FICTION

The wave of pang that would occasionally rise had now turned into a tumultuous river — a river that would rage in an instant and calm just as quickly. When it raged, it seemed as though it would rip apart the fabric of her breath, and when it stilled it lay petrified, as if frozen. The intensity of the pain had stolen her ability to think. The universe and all its miracles had lost their meaning and presence for her. All that existed was this cabin in the health care centre, which seemed to devour her being moment by moment.

Spasms would erupt in her body every now and then, making her writhe and collapse onto her side. After a while, she would try to gather herself, opening her eyes slightly, but her body would be so overcome with weakness that not a single limb would move. One moment, it felt as though her spine had shattered into pieces, and in the next, her organs seemed to be severed one by one, falling into a dark chasm within her. She felt the burden of a dewy layer forming on her skin, yet, despite her best efforts, she could not muster the strength to wipe the sweat from her brow. A sudden throb erupted in her upper hip, spreading through her entire being. She let out a scream, which echoed off the walls and struck her own mind. Helplessly, she slumped again, and the automatic medical bed quickly readjusted her to the required, former position.

The intense shades of light in the cabin stabbed her eyes, her crimson and pale skin, her mind, and her imagination, forcing her to close her eyes, crushed under the weight of her endurance. When the pain eased slightly, she would open her eyes to find her entire body attached to various automated devices. Frustrated, she would shut her eyes once more. Cameras and sensors embedded in the walls recorded her every move and suffering from countless angles. The fluctuations in her temperature, organ performance, blood pressure, hormone levels, muscular tension, and all other changing physical conditions were continuously monitored on the related screens. The moment an alert of any unexpected or concerning situation appeared, the vigilant staff and machinery instantly came into the required action.

A similar emergency had arisen a year earlier when an unusual request was submitted to the Family Planning Section of this very health care centre. Sara and Sameer had completed the request form, and as soon as they clicked Submit a warning light flashed on the screen. In the very next instant, an alarm icon appeared on all the relevant screens in the section.

Inappropriate request read the cautionary note on the screen, and the two were momentarily taken aback. But they quickly regained their composure, closing the edit box on their screens and again pressing Submit.

Potentially objectionable content warned the screen with a brighter, more intense red light this time. But with unwavering determination, the two again clicked to submit the form without making any alterations.

And then, in the blink of an eye, the news had spread beyond the walls of the health care centre and became part of the collective memory of the entire city: a human couple had requested permission from the administration to conceive a child through their own bodies.

For days, both humans and robots, in both formal and informal meetings, discussed whether this couple’s strange and bizarre request would be accepted. Should it be? And if they were granted permission, what would be the consequences?

The common method for the creation of humans and most animal offspring was through fertilization and initial nurturing — all processes completed with utmost care, precision, and safety within the laboratory. At no stage of the process was physical involvement required from humans. Prospective parents could register at any nearby laboratory or health care centre to obtain a baby of their desired specifications at any time. They were required to submit a detailed outline of their desired characteristics — gender, complexion, height, facial features, and other traits — to the lab. The extent to which these features would be available, and any potential compromises, depended on the genetic material available in the repositories and the purchasing power of the prospective parents. The creation of a baby usually used eggs and sperm from central genetic banks, but genetic engineering allowed for modifications on demand, depending on the available resources. In cases where local genetic material lacked desired traits, additional expenses incurred by importing chromosomes with the desired characteristics fell upon the client parents. Legally, every adult citizen was required to deposit their reproductive material in the genetic bank once every five years. Parents who wanted their proposed baby created solely from their own genetic material were required to undergo additional testing to ensure their chromosomes were healthy and free of genetic defects. Cloning was nearly obsolete except for specific scientific or commercial purposes, and its use for childbearing was strictly prohibited. Those not interested in having children were allowed additional services and privileges, subject to certain conditions.

In such a context, Sara and her husband Sameer’s desire to use their own bodies to conceive their child was seen as both strange and outright foolish.

“Would the baby — born through fertilization of such primitive methods — be free of genetic defects?” This question sparked debate in several forums.

We must move toward the future, not return to the past. This is where the key to progress lies! read the headline of an editorial.

Is the present human body capable of enduring such hardships? Or is this akin to suicide? questioned a local news portal.

Humans following in the footsteps of wild animals! sensationalized a well-known news website.

Despite initial resistance, when the couple remained adamant, they were subjected to a series of counselling sessions. Sara was informed of the potential risks associated with the process. Through simulations, they were shown the entire series of stages and complexities involved. She was even shown a special film depicting a mother enduring an excruciating nine-month journey, ultimately giving birth to a frail child and losing her life in the process. They were shown historical records and statistics to illustrate that using one’s body for reproduction could be fatal. But their resolve remained unshaken. Both underwent brain scans to ensure they weren’t suffering from any psychological or mental disorder.

When the department failed to persuade them to withdraw their request, they decided to address the matter democratically. The opinions of experts and the public were recorded, and workshops were held to examine various aspects of the issue. The administration conducted a referendum, allowing humans, robot experts, and technical staff from various research centres an equal say. Some experts associated the case with a budding resistance against artificial intelligence and robot culture. The final decision lay with the town’s Central Medical Council, whose governing body consisted mainly of humans.

Three months later, when Sara and Sameer’s request was approved with some conditions, they were ecstatic. Their flat and their entire being seemed to be aglow with joy that night.

Sara completed the long, gruelling journey of thirty-nine mentally and physically torturous weeks with nothing but the hope that one day this fantasy would become a reality and fall into her lap. Throughout, she had completely embodied the role of a romantic mother from a bygone era. Despite her strong resolve and awareness of the potential dangers, when she actually confronted with the terror of the difficult valley, she was so overwhelmed that she almost abandoned her decision under the weight of regret and foolishness. But Sameer’s support renewed her courage, and she pushed herself forward, reaching this final stretch, where life seemed to be fighting for survival.

Her body was limp, her mind numb. Past, present, future, plans, dreams, fantasies, nine months of unbearable agony — all her memories and hopes had vanished from her mind. On one side lay the corpse of her past, motionless, and on the other, the lifeless skeleton of the future. She was trapped in the jaws of the present, where nothing beyond was visible.

In the span of an hour, her existence was torn apart countless times between life and death — two opposite yet inseparable forces. Though it may have lasted only moments by the clock, entire eras had passed within her.

Medically, everything was going normally. All the qualitative and quantitative simulations displayed the required consistency, yet because it was the first case of its kind, all doctors, administrators, robo-doctors, and the public remained slightly anxious and uncertain with eyes fixed on the screens, tracking Sara’s constantly changing condition.

She continued to drift through waves of unbearable pang.

Suddenly, she felt as if someone had lifted her to the peak of a mountain and then hurled her into a deep abyss. For a moment, everything stilled — her existence, her breaths, her heartbeat, her awareness of pain…everything ceased, as if the universe had flared up in a single burst and then extinguished. Then, a scream erupted — perhaps from within her, or perhaps from outside. She couldn’t tell. But she felt certain, once again, that she was alive. A soothing shadow gently enveloped her entire being.

She opened her eyes. Someone had gently clasped that soothing shadow against her bare chest.

The surge of oxytocin in her body had reached such a peak that the entire screen before her had turned green.

Within moments, nearly a billion similar requests flooded the Family Planning Centre, seeking permission to give birth to one’s own child.

….

(Self-translation from URDU)

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