43: Emergency!

Richard and Khana arrived at the grand baby shower, the air buzzing with excitement and the atmosphere steeped in the vibrant colors of Mobile Legends heroes. The venue was adorned with banners, posters, and life-sized cutouts of the game’s characters. The theme had been meticulously chosen, reflecting the couple’s desire for a unique and memorable celebration.

Khana, dressed as Carmilla, exuded an ethereal charm in her flowing red gown, her dark hair cascading in soft waves of night. Richard, standing tall beside her, looked every bit like Cecelion, his dark suit and dark black hair, giving him an air of mysterious elegance of a vampire. Though Khana had never played the game, she had spent hours browsing the internet, carefully selecting their costumes to ensure they made a striking pair.

As they mingled with the guests, Khana couldn’t help but notice the enthusiasm with which everyone had embraced the theme. Single ladies flaunted their Angela costumes, the delicate doll figure with pastel colors gave them a cute appearance. The men, on the other hand, opted for the rugged charm of Alucard, their outfits reflecting the character’s charming guy.

The party kicked off with a series of games designed to entertain and engage the guests. Charades had everyone laughing, and the participants’ exaggerated gestures and wild guesses filled the room with joy. 4Pics 1 Word was a hit, challenging the guests’ creativity and quick thinking. Word jumble, with its mix of easy and difficult puzzles, kept everyone on their toes.

As the afternoon progressed, the anticipation for the highlight of the event grew palpable. The moment everyone had been waiting for had arrived—the gender reveal. A large, ornate box stood at the center of the room, filled with colorful balloons. The expecting parents took their positions beside it, their hearts pounding with excitement.

The lady's voice rang out clearly, “We’ve prepared something special for this moment. Each balloon we pop will give you a hint about the baby’s gender. Are you ready?”

The guests cheered in response, their excitement infectious. The mother and Dad exchanged a smile before turning their attention to the box. With a swift motion, The lady popped the first balloon, and a burst of pink confetti filled the air. The room erupted in applause.

The second and third balloons followed suit, releasing more pink confetti. Then came the fourth balloon, which burst open to reveal a shower of blue. The guests gasped in surprise, the sudden shift in color adding an element of suspense. The fifth balloon was pink again, deepening the mystery.

The pregnant woman addressed the crowd, “Alright, everyone! Do you think it will be a boy or a girl? If you think it’s a girl, place your name cards on this side. If you think it’s a boy, place yours here.”

The guests hurriedly made their bets, the room buzzing with speculation and excitement. As the final countdown began, the anticipation reached its peak.

“Five... four... three... two... one!” The guests chanted in unison, their voices merging into a single roar.

The lady held a pin poised over the last balloon, her hands trembling slightly. “Those who guessed wrong will have to gift the baby a penny,” she announced with a playful smile. “And now...” She took a deep breath and stabbed the balloon.

A cloud of blue powder filled the air, and the room exploded in cheers. 

“It’s a boy!” The expectant exclaimed, her voice barely audible over the joyous clamor. But before she could fully revel in the moment, she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. Her vision blurred, and she stumbled, her body going limp.

The room fell silent, the guests’ cheers turning into gasps of shock. The husband caught his wife before the lady hit the ground, his face a mask of concern. “Darling! Darling, stay with me!” he pleaded, his voice shaking.

Panic spread through the crowd as guests rushed to help. Someone called for an ambulance, and within minutes, paramedics arrived, taking over from the frantic partygoers. The fainted lady was quickly stabilized and transported to the nearest hospital, with the man never leaving her side.

At the hospital, the doctors conducted a series of tests to determine the expecting mother's condition. The husband paced the waiting room, his mind racing with worry. The image of his wife fainting haunted him, and he couldn’t shake the fear that something might be seriously wrong.

Finally, a doctor approached, his expression grave. “Mr. Xenoji, your wife is stable for now, but we’ve discovered that she has a condition that could complicate her pregnancy. We’ll need to monitor her closely to ensure both her and the baby’s safety.”

The husband and the guest accompanied by heart sank. The joy of the gender reveal had turned into a nightmare. Only the husband was invited to enter the room, while the guest was told to visit a few hours later. 

As they waited for further updates, it looked like another couple would be rushed into the emergency room. Khana felt a sudden, sharp pain in her abdomen. She gasped, clutching her belly.

Richard’s eyes widened in alarm. “Khana, what’s wrong?”

Tears welled up in Khana’s eyes. “I... I think I’m having contractions. Richard, what if something happens to our baby?”

Richard held her close, trying to stay calm despite his fear. “It’s going to be okay, Khana. We’re in the best place possible right now. The doctors will take care of you and our baby.”

But Khana’s mind was racing with worst-case scenarios. She had seen the fear in the other couple’s eyes, the way the mother had been wheeled away with urgent whispers and frantic movements. What if she had to choose between her own life and their child’s? What if there was a life at stake, and only one could survive?

The thought was too much to bear. She clung to Richard, her body trembling with fear and pain. “I’m scared, Richard. I’m so scared.”

Richard stroked her hair, his own eyes glistening with unshed tears. “We’ll get through this, Khana. No matter what happens, we’ll face it together.”

Hours passed in a blur of medical examinations and anxious waiting. The doctors administered medication to stabilize Khana’s condition and ease her contractions. They reassured the couple that while the situation was serious, they were doing everything possible to ensure a positive outcome.

Khana lay in the hospital bed, exhausted and overwhelmed. Richard sat beside her, holding her hand tightly.  "Stay positive. She'll be okay," Richard kept reminding himself.