The morning sunlight filtered through the window of Shree's small apartment as she folded a fresh pile of clothes, chatting with her friend Olivera, who was helping her with the laundry.

Just as Shree reached to fold another shirt, a small, sharp pang shot through her abdomen. She winced slightly, her hand moving instinctively to her belly.

Olivera, noticing her friend's expression, looked up with concern. "Shree, are you alright?"

Shree gave a soft smile, waving her hand. "Oh, I'm fine, Olivera. Just a little... well, it's been like this, small contractions here and there since midnight."

Olivera's eyes widened as she dropped the shirt she was holding. "Since midnight? Shree, why didn't you say anything?"

"They were just small contractions, nothing serious. I didn't want to cause a fuss. I read that it's normal to have irregular contractions as you get closer to your due date." Shree shrugged, trying to brush it off. "Besides, I thought it was just the baby adjusting, you know?"

But even as she spoke, another, sharper contraction hit her, and she gasped, clutching her belly a bit tighter this time.

Olivera's eyes darted to her in alarm. "Shree! That doesn't look like 'nothing serious.' Are you sure you're alright?" But before Olivera could respond, Shree felt a sudden rush of warmth, and her eyes widened in shock as she looked down. A wet patch had formed on her dress, and her heart skipped a beat.

Shree breathed, looking down in shock.

"Oh no, oh no, oh no!" Olivera mumbled, her hands flying to her mouth before she snapped back into action. "This is it! We need to get you to the hospital! Now!"

Shree took a shaky breath, her mind racing.

Olivera grabbing her phone, quickly dialed her boyfriend, Nick, who was their designated driver for situations like this.

The phone rang a few times before Nick picked up. "Hey, Oli. What's up?"

"Nick!" Olivera shouted, panic lacing her tone. "Shree's in labor! Her water just broke, and we need to get her to the hospital right now. Like, now!"

There was a brief silence on the other end before Nick replied, "Alright, I'm on my way. Just keep her calm and don't let her move too much."

Olivera nodded even though Nick couldn't see her. "Hurry, Nick. Please, hurry."

She hung up and turned back to Shree, who was gripping the edge of the table, breathing through the contraction that was gripping her abdomen.

"Shree, hang in there, alright? Nick is on his way. He'll be here any minute. Just breathe, okay?" Olivera reached for Shree's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

Shree nodded, focusing on steadying her breathing. "I knew this day was coming, but... I didn't think it would be quite like this."

Olivera laughed nervously, trying to keep things light. "Life never goes as planned, huh? But we're going to get you to the hospital, and you're going to meet your little one soon. How exciting is that?"

Shree managed a smile through the discomfort. "You're right. It's... it's exciting."

Just then, a knock sounded at the door, followed by Nick's voice. "Alright, ladies, let's get this show on the road!"

Olivera leapt up, opening the door and gesturing for Nick to come in. He took one look at Shree, who was trying to stand, and moved to her side.

"Alright, Shree," he said, offering his arm, "Let's get you to the car."

* * * * *

Shree screamed in agony, her voice echoing off the sterile walls of the delivery room. She had been in labor for twelve grueling hours, and now the contractions surged through her with relentless intensity, each wave stronger and faster than the last.

"Only one more push, Ms. Prasad, and your baby will be here," Dr. Hannah Knight encouraged her, her voice calm but firm. "You just need to bear down and push. Everything is going to be fine. Just one strong push, alright?"

Shree barely had the strength to respond, but with a nod, she summoned every ounce of willpower left within her. Tears rolled down her flushed, sweat-drenched face as she closed her eyes and prepared herself. Her lungs felt as if they were on fire, her back ached like never before, and the raw pain of the contractions radiated through her entire body. She threw her head back into the uncomfortable pillow, forcing herself to take one labored breath after another.

"You can do this, Shree!" Olivera's voice cut through the haze, gentle but resolute. Dressed in scrubs, her best friend held Shree's shaking arm, dabbing her forehead with a cool cloth. "You're so strong, Shree. You've done amazing so far. Just a little bit more."

Shree clung to Olivera's hand as if it were her lifeline. "I... I can't..." she gasped, the words barely audible over the overwhelming pain.

