Meetlife
The father paced outside the delivery room, his face etched with worry.
The rest of the family sat nearby, hands folded, eyes fixed on the doors.
"Don't worry. Your child will be fine."
Life said it gently.
No one listened. No one ever could.
Life continued anyway.
"He'll be big. Healthy. Beautiful. You'll see."
Life smiled wide. The hallway filled with a soft warmth.
No one noticed.
Life's eyes drifted downward—landing on an ant on the floor, searching for food.
Without a second thought, he knelt down, knees drawn to his chest.
"Still searching, little guy?" Life asked warmly.
The ant scrambled away, terrified.
Life chuckled.
Then his smile faltered.
Something was wrong.
His gaze swept across the hallway until it landed on him.
Meet death
"What are you doing here?" Life asked, hands clenched tight.
Death said nothing.
"Can't you just leave people alone?"
Silence.
Death's gaze remained fixed on the delivery room.
Life noticed.
And understood.
"Wait…" His voice cracked.
"You're not here for the mother… are you?"
The silence stretched.
That was answer enough.
Life went quiet. Tears welled in his eyes.
*He can't take the mother.
What will happen to the child? The family?
Their lives will be changed forever.*
"Please," Life pleaded.
"Go away. Let them live peacefully."
Death didn't respond.
He only watched the door.
Time passed.
The doors finally opened. Doctors stepped out.
"Congratulations," a nurse said.
"It's a boy."
"Is my wife alright?" the father asked.
Life held his breath.
"She's fine."
Relief flooded Life's face.
Not for long.
"However… she had twins.
We were only able to save one."
Beauty
They gathered in the ward.
The newborn slept peacefully in his mother's arms.
She smiled weakly at the sight of him.
"He's beautiful, isn't he?"
"Of course he is. He's my son."
"His eyes are just like his mother's."
Life watched from afar, smiling.
He was happiest when the world was happy.
"Should we tell her about the other one?"
"She'll be heartbroken."
"She already lost one."
"We don't need to tell her."
"Just pretend he never existed."
Life's smile faltered.
His brow furrowed.
He didn't understand.
Outside, in the hallway, Death sat alone on a bench.
A baby rested in his arms.
He stared through the window into the ward.
*They're admiring him.*
Death looked down at the child he carried.
He hesitated—just for a moment.
Then he spoke.
"You…"
A pause.
"…you're beautiful."
The end...