As the stainless steel bed rotated from hallway to corridor, the gynecologist's wheels made a squeaky sound as they scraped across the floor. Even as the lights in the hallway dimmed and flickered, the white-clad individuals were unaffected.
going to the delivery room with the wife.
The woman was in terrible pain, and the sound of her unrestrained screams reverberated. But shortly later, she entered the delivery room carrying one
physician and a few of his helpers.
After giving the woman a tranquil injection, the doctor was prepared to perform surgery on her abdomen. After giving his helpers a nod, the doctor got to work...
The atmosphere at the Mataram City General Hospital that morning was, as usual, very busy. Starting from people who accompany their relatives to those who bring their wives for pregnancy check-ups.
People who stay overnight at the hospital to take care of one of their family members usually have breakfast at roadside stalls along the road of Mataram City General Hospital.
Dena, a 28-year-old woman who gave birth last night, can now see her child from her own womb. Dena smiled seeing the baby sleeping soundly, as if her heart was relieved even though she still felt pain in some stitches from the surgery.
"Thank goodness, dear, you were born safely," Dena said while patting her chest and offering a prayer of gratitude to the Almighty.
A few minutes later, a hospital staff member walked into the room where Dena and her child were resting. The male staff member placed the food on the bedside table. Strangely, the man always avoided eye contact whenever Dena tried to look at him.
Dena thought the man was shy, so she didn't mind.
After the food delivery person left, a nurse opened the door. He noted something on a sheet while checking on Dena and her child.
"My child is healthy, right, Nurse?" asked the woman with almond-shaped eyes.
The nurse nodded, then replied, "Healthy."
"Thank God." For the umpteenth time, Dena patted her chest and smiled.
One week at the Mataram City General Hospital, the doctor declared that Dena could go home today. Even though not a single family member visited her or even just came to see her child, Dena's heart was already happy because her daughter was born into the world.
It didn't matter to Den. After all, her husband had long gone abroad with the woman of his choice.
Dena took a deep breath, trying to clear her mind of any thoughts about her husband. She got up from the bed and carried her tiny child.
"You slept very soundly, dear. I hope you become a pious child when you grow up."
The woman caressed the child's cheek. "Oh, right. I haven't given you a name yet." "Your mother should give you a name, right?"
Dena tried to think of a good name for her child. Indeed, the woman had never thought about what name to give her child before. Dena is one of those women who are busy working, but a few months ago she took a leave of absence from her jobs.
"Sabila Assyifah."
Dena smiled again.
"You will be called Assyifah from now on."
The woman nodded. A second later, the lights suddenly went out. Dark. That made Dena startle, but she tried to calm herself down, thinking that it was just a regular power outage or maybe a technical error from the hospital's electrical staff.
Even so, while Dena waited for the lights to come back on, she heard unusual jingling sounds. The jingling sound was followed by a noise perhaps an insect or an animal. For sure, the sound was very clearly caught by Dena's ears.
Occasionally, the sound of groaning could also be heard, but it was faint. Dena thought it was cats fighting.
Dena started to feel scared because she had been waiting for the lights to come back on for dozens of minutes.
Even so, nothing happened. The noisy sounds outside suddenly disappeared. This hospital feels uninhabited.
"Why does it have to be like this, huh ...."
When Dena got up from her seat, the room she was in was illuminated again by the light. The woman let out a sigh of relief.
Dena left the hospital while carrying Assyifah. To wait for a taxi, Dena sat in a store after buying a bottle of mineral water. The woman looked to the right and left, but no taxi passed by.
Occasionally, Dena would talk to her child.
"Miss, who are you waiting for?" asked someone who is a store employee.
"A taxi, sir."
"Oh. Where have you been, Miss?" The man asked again.
"I just came from the General Hospital, Sir. Today I was allowed to go home. That's why I'm waiting for a taxi to—"
"Wait, wait," the man interrupted with a furrowed brow. "I... didn't hear that wrong, did I, Miss?" You just came from the General Hospital? are you serious mam?"
"Yes, Sir. I just came from the Mataram City General Hospital." "What's wrong, Sir?" Now Dena furrowed her brow.
"Sorry, Miss. But, as far as I know, that General Hospital is no longer there, Miss. The building, some parts of it have already been demolished."
Hearing the man's explanation, Dena's eyes widened. Even so, she thought the man was joking or making a lame joke to her. that make dena need to ask for one more time..
"Huh? What do you mean, Sir? I just came from there, you know. It's impossible, Sir. You're joking, right?" Dena occasionally chuckled softly. However, the man remained with an expression of disbelief at Dena's .
Dena and the man both do not trust each other.
"How about this, Ma'am?" If you don't believe that hospital has been out of operation for a long time and has been moved to the Provincial Hospital, you can check again. Sorry for asking, where are you from?"Sorry, Miss. Where are you from?" Dena nodded slowly. "I'm from Sumbawa, Sir."
Dena nodded slowly. "A Sumbawa person, Sir."
"Well then, I'll take my leave, Miss. Be careful, okay, Miss."
The man walked away from Dena. The woman thought that the man couldn't possibly be joking with her. Therefore, once again, Dena checked the hospital where she gave birth to her child.
Dena crossed the street, then walked a little to the west, and then turned right.
The woman stood frozen with wide eyes. Her breath was ragged, her heart was racing. In his heart, he voiced sentences of disbelief towards what he had just experienced.
Yes, that's right. The Mataram City General Hospital has had part of its buildings demolished, and there is no activity at that place anymore.
The rice stalls that Dena used to see are also gone. The people who used to greet her, the hospital staff, and everyone Dena had ever met had vanished as if swallowed by the earth.
Even so, Assyifah remains Dena's real daughter born into this world. Whether with someone's help or not. Clearly, Dena believes that it is help from God Almighty.
Slowly, Dena moved her hand, caressing Assyifah's face with deep affection.
"Mother is grateful, dear."