Everything Was Fine Until...

Beginning part VI

4th March, 2002

It has been a year since Anshuman and Meira's wedding. It was beautiful. Everyone was happy except Her. She has been reeling from the shock that her Anushuman had married someone else. When she got the news of Meira getting pregnant, the world around her shattered. At that time her hands itched to kill someone, anyone. She couldn't stand her mother's happiness when she was telling the news. After that whenever she met the couple, her eyes always slid down towards the growing belly of Meira. Her whole body burned seeing him so happy with her. She was supposed to be with Anushuman not her. 

It was during the 5th month of pregnancy when Kalindi came to meet Meira who herself was 8th month pregnant. They both became good acquaintances when both of their husbands started a business together.

"So Meira? How is the baby?" Kalindi asked taking a sip of the tea. They were both sitting under the shade in the garden of Meira's house.

"It is fine. How are you doing?"

"I am doing great and the baby is also doing fine." Kalindi answered. "Do you get a feeling what's is going to be?"

"I don't know for sure but I got a strong feeling it's a girl." Meira smiled rubbing her belly.

"Well, good for you. I have no idea but one thing that I know is the this baby is going to be naughty. At night it kicks a lot." Meira laughed at this.

"Mine is very calm. It does not give me any trouble." Meira told her. "Both our children are going to be of same age and I want to be great friends when they grow up. What do you think?" Meira asked.

"Of course they'll be friends. But what if yours is a girl and I had a boy then..." Kalindi asked wiggling her eyebrows. Her eyes twinkling with humour.

"Stop it. I don't want to think about that." Meira said chuckling at the suggestion. Both women talked for hours about everything and anything.

That night Anshuman didn't return home until midnight. His company just been taking off so he's been busy as ever. He called home saying he maybe stayed the night at office. At around 2 a.m in the night Meira started feeling pain in her stomach. With difficulty she stood up and slowly walked towards the room of Amrita, her mother-in-law, holding her belly.

"Mom? Mom! Wake up!" Amrita was shaken up. She sat up immediately. She saw Meira wincing in pain standing near her bed.

"What happened?" She asked standing up.

"I don't know suddenly I started feeling pain in my stomach." Meira said sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Is it very painful?" Amrita asked sitting beside her.

"No. They are not that painful but I don't think I can sleep with this pain.

"No worries. You have one whole month left. I also felt this type of pain before my due date, I think." Amrita is worried now. "I should call Anshuman." She stood up and started dialing the number in the telephone situated in the living room. Anshuman picked up after five rings.

"Hello?" He sound tired.

"Anshuman! I know you are tired but Meira is experiencing some pain. Should I take her to the hospital? It is one month early." Anshuman is now wide awake. Before he can reply he heard a scream in the background.

"WHAT HAPPENED?!" Amrita asked when she heard the scream of her daughter-in-law.

"I think my water broke!" She shouted back from the room.

"Ok, so we're definitely going to the hospital." Amrita informed Anshuman.

"Yeah. I'll be there. Be careful." He replied.