Chapter 1: The Two Lines
The morning sunlight slipped through the pale blue curtains, casting a warm glow across the modest bedroom. Meera sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers trembling slightly as she held the small plastic stick in her hand. Her heart thudded in her chest — loud, anxious, hopeful.
Two pink lines.
For a second, she forgot to breathe.
She stared at it again, her breath catching in her throat. Two lines. Not one. Not faint. Not unclear.
Two lines.
Pregnant.
She blinked rapidly, her eyes welling with tears. A mix of shock and overwhelming relief surged through her. After two years of trying, of hospital visits, blood tests, hormone pills, family pressure, silent prayers, and months of disappointment — it had finally happened.
She whispered to herself, “I’m going to be a mother.”
Meera’s mind flashed to Aarav, her husband of three years. He was still asleep, his face peaceful against the pillow, unaware that their lives had just changed forever. She wanted to wake him up immediately — to shake him and show him, to cry into his chest with joy — but something held her back.
What if it was too early? What if something went wrong?
Her thoughts spiraled. As much as her heart wanted to celebrate, her mind was filled with fear — fear born from past experiences and the stories of others she had read online in late-night scrolling sessions, desperate for answers and hope.
Still, she smiled through the tears and walked into the kitchen.
The pressure had been growing for months — unspoken, yet deeply rooted in every look her mother-in-law gave, in every neighbor’s curious question, in every phone call from a distant relative who asked with feigned politeness, "Koi good news?"
When Meera and Aarav got married, everything felt like a fairytale. He was kind, supportive, and unlike the men her cousins had been forced to marry. They lived in a small rented flat in Delhi, not far from his office and her school. She taught English at a nearby high school — loved by her students, respected by the principal.
But as time passed, the love story began to bend under expectations.
At first, it was subtle. Her mother-in-law, Shanta Devi, would comment during family dinners — “Pooja ki beti toh shadi ke agle saal hi maa ban gayi,” or “Tum dono toh kaafi modern ho gaye ho.” Aarav would change the subject, but Meera heard it all.
Every month, when her period came, she felt like a failure. And every month she had to smile like nothing had happened.
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Meera finally told Aarav that evening. He had just come home, exhausted from meetings and traffic, and she waited until he had settled down.
“There’s something I need to show you,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
He looked up, curious, and saw the nervous glow on her face. She handed him the pregnancy test, and for a moment, he was confused. Then his eyes widened.
“Meera… are you serious?”
She nodded, tears brimming.
He held her tightly. “This is… this is amazing.”
And for a brief moment, everything was perfect
The next morning, they visited the gynecologist. Meera was five weeks pregnant.
The doctor smiled gently. “Congratulations. It’s still early, so let’s monitor things closely. Start your prenatal vitamins. No stress. And come for regular check-ups.”
On the way home, Aarav held her hand in the auto. Meera looked out at the crowded Delhi streets, and for once, the noise didn’t bother her. Inside her, a life was beginning to grow. A tiny heartbeat, still forming, but already powerful enough to change her forever.
When they reached home, Shanta Devi was waiting. Meera hadn’t told her yet — but Aarav did.
“Maa,” he said with a smile, “You’re going to be a dadi.”
Her expression froze for a moment, then broke into a wide grin.
“Sach? Arey wah, ab toh ghar mein sach mein khushi aayegi,” she said. But then, her tone shifted. “Bas is baar ladka ho. Mere ghar ka naam roshan kare.”
Meera’s smile faltered — just a little.
That night, as she lay in bed, Meera placed her hand on her stomach. It was flat, unchanged, but she already felt connected to the life within.
She didn’t know what challenges lay ahead — but deep inside, she made a silent promise:
No matter what happens… I will protect you.
