Chapter 9:

Disentangled.

Unravelling Winter.


"Do you think everything is fine?" Saeko asked while rubbing her stomach. I felt concerned. I don't think her life would be in jeopardy. Nonetheless, I felt concerned. It was strange because I didn't know who that feeling was directed towards.

"I'm sure it's fine. Four days overdue is pretty common." I researched about this too.

Doctors take action after two weeks overdue. We consulted the doctor who said that her young age might have played a factor in her delivery.

"But what if someth-" She started with a sweat running down her cheek.

"You still get kicked right?"

"Yes."

"The baby is fine then." I swayed my left palm across her belly. It was still palpitating calmly. Sort of calming both our minds. It was alive.

She put her head on my shoulder.

"Ah." She startled.

"Huh?"

"OH!"

I could feel the side of my jeans getting wet.

"OH SHIT!" Saeko shouted rather loudly.

"UNCLE GET THE CAR OUT! HER WATER BROKE!" I finally understood what she meant. It was finally the time. One I had waited on for months!

"IT'S HAPPENING! I'M HERE!" I heard uncle shout while running down the stairs.

Quickly, the house broke into chaos.

I got up and put my hands under her arms and pulled her up to a stand. Then put her arm around my shoulder. Her face was red. She was struggling enough to not let anything but groans out.

Soon enough we got her seated on the passenger seat and strapped in.

Her parents were seated beside her and I was in the driver's seat. There was constant consolation and pressure behind her.

"This little- hurts way more than I thought it would!" She finally got words out.

"Hah... Now you know what it feels like."

"Auntie, I don't think this is the right ti-"

"MOOOM STOPPP! ICHI DRIVEEEE!"

"I'm going! I'm going! Don't worry we'll be there soon!" Destination set to the bricked hospital, I blazed down the streets.

"ARE WE NOT THERE YET?!" She wailed. Had the windows been closed, they might have shattered. But we let them open for fresh air. Even if the air was cold.

The last thing we needed was her suffocating while hyperventilating.

"Deep breaths. Deep breaths." Her father slightly massaged her stomach.

"Almost there!"

"JUST GO QUICKER ICHIRRRGHHH!"

And I did. I think at least averaged around 90 on the way there. Luckily the roads were clear. Both of snow and people.

Was it safe? I don't think so. But I had an obligation to the mother and my life. Had I taken any longer I would have died first thing after the child was born. She would have probably named the kid in my memory after murdering me.

We reached the hospital in exactly 9 minutes.

The staff Uncle alerted already brought the stretchers out. I got out and princess carried her onto one.

The people dragging the stretchers went ahead.

"Uncle, Auntie, you should wait outside the room, I'll go in with her, okay?"

"Uhh.. ah yeah." They looked confused. "Shouldn't we go?"

"Don't worry I go this."

They nodded. It was probably their unconditional trust in me that lead them to let me take on such an important task. Or maybe it was just my confidence.

With their confirmation, I ran ahead and caught up with the stretcher.

Everything felt chaotic.

Saeko had her hand stretched out. So I grabbed it. She squeezed the pulp out of my hand while writhing in pain. I could only imagine that she felt a thousand times worse than my hand did.

For a second I did feel something towards the baby. It was a strong sense of distaste. Why would a baby cause this much pain to her? Someone who cared for the kid for months. That was just mean.

In the midst of the story and the agony, we reached the room where the new life would be brought to this side.

Saeko got carried over to the bed and get covered with a cloth. The doctor we met the last time was back in full apparel.

And the battle began.

Struggling, crying, pushing, shouting, clutching, everything at once. The strong sense of distaste grew closer to hate with every tear that ran down Saeko's face. It was painful to watch. So much so that I thought something was wrong.

But at every step along the way, the doctor assured us that everything was fine.

And her words seemed to hold true.

I felt pathetic and helpless that I was of no use but an object worth more than a human stress ball.

If I could do anything to alleviate some of her pain I would. But I couldn't, so I just held on. My palms were bleeding from her nails digging into me.

And then suddenly every mechanical noise stopped.

I could hear the ting of the ECG machine. And the pants and breathing of everyone around me. It was eery. But I felt Saeko's pulse. I could hear her breath. She was very much alive.

It looked like we reached a conclusion. The fruit.

The doctor carried someone in her arms. Someone that I had just admitted to hating for causing Saeko this much pain.

But as she stood straight, the visage of the one became clear.

"Congratulations, it's a girl." My eyes fell.

Rosy skin. Fine hair reflected the light in the room. Her eyes were squeezed together. Just her being here brightened the room. She was a stranger-unfamiliar. But I felt like I knew only her. No- I was barely capable of understanding what I felt. Every thought- every word rushing through my mind was exaggerated.

Ultimately, I thought for a second.

'It really must be a crime to hate her.'

Was it me getting brainwashed? Me getting attached to her sight on the sonography? Me feeling her heartbeat and feet kick? Me taking care of the one who held her for 9 months?

It was a mere disinterest. A disinterest that turned to fascination. That turned to care. That turned to devotion.

I was taught to like her.

The second my eyes fell on her- I fell in love.

'Why do you think you aren't related to me?' Akito-sa- no Dad's words passed through my mind.

The difference in the blood flowing through us had no right to make me think of this girl as a stranger.

And then her voice leaked out.

It was a cry. But it was a cry so beautiful that the girl holding my hand and myself couldn't help but laugh. A cry that reassured us of her life.

At that moment, when our families finally walked in, there was plenty of happiness to go around this room.

There was plenty of happiness to go around for everyone.

Ah Rin
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