Ch.278278. Preparing for the Moment

I drove home and gathered the items Hwa Nabi had asked for. Underwear and clothes to change into, her pregnancy notebook. Wallet, nursing pads, basic cosmetics, and finally her phone charger.

I thought it wouldn’t take up much space, but when I gathered everything, the amount was no joke. Since it wouldn’t all fit in a small bag, I took out the travel carrier I had used half a year ago.

After neatly organizing Hwa Nabi’s belongings and my few items, I loaded them into the car trunk and headed to the hospital. This really reminds me of the old days. Though “old days” was less than half a year ago, back then we also packed a large carrier like this and went on a trip.

It feels like just yesterday, but it’s already been more than half a year. Yes, half a year ago. Back then, she didn’t even show signs of pregnancy, so everyone was surprised when told she was pregnant. But now that same Hwa Nabi has been admitted to the hospital to prepare for childbirth.

Should I say I’m deeply moved by this dramatic change? My feelings are complicated. I’m happy thinking I’ll soon see Woo-ah, but knowing how difficult childbirth is, I can’t be completely happy when I think about Hwa Nabi’s ordeal.

“If only she could give birth without suffering…”

While driving with these worries, I arrived at the hospital. I unloaded the luggage from the trunk and checked my face in the side mirror—I looked grim.

I shouldn’t be like this already. After patting my cheeks a couple of times to pull myself together, I headed to the hospital room where Hwa Nabi would be waiting.

-Knock knock.

“Yes, come in.”

Creeak, as soon as I opened the door, I saw Hwa Nabi. She looked the same as usual, but her expression was slightly stiff, perhaps from nervousness. I leaned the carrier against the wall and approached her.

“Nabi, I’m here.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you for your trouble. Nothing happened on your way here, right?”

“It’s not even that far. By the way, nothing happened while I was gone, right?”

“No, nothing special. Jinhee and Im Hansol just came by for a bit, that’s all.”

“Really? That’s good then.”

While chatting, I glanced at Hwa Nabi’s expression. Seeing that she didn’t question why Im Hansol and Jinhee came together, it seemed she hadn’t been told about the pregnancy.

Well, I guess there’s no point in telling unsettling stories to a friend who’s about to give birth. Appreciating this small consideration, I took out my phone from my pocket.

“Nabi. Did you call your parents?”

“Ah, no, not yet. The emergency room doesn’t seem very soundproof, so I was planning to call them after moving to a private room.”

What is she talking about? Wait, how does she know it’s not soundproof? Puzzled, I asked her.

“Not soundproof?”

“Yes. Earlier when you weren’t here, from the next room…”

“What?”

“…I heard strange sounds.”

“Strange sounds…?”

Could it be what I’m thinking? When I questioned with just my eyes, Hwa Nabi carefully nodded. My guess was right.

“…Really? You didn’t mishear?”

“No. I saw them when they were moving to another room earlier… a man and a woman came out.”

“Ah… really?”

…What on earth were these people doing in a place full of others? Momentarily dumbfounded, I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead. What a coincidence that such a thing happened when I wasn’t around.

I’d like to confront them, but I don’t know their faces, and they’ve moved rooms, so I can’t find them. I could ask the nurse or Hwa Nabi for details, but… at this point, there’s no real meaning in confronting them. Unless something is still ongoing.

Thinking I shouldn’t have asked about it, I pressed my phone repeatedly to change the awkward atmosphere. I called my parents. I briefly summarized the situation, telling them that Hwa Nabi’s delivery was imminent and she had been admitted to the hospital.

[Siwoo. Shouldn’t we come to the hospital then?]

I heard my mother’s worried voice through the phone. I looked up slightly. I could see Hwa Nabi shaking her head from side to side. It meant there was no need to come right away.

“No need. Nabi needs to rest now, so please come later when Woo-ah is born.”

[Alright. Call us as soon as the baby is born. We’ll come right away, okay?]

“Yes, I will. Ah, would you like to speak with Nabi?”

[No, let her rest. How tired would she be if she had to mind her mother-in-law at a time like this? And don’t exhaust Nabi too much. I’ve had three children, so I know—if you stick by her side trying to help without letting her rest, you’re actually being a nuisance. You understand what I mean, right?]

“Ah… yes, I understand.”

[Good. Tell Nabi to take care of her condition, and I’m hanging up now.]

Click, the call ended coolly with just those words. It was such a clean end that I, who was about to hold on, felt more flustered.

“Husband. What did your mother say?”

“Nothing much. She said she’ll come see Woo-ah when she’s born, and told you to take good care of yourself.”

“Mmm, I see. It would have been nice if she had told me directly.”

“Really? Should I call her again?”

