The third day brought the green light to the discharge. The hospital room, once filled with silent prayers, was now a flurry of packed bags and soft baby blankets. Tarini was technically cleared to walk, having practiced a few tentative, painful steps the day before, but Someshwar was having none of it. To him, the ground was still too hard, the air still too cold, and his wife still too vulnerable.

Before she could even reach for her slippers, Someshwar swept her off the mattress. He gathered her into his arms with a practiced, protective grace, cradling her as if she were made of spun glass. He was halfway to the door when the lead obstetrician stepped inside for one final check.