Giving Birth to My Brother
43. Listening to Heartbeats

Elin arrived at Dr. Ridwan's clinic at about 7.15 minutes. He was too late because he stopped by the mosque for Maghrib prayers and waited for his taxi to come. Once he got there, he immediately registered. There are several couples who have come before him than him.

Elin waited for her name to be called while rereading David's offer. It is not bad if he just wants his book published, but it is not so profitable when viewed in terms of the profit he will receive. For him it was a valuable script because it was his own story with Ariel.

"Why did you come here yourself?"

Elin gasps as Ariel lands her butt right next to Elin. "Why can't you come?"

"Yes can dong. I told you we were coming together. I came home from work straight home, but Sinta said you left from the afternoon, why not say it? Your phone cannot be contacted either. You know, I'm worried. Good thing we met here" said Ariel.

"My phone is dead" Elin said. He kept the files from David back into his totebag. "So I had an appointment with the editor so I left early. I can go alone, I said the same thing as Sinta."

"But it can't be dong, I also want to come," said Ariel. "We should go together."

Elin took a deep breath. Of course he was happy if he could go with Ariel, but after Ariel gave him that kiss, he felt much more nervous if he was near Ariel. He also did not want Sinta to linger angry at him.

Ariel and Elin were both silent, they only listened to the constant ticking seconds of the clock and occasionally they heard the chatter of other married couples in the waiting room.

"Didn't you want to be with me because of .... that night?" ariel asked breaking the silence between the two of them.

Elin turned her head until she realized Ariel's gaze was on her. Oh, his heart's really not safe right now. "What night?" tanyanya nervous.

"She's both in the kitchen. When you eat strawberry ice cream," replied Ariel.

"I know Big Brother did not intend to do it, so it does not need to be discussed," said Elin with a pounding heart. "So, you can't get carried away because it's late at night and we're just the two of us in the kitchen."

Ariel stared at the restless gesture of Elin. Elin squeezed the tip of her totebag tightly and did not even look at him. "It's actually ...."

"I know," cut Elin. This time he looked at Ariel. "I'm, after all, sister's wife. So, what you do is not a sin. Don't apologize or feel guilty just for that."

"You heard me say it first" said Ariel. He almost took Elin's hand, but Elin's name was suddenly called and Elin stood up quickly.

"Come on. We have to go in" Elin said.

Ariel nodded even though she was not relieved because she could not say what she wanted to say. He opens the door for Elin and enters Doctor Ridwan's room.

"Hello, good night" said Doctor Ridwan to Elin and Ariel.

"Night, Doc." Elin smiled nervously. She followed the nurse's instructions to weigh her weight. He was already worried that his weight would drop because this month he could barely eat. And sure enough, he had already lost 8 ounces of his weight.

"You still nauseous?" ask Dr. Ridwan.

"Still, Doc. Vomiting is also very frequent. Will I keep believing?" ask Elin.

"No, some pregnant women only experience nausea vomiting in the first trimester. I will prescribe another brand of anti-nausea medication. You still working?"

Elin shook her head slowly while Doctor Ridwan responded by nodding. "We used to be USG."

"We can hear his heartbeat now" Dr. Ridwan said.

Elin was very moved to see a tiny creature that was only a small point has now grown bigger. He could even hear the loud rhythm of the fetal heartbeat. Well, that fetus is actually growing in her stomach.

Elin was dying to cry now, it felt like this was a miracle. However, he held back because he did not want to show his emotions to Ariel. He glanced at Ariel who also looked moved.

"The fetus is growing well, don't worry. But, you have to eat more so that the fetus is stronger and healthier," said Dr. Ridwan advises. He looked at Ariel this time. "You can support your wife if she can't eat. The main meal can be replaced with snacks. Pregnant women want some special food. Just try to follow it."

"Good, Doc. Thank you," said Ariel. He helps Elin when he gets out of bed and waits for Doctor Ridwan to write a prescription while giving them some advice. Every now and then he glanced at Elin, wanting to clasp the hand of Elin who was busy squeezing her totebag. Elin must be very nervous, he thought.

"We redeem the medicine as vitamins first," Ariel asked as they came out of Doctor Ridwan's room. Elin nodded then they walked over to the pharmaceutical section.

"Would you eat something, right? We'll stop by to buy." Ariel asked Elin as they waited for the medicine.

"Ehm, I'm confused about what to eat" replied Elin.

"Say aja. I'll buy it for you later" Ariel said in a persuasive tone.

"I want meatballs. There are fried dumplings," said Elin.

"OKAY. We'll stop by to buy." Ariel stood up when their number was called. He took the drug and vitamin Elin then paid.

***

Upon arrival at home, Ariel and Elin are greeted by Sinta. He had gotten a message from Ariel that they stopped by to buy meatballs so he didn't have to prepare dinner. After all it's past dinner time because it's almost 9:00.

"Where is the condition of the fetus?" ask Sinta as they sit at the dining table.

"Everything is good" replied Ariel. He held out an ultrasound image to Sinta. "Fetal length and weight according to his age. I've also caught the sound of his heartbeat."

"Alhamdulillah," muttered Sinta while staring at the picture USG. He lifted his chin to see Elin eating his meatballs. "Thank you, El. You ... have been through a tough day this month."

Elin stopped chewing when she heard Sinta thank her. Though, Sinta still looks annoyed at him this afternoon.

"I'm sorry to have been angry with you lately" said Sinta weakly. He had decided to be nice to Elin because he wanted Ariel to know that she was his best wife. "I .. asked Mas Ariel to remarry, but it turned out to be so hard. I'm just ...."

"I understand, Ma'am. This is all a deal, calm down. I will not violate the content of the agreement," said Elin cut off Sinta's speech.

Both Sinta and Ariel took a deep breath. Sinta really wanted to show that she could accept Elin in front of Ariel. He also does not want to look hate Elin because if he continues to behave like that, Elin might retaliate and will seize Ariel and he was abandoned.

While Ariel started stirring her meatballs restlessly. Well, Elin only did all this because of the agreement. Even when he was about to discuss the matter of kissing two nights ago, Elin refused. Ariel just wanted to tell Elin that she meant it when she did it. However, it seems that Elin was unaware of that, or perhaps did not care.

"I .. will love this baby the same after birth" Elin continued with a heart of pain.