“Isn’t your mother busy? Would it be okay to call her again?”

“I’m not sure. Just in case, let me at least text…”

Knock knock, there was a knock at the door. When we said it was okay to come in, a nurse entered and informed us that Hwa Nabi’s room was ready, asking us to gather our things and come up to the 11th floor.

With the carrier in my left hand, I offered my right arm for Hwa Nabi to hold onto. With something attached to both arms, we arrived at the 11th floor by elevator.

Ding, as soon as the doors opened, the atmosphere felt different from other floors. The nurses’ station was right in front of the door, and next to it, security guards with light armament were standing. Upon seeing us, they asked about our purpose for visiting.

I explained that I was the guardian, and Hwa Nabi beside me was the patient admitted for childbirth. The nurse looked something up on the computer, then stood up abruptly and handed us two ID-like badges to wear around our necks.

“What are these?”

“These are access passes for identification. You can’t move around the 11th floor without them, so you absolutely must not lose them.”

The following explanation was simple. The reissuance procedure is quite complicated if the access pass is lost, and our room is Special Room 1A – Room 1101. The doors of special rooms don’t lock, so be careful when changing clothes or handling personal matters, plus a few other simple precautions.

“Room 1101… Ah, here it is.”

When I opened the door and entered, for a moment I thought we had come to a luxury hotel. While normal hospital rooms have white interiors creating a bleak atmosphere, perhaps because this was a special room, soft lighting was arranged to create a cozy feeling.

“Wow… if the baby is born here, it will really come out well.”

Hwa Nabi murmured softly as she looked around. I laid her down on the bed and chuckled.

“I think the delivery will be done in the delivery room, not here?”

“Hey, I was just saying, you know. Just saying.”

“Yes, madam. Is there anything uncomfortable?”

“Nothing uncomfortable, but… wait, come closer.”

Thinking she might need something, I moved closer, and Hwa Nabi suddenly pulled my neck and kissed my cheek. Being caught off guard, I stepped back awkwardly.

“…What are you doing?”

“It’s a thank you. Why, didn’t you like it?”

“It’s not that I didn’t like it… but what if someone sees?”

“There’s no one here but us anyway, right?”

“Didn’t you forget the nurse said she’d come check your condition every two hours?”

Normally they wouldn’t check this frequently, but for a mother about to give birth, the situation can change moment by moment, so they check more often.

“It hasn’t even been ten minutes yet. You’re just embarrassed, aren’t you?”

“We’ve seen everything there is to see, why would I be embarrassed…”

“I don’t think so, you seem embarrassed to me.”

Even though she’s about to become a mother, her personality hasn’t changed much. Well, this is normal.

Finding it difficult to respond, I looked elsewhere and held her hand.

“Anyway, let’s practice the breathing method we learned before. You remember the Lamaze breathing technique, right?”

Barring any major complications, Hwa Nabi’s delivery is planned as a natural birth rather than a surgical one, so practicing breathing techniques will be quite helpful in the actual situation.

As I asked while interlocking our fingers, Hwa Nabi made an “umm…” sound, pondering. She doesn’t seem to remember quickly.

“Here, I’ll explain it again, so remember well. First, start with deep breathing. Inhale through your nose, exhale through your mouth. Keep the air volume the same, at 3-second intervals. Can you do that?”

“Inhale… exhale. Ah, everything’s fine except keeping the air volume the same isn’t easy.”

“It’s okay. We have plenty of time anyway, so let’s practice slowly together.”

According to regulations, a guardian can stay with the patient until 10 PM. Though we have only a few hours left, let’s practice during that time.

Although I had memorized everything, for more effective practice, I went to the nurses’ station and got a booklet on the Lamaze method.

Then, sitting in a chair right next to the hospital bed, I helped Hwa Nabi master the Lamaze breathing technique over a long period.

“Husband.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Thank you so much for staying late like this because of me. Really.”

“…It’s nothing.”

She’s saying embarrassing things again. Suddenly touched by her gratitude, I laughed softly and reached out my hand.

I placed my fingers on her disheveled bangs and gently arranged them, and she closed her lips, enjoying my touch.

“Heh, I want to stay like this forever. …Yawn.”

Hwa Nabi opens her mouth slightly to yawn. While stroking her hair, I asked.

“Nabi. Are you sleepy?”

“Yes… a little?”

“Then sleep like this. I’ll watch over you.”

“…Don’t go anywhere until I fall asleep, okay?”

“Yes. I won’t go anywhere.”

As I promised and held her hand, she seemed reassured and slowly closed her eyes while staring at me.

I held her hand tightly and whispered.

“Sleep well.”

“…Yes, you too, husband.”