I’ve been living here for five months now.

It’s a nice place — warm and safe.

My tiny body is growing well. My nose, mouth, and ears are taking shape. My skeleton is hardening. I can even make different expressions. I can sense light. I can hear sounds. Yes, I am an unborn child, living in my mother’s womb. It was a secret — but not anymore. Her growing belly is telling the world about me.

Today, we’re going to Kota — Mom, me, Nana ji, and my elder brother. Mom’s family lives there. She’s in her sixth month, weak and tired, but she agreed to travel. The nights are peaceful. When everyone sleeps, I stay awake, listening to my mother’s heartbeat and thinking about what I’ve learned so far.

My parents live in Kolkata. Dad works in a private company. We have a house — big for me, at least. I have a sister somewhere and a brother who’s always around. And me? I’m the third child. That’s the problem. I’m the problem.

When my parents first found out about me, they were happy. But that happiness didn’t last long. After my mom shared the news with her family, something changed. She stopped smiling.

“When they don’t want my child, why do they call every day?” Mom said angrily.

“Listen, Manvi,” Dad said, calm as ever. “This is our child. We love our child. But not everyone will feel the same.”

“But they’re my family, Naren. How can they say such things?”

“They apologized. Your mother already loves this baby, and your father regrets it.”

Mom sighed. “Fine. I’ll think about it.”

“At least your family still talks to us,” Dad said quietly. “Mine doesn’t even do that.”

If you find out you’re unwanted, how would you feel? You’d hate them. But I don’t. They’re letting me live. They think I’m a boy. But I’m not. I’m a girl. Still a secret. When Nana ji came to Kolkata, he convinced Mom to go to Kota. She fought like a warrior and finally agreed. But only on one condition: no one would speak against her child.

“Your baby’s growing well, Manvi. Don’t stress too much,” said Dr. Avina.

“Everything’s fine, right?” Nani asked, worried.

“Of course,” the doctor smiled.

“She’s strong,” Mom whispered.

“How do you know it’s a girl?” the doctor teased.

“Because she’s mine,” Mom laughed.

Two months later, we reached Kota. Arun mama was playing with my brother. Varun mama had come back from college. My sister returned from school. Everyone was home — except Nana ji, who was teaching.

“So, how’s the baby, Manvi di?” Arun mama asked.

Mom didn’t answer.

Nani replied, “She’s weak. She needs rest.”

“Di, you already have two children. You don’t need another,” Varun mama said casually.

Funny thing — he’s also the third child. But he’s a boy.

Mom smiled faintly. “By the way, Varun, what happened last night? Is your friend okay?”

“Everything’s fine, di,” he muttered, nervous.

“What happened, Manvi?” Nani asked.

“Nothing, Maa. I just heard him whispering on the phone,” Mom said.

Nani started scolding him, and Arun slipped away to his room. That’s how Mom got her small revenge.

Then, everything changed. Mom started crying. Screaming. Arun mama called a cab and the doctor. We rushed to the hospital. It’s too hot.

I can’t breathe. I’m dying. At the hospital, Dr. Avina was ready.

“Don’t worry, Manvi. Everything will be all right. We’re here,” she said, holding Mom’s hand.

Outside, Nana ji asked, “How is she?”

“We’ll try our best,” the doctor replied softly. “But we might lose the baby.”

But I was born. They looked at me strangely.

“There are burn marks on her skin. Will they stay?” Arun mama asked.

“She’s so red. She’ll probably turn dark,” Varun mama said.

Just wait, both of you. Once I grow up, I’ll show you who I am. Then, a woman picked me up and smiled.

“Look how beautiful she is,” said my Nani.

Nana ji smiled too.

My sister touched my cheek. And then, I saw him — my Dad. He held me close, eyes full of love.

“What will you name her, Manvi?” the doctor asked.

Mom looked at me and whispered,

“She’s my brave, strong, beautiful girl.

She’s my Kanak.”

And that’s how I came into this world with the name Kanak.

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