The One

A Bit Impatient

 For the rest of the day, Sharon stayed by her sister's side, lost in conversation and laughter. They shared everything – their thoughts, their fears, leaving no room for doubts as they bridged the gap that had grown between them. Yet as the clock ticked closer to midnight, a sudden wave of intense contractions surged through her, breaking the sanctuary of their reunion.

"Sissy, please call the doctor for me," she gasped, fighting against the pain.

In a flurry of panic, Sharon grabbed both her own phone and Karol's, frantically dialling the numbers of their doctor and parents. The calls connected simultaneously, and both lines echoed, "Hello?"

"Get your arse over here! Karol is having the baby NOW!" Sharon screamed into the receivers, her voice a mix of urgency and desperation.

At the other end, both their parents' voices faltered as Sharon's words registered. The unexpected intensity of the moment caused her water to break, the pain of her contractions escalating wildly. She gritted her teeth, struggling to breathe as she cast a pleading look at her sister, who was now teetering on the brink of panic.

"You can do this, sissy! Don't worry, okay? You've got this! You're strong—always remember that" Sharon urged, her voice a lifeline amidst the chaos.

"Yes, I got this. I'll— arghhh!" she cried mid-sentence, yet another contraction ripping through her.

"Breathe in, sissy, breathe out. Remember the exercises – in and out. Just follow me," Sharon instructed, desperately trying to emulate the breathing techniques in hopes her sister would mirror her efforts.

With determination, Sharon guided her sister through the breathing exercises, maintaining her focus despite the growing intensity in the room. Yet her sister shot her an exasperated look, her annoyance plain.

"Seriously, you are so annoying right now. Just wait, you'll find out how it feels, and then I'll be doing this right in front of you," she snapped through gritted teeth.

"I'd gladly and happily follow you by then," Sharon responded the edges of her fear softened by the bond of sisterhood.

"Shhh—arrghh!" she grunted as another contraction gripped her tightly.

"In and out, breathe in and out," Sharon instructed, her voice steady as the doorbell chimed, slicing through the tension like a crisp knife.

"COMING!" she hollered, dashing down the stairs with the speed of a sprinter, her heart racing as she flung open the door.

What caught her off guard was not just the arrival of the doctor, but the sheer panic etched across their parents' faces as they burst into the house, breathless and frantic. Without hesitation, Anna surged forward, urgency fuelling her every movement. "Where is she?" she demanded, shoving past anyone in her path as she ascended the staircase with the doctor and nurses trailing closely behind.

William, the last person to enter the house, swiftly closed the door behind him before reaching for Sharon's trembling hands, pulling her up gently. "Sorry, baby girl, your mummy is just overwhelmed right now," he murmured, watching as her frozen expression shattered the moment a familiar voice echoed from the second floor.

In an instant, Sharon and William transformed into a pair of lightning-fast sprinters, dashing up the stairs with heart-pounding urgency. They discovered Karol, her face a mixture of confusion and surprise, staring blankly at Anna.

"Mummy?" her voice quivered as her mother rushed forward, enveloping her daughter in a tight embrace. "Yes, I'm here, baby girl. I'm here," she cooed soothingly, assuring her that this was no fleeting dream.