The train came to a halt with a hiss and the sliding doors opened. Ritu followed Aayush inside. He found them a seat by the window. A desi middle-aged woman opposite them glanced up from the book she was reading and gave Ritu a knowing smile. Seven months pregnant, Ritu was used to the reaction and smiled back.

The pregnancy hadn't been too bad except for the swollen feet at the end of the day. The fortnightly health check-ups had all gone well. Both the baby and she were ...