PATHS OF HEART

15

Anupama and Anuj sat in the waiting room of Dr. Sarabhai's clinic, a familiar place for Anuj but a completely new experience for Anupama. The room was softly lit, and the muted pastel tones created a soothing atmosphere. Anuj held Anupama's hand tightly, their fingers intertwined, as they waited for the nurse to call them in. The nerves and excitement in the air were palpable. Today was the day they would have the first ultrasound of their baby, marking the transition from the first trimester to the second.

Anupama looked around the room, trying to soak in the moment. She had heard so much about this doctor from Meera, who had trusted her through both of her pregnancies, and now, it was her turn. Her heart raced a little with anticipation—this was her first time going through such an experience. Anuj, however, had been here before, but this time, everything felt different to him too.

Anuj glanced over at Anupama, noticing her slightly tense expression. He smiled reassuringly, his thumb gently brushing over her knuckles.

"You okay?" he asked softly.

Anupama nodded, though her nerves were getting the better of her. "Yeah... just a little anxious. I mean, it's the first time I'm going through something like this."

Anuj understood completely. He had been through this once before with his ex-wife Niharika, and while that had been an emotional experience, this felt different—more meaningful. Back then, with Niharika, their relationship had already begun to fray, and the joy of the pregnancy had been overshadowed by tension and arguments. But with Anupama, there was an overwhelming sense of excitement, love, and unity. This child was a symbol of their love, of their second chance together.

Before he could respond, the nurse called their names, and both of them stood up, making their way toward the doctor's office. Anuj's heart was racing too, though for very different reasons than the first time he went through this.

They entered the consultation room, where Dr. Sarabhai sat behind her desk with a warm smile on her face. The doctor had a reputation for being not only skilled but also extremely compassionate. Anuj had always liked her approach, and he could see the comfort it brought Anupama, who immediately relaxed a bit in her presence.

"Anupama, Anuj! It's lovely to see you both," she greeted them warmly. "I hear we have a big day today—your first ultrasound together. How are you feeling, Anupama?"

Anupama smiled nervously. "A little nervous, but excited too. It's my first time experiencing this, so I don't know what to expect."

"That's completely normal," Dr. Sarabhai assured her. "It's always a mix of emotions during the first ultrasound, but I promise it's a wonderful experience. You're going to see your baby for the first time today."

Anuj gave Anupama's hand a little squeeze. He wanted to be fully present for her, to share in her joy, but deep down, he was struggling with his own emotions. His mind wandered briefly back to his experience with Niharika—their first ultrasound, when things were still good between them. He remembered hearing the heartbeat for the first time, seeing the tiny figure on the screen, and feeling a flood of emotions. But those feelings had been fleeting, quickly overtaken by the bitterness that had soon followed in their relationship.

This time, though, it felt like he was getting a do-over—a chance to experience the joy of fatherhood in a completely new and pure way. With Anupama, everything was different. He felt grounded, loved, and ready to embrace this new chapter wholeheartedly.

"Shall we begin?" Dr. Sarabhai asked, motioning for Anupama to move to the examination table.

Anupama lay down on the table, her heart pounding in anticipation. Anuj stood by her side, never letting go of her hand. He was focused on her face, watching her reactions, and hoping to ease her nerves with his presence.