Yesha Shah

Due Date

My five year old fidgets in the cramped 4D sonography cabin. We are here to ascertain that all vital parameters of my unborn child are normal. My daughter proclaims that the acrobatic foetus flashing on the monitor is her "sister." The sonographer, who till now seemed irritated, thaws into a warm smile.

Later, I go maternity shopping with my ma and daughter. My daughter, who feels the new baby has to be a girl, picks up pink; my mother, who hopes it is a boy, picks up blue; and I, unwilling to upset them, buy two colours of everything if I can afford it. For things I can't afford two of, we settle on neutral colours like red, white or green.

third trimester—
mother duck and I
both waddle

Note: 'third trimester' first published in The Heron's Nest, June 2014.