I didn’t see or hear from Aaron the rest of the day, and I didn’t expect to see him. After my confession, he must have figured out I was the crazy one and chose to distance himself from me.
I deserved it. I was the villain; all the while, I thought I was the victim, but sitting still and thinking everything through made me realise I pointed the finger at the wrong person all those years.
I saw things clearer now, and coming out with the truth didn’t make me less of a bad guy.
Sleep didn’t come easy; a lot stayed on my mind. I had come out with the truth, which had weighed on me for the past five years, but I still didn’t feel good.
I lay in bed with my mind fixed on the way forward, and not long after that, I fell asleep.
…..
This wasn’t how I thought it would happen, but it was here, and there was no going back. I dragged myself to the table where my bag was, groaning in pain with every step I took. My water had just broken, and it meant the baby was coming, and I was all alone in the house with no one to help me out.
I pulled out my phone from my bag and dialled Diya’s number. After a few rings, she picked up, and her energetic voice came through. “Hey, babe.”
“Diya?” I dragged myself out faintly, pulling my feet over into my room. I picked up the already packed baby delivery bag seated in the drawer, hung it over my shoulder, and then picked out a coat.
“What’s wrong?” Her tone switched to concern in a second.
I drew a sharp breath. “My water just broke,” I told her, and I felt quietness from her side. I was not ready for delivery yet. According to the doctor’s words, the baby was due for another week, so I did not gear my preparations for today. Unfortunately for me, a baby was on its way now, and there was no going back.
“Where are you?”
“I’m still at home.”
“Can you walk?”
I nodded and then realised she couldn’t see me. “For now.” I picked up my bag, which had my car keys, purse, and hospital card. I had my red maternity gown on, and I didn’t think about changing it.
“I am on my way.”
Diya lived forty minutes away from my house, and there was no way she was going to make it on time. I knew waiting for her would not be the best decision, especially now that I can feel the baby’s need to be born.
“I don’t think I can hold on that long, Diya,” I honestly told her, biting into my lips to channel the discomfort that coursed through my stomach down south. I dragged myself towards the door, and sweat broke over my face.
“What will you do?”
“I’m going to drive to the hospital. The neighbours have all gone to work or school, and I’m the only one at home. The longer I wait, the longer our lives will be in danger. I need to go.” I explained to her, surprised at my strength in all of this.
I exited the house and locked the door before walking to the car. The discomfort had multiplied in the last few minutes, and I worried if I’d be able to drive to the hospital this way. But I had to try, for both of our sakes.
“Meet me at the hospital, Diya. I think that’s the best option for you.”
“Okay, please be careful, and if you see anyone, ask them to help you.”
“I will.” I tossed the phone onto the seat and turned on the car before driving off.
The traffic on the road was less than usual, and I navigated through the cars, but I was running at high speed. I knew it was only a matter of time before the police took notice and chased after me. I didn’t care. My brain was becoming hazy, and I needed to get to where I needed to be.
If I didn’t get there, I might end up dead.
I heard the police siren go off behind my car. “This is the police. Slow down your car.” I heard, but knowing the hospital was just five minutes away and I might not even make it there at this speed, I didn’t do as I was told, so I sped up even more.
The siren followed behind, barring off, “This is the police; slow down your car.” The warning came again, but I didn’t do as I was told. I couldn’t.
I took the turn that led to the hospital and drove my way to the parking lot, not even bothering to park my car where it was necessary. I turned off the car, and my hands dropped from the starry wheel to my side, exhausted and unable to think straight.
“This is the police. Step out of the car.” The announcement came through the microphone, but I couldn’t do it; I couldn’t even move. All I could do was sit and wait, and in my waiting, I felt my life fading away and my breathing growing faint. My eyes blurred up as they slowly shut. The voices faded away, and I heard nothing else.
When I woke up again, I was spread out on the delivery table with lights fixed on me and the doctors standing around and above me.
“Welcome, Ms Adams. We are so glad you joined us,” the old male doctor with grey hair said with a warm smile.
My fear stayed, and even his warm smile couldn’t divert it. “My baby,” I started but didn’t finish my words.
He nodded, his warm smile lingering and revealing the wrinkles around his eyes. “Your baby is safe as he should be, and you are too, but we will have to perform a caesarean section on you to save both you and your baby.”
I nodded, but fear remained, and he saw it in my eyes. He picked up the cutter and was about to proceed with the operation when I felt a tug in my stomach and a painful but uncontrollable shift on the inside. My hands clenched onto the sides of the delivery table, afraid of what was happening. And the doctor saw it, too.
Sweat broke over my face as my body began contracting and growing rigid. “What’s happening?!” I asked in a scared tone.
“Your body is moving to deliver all on its own,” the doctor replied, and immediately, he dropped the cutter and moved to settle between my legs…
My eyes fluttered in bed, and I realised it was all a dream, more of a memory of the day my son Zion came into this world. He was my miracle and saving grace.
I didn’t know where the strength came from that day, but it came, and in less than ten minutes, I went into labour. I delivered a healthy, living boy.
They then ran a test on both of us to check out our health and bodies, and they found we were perfectly sound. The doctors had no words to explain what had happened and said it could only be a miracle. They concluded the baby had somehow healed me and strengthened my muscles before he was delivered, and though it made little sense, I accepted it as the truth.
He was my angel, and I knew he would always watch over me.
End of Part 3