"Yes, you can," Olivera reassured, squeezing Shree's hand in solidarity. "You're almost there."

Dr. Knight's voice was steady and comforting. "Alright, Ms. Prasad, the baby is crowning now," she announced with a gentle smile. "When the next contraction hits, I want you to tuck your chin to your chest and give me the strongest push you've got."

Shree nodded, her tears flowing freely as she braced herself. She waited, feeling the pressure build up, then, as the contraction ripped through her once more, she mustered every bit of energy she could and pushed with all her might. Her body strained, her heartbeat pounded in her ears, and then, through the exhaustion and pain, she heard it-a baby's cry. High and clear, piercing through the noise, and filling the room with a new life.

Shree's eyes opened as she gasped for air, relief flooding through her. It was almost evening now, and she lay sweaty and exhausted, but also blissfully aware that she had just become a mother to a beautiful baby girl. Dr. Knight carefully cut the cord and wrapped the tiny newborn in a soft towel, then turned to Shree, smiling.

"You did it. Would you like to hold her?" Dr. Knight asked gently.

"Yes... please," Shree whispered, stretching her trembling arms forward.

Dr. Knight placed the little bundle into Shree's arms, and the moment her baby's weight settled against her, Shree felt a wave of love and awe so powerful that it overwhelmed her exhaustion. The baby's crying softened, her tiny face scrunching up as she found comfort in her mother's warmth. Shree brushed her fingertip against her daughter's impossibly small hand, and the baby wrapped her fingers around it, gripping tight.

The sight took Shree's breath away. The baby's skin was a soft pink, her lips a dark shade of red, and her chubby cheeks hinted at the healthy time she had spent growing in the womb. A fine layer of dark hair covered her head, and as Shree looked closer, she saw a tiny, familiar cleft in her chin, just like Madhav's.

"She's perfect," Shree murmured, her heart swelling with love as she cradled the baby carefully, as if she held the most precious thing in the world-which, in that moment, she did.

"She is beautiful," Olivera said softly, her voice filled with admiration as she gazed at the newborn. "What's her name?"

Shree leaned down, whispering into her daughter's tiny ear. "Madhushree," she said, the name rolling off her lips like a melody, a perfect blend of her and Madhav's love.

* * * * *

Shree sat in the quiet hospital room, gazing down at her newborn daughter cradled in her arms. Her tiny lips latched onto Shree's breast, her delicate mouth moving rhythmically as she nursed. The warmth of her baby against her skin was a sensation so pure, so precious, that it filled her with an overwhelming love she hadn't known she could feel.

As Shree stroked her daughter's soft, dark hair with gentle fingers, a pang of sorrow pierced through her, cutting into this perfect moment. She couldn't stop thinking about Madhav. How could he not be here for this? How could he have missed their daughter's first breath, her first cry? The weight of his absence felt unbearable, each thought of him like a shadow cast over the joy of their child's arrival.

A tear slipped down Shree's cheek, and her chest tightened as memories of Madhav flooded back-his laugh, the warmth of his hand on hers, the way he would smile at her with that secret twinkle in his eye. She had envisioned this moment countless times, holding their baby together, sharing this sacred experience as a family. And yet, here she was, alone.

Her daughter fidgeted, sensing her mother's distress, her tiny fingers curling and uncurling against Shree's skin. She whimpered, a small cry bubbling up as she paused her feeding. Shree quickly wiped her tears, forcing a smile as she gently rocked her daughter, her fingers lightly brushing her soft cheek.

"It's okay, sweetheart. Mama's here," Shree whispered, her voice wavering with emotion as she adjusted her hospital gown.

Taking a deep breath, Shree gently patted her daughter's back, soothing her until she settled and returned to nursing. "I'm not going to cry about him now," she murmured softly, more to herself than to her baby. "I have you now, and that's all that matters."

She pressed a kiss to her daughter's forehead, savoring the sweetness of her soft skin. She knew the path ahead wouldn't be easy-raising a child, especially alone, was a daunting thought. But in this moment, as her daughter continued nursing, Shree felt a new strength build within her. Her daughter was here, and she was ready to give her all the love and security she could muster.

As she looked down at her daughter's peaceful face, Shree made a silent promise: whatever happened with Madhav, she would be strong. For herself, and for her child.