Chapter 6 Emergency C-section

(Anna)

The king's refusal to meet or summon me squashed all my hopes. I blamed myself though for keeping high expectations from someone who let innocent people get tortured. I was nothing but an incubator for his child.

"I am sorry, Sara. He has been quite busy lately. I am sure once he gets some time, he will summon you." Eden made excuses for his king but I could understand that he was not going to give me the time of the day.

I decided to find my own way and follow my own destiny. I wasn't going to rely on anyone, anymore.

"It's alright." I felt dejected as I decided not to request to see him anymore.

"Don't worry, you will be handsomely compensated for all your troubles. Whatever you need just let me know and I will ensure that it's provided," he informed me as if it wasn't my child I was supposed to give them but a mere commodity.

Although I knew I would have to give up the child, it didn't hurt any less.

With special permission, I was allowed to take walks in the small garden outside the room I had been allotted. The spring season had returned to the world and air brimmed with sweet fragrances of hundreds of flowers that grew in the garden. Multicoloured butterflies did their mating dance on them.

My tummy had begun to show, I was already three months pregnant and it was almost three and half months since I had washed on this island and my life had exponentially changed.

Gently I rubbed my belly, I had been trying but struggling to keep my emotions in check. As much as I tried to detach myself from this child, I couldn't wrap the idea around my head of letting him or her go.

"I will come back for you, I promise," I whispered, my voice clouding from the outburst of emotions.

***

The next three months were extremely difficult. I constantly vomited although I was given a very balanced diet consisting of all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals needed for the proper growth of the baby.

Due to so many changes in my body and the bloated tummy, it was hard to sleep. Plus I was mostly kept isolated and under heavy security. Every step was monitored and scrutinized.

But my baby kept me company, his kicking and movements always brought a smile to my face, I felt as if he or she was trying to send me a message or cheer me up.

During the final days before the delivery, the baby refused to change the position. My appointed doctor took a detailed ultrasound and informed me.

"We will have to perform a C-section tomorrow, the baby is breech."

My heart sank, more than myself I was worried about my child whose gender hadn't been revealed to me, no matter how many times I asked.

"Will the baby be alright?" I apprehensively asked. My arms protectively went around my tummy.

"Yes, no harm will come to the baby. Just remain calm," she instructed with a professional smile. But my heart wouldn't ease down, a fleeting feeling was settling in my stomach.

***

The next day I changed into a green gown and was wheeled into the operating theatre. Eden and Linda were present by my side. Eden with his gracious smile and Linda with her stern expression. It jagged my heart to see their king hadn't bothered to turn up even at the birth of his child.

What kind of callous man was he?

It stung to think but I had to keep strong for my child.

"Sara, you will be fine. Don't worry." Eden gave me hope before walking out. I nodded at him with a smile.

I was put under anesthesia and lost consciousness, my last thoughts were of my baby and I couldn't wait to hold him or her in my arms.

When I opened my eyes again, there was a low humming of monitors all around me. Other than that it was quiet. I let my heavy eyes adjust to my surroundings and observed I had been shifted to a room from the operation theatre.

Swivelling my head around I tried to look for my child but I could see no one.

"Hey! Anyone," I tried to call out but my voice came out so low, so weak.

The white door opened and Linda walked inside.

"You are awake," she said, as usual, lacking any kind of warmth in her voice. I wondered if the woman was a cyborg.

"Where is my baby?" I asked, trying to sit up but could hardly move or feel my lower half due to the surgery.

A slight hesitation I observed on her face as she spoke.

"The baby was stillborn. I am sorry."

The news fell like a bolt of lightning and my heart almost stopped. I couldn't believe what she was saying. Only yesterday the doctor had said the baby was fine and now she said he or she was stillborn.

"You are lying," I yelled at her in frustration, losing all kinds of control. My body was shaking from grief and frustration. The tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn't even hold my baby and they were telling me he was gone.

"It was a baby boy but he wasn't breathing, we had to bury him as you were still unconscious. King's orders."

My mind reeled. One after the other, calamities were falling on me. My insides clenched, the emotional pain was worse than the physical pain and there was nothing compared to the loss of the child.

I lost track of time after this event, I couldn't eat or speak, all I did was cry and lie on the bed as my body healed but the scars I carried inside my heart would never. Without Sable it was even harder.

Eden came to visit me, his face held traces of remorse and sadness.

"I am really sorry Sara, for what happened. Let me know whatever you need and I promise to provide," he said, sitting on the chair beside my bed. But my heart was in shambles and I didn't desire anything from these people.

Seeing me stay quiet and not answer himself he spoke again.

"Our king, would like to speak to you. Please! Hear him out," he requested and my head spun in his direction in disbelief.

The asshole wished to speak now when my child was gone.