"It's a girl! " The doctor gushed, placing the wailing infant on the woman's chest.

Anna heaved trying to catch her breath in the aftermath of her grueling labor. Tears of pain mingled briefly with tears of joy before dissolving into tears of sadness.

She had once again given birth to a girl! Her third daughter. What would her husband and in-laws do to her now? Will they really send her parking?

"Do not come back here if you give birth to a girl again!" That was the warning she received on her way to the labor room.

"But, I'm not the one who gives children." She had cried amidst the labor pains. However, they all turned a deaf ear to her pleas, including her husband who had promised her heaven and earth before marriage.

Her cries grew and the doctor was confused. Was it still tears of joy? She could not discern.

"Madam, are you alright?" The doctor showed some concern.

She waved her hand, a signal to the doctor that she was okay. The doctor sighed and left the ward.

Her tears increased, each drop, a symbol of the pain in her heart. She was at a crossroad; no turning back, no moving forward. Who was she to choose? Her husband or her new born? If she chose her newly born daughter, would she not be separated from her husband? Her children would grow up without a father. Her eyes dimmed as she helplessly cleaned the tears in her eyes.

She raised her head up after some minutes, her eyes filled with resolve and courage as she lovingly looked at her...