A different view

Chapter 22

Today was Pha and Yo's time with Preeth. Yo had just received a message that Pha couldn't make it due to an emergency at the hospital. Yo was doubtful if he would be good company for Preeth. They spent time in a group often enough but to spend a whole afternoon together by themselves...he wasn't sure... He decided to meet Preeth at her house just to check in if she was alright first and then decide.

Yo greeted Preeth's parents and they asked him to go up to her room as Preeth said she would be ready and wait there. The door to the room was slightly ajar and Yo could hear Preeth's voice as he approached to knock.

"Today we'll be spending time with uncle Pha and uncle Yo little one." he could hear her say. The voice was coming from behind the bathroom door inside the room. "Uncle Pha may look like the strong one but uncle Yo has a strong heart. So if you ever are in doubt with matters of the heart, talk to uncle Yo" she continued. Yo wanted to continue eavesdropping. There was a tight feeling in his chest that he couldn't explain. He cared for Preeth like everyone else but he never really thought about the fact that he would be an uncle to the baby. As her words sunk into him a bond was created between him and the unborn child, so strong that it broke his heart wide open. Preeth came to the door just then.

"Ah P'Yo" she said picking up her small bag to go. Yo reached out to take it from her hand like Pha always did.

"Um... P'Pha isn't coming today" Yo stuttered.

"Yes, he messaged me. Is everything alright P'Yo?" Preeth asked sensing some hesitation.

"Yes, everything's fine"

Yo took Preeth shopping to pick up some necessities. On the way back, he observed her looking at the beach.

"Would you like to go to the beach Nong Preeth?" Yo asked

"I just remembered the night of our gear giving ceremony."

"Did you ever get to go there again?"

"No" Preeth said 

"Nong Preeth why don't we stop by your house to keep all this shopping away and then we can head out for coffee?"

Preeth nodded. She was walked in by her parents while Yo stepped outside to make a call.

"P'Pha... I'd like to take Preeth somewhere."

"What's wrong Yo? Is she unwell?"

"No P'Pha. I want to take her to the beach where the gear ceremony was held"

"Why though?"

"I think it has some significance to her. I know we won't make it until sundown. I'll make the travel arrangements so she can lie down on the journey and the folks at the office should be able to take care of accommodation for the night."

"Yo, I can't come. Ming and Kit are out of town and..."

"I know P'Pha. I can do this... by myself"

Such assertiveness from Yo, Pha had never heard of before. It was unlike him to make such a bold move all on his own.

"I'll talk to Preeth's parents. This might be the last time she gets to go before the baby is born. Just need your help to find me a good doctor in the area in case of any emergencies" Yo said in an affirmative tone.

Preeth's parents would have been easily convinced if it was Pha asking but they yielded in the end. They knew their daughter couldn't be in safer hands. Yo booked a luxurious caravan for Preeth to take a nap while they traveled. He made sure there was food, water, and a restroom for her. On arrival, there were taken to a magnificent suite that had two bedrooms. The bedrooms had an intercom so Preeth should call out to Yo at any time.

Preeth took in everything without a single sign of emotion on her face. Once they refreshed themselves, Yo took her down to the beach where there was a bonfire waiting for her. The warmth from the fire along with the salty smell from the sea, was the feeling Preeth had been craving.

"Thank you P'Yo" she said looking at Yo.

Yo smiled his biggest smile and lead her to sit down on a comfortable chair.

"Nong Preeth. Don't worry, I may not be a protector like Ming and P'Forth but I have my men around and even though I'm not a doctor like the doc gang, I assure you that we have doctors on call should you need anything. In fact, one of the area's best is in a suite right next to ours for the night. So you just enjoy yourself" Yo said beaming with pride.

Preeth chuckled. "What is it?" Yo pressed

"I'm sorry P'Yo. That came out wrong. Actually, I idolize you over all of them." Preeth said now smiling.

"Me?" The shock was apparent in Yo's voice

"I can only imagine the power of your love for your P'Pha. Waiting for all those years, right through school and then following him through university and still persistently trying, never letting go. It takes someone with a truly virtuous heart to love and persevere. So yes, you will always be someone I admire."

"I think I need a beer," Yo said with a laugh. He knew his trials during those years. He shared most of them with Ming but the road was not as smooth as people thought. Preeth understood even though she was never a part of it. She must have heard it by word of mouth just like everyone else, not from him. Yet she knew the depth of that journey. Yo had always had a deep sense of respect for Preeth. Tonight though, things transformed into something much more meaningful.

The day of the delivery soon arrived. Everyone made sure they were in town that month. The baby seemed to be taking after Preeth in that the contractions started right on time as predicted by the doctor. Forth and Beam drove Preeth to the hospital. Preeth sent some last few messages and then turned off her phone before she was wheeled in.

Once the contractions were getting faster, Preeth didn't want anyone she knew in the room. Pha had instructed the doctors to call him in should there be any complications. Park and Ming paced nervously and kept getting the group drinks. Lin held Tim's hands tightly. She did the most reading on pregnancy in these last few months, more than what she would have studied in the whole of her university life, Tim had joked. Wat was leaning against the far wall next to Preeth's parents who seemed to be the calmest. That was until one of the doctors came out to meet Pha.

"Amniotic Fluid Embolism"

"Pha, Preeth is the priority, nothing else matters. We talked about this" Beam said with a stern face

"You didn't talk to Preeth about it though, did you P'Beam?" Yo asked.

He showed the last message Preeth had sent him.

P'Yo, remember our promise that night. If the time comes to make a decision between the baby and me, it has to be the baby. At all costs. I ask, believing I have a say in this matter.

"Yo, how could you concede to a promise like that?" Beam was almost shouting at Yo. Forth held his shoulders reminding him that they were in a hospital

"P'Beam, like she says, it's also her decision, not just yours," Yo said looking back at Beam's eyes.

"Let's focus on saving both of them shall we?" Pha said. "I need to go in now and I'm not giving up on either of them"

"I'm coming in with you Pha," Beam said.

They washed up and rushed in.

"Her prior abdominal injury and tear in the cervix caused it. She's bleeding heavily. The baby is just about out now." the main surgeon was saying.

"Blood transfusions?" Beam was asking.

"Already started but the blood pressure is yet to stabilize" they responded. They knew this was a high-priority case. After all, 4 of the richest families in the country were in the waiting room right now.

Outside, the baby was shifted to the nursery but no one budged to see the little one. They waited an hour, or was it three? No one was sure anymore. The adrenaline dissipated from their bloodstreams when Beam and Pha came out soaked in sweat with a thumbs up. It was going to be a busy day for the folks at the nursery now.