Dusky Moonlight

Chapter- 16(4)

Rathi was frightened to hear Sumaya crying in the labor pain. She doesn't know what to do and just stood there like a piece of wood.

"Aadhi, get some hot water," her father in law ordered him.

"Rathi, hold her hand," Aadhiyan shouted at her and she nodded her head.

"Calm down, Sumaya. We are with you," Rathi solaced still knowing that no one can be silent at this time. Aadhiyan's dad asked Sumaya to push out. Though she tries, the child's head isn't visible.

Aadhavan panicked and urged Sumaya to force out her best. The blood and mucous started drenching the sheets. Mithran was not there and he was standing outside. Usually, husbands won't stand there to see their wife in pain and they will get emotional too which might hinder the process.

Aadhiyan came inside with the hot water, cloth, and a sharp knife. He placed it beside his father and held Sumaya's other hand.

The moments become stretched, and Sumaya cried and creamed not able to withstand the pain. Seeing that Rathi cried too and she's completely feared about her pregnancy. There's a lot of blood and Rathi felt like there's something bad going to happen now and she's not having a pleasant feeling here.

"Your son is here," Aadhavan said, at last, seeing the baby's head.

"Push, Sumaya," he pressed and tore her skin for the baby to come out.

"I couldn't," Sumaya cried as the pain is too much. Rathi wants to tell everyone to leave her alone, no woman can see another woman in pain, and Rathi has never seen anyone like that.

"You can, it's already very late, Sumaya. Or else it will die," Aadhavan told.

"Yes, please do it, Sumaya," Aadhiyan said to her.

Sumaya gripped Rathi's hand and she gazed at her teary eyes. Rathi could feel she has totally drained, her eyes told her inner pain.

"Rathi, please look after my child," she stuttered making Rathi stunned. Sumaya knew her life is draining out, she wanted at least her child has to be alive for her husband. If she requests Rathi, she can call Mithran to come inside but she doesn't want to die looking at him. It will be horrific to see her husband tears more than anything.

Sumaya forced the baby out putting her last strength and all her life for this. Aadhavan's eyes welled in tears to see the baby, soaked in blood. The first cry of the baby washed all the distress in the place.

"It's a girl," Aadhavan said in happiness

"Sumaya, look at your baby," Rathi said and turned to see Sumaya's lifeless face.

"Sumaya?" she rocked her cheeks, but finding that she's lifeless Rathi fell back on the floor in extreme shock. She can't even cry and loosed all her senses at that moment.

Aadhiyan's face becomes firm and his eyes welled in tears told how much he loves her as a sister. Aadhavan left a sigh of grief. Mithran entered the room with a smile hearing the sound of his baby. But soon it faded seeing the misery stricken faces of Aadhiyan and his father.

His eyes soon shifted to Sumaya, as he feared she is dead. His wife is dead in front of his eyes. How could a man react in this state, he stumbled beside her and start crying hysterically. Rathi came back from the shock and starts to cry looking at him.

"She also died, I don't know how many deaths I am going to see in my life," Aadhiyan's dad uttered calming the baby.

Aadhiyan or Aadhavan didn't try to console Mithran. Aadhiyan's father left with the baby, Aadhiyan covered Sumaya's lifeless body and closed her eyes clenching his jaw. He knew her from the kid, he has seen her grown into a woman and now he saw her death too. This feels like a hell to him but he is restricted to show his anger and sadness.