"Oekkk...! Oekkk...! Oekkk...!"
The sharp cry echoed again in the stillness of the early morning.
"What was that? Is that... a human crying?" Bara muttered in shock as he abruptly stood up, his heart pounding. He strained his ears, trying to confirm the sound.
"Oekkk...! Oekkk...! Oekkk...!"
The cry grew louder-desperate, panicked, almost pleading.
Without wasting a second, Bara rushed outside and looked around the cemetery fence. His breath caught in his throat.
There-lying on a piece of thin cloth stained with fresh blood-was a newborn baby.
For a moment, Bara froze. His eyes widened when he saw the umbilical cord still attached to the baby's tiny stomach, the cord stretched and curled on the dirty ground. The baby's reddish skin and trembling limbs revealed that she had been born only moments ago.
Snapping out of his shock, Bara fumbled for his phone with trembling hands and ordered an online taxi. Then he sprinted to retrieve his two suitcases. He opened one, grabbed a towel, and carefully wrapped the crying baby who was shaking from the cold.
Still overwhelmed, Bara pulled the tiny infant into his chest. Miraculously, the baby's cries began to soften, as though she felