Chapter 3 Double Joy

The music was still loud, the crowd cheering as the “panda” danced around. I was inside the costume, suffocating, pretending nothing was wrong. But inside, my whole body trembled.

“What do I do? What should I do?” I asked myself over and over.

I couldn’t just walk off. My boss believed me when I lied that I wasn’t close to my due date. If he found out, I’d lose the little job I had. But I couldn’t stay either. The pain had started coming in waves. My phone was in my locker in the dressing room. I needed to call Linda. I needed help.

I tried to manage. Just a little longer, I told myself. The show was almost over. But the costume was getting heavier with each second. The inside of it was wet, sticky. I panicked. Without thinking twice, I dashed off the stage.

The music didn’t stop, but people noticed. The panda was limping, groaning. I tried to walk straight, act normal, but the contractions hit hard. I clutched my stomach.

A little girl pointed at me, tugging at her mother’s arm.

“Mommy, is something wrong with the panda?”

The woman frowned, looking concerned. She came closer, studying my face through the half-opened headpiece.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

I was drenched in sweat, my breathing heavy. I tried to nod, but my body betrayed me.

She leaned closer. “What’s wrong?”

“My… my water broke,” I moaned, barely able to hold it in.

Her eyes widened in shock. “Oh my God! She’s in labor!” she screamed. She turned and shouted, “Somebody please help! We need a doctor here!”

The world tilted. My body gave up. The last thing I saw was the blurry image of people running toward me, and then… darkness.

When I opened my eyes again, I was lying on a hospital bed. The beeping of machines and the smell of disinfectant filled my head. How did I get here? I whispered to myself.

“You’re awake!” A familiar voice said in relief.

I turned my head slowly and saw the woman from the park. She was seated beside me, a kind smile on her face. Beside her were a few people, strangers who looked just as relieved.

“We were all scared to death,” she said gently.

I tried to sit up, but pain shot through my belly. My body felt weak, drained. “What happened?” My voice cracked.

“You passed out at the park. You were in labor,” she explained softly.

I nodded slowly, the memories rushing back. But then, panic shot through me. My baby. Where was my baby?

“Where is my baby?” I cried suddenly, searching the room.

“Calm down, you just came out of a cesarean section… don’t worry, your baby is fine. He’s being attended to.”

The voice came from behind. My heart jumped. I knew that voice.

“Linda?”

She appeared, smiling as she rushed toward me.

“Yes, darling, I’m here,” she said, holding my hand.

Tears stung my eyes. “I tried to call you… but I couldn’t get to my phone before I passed out.”

“It’s fine,” Linda assured me. “Mrs. Patrick here…..” she gestured at the kind woman, “she was the one who called me. Your colleagues gave her my contact.”

I turned to Mrs. Patrick, overwhelmed. I didn’t even know how to thank her.

“How are you feeling?” Linda asked.

“So weak. I just want to see my baby,” I whispered.

“You will, but not just yet. The nurses are still with him,” Linda said, rubbing my arm.

We were still talking when the nurse finally walked in, pushing a small bassinet. My heart leapt.

“Your baby boy,” she announced softly.

Tears rolled freely down my face. I stretched my arms out desperately. “Please, let me hold him.”

The nurse placed him gently in my arms. The moment I looked at him, the world melted away. He was so small, so perfect. I kissed his tiny face again and again, whispering promises only he could hear.

“He’s so cute,” Mrs. Patrick’s little daughter squealed.

“Yes,” I said, unable to look away. “So, so cute.”

Mrs. Patrick smiled at me warmly. “Congratulations, dear.”

I turned to her, my heart full. “Thank you so much. I don’t even know what to say. You saved me.”

Later, as everyone chatted happily, I asked the nurse to step aside. “Please… how much are my hospital bills?” I whispered.

She smiled. “Oh, your bills have been paid already.”

My eyes widened. “Paid? By who?”

She glanced at Mrs. Patrick.

I turned to the woman, my lips trembling. “You…? You paid for me?”

She nodded gently.

I broke down crying again. “I don’t even know how to thank you. I’ll pay you back, I promise, as soon as I leave here.”

She squeezed my hand. “You don’t have to pay me back. I’m just glad I could help.”

That moment stayed with me. Her kindness healed a wound I didn’t know could be touched.

Time Passed Quickly

I sat on the stairs outside my house one afternoon, watching my little boy run around with other kids. It felt like yesterday I held him for the first time in that hospital bed. And now… three years had flown by.

“Sam!” another child called his name, and he turned with his bright smile. My chest swelled with pride.

He was smart, playful, and full of energy. Every neighbor’s child wanted to play with him. Sometimes I just sat there watching him, wondering how someone like me, broken, struggling, lost, could bring forth something so beautiful.

I worked hard, harder than I thought I could. Menial jobs, long days, sleepless nights. Everything I did was for him. Because I had promised myself he would never suffer the way I did.

As I watched him play, I wiped the sweat off my face. Thoughts crowded my mind. Rent, food, school fees. I didn’t know how I’d manage it all, but giving up was never an option.

“Sam!” I heard my son’s name again, but this time from a familiar voice.

I turned around. Linda was waving as she approached.

“Hey, bitch!” she greeted with her usual loudness.

I frowned. “I have a child here, Linda. Can you stop using swear words around my little boy?”

“Oops, sorry,” she laughed, throwing her hands up. “I just couldn’t hold it in.”

I looked at her suspiciously. “What’s making you so happy?”

“Guess!” she whispered, her eyes sparkling.

“You know I’m terrible at guessing. Just say it already,” I teased.

She crossed her arms dramatically. “Nope. You have to guess.”

“Fine. Queen Mother, you always call the shots anyway,” I joked.

She laughed so hard she almost tripped. “That’s not fair!”

We both laughed until tears filled our eyes. Then she suddenly leaned closer, her voice excited.

“I got a job for you…a young billionaire needs a hired girlfriend” she blurted.