Papa for My Baby
15. Go Home
The sound of the phone alarm went off, waking Hisham who was sleeping soundly. Hisham turned to Mita's bed, Mita had not yet woken up. Hisham headed to the bathroom to get ready for dawn prayers at the mosque.
When Hisham came home from the mosque, Hisham saw Mita still sleeping soundly. Hisham lets Mita sleep because Mita wakes up in the middle of the night. Azam was not awake. Hisham turned on the television to ward off saturation.
Suddenly he heard the sound of the baby's mouth being soaked. Hisham got up from his seat and approached Azam. Azam was busy putting his hand in his mouth.
“Eh, Papa's son is awake,” said Hisham.
“Mama is still sleeping. Wake up Mama, gih!” hisham.
Hisham kept Azam's hand out of his mouth. “Do not eat, Zam. Hand Azam dirty.” But Azam just wanted to eat his hand.
Suddenly the nurse opened the door. “Good morning.”
“Morning, Sister,” replied Hisham.
“The baby wants to be bathed, Doc,” said the nurse.
“My wife is still sleeping, Sus,” says Hisham.
The sister turned to the bed, she saw Mita was still sleeping.
“Maybe not used to waking up at night,” said the nurse.
Hisham immediately woke up Mita. “Mit, wake! There's a nurse, tuh.”
Mita woke up. “What's up, Bang?” mita asked with a hoarse voice typical of people waking up.
“Suster wants to bathe Azam,” replied Hisham.
“Sus, bathe her here only! Let my wife learn to bathe the baby,” said Hisham.
“Good, Doc.” The nurse came out of the room to pick up the baby toiletries.
While in the hospital Mita was taught how to take care of the baby by the sisters. So that after returning from the hospital Mita can take care of her own baby.
***
“You can take care of the baby, no?” ask Emilia's mother.
Emilia's mother can't help Mita to take care of Azam because she has to help her husband trade. If they don't trade they don't get the money.
“Slightly. Time in the hospital was taught by sisters,” replied Mita.
“Thank God if you can,” said Emilia's mother.
“You Want Mama find baby sitter?” ask Nella's mother.
“No need, Mah. Mita can take care of herself,” replied Mita.
Mita doesn't want to bother her in-laws. As much as possible he took care of Azam himself without being helped by a caregiver.
***
When they explained the afternoon their parents came home. Only Hisham and Mita will have to fight to take care of Azam. Fortunately after an afternoon shower Azam went straight to sleep. So that Mita and Hisham can rest.
When midnight Azam woke up peeing and hungry. As usual, she was crying loudly. Mita wakes up when she hears Azam's cry. He approached the baby box and replaced Azam's diaper. After Mita sat on the sofa chair while breastfeeding Azam.
After half an hour Azam had not slept. Mita was sleepy but Azam was still awake.
“Darling why not sleep? Mama is still sleepy,” said Mita while holding back drowsiness.
Mita could not bear to put Azam in the baby box, forced to bring Azam to bed. He put Azam next to him and he fell asleep hugging Azam.
At half-time, Hisham awoke from his sleep. He looked to the side, Mita was sleeping while hugging Azam. Hisham smiled at his wife and son who were sleeping soundly. Hisham woke up from his sleep and kissed his wife and son. Then he got out of bed getting ready for dawn prayers.
