By the fifth month, Baby Pumpkin had become quite active.
Especially after meals.
Especially after music.
Especially after hot chocolate.
The evenings became their favourite time.
After classes her friends would gather inside Room 214.
Books would be pushed aside.
Assignments forgotten temporarily.
The room would fill with laughter.
"Any news from Baby Pumpkin today?"
"Has the future journalist written any editorials yet?"
"Is Baby Pumpkin preparing for examinations already?"
Sometimes one of them would carefully rest their head against her stomach.
They would wait.
Patiently.
Quietly.
Then—
Thump.
The reaction was always the same.
Wide eyes.
Laughter.
Disbelief.
Another thump.
Another round of laughter.
"Definitely a journalist," Sam declared.
"Too opinionated to be anything else."
"Lawyer," Elara argued.
"That kick had legal energy."
"Scientist," Mei Lin replied.
"Clearly conducting experiments."
Alankrita laughed until tears appeared.
For those few moments...
there were no rumours.
No medical mysteries.
No loneliness.
Only friends.
Only warmth.
Only Baby Pumpkin introducing itself to the world one kick at a time.