The Birth II

Kwame struggled to lift his wife, carefully raising her upper body first, then her lower half, his slim frame straining under the weight. Sweat dripped from his brow as determination drove him forward, despite his physical limitations. His hands trembled, and his heart raced with every passing second.

He drove his car to the hospital, the 45-minute journey feeling like an eternity. The GPS guided him through deserted streets, the only sound the hum of the engine and Davida's labored breathing. The streetlights cast long shadows, making the darkness seem ominous.

As he stepped out of the car, two crows crossed his path, their black silhouettes sending shivers down his spine. The hospital's fluorescent lights cast an eerie glow, illuminating the birds' ominous presence. Kwame felt a chill run down his spine.

In his family, crows were considered a bad omen, a harbinger of death. Kwame's anxiety spiked, already heightened by the pregnancy crisis. Fear gripped his heart as memories flooded his mind.

Years ago, his aunt had seen crows before giving birth, and soon after, she passed away. Kwame had dismissed the warning as mere superstition, but now, the coincidence haunted him. His aunt's words echoed in his mind: "When crows appear, death lurks."

Paralyzed by fear, Kwame's mind froze. A nurse's firm touch shattered his trance, returning his focus to the dire situation.

"Please, bring out your wife," the nurse urged, her voice firm but compassionate.

But Kwame remained immobile, his eyes fixed on Davida's pale face. Her eyelids fluttered, and her lips whispered an inaudible plea.

The medical team swiftly intervened, gently moving him aside to extract Davida from the car. Her condition was critical; they rushed her to the emergency ward without delay.

Kwame trailed behind, desperate to follow, but hospital protocol barred him from entering. He paced outside, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios.

The hospital's waiting area seemed like a prison, its sterile smell and flickering lights exacerbating his anxiety. Kwame's eyes wandered to the clock, each ticking second feeling like an eternity.