SR3. 42. Unforgettable Experience

Seven months later…

Laura and Aryan were now in the final trimester of her pregnancy. It wouldn't be long before she would give birth to their twin babies, a boy and a girl, according to the ultrasound results. Laura's pregnancy had been progressing smoothly, even though she had experienced morning sickness for two months.

She managed to meet all of Dr. Rahma's recommended nutritional requirements. Despite occasional morning sickness and vomiting in the morning, Laura's appetite had increased with her advancing pregnancy. It wasn't surprising that her weight had increased by 30 kg. Dr. Rahma estimated that each baby weighed around 3 kg, so Laura was advised to follow a diet while waiting for the delivery.

For the past two months, Laura and Aryan had moved to a ground-floor room, using the living room as their bedroom because Laura wasn't allowed to go up and down the stairs. When Aryan was at the office, Liana, his mother, would be on standby, and Bi Ana and Ulfa took turns watching over Laura. Laura's body had swollen, making it difficult for her to move. Even getting out of bed took her several minutes. Her legs were swollen, making it painful to walk. Everyone in the house worried when they saw Laura grimacing while walking and holding her back. She was in pain, everyone said when they saw Laura with her large belly.

Laura sighed as she gazed at her body in the mirror, which was only covered by underwear. She repeatedly turned her body to the side, touching and squeezing her belly, which was now significantly larger. Her lips pouted in disbelief, wondering how her body had transformed so drastically. She was no longer the slender, tall woman she used to be, but rather a curvier and more voluptuous version of herself. She had difficulty performing her usual activities, like a housewife should.

"Why has my body changed like this?" Laura muttered to herself as she observed her body in the mirror. She turned and examined her body from different angles, frowning at the drastic changes. Her lips puckered into a five-centimeter pout of amazement as she stared at herself. She was amazed by her body's transformation, from a slender 55 kg to a whopping 85 kg. She now struggled to perform even simple daily activities.

Aryan raised an eyebrow as he looked at his wife, who was clearly deep in thought while towel-drying her wet hair. "Why aren't you wearing clothes, Sweetie? You might catch a cold," he said as he sat down beside the bed and pulled Laura's plump body closer to him. He planted a gentle kiss on her round belly.

"Look at how fat I am. You'll probably start ignoring me and prefer to look at sexy women outside," Laura said, pouting playfully. Aryan chuckled and caressed Laura's belly.

"Who said you're fat? I actually love seeing your body like this, sexy," Aryan replied, as he roamed his eyes from the top to the bottom of Laura's body. Laura looked even sexier to him during pregnancy, with certain parts of her body that were his favorites becoming fuller and more alluring, making him even more infatuated with her.

"Are you sure?" Laura asked, searching his eyes for sincerity, her hands on her curvaceous hips.

"Of course, Sweetie. You're the second most beautiful woman in my life," Aryan replied, causing Laura to furrow her brows, trying to comprehend his words.

"The second?" Laura asked with a stern gaze, her hands firmly on her shapely hips.

"Yes, second, Mama first and you second," Aryan teased, pinching Laura's chubby cheek playfully. Laura's face immediately turned rosy, and her hands cupped Aryan's face, planting a series of soft kisses on his lips.

During her pregnancy, Laura's demeanor had become more affectionate and sensitive, which often left Aryan bewildered as he struggled to understand and cater to her every whim. Laura would sometimes sulk over the most minor things, which Aryan couldn't always fulfill. It wasn't that Aryan was refusing to be intimate; on the contrary, he relished every moment Laura flirted with him. However, Aryan was hesitant to engage in intimacy since Laura had entered her third trimester, fearing that it might harm their baby. Dr. Rahma had advised them to reduce sexual activity temporarily.

But now Laura had begun teasing him, sitting sideways on his lap with a mischievous grin.

"Please, Sweetie, not now. I have to go to the office. We don't want to disturb our baby's sleep," Aryan gently refused, giving Laura a brief kiss before moving her onto the bed.

"Come on, it's our baby's request to be with their Daddy," Laura responded, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"Sweetheart, Daddy has to work for a while, okay? Be good here, and don't tire out Mommy," Aryan whispered, leaning closer to Laura's belly, speaking to both their unborn babies.

"Aww," Laura whimpered while holding her belly, as if the baby inside responded to her interaction with their Daddy.

"See, even the little one knows that Daddy has to go to work," Aryan explained, gently caressing Laura's belly and kissing it. Laura was always amazed when Aryan did this. Their babies seemed to understand and respond, calming down from their usually active movements, especially at night. They often kept Laura awake until Aryan greeted them with whispered prayers and gentle strokes.

