Susana sighed for the tenth time as she lay in the hospital bed, waiting for the results of the tests her mother had demanded from the on-duty doctor. Her pain had lessened, as had the bleeding, but that did nothing to ease her restlessness. Blood loss was always a bad sign. Closing her eyes, she tried to rest a bit, not knowing how much longer she'd have to stay there and feeling a bit drowsy.
"Are you all right?" A gentle voice suddenly pierced the silence of the hospital room.
"Y...yes…" Susana's eyes flew open as she nearly jumped, locking gazes with a short-haired, redheaded woman who wasn't there just seconds before. Clearing her throat and noticing her hospital gown, she added, "I'm feeling better now."
"That's good to hear," the redhead said with a smile, her gaze thoughtfully scanning Susana's swollen belly. "Do you know if it's a boy or a girl?" She approached Susana, not taking her eyes off her, and touched her belly, falling oddly silent.
"No… not yet," Susana shifted uncomfortably under the nurse's strange scrutiny. "We couldn't see before—it was supposed to be another ultrasound...today."
"It doesn't matter, does it?" The woman smiled, fixing her eyes on Susana's face.
"No, not really…" Susana returned the smile, but a sudden chill shot up her spine without knowing why.
"Susana…" Teresa burst into the room, her eyes filled with worry as she stared at her daughter. "Dr. Anibal is on his way." Holding her daughter's hand, she focused her attention on her. "How are you feeling? Dizzy? Weak?" Shaking her head, she checked Susana's forehead. "This delay with the tests is never a good sign."
"Mom… calm down…" Embarrassed, Susana gestured, indicating that they were not alone. "Everything's under control. The nurse is here."
"Nurse?" Teresa looked around, instantly meeting a pale face in a hospital gown. "Good you're here!" Susana's mother addressed the young woman. "When will the test results come in? We've been here for more than three hours without any news." She continued to complain. "Did the ultrasound show anything abnormal? Is the baby healthy?"
"Please, ma'am." The young woman was flustered, taking her hands out of her white coat pockets and stepping back as Teresa approached. "I'll go check why there's such a delay, don't worry." She took a few steps toward the exit but then turned to face Susana. "By the way…" She smiled innocently, "May I know your last name?"
"All our information is on the admission form." Teresa's tension was palpable as she scrutinized the woman. "Is there a problem?"
"No! Of course not!" The woman declared with a broad smile before striding briskly out of the room. "I'll return with news."
"You do that!" Teresa huffed, watching the nurse thoughtfully as she turned her back.
"What is it?" Susana sat up upon seeing her mother's suspicious expression.
"Since when does a nurse manage a whole shift in high heels?" Susana's mother looked at her daughter, a touch puzzled.
"Mom, she might not necessarily have been wearing those shoes all shift." Susana sighed, frustrated. "Maybe she's going out, possibly on a date."
"That's true…" Teresa moved closer to her daughter again, checking her temperature. "That heavy makeup doesn't seem quite right for a hospital either..." She shook her head. "Especially in the emergency room."
"Mom, people dress as they please." Susana stared at her mother with a grimace. "You never were judgmental..."
"I know, my dear…" Teresa sighed wearily. "I'm just saying... I found her a bit odd, that's all!"
"Susana, how are you feeling?" Dr. Anibal entered his patient's room, a big smile on his face.
"Much better, Doctor!" Susana sat up at once, her anxiety mounting at the sight of the test results in her doctor's hands. "How's my baby?"
"How's my daughter, Doctor?" Teresa immediately rushed towards him.
"Easy, ladies!" Dr. Anibal chuckled. "Both are doing well."
"Oh, Doctor… what wonderful news…" Teresa finally relaxed, tears dancing in her eyes. "I was so afraid of anemia…"
"There was no need…" Dr. Anibal looked at Mrs. Teresa. "Susana lost blood, but not much."
"Well…" Susana's mother flashed a tremulous smile; it wasn't just the blood loss causing her fear of anemia. "And the baby? Is everything normal?"
"I must tell you that he's much more developed than expected for six months." Dr. Anibal approached Susana, patting her hand affectionately. "Congratulations… it's a boy."
"Really, Doctor?" Susana nearly leapt with joy. "See, Mom? Everything's fine!"
"That's wonderful, my daughter." Teresa beamed, but the doctor's words echoed in her mind.
"Still, I want you to stay here tonight for observation." Dr. Anibal stated seriously. "It's strange you had contractions at this stage, but since he's so developed, I prefer to be cautious."
"But…" Susana grew nervous, glancing at her mother then back at the doctor. "He can't be born now, can he?"
"Susana, you know a full nine months are needed to avoid any health problems with the child…" Dr. Anibal tried to be gentle with his words. "Despite your boy's rapid development, it's best to be cautious."
"I understand…" Susana sank back into her pillow, gently stroking her belly. "It's better to keep an eye on things."
"Well, I'll leave you now in the good hands of my staff." Dr. Anibal smiled, shaking hands with Mrs. Teresa and nodding to his young patient before leaving. "I'll see you tomorrow morning."
"Thank you." Teresa bade him goodbye, looking at her daughter. "I'll bring you some clothes, darling." Caressing her face, she pressed her lips together before adding, "I'll be back as quickly as possible. In the meantime, try to rest."
"Yes, Mom." Susana hugged her mother, grateful for her support and warmth. "Get some rest too, I'm in good hands."
"I know." Mrs. Teresa declared, smiling without much enthusiasm.
Exiting the room quickly, she tried to rush home and return, scrutinizing all the hospital staff on her way out of the Aveirense Clinic. Despite everything seeming normal, she felt something strange in the air, and even without knowing what it was, she had to stay alert—her sixth sense had been triggered, and that...had never been...a good sign.
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