That Night

It was midnight, and I distinctly remember the cry of my wife within the rubble walls of an old hospital in our small town. It wasn't easy; there were no taxis, no cars, and no ambulance to rush her to the labor room. The rain was pouring outside, and I walked through the corridors, dripping wet from my black coat. The flickering bulb lit up the path with yellow dim light. I don't know why, but listening to my wife's screams made me feel worthless. My heart was heavy with regret, of not being a devoted husband to a loving wife.

A nurse dressed in white ran into the room. I wanted to stop her and ask her how my Lily was, but she didn't spare me even a second. Another nurse pushed the door open and looked at me. Her eyes did not answer my question. I kept looking at her, expecting her to say something.

"Lily?" I asked. The nurse gave me a blank stare. I was confused. I stopped hearing Lily's cries; instead, it was a baby's cry. For a second, I was lost in a new dream. I am a father now, my baby girl! I could picture her so perfectly in my head. She will have her mama's brown eyes; I smiled. My baby girl!

The old nurse took my hand, and with desperate eyes, she said, "I am really sorry; we saved the baby but..." I don't remember anything else she said. I ran into the room; my Lily was lying on the bed, in blood. A nurse was holding our baby near her. I couldn't breathe; I couldn't think; I can't explain that moment to you.

The next thing I remember was grabbing the baby and running out of the room. I don't want this devil. She killed my Lily. I ran and ran in the dark, rainy night. She doesn't deserve to live. I wanted to kill her. The baby cried loudly. I ran with rage. My Lily, my love.

I just wanted to run away, away to my Lily's loving arms. Kiss her on her forehead and tell her how much I loved her. Lily's smile filled my eyes.

The baby, I thought, did she get her mama's eyes? In the pouring rain, I could hear a long silence playing its tunes in my drenched heart. The baby had stopped crying. I stopped abruptly realizing that. Tucked in a white towel in my arms, my baby girl. I hugged her and cried for a long time; how long I can't reckon. She opened her eyes and looked at me.

Lily's brown eyes, I smiled. :)