The sun was setting, casting long shadows over the village paths. Hannah walked slowly with her friend - Rachel, using the evening stroll as a way to stretch and keep herself healthy. The gentle breeze brushed against her face, and for a moment, she felt calm, forgetting the months of pain and, struggle.
Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her lower belly. Hannah gasped, clutching her stomach. "Rachel… something's wrong… I think… I think it's time," she whispered, panic creeping into her voice.
Rachel's eyes widened instantly. "What? Now? Hannah, don't panic. We need help—quick!" she said, grabbing Hannah's arm.
Hannah tried to take another step but stumbled, the pain growing stronger with every movement. Villagers passing by noticed and quickly came to help. Rachel called for more people, and soon a small group formed, supporting Hannah as they hurried down the path toward the nearby dispensary.
Hannah's breaths were quick and shallow. Every step was agony, but she gritted her teeth, focusing on the child inside her. She clutched her belly tightly, whispering, "Stay strong… we'll be okay…"
The dispensary came into view, a small building but filled with hope. Rachel and the villagers helped Hannah inside, laying her carefully on a bed. Midwives and nurses rushed to assist, preparing for the birth. Hannah's heart pounded with fear, pain, and anticipation.
Through the haze of pain, she caught Rachel's hand. "I… I can't do this alone," she gasped.
Rachel squeezed her hand firmly. "You're not alone, Hannah. We'll get through this together. Just focus on the baby, okay?"
Hannah nodded, tears mixing with sweat on her face. The world outside the dispensary faded away, leaving only the sound of her own heartbeat, the noise of the villagers, and the life growing inside her—the child who had already given her months of hope, pain, and now… a new beginning.
Inside the small dispensary, the air was heavy with tension. Hannah lay on the narrow bed, sweat dripping from her forehead. The pain was sharp, coming in waves that made her whole body tremble. She tried to hold back, but cries of pain still escaped her lips.
Two nurses surrounded her, giving instructions firmly.
"Push, Hannah, push! The baby is almost here. Be strong," one said.
Hannah gripped the sides of the bed with all her strength. She was alone in that room. No family. No friend. No one to hold her hand. The walls echoed only with her cries and the quick voices of the nurses.
Tears rolled down her cheeks, not only from the pain but from the emptiness she felt inside. She thought of everything—David's betrayal, the gossip of the villagers, the shame she had carried for months. And yet, in that same moment, she also thought of hope.
She screamed as another wave of pain tore through her, and then, suddenly—
The air filled with the sound of a baby's cry.
Hannah froze, her tears now mixing with a shaky smile. The nurse quickly lifted the baby, wrapped her in a soft cloth, and gently placed the small bundle into Hannah's arms.
Hannah looked down, her heart breaking and healing at the same time. The tiny girl moved slightly, her small fingers curling around Hannah's thumb.
"She's… she's mine," Hannah whispered weakly. "My girl".
Her body was weak, but her spirit felt stronger than ever. Holding her daughter close to her chest, Hannah closed her eyes and made a silent promise: no matter the pain, no matter the shame, she would fight for this child.
That night, in the quiet of a village dispensary, Hannah became more than just a girl who had suffered—she became a mother.
After a few hours, the pain in Hannah's body had eased a little. She was moved from the delivery room into a smaller ward, where she could rest with her baby. The baby lay quietly beside her, wrapped in a clean cloth, her tiny chest rising and falling softly.
Hannah's eyes were tired, but every time she looked at her baby, strength filled her heart.
The door creaked open, and Rachel stepped inside, her face glowing with relief. She rushed to Hannah's side, almost in tears.
"Hannah… oh, my dear friend, you did it!" she whispered. "I was so worried about you."
Hannah managed a small smile, though her eyes were wet. "It was… so hard, Rachel. I thought I would die. But look—" She turned slightly and revealed the small baby sleeping peacefully. "She's here now. My baby"
Rachel covered her mouth with her hand, gasping softly. "She's beautiful," she said, leaning down to admire the baby's tiny features. "She looks just like you, Hannah. You are so strong."
Hannah blinked back more tears, staring at her friend. "I don't feel strong, Rachel. I feel broken… empty. But when I hold her, it's like I have a reason to live again."
Rachel gently squeezed her hand. "That's what being a mother is, Hannah. It's not about being perfect. It's about love. And I know, even without anyone else, you'll give her more love than the whole world."
For the first time in months, Hannah allowed herself to smile fully. She looked at her daughter again and whispered, "She's all I have now. And I'll protect her with everything I am."
