Project: Karma

58 | Birth and Tears

<Sugino>
At 6:30 am, I got a call from the hospital saying that Nagisa was going into labor. Both Kaede and I leapt out of bed, got dressed, and headed out.Who would of thought that instead, this was gutting me from the inside out. I was engrossed in both thrill and fright.

When we arrived, there was already people waiting outside the room, all standing nervously. The black haired guy I met before, Mrs. Yukimura, the blonde chick, and another woman I did not recognize. One thing for sure, that guy wasn't here.

"Big sis!" Kaede ran over to Mrs. Yukimura and hugged her, "any news yet?" She asked.

"Not yet, she's still at stage one-"

We were all suddenly spooked by loud screams coming from inside the room. We all waited idly and took in all the painful groans. I wish I could stand there along side Nagisa and he's not even here.
I looked up at Koro-sensei, who introduced himself last time. He made eye contact with me.

"Why isn't he here?" I angrily asked.

Everyone else looked down.

"Where is he?! This must be a joke, is he ditching this too?!" I lost my self control. But I have the right to act like this don't I?

"Please, just stop." The girl with black hair spoke up, "you don't know anything." She crossed her arms and looked displeased.

"Shizuka, watch your manners." Koro-sensei said. "It can't be helped."

"Tsk. Shizuka's right. This kid is being rather obnoxious." The one with blonde hair glared.

Kaede grabbed my sleeve and shook her head. She didn't want me to make anything bad coming from this time, that is supposed to be happy. I restrained myself and sighed.

"Sorry." I apologized.

"We all wish that Karma was here, it's not just you. Like I said before, there's a reason why he can't come." Koro-sensei lightened the mood and turned around to everyone. "We should all be here for Nagisa, let's not fret over something out of our reach."

They all nodded their heads and agreed. Kaede gleamed and leaned her head on my shoulder. All we have to do now is wait.
•••••
<Nagisa>
"Argh...!" These contractions are legit killing me. The searing discomfort made it very difficult to think straight.

"I need you to push harder, Nagisa, stay with me here." The doctor on the other end of me said.

I did what he instructed and tried my best but I couldn't get over this pain! Now I understand what woman go through during labor. It's not pretty at all. There was some instances where I almost fainted however, the rupturing contractions kept me awake. I don't know how much longer I can take.

"There's the head! You're almost there Nagisa. Breath and push." The doctor notified me.

"UGH...ARGH...!" I was covered in sweat and the nurses patted me dry with a towel. Come on Nagisa, you're almost there.

"It's a boy! Great job Nagisa." The doctor said.
But I didn't hear any cries. My heart sank.
I leaned forward and saw that the baby wasn't moving. The doctor began to lightly slap the baby's face and it began to wail. Thank goodness, I started to cry myself. What a relief, Karma's child.

Once the doctor cut the umbilical cord, he handed the baby to the nurse and patted him down dry. They wrapped him up in a white with blue stripped towel and carried him over to me.

"Congratulations Miss Shiota." The nurse gleamed, "he's handsome." She commented.

I took him into my arms and saw his eyes slowly creep open. Altogether, he opened them and saw me.
He laid there quietly and just watched the world around him. I felt like he knew, that the world wasn't going to be pleasing nor giving.

A part of me suspected that the life Karma gave up was exchanged for this one. I blissfully smiled at him, this unexplainable feeling. I didn't want it to end.

"Welcome Nakaru."
••••
The nurse who took Nakaru to the hospital nursery told me that I had visitors waiting. Before I wanted anyone to visit me, I asked if I could laid down and rest. It wouldn't have been great if I was barely awake to talk to anyone. I guess that would worry them more. huh?

"Miss Shiota, I've seen that you have already named the baby?" The nurse giggled.

"Yes." I answered, "Nakaru Akabane." I spoke.

"You're married?" She questioned.

"N-no, not yet but, I want to give him his last name first." I explained, "then hopefully I can transition my family name too."

The nurse didn't ask about where Karma could have been. It was like she knew these kinds of situations and it was implied. When I realized it, I know for sure that Karma isn't coming back, then why was I lying to myself?
•••••••
<Koro-sensei>
By the time Nagisa was ready to see us, everyone entered the room calm and quietly at first. That was until Shizuka and Aguri's younger sister blared with excitement.

<Nagisa>
"Nagisa! Congratulations!" They both shouted in a unison. I blanked at them speechless.

"Huh? Who are you?" Shi wrapped her arms around me like she was protecting me from Kaede.

"I'm Nagisa's best friend. Who are you?" Kaede tugged lightly on one of my open arms.

"I've been with Nagisa since she started working. Best best friends if you could compare." Shi directed a hostile intent at her.

"Alright girls, that's enough." Both Sugino and Koro-sensei came over and pulled them away from me.

I cracked up and laughed at them both.

"You guys are so hysterical!"

I held both of their hands and continued.
"Thank you guys." I genuinely grinned.

"Nagisa, congrats." The others spoke in a more civilized manner. Sugino beamed one of his childish smiles at me and Irina winked.

"Hurt didn't it?" Irina teased. "Did it twice." She sighed.

Koro-sensei nudged her arm.
"Haha, it's alright." I assured, "yes, it hurt very badly but, it was worth it." I explained, "when you get the chance, maybe you can see Nakaru through the nursery window."

"We will, don't worry." Shi patted my head.

"When he gets old enough, let me teach him some baseball." Sugino motioned his arms like he was swinging an imaginary bat.

Maybe because he knew Karma wasn't going to be there for Nakaru. I nodded my head at the idea.

"Oh! I can help with shopping!" Kaede raised her arm, "count on me, I'll make Nakaru the most stylish baby ever!" She giggled.

"Ah, yeah." I nervously agreed.

"Nagisa, if he needs a kissing coach I can-"

"Alright that's enough!" I waved my arms negatively at Irina, "let's not jump too far."

The whole room burst into laughter and even I found myself losing control. They all wanted to make sure that the two of us along the way, would be alright without Karma in our future. Just thinking about it makes me weary but, Nakaru being born proves that reality can exist between us both.
I just want Karma to know that we'll be alright.