Searching For You 128 The Preparation

Each time he goes to town, Hli Ja gave him a list of things to get. Those are supplies needed for the delivery of Hli Ja's unborn baby. Towards the end of the 4th week, the carriage was starting to get full of supplies. The rest of the time, Hli Ja educated Pao Hua about the process of birth and delivery. What she needs him to help with and what to expect during the process. Pao Hua took lots of notes and instructions during explanations. He did not want to miss anything in the process. He was also getting good at writing and reading as there was not much to do but learn.

As the week progresses, Hli Ja also felt better with the help of her little brother who constantly takes care of her, brewed medicines daily for her. With lots of rests, though their living condition was not that great, she still was able to move around a little, stand on her feet, and get fresh airs outside as long as she's not on her feet for too long at one setting.

During those time, Pao Hua also slowly fetched water and left it in the cave. He does not want to run out of water for the next two days. He gathered firewood and stored them in the cave so they could for the next few days.

Early one morning, Hli Ja's contraction started. She was not sure how late or how soon her baby will come out as from what she witnessed, it varies from woman to woman.

Hli Ja allowed Pao Hua to sleep in for a little but before waking him up. When she saw him moved, she called, "Pao Hua, are you up?"

Pao Hua tilted his head towards Hli Ja with his big round worried eyes. "Mm.. I'll go make the bed for you." He got up quickly, carried a piles of blankets and ran out of the carriage towards the cave.

Seeing how panicky Pao Hua is and not wanting him to trip and fall Hli Ja shouted, "No rush! Take your time."

With some of the blankets Pao Hua bought from town over the course of the weeks, Pao Hua was able to make a proper bed on the ground for Hli Ja.

Predicting that Pao Hua will have to make a few trips, Hli Ja got up from her spot, made her way to the opposite side of her and grabbed more blankets. She bundled the blankets onto her right arms and with her left arms she took the supply bag before making her way out of the carriage with her big belly.

After Pao Hua finished his preparation, he ran back to the carriage planning to a.s.sist Hli Ja to the cave, but he saw that she was already out carrying more blankets with the supply bag. He had wanted to get the bed done first and let his sister settled onto the bed before getting the other supplies but she already stumbled her way to the cave with the supplies.

Pao Hua ran over to help Hli Ja but she insisted that she can do it. His heart will not settled so he took the supply bag from Hli Ja's hand. She allowed him to do so if it'll give him a peace of mind. As they were walking Hli Ja felt water running down her leg. She a.s.sumed that must of been her water that broke. Once they got inside the cave, Pao Hua a.s.sist Hli Ja to the bed he made for her.

Hli Ja laid down on the bed and asked Pao Hua to start the bonfire. Pao Hua scurried to start the fire as soon as he was sure that Hli Ja was safely on the bed. When he got the fire started he prepped the stuff that Hli Ja told him beforehand.

Pao Hua opened the supply bag, took out a small bowl, baby cloths, scissors, a small pocket knife. With the usual pot he used to brew medicine for his sister, Pao Hua started to brew some nutrition medicines for Hli Ja.

Once the medicine was readied, he poured them into a jar and then poured some water into the same pot. While he let the water boil, Pao Hua brought the medicine jar over to Hli Ja then went back to the pot and waited for the water to boil so he could soak the pocket knife in boiling water to clean it.

After a few hours, Hli Ja's contraction occurred more and more often. The interval gets shorter and shorter. Hli Ja laid on the bed with lots of blankets propped behind her back and a blanket covered her body. She laid on the made bed and listens to her condition. Her face contoured in pain every time when the contraction kicks in.

Another hour pa.s.sed by before Hli Ja feels her body naturally wanted to push the baby out. She knew it was time. She started pushing her baby along with the contraction she felt. She gasped and let out a few groans here and there when the pain gets unbearable. The pain was excruciating, she felt like vomiting but she had to stay strong. Hli Ja doesn't want to scare Pao Hua so she composed herself as much as she could.

On the side, Pao Hua who was watching nervously, his palms sweaty and sometimes he forget to breathe. His eyes shows fear as he saw how much pain his sister was having. She broke in sweats and her facial expression was unbearable. His heart beat faster couldn't do anything to help ease her pain.

Although his sister had told him that all women go through pain during labor, he was still shocked, anxious and nervous. He knew there was nothing he could do but wait until his sister give him instructions. Pao Hua stood up and paced around in circle to distract his mind. He went to look at the water he boiled, this time to wash the baby. As he approached the pot, small bubbles erupted and soon the small bubbles grew bigger. Pao Hua poured the water into a bowl to let it cool down.