Chapter 18-The Birth
Vinaya went into labour during a thunderstorm.
The first pain came just after sunset.
By midnight, the palace had transformed into panic.
Physicians hurried through corridors.
Attendants boiled water.
Lakshmidevi remained beside Vinaya.
Amarendra ordered everyone to stop running as though that would somehow reduce the fear.
Vikram stood outside the chamber.
And could not move.
He had been here before.
Different night.
Same corridor.
Same smell of herbs.
Same low voices.
Same terrible waiting.
Ranveer stood beside him.
"Sit."
"No."
"You've been standing for hours."
"I said no."
Another cry came from inside.
Vinaya.
Vikram's fingers curled into fists.
The sound dragged him backward.
Priya.
Blood.
His dead son.
The physician refusing to meet his eyes.
Vikram pressed both hands against his temples.
"I can't."
Ranveer turned.
"What?"
"I can't do this again."
"You're not doing anything."
"That is the problem."
Another cry.
Vikram flinched.
The doors opened briefly.
Lakshmidevi stepped out.
Her face was pale.
Vikram's heart stopped.
"Mother?"
"She is still labouring."
"Is she dying?"
The question came too quickly.
Lakshmidevi stared at him.
"No."
He breathed again.
For now.
"Can I see her?"
His mother's expression softened.
"She asked for no one."
Vikram looked away.
Of course she had.
Why would she ask for him?
The doors closed.
Hours passed.
The storm continued.
Near dawn, silence fell inside the chamber.
Vikram went cold.
"Why is it quiet?"
Ranveer stood.
No one answered.
Vikram moved toward the door.
Then—
A sound.
Small.
Sharp.
Furious.
A newborn's cry.
Vikram stopped breathing.
The baby cried again.
Alive.
Alive.
Across the corridor, Lakshmidevi began to sob.
And Vikram stood frozen outside the door, terrified by the sound he had once prayed to hear.