Page 51 of Made in Mumbai

Even saying it out loud made her choke. She cleared her throat and took another swig of water. “Anyway, I thanked him and said no. They live in a small house in Parsi colony…”

“What is your family situation?”

“Sorry?”

“You said he got to know about your family situation. What situation?”

“You are asking as my boss or as my long-lost friend?”

“Just answer.”

“Fine. My parents are not here, so…”

“They didn’t come back from Dahanu?”

“Why would they?”

“Because you are pregnant.”

“Not their problem. They suggested a couple of solutions, I did not accept.”

“Like what?”

“Like getting rid of it. Like getting back with my ex-husband. Like coming to Dahanu and hiding there to give birth, and no thanks, I am not doing that! I have read enough regency romances to know that they take away the single heroine’s baby and give it away to the house help for her to never ever see it again…”

“Maya,” he cut in.

“Yes?”

“Back to the topic. And please switch on your filter.”

She stuck her tongue out at him. And was that a tiny smirk she saw?

“What about your ex? He is supporting you, right?”

“He doesn’t want anything to do with the baby.”

Gautam reared back. Maya had never seen such a strong reaction from him. Maybe ever, not even as a teenager when he had worn his naive emotions on his sleeve.

“Please tell me this time you are joking.”

“I am not. And I am grateful. I get to have this baby all to myself.”

“That’s not how it works. I don’t know much about these things but… it cannot be easy alone.”

“When has life ever been?”

“Maya, are you really serious about it?”

“Listen,” she stood to her feet, palms bracing on the desk between them. “Do not ever underestimate my decisions. I may look like I take it all easy, but I know what I am doing. The how, I will work out, as I always do. But I know what is at stake here. I know a tiny baby, a real human being is involved. But it ismyhuman being now and I will not ram blind into the future when it is concerned. Understand?”

“All I meant to say is…”

“Do you understand?”

He swallowed. Then nodded. And for some reason, Maya felt the need to smile. At the crazy role-reversal which, for a the record, she hadn’t planned. He smiled up at her. His first real smile for her, so tender in his eyes, reminding her of that old G.

The gravity of the moment slowly faded. And she sat back down — “It felt nice to be in your shoes for a minute.”

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