Rachel nodded firmly, her own eyes shining. "And I'll be here too. You're not alone, Hannah. I promise."
In that small, quiet ward, surrounded by silence and shadows of the night, two friends sat together, staring at the fragile new life that had entered the world. It was a moment of hope, but deep in Hannah's heart, a storm was also forming—a storm of pain, betrayal, and a vow for justice that would one day come.
As Hannah and Rachel sat quietly, the door opened again. A doctor walked in, holding a small notebook. He gave Hannah a kind smile.
"How are you feeling, Hannah?" he asked gently.
Hannah shifted on the bed, her voice weak but steady. "I'm tired… but I'm okay."
The doctor nodded, glancing at the baby beside her. "The baby is healthy, and you are also strong. You need to rest tonight. If everything remains well, tomorrow morning we will discharge you. You and your baby can go home."
Hannah's eyes softened as relief washed over her. Home. The word felt heavy, but at the same time, it gave her courage. She nodded slowly. "Thank you, doctor."
After the doctor left, Rachel turned to Hannah with a warm smile. "Did you hear that? Tomorrow you'll be home with the little girl. That's a blessing, Hannah."
Hannah brushed her hand across her baby's small head. "Yes… it feels unreal, Rachel. After everything, finally I'll go home with my child."
Rachel stood up. "Let me go get you some food. You need strength. I'll be back soon."
Hannah gave her a tired smile. "Thank you, Rachel. I don't know what I would do without you."
Rachel touched her shoulder softly. "Don't say that. Just rest and take care of the baby. I'll handle the rest."
Rachel left the room, and Hannah was alone again with her baby. She looked down at her daughter, sleeping peacefully in her arms. A single tear slid down her cheek, not of pain, but of a strange mix of joy and sorrow.
Whispering to herself, Hannah said, "It's you and me now. Just the two of us. And I promise, no matter what comes… I will never leave you."
Not long after, Rachel returned to the ward carrying a small hotpot of food. She placed it gently on the table next to Hannah.
"You must eat, Hannah," Rachel said softly. "You need strength for you and the baby."
Hannah nodded and slowly took a few bites. Though she was tired, the warm food gave her some comfort. After eating, she leaned back on the pillow, holding her baby close to her chest. With Rachel sitting nearby, watching over them, Hannah finally closed her eyes and allowed herself to rest.
The night passed quietly and peaceful.
The next morning, light rays slipped into the room through the small window. Hannah was already awake, rocking the baby gently when the doctor entered with his notebook in hand.
"Good morning, Hannah," he greeted kindly. "And how is the baby?"
"She's fine," Hannah answered softly, though her eyes showed both pride and exhaustion.
The doctor smiled. "That's good. Since you will be leaving soon, we need to prepare the baby's birth certificate. Please give us the details of the child—the name and your own information—so we can record it properly."
Hannah's heart skipped. She glanced down at her baby, tiny and peaceful in her arms. For the first time, she felt the weight of responsibility. This name would follow her daughter forever.
She cleared her throat and said, "Her name will be… Ella."
The doctor wrote it carefully, then asked more details about Hannah herself. Rachel, sitting close, encouraged her with a gentle nod.
When the doctor finished, he looked up with a satisfied smile. "All is set. , you and your daughter can go home today, let me make some preparations and I will discharge you so soon, keep resting Hannah."
As the doctor left, Hannah held Ella tighter, whispering to her, "Now you are real in this world, my child. You are Ella… and no one can take that away from us."
Rachel leaned closer to the baby and smiled. "Ella… wow, what a beautiful name," she whispered. Then she looked at Hannah curiously. "But tell me, Hannah, why did you choose that name? What does it mean to you?"
Hannah's tired eyes softened as she looked down at her daughter. She gently brushed Ella's tiny cheek with her finger.
"Ella means light," Hannah said softly. "After all the darkness I've been through, I wanted her name to carry hope. She is my light, Rachel. The only light in my life."
Rachel's eyes filled with tears. She reached out and touched Hannah's arm gently. "That's beautiful, Hannah. And you're right… she really is your light. I can see it already in the way you hold her."
Hannah nodded slowly, her voice firm though weak. "No matter what anyone says, no matter what I face… I'll protect her. Ella is the reason I will keep living."
Rachel smiled warmly, her heart heavy but also proud of her friend. "And I'll stand by you, Hannah. Both of you."
The two friends sat in silence, watching the tiny baby sleep peacefully. In that quiet ward, hope was born alongside Ella's name—a hope that one day, the light would overcome all the pain and shadows that surrounded Hannah's life.