Stonehearts 8: Peridot

Twenty Seven

I didn't know that the tolerable back aches were minor contractions. I've been having it since early morning and I didn't even think that my body was already starting to go on a labor.

"Oh, god. Sobrang sakit na." Daing ko habang nakakapit ng mahigpit sa bandang ibaba ng tiyan ko. Hindi ko nga alam kung alin ang unang sasalatin ng haplos. 'Yong likuran ko ba na parang nabibiyak na sa sakit o 'yong umbok ng tiyan ko na parang mahuhulog na sa bawat metrong takbo ni Aiden.

I saw the scattered droplets of sweat forming on his forehead and nose while he drives. Panay ang lingon niya sa'kin. His face was a mask of pure horror and worry that he can't speak. He went mum moments ago when he sped inside our unit gathering the baby bag and other things we've readied when I hit the sixth month of my pregnancy.

His phone's screen lit up and a message from my OB-Gyne flashed, stating that he's on-duty at the hospital and that she'll be waiting for me at the OR-DR. Furthermore, she had already instructed the nurses at the ER where they should direct me once we arrived at the institution.

"Thank you for contacting Doctor Abrera for me." I managed to say in between heavy pants and pained moans.

He gazed at me again and smiled. I don't if I can call that a smile, though. Because he looked damn constipated with worry.

"Hang in there, sweetheart. Malapit na tayo. We'll see Little Vi soon, 'kay?" Aiden cooed before he clasped my free hand and planted a hard kiss at the back of it.

When we arrived at the hospital, he immediately motioned the guard for a wheelchair. I glanced up at him, all disheveled and brimming with fear. His hair was in disarray, he's carrying all the bags in one shoulder, and he was also talking at the nurse pushing the wheelchair.

"Sir, ididiretso na po namin si Ma'am sa DR as per Dr. Abrera's instruction. Iiwan na po kita sa secretary ni, Doc, para pos a mga papers na kailangan niyong pirmahan para kay Ma'am."

Dire-diretso ang tango ni Aiden pero maya't maya rin siyang lumilingon sa akin. Nang napa-ungol ako sa sakit, mas lalong lumalim ang kunot ng noo niya. Two more nurses helped the other female staff in transferring me to a stretcher. Aiden immediately went to my side, grabbing a hold of my hand.

"It's gonna be alright, sweetheart. You're going to be okay and so is Little Vi." Then he glanced at my tummy, pressed a kiss on the tip of his fingers of his free hand and gently pressed in on my bulging stomach. "Be good for mommy, Little one. 'Wag mo siyang pahirapan."

"Sir, kailangan na pong ipasok si Ma'am sa loob." One of the nurses said. Aiden gave her a short nod before meeting my eyes again.

"I'll see you two later, sweetheart. You and the little one." He whispered.

The secretary popped beside him handing him a clipboard of papers to sign. "Okay, daddy, ito po 'yong mga need mong pirmahan para kay mommy." She chirped while she explains and points at the documents.

The last thing I saw before the double doors of the hallway going to the delivery room closed was the pain, longing, and a little mixture of acceptance in Aiden's eyes.

The light was blinding when I was placed on another bed, comfier than the one they first put me on. I was sweating so badly when one of the nurse helped me out of my clothes and into a hospital gown.