment, she lost herself entirely in the anticipation of her baby’s arrival, a wave of tenderness washing over her. Her lips curved into a heartfelt smile.
“Anika, it’s time for your walk,” her mother-in-law called from the hallway. With a sigh, Anika swung her legs over the side of the bed and opened the door, revealing her mother-in-law, already dressed and eager to begin their morning routine.
“Mom, I’m feeling exhausted, and there’s a little pain in my abdomen. I don’t think I can walk today,” she said, her voice laced with weariness.
“Oh, alright, baby. Go rest,” her mother-in-law replied with a gentle smile, briefly caressing Anika’s cheek before turning to leave.
Anika locked the door and stepped into the shower. She dressed in a beautiful, ankle-length floral skirt and an off-the-shoulder top. A healthy glow radiated from her pregnancy. She dabbed a touch of vermillion on her hairline, secured a delicate diamond locket around her neck, and glanced at her reflection, a flicker of satisfaction crossing her face. But it quickly faded. A sharp pain clenched her lower abdomen, and she instinctively cradled her bump. “Ahhhh!” she gasped, beads of sweat forming on her brow.
Two steps forward, she reached for a chair for support, her hand gripping the wood. “Mom!” she cried out, the pain intensifying. Tears welled in her eyes as she reached for the chair, her body starting to slip. She collapsed onto the couch, the pain escalating, until finally, she slipped into semiconsciousness. “Someone help me, please!” she sobbed, contractions tightening around her abdomen.
A message flashed on Mrs. Oberoi’s phone: “Get your damn ass inside your daughter-in-law’s room. She’s going into labor.” Without a second thought, she rushed towards Anika’s room.
“Oh, God!” she breathed, finding Anika semiconscious on the couch, shivering from the pain.
“Driver, start the car!” Mrs. Oberoi commanded. The maids and servants gathered around Anika’s room, and with their help, she eased Anika into the car. “Water, bring water, and the baby bag I prepared,” she instructed, simultaneously dialing her husband and son to inform them. A maid hurried forward with water and the bag.
“Drive, damn it! Drive!” Mrs. Oberoi shouted, and the driver sped off, ignoring traffic regulations. She sprinkled water on Anika’s face and gently patted her cheeks, trying to bring her back to consciousness. “Mom, Mom, baby!” Anika cried, clutching her stomach tightly, tears streaming down her face. She threw her head back in agony.
“Mam, we’ve reached,” the driver announced.
“Okay, Anika, just two more minutes,” Mrs. Oberoi reassured her, stroking her gently. Nurses and ward boys rushed out with a stretcher, carefully lifting Anika onto it and wheeling her into a VIP ward.
“How is she? Is my grandson alright?” Mr. Oberoi asked, arriving at the hospital. “She’s inside the ward,” Mrs. Oberoi replied, her voice tight with anxiety. “I hope nothing happens to our grandson.”
“He’ll be fine,” Mrs. Oberoi assured him, though her own apprehension was rising.
“Ahhhhh!” Anika groaned in pain, clutching the head of the bed. The sharp corner dug into her palms, leaving bloody welts. “Push, Anika, your baby isn’t in position,” the doctor instructed. “Ahhhh!” she cried again, her voice raw with pain. “I can’t!” she gasped between agonizing contractions. “Anika, try to push, at least for your baby,” the doctor urged, signaling a nurse to assist her. After forty-five minutes of strained effort, she finally delivered a baby boy.
“Very good, Anika,” the doctor said, patting her shoulder, as she began cleaning the baby. She flicked the baby’s bottom, but he didn’t cry. She flicked it again, but still, silence.
“Oh, God! The baby isn’t crying,” the doctor said, her voice tense. Anika’s breath hitched in her throat, her heart pounding in her chest. Before she could react, she cried out in pain, drawing the doctor’s attention.