Laura smiled as she watched Aryan walk over to the wardrobe and pick out an outfit to dress her. He took a comb and tidied up her hair, tying it neatly.

"Let's have breakfast," Aryan suggested, putting a pair of sandals on Laura's feet and helping her to stand up.

Laura felt grateful for having Aryan as her life partner. He was always attentive and caring, never complaining about her mood swings and emotional outbursts during her pregnancy. She couldn't understand why she had become so sensitive and prone to tears during this time. Instead, Aryan, who used to be selfish and stubborn, had mellowed over the course of her pregnancy.

***

Laura tried to keep her unease hidden from Liana and Aryan, even though she felt like she was about to give birth any moment now. The baby had been moving actively since the afternoon, and she chose to lie on the bed to calm herself until Aryan returned from work.

"What's wrong, Sweetie?" Aryan asked in concern when he saw Laura's pale face. Laura shook her head in response but couldn't help the tears that started to stream down her cheeks. The tears came as the pain in her abdomen began to intensify.

Aryan pulled the blanket over Laura. Suddenly, Aryan's heart stopped for a moment before pounding fiercely as he noticed fresh red fluid seeping through Laura's skirt, unbeknownst to her. His body trembled intensely, but he tried with all his might to stay awake.

"Mama..." Aryan called out loudly, and in an instant, Liana and Andre rushed to his side.

"Quick, take Laura to the hospital," Andre said, approaching to lift Laura's body. Andre knew Aryan couldn't bear to see blood. Meanwhile, Liana screamed for their driver.

"Let Aryan do it, Pa," Aryan said, strengthening himself, and then he swiftly carried Laura towards the exit. Bang Jali was already waiting in the driver's seat, and Bi Ana opened the car door for her employer.

Andre and Liana followed to the hospital after preparing everything needed for Laura after giving birth. During the journey, Liana also called Dr. Rahma to prepare for their arrival.

"Mr. Aryan, we need to perform an emergency cesarean section; Mrs. Laura has lost a lot of blood," Dr. Rahma explained after examining Laura's condition. Aryan looked at Laura, feeling unable to decide at the moment, but there were three lives he had to save right now.

"Do it, Doctor," Laura said, looking at Aryan, assuring him that everything would be okay.

"Alright, Doctor, do your best for my wife and our two babies," Aryan replied, still looking at Laura, who was trying to endure the pain.

After obtaining the patient's consent, Dr. Rahma immediately instructed her assistant to prepare for the emergency cesarean section. While waiting for the preparations, Aryan never stopped praying, holding Laura's hand tightly. Laura, on the other hand, tried her best to endure the pain, not wanting to make Aryan panic. She even forgot her own trauma, worrying that Aryan's trauma might resurface, as it did when she had her ovarian cyst removal surgery. Aryan fainted then and had to undergo psychiatric treatment. He had to consult several times before he fully recovered.

All the medical equipment was already attached to Laura's body. "Honey, you can wait outside if you want," Laura whispered.

"I will stay by your side and be with you," Aryan replied, reaching for Laura's hand, which was free from the IV line, and kissing it.

The operation began after all the equipment was connected, linking Laura to monitors on the left side of the operating table. The surgeon and the anesthesiologist were ready with the epidural injection. Aryan closed his eyes briefly, pushing away all negative thoughts as he watched the injection being administered into Laura's spine. He could feel Laura's body tensing with surprise. Soon, he saw Laura starting to calm down due to the effects of the anesthesia.

During the surgery, Aryan, who was by Laura's side, never stopped praying, repeatedly kissing her cheek, while the cold air from the room's air conditioner made his body tense. The cries of the two babies filled the operating room not long after. Aryan saw two nurses cleaning their babies, who were still crying. Tears welled up in his eyes with a sense of overwhelming emotion. It was an extraordinary experience he would never forget in his lifetime. But suddenly, darkness crept into his vision, and he fainted on the spot.

Two male nurses immediately lifted Aryan and laid him on an empty stretcher not far from the operating table, while the doctors were still cleaning the remaining blood from the neatly stitched incision, covering it with a plaster.

"Mrs. Laura, don't worry, Mr. Aryan will be fine. Look, your son and daughter are healthy and adorable," the nurse reassured Laura, who looked panicked as she saw her husband being carried away by two nurses. The nurse placed one of the babies on Laura's chest for early breastfeeding, and then she alternated with the other baby. Laura cried tears of joy while kissing the chubby cheeks of the babies with the help of the nurse.

"Thank you, God," Laura whispered, her tears flowing even more.