Faded Memories (Complete)

Chapter 31

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As soon as we reached the hospital, they immediately took Abby in the ER. Dra. Suarez, performed an internal examination. She explained that Abby was now in labor stage. After her IV insertion, they immediately took her to her private room.

"Come on, honey. Inhale deeply then exhale... That's right. You're doing good," I told Abby as I held her hand and caressed her back with my other hand. I kissed her dry lips. Her eyes were tightly closed, it was very obvious that she was in great pain. Ipinatong niya ang ulo niya sa balikat ko. She seemed so exhausted already.

Dàmn! Sino ba naman ang hindi mapapagod? We've been here in the hospital for 5 hours already at sa bahay pa lang ay nagsimula na siyang mag-labor. Ang kulit kasi ni Abby, ayaw maniwalang baka manganganak na siya.

Every whimper of pain was breaking my heart. Ako ang nahihirapan at nasasaktan para sa kanya. Torture talaga ito pero wala naman akong magawa kundi hawakan lang ang mga kamay niya and assure her that everything would be alright. Ilang beses na rin siya naglambing na kantahan ko siya. Malapit na nga akong mapaos sa kakakanta. For Pete's sake, it's already past twelve midnight.

"Gab?" she whispered tiredly.

"Yeah?"

"After this, treat mo ako for an ice cream, ha?"

Natawa ako dahil alam kong inaaliw na lang niya ang sarili niya dahil bukod sa nahihirapan at kinakabahan siya ay naiinip na rin siya.

Finally, after 6 hours in labor here in her private room, Dra. Suarez said that she's now ready to give birth so they rushed her to the Delivery Room immediately.

I gave the camera to one of the nurses here inside the DR to take some pictures. Kay Abby ko kasi natutunan, especially when she lost some of her memories that it was very important to preserve and keep every precious memories in our lives. Gusto kong magkaroon ng remembrance ang araw na ito because this means so much for us.

"Ok, Abby, take a deep breath. Bibilang ako hanggang tatlo and when I say push, umire ka. Okay, Abby?" Dra. Suarez instructed.

Tumango naman si Abby kahit na alam kong ninenerbiyos at nakakaramdam siya ng takot dahil kanina pa malalim ang paghinga niya at pinagpapawisan din siya. Nandito lang ako sa gilid ng ulo niya and I think we're feeling the same way dahil ninenerbiyos din ako, kinakabahan, at nae-excite sa mga mangyayari. Hindi ko alam kung nararamdaman pa ba niya ang panlalamig at pamamawis ng kamay ko because she was holding my hand with a very tight grip as if my hand was her lifeline.

"You can do this, honey. I know how strong you are," I whispered before I placed a soft kiss on her sweaty forehead.

"Okay... One, two, three, push!"

Dàmn it! Halos di ko na alam ang mga sumunod na nangyari dahil na kay Abby na lang halos ang attention ko, trying to cheer her up and encourage her that she could do this and it's almost done. Hindi ko kayang ipaliwanag ang sakit na nararamdaman niya pero sa nakikita kong hirap niya ay parang gusto ko na tuloy i-give up ang pangarap ko na limang anak kung palagi lang din na ganito ang hirap na pagdadaanan niya.

"Baby girl out. 2:08 AM," the nurse announced followed by a loud shrill cry of a newborn baby.

I closed my eyes and exhaled the breath I was unconsciously holding for some seconds already. I was so relieved that this was finished already. I kissed Abby's lips. "It's done, Abby. You did it. Congratulations, honey." I smiled at her and she gave back a smile of relief before tears fell from her eyes.

"Thank you, Gab," she whispered. "Check mo si Hash please?"

I pecked her lips once more bago ako tumayo ng diretso at sinundan ng tingin ang ginagawang pag-aasikaso ng mga nurse kay baby Hash na iyak pa rin nang iyak. They were cleaning her then they weighed and measured her before they clothed her and injected her.