Five weeks.
That was all.
Five weeks old.
Dr. Sumitra placed the ultrasound image before Alankrita.
Then she switched on the sound.
For the first time, Alankrita heard it.
A tiny heartbeat.
Fast.
Fragile.
Alive.
She stared silently at the monitor.
The room disappeared.
The fear disappeared.
The questions disappeared.
Only the heartbeat remained.
Dr. Sumitra gently explained everything she knew and everything she did not know.
There were more mysteries than answers.
But one fact remained undeniable.
There was a child.
And that child was alive.
After a long silence, Alankrita finally spoke.
"I will keep the baby."
Dr. Sumitra looked at her carefully.
"Are you certain?"
Tears rolled down the girl's cheeks.
"I cannot hurt an innocent life."