Ritwik choked out the question, "Am I a father?" He gripped the phone tighter, surprised he hadn't fumbled it. The tiny face staring back was his mirror image, and the name confirmed his worst suspicions. The idea had flickered in his mind the previous day, but seeing the child made it a horrifying reality.

"I never planned to make love to you,"  Mishti said flatly, "so there was no protection. But don't worry, I won't expect anything from you. Not your emotional involvement, not your support." His surprise was evident, but his true emotions remained masked. All Mishti could read was the raw surprise that mirrored her turmoil on his face.