Ben who saw Sarah so sick, took Sarah's hand to hold it, and when Sarah turned to Ben, Ben nodded confidently.
"Let me be your grip. Just squeeze my hand tightly if it makes you feel better!" said Ben who looked very worried at Sarah's condition.
The nurse came to check on Sarah. The nurse saw Ben who was very confused about what to do.
"Your wife is okay, Sir. Usually when contractions are like that, and Doctor Archie called earlier, if the patient has a contraction, tell her to calm down first because Doctor Archie is still on his way here,"
"As far as I know, usually you just stroke the mother's back or stomach, while reading a prayer, and keep going until the pain goes away. Because people say, the touch of the baby's father can calm the mother and the baby in the stomach," said the nurse to Ben and then walked away from them.
Without thinking, Ben's hand reached out to gently rub Sarah's back who was currently lying on her side and curled up in pain. Ben continued to make gentle movements while moving his lips as he recited the prayer, hoping that the pain Sarah was feeling would go away soon.
After a few moments of doing this, Sarah's face and expression seemed to have calmed down a bit and seemed to be breathing heavily in relief. Ben was finally relieved to see Sarah who had gotten better like this.
"Well, the pain is gone, Sarah?" asked Ben curtly. However, Sarah only nodded her head because Sarah still seemed to be holding her breath.
"Ben, thank you for always helping me. I don't know how to repay you?" with genuine tears, Sarah thanked Ben.
"You don't owe me anything, Sarah. Just seeing you happy makes me happy. Get well soon, Sarah. Everyone needs you,"
"Don't stress anymore, okay! You see, the effect is this bad until you have to break your membranes like this," Ben explained, causing Sarah to widen her eyes in disbelief.
"What? Are my membranes broken? But it's still more than seven months!" said Sarah who started to panic again.
"Shhh, Sarah, calm down, please! It's okay, just take it easy. Doctor Archie will come soon, just wait, okay! I hope you are okay!" Ben calmed her down again.
Seconds later, Sarah winced in pain again, and it seemed even more painful than before. Seeing Sarah like that made Ben reach out his hand again to Sarah.
"Sarah, hold my hand, just hold on to the strong!" said Ben who Sarah immediately grabbed for her to grip. While Ben's other hand continued to rub Sarah's back like before.
Without Ben and Sarah knowing, there was Archie who was watching the interaction of the two while smiling sadly.
Archie often saw this kind of scene, when a mother was about to give birth, accompanied by a husband who loves his wife so much and is in pain waiting for the birth of their baby.
But what he saw this time was Sarah, a young woman who made his heart stir, and what he didn't expect at this time, Sarah was with Ben, a young man who always challenged him to draw boundaries from Sarah.
When he watched Sarah and Ben's interaction, Archie felt a strange feeling, one of which was jealousy and pain. However, that feeling was nothing more than his sadness for Sarah who was in pain without a real husband and family.
Right now Sarah needs her husband's figure. But that was impossible, and that was what made Archie sad.
What's more, why when Sarah needed a hand to hold on from pain like this, why was Ben always by Sarah's side? This feeling hurt Archie. But that way, making Archie even more aware, it was Ben who was more appropriate to always be by Sarah's side.
Archie smiled and threw away his unimportant feelings. Then Archie approached the patient bed where Sarah lay.
"Doctor Archie, please look at Sarah! She's been in pain ever since!" Ben groaned when he saw Archie coming toward them.
Without a word, Archie immediately checked Sarah's condition, then ordered the nurse to take Sarah to the radiology room for further examination. Leaving Ben very anxious at this point.
By continuing to endure the pain in her stomach that seemed to come and go, Sarah tried to be strong enough to accept the pain even though what Archie did when examining her didn't reduce the pain at all.
"Sarah, please calm down and listen to what I say, okay! Now the amniotic fluid has broken and the amount is also decreasing because it continues to seep, and from the examination of the nurse in obstetrics who reported to me, the birth canal looks open and it looks like the baby has ready to be born!"
Archie's statement made Sarah unable to think clearly and even more confused. When the pain in the stomach feels more intense and with a long duration. Sarah stammered as she asked Archie.
"Doctor, but I'm still in my thirties weeks. Is it safe for the baby?" Sarah asked worriedly.
"Choosing a normal delivery process for babies aged less than 32 weeks is indeed difficult, because of the high risk of mortality and morbidity. Likewise, the risks for the mother if you have a Caesarean delivery."
"But it's not impossible for you, Sarah. The baby's head has entered the birth canal in a good position, and the contractions you feel are intense. I'm sure you can deliver your baby normally. You have lived a hard life so far. Come on, a little more, your happiness will be born. You can, right?"
Archie gives encouragement and confidence to Sarah so that she can go through this important phase with confidence and strength. Archie has great confidence that Sarah can give birth smoothly because Sarah is a healthy and strong woman.
Sarah was seen sobbing as she nodded her head at Archie. Feelings of joy and sadness burst instantly when his imagination soared by remembering Alex.
'Alex, our child is about to be born. Please help pray, so I can give birth to our child smoothly,' Sarah prayed quietly in her heart as she endured the constant churning of the stomach pain that spread throughout her body.
"Sarah, for normal birth, an officer from the obstetrics department will take care of you. But I'm also here to observe and be on standby. May Allah ease the delivery of your baby, okay?"
"Now, what you need is a companion. I'll call your mom first, okay?" Archie said and immediately got up from his seat.
"Mommy is sick, Doctor. I don't have anyone here to accompany me," Sarah answered between sobs in pain.
"Where's your mom? And the others?" Archie asked Sarah who answered by shaking her head.
"I don't know where Brother Spencer is. But Mom, Ben said, my mother is also being treated at this hospital. Her heart hurts again. Stu is there with my mother, Doctor," Sarah answered again.
"So you want to give birth alone? Then fine, I'll accompany you," Archie offered himself, "But there's Ben outside, and he looks like he's panicking and worried about you, Sarah, and since then, I've been watching Ben keep doing what your husband should do when you're like this,"
"Sorry if it makes you sad, but I can't stand watching you like this, Sarah. Ben has shown from the start that he loves you, right? Can I call Ben to accompany you?" Archie's words managed to make Sarah cry.
"I need my husband, Doctor. I don't want to keep bothering Ben," replied Sarah, crying.
"But you know, you and I can't answer what you're asking now, Sarah," Archie replied with a calm face looking at Sarah.
"I see the great love in Ben's eyes for you, Sarah. To the point where I gave up trying to get you. I feel like I can't give you as much time and attention as Ben loves and does for you,"
"I know, and everyone knows that you can't forget your husband and leave his position vacant for someone else to fill. I know you love your husband, Sarah,"
"But, for now. If you can't allow Ben to be a part of your life, let him be happy because he was a part of your important moment. I think he will be happy, Sarah," Archie persuaded as if he kept urging him to let Ben be there, besides Sarah.
"Why do you keep forcing Ben to accompany me, Doctor?" asked Sarah curiously.
"Because Ben loves you and always tries to make you happy when you don't get your happiness from your husband. He also begged me to let him in to accompany you to give birth,"
"So, may I let him in, at least let him feel satisfied being able to accompany you at your important time now. I know you can't forget your husband yet but try, Sarah. Let your heart accept the truth, you need a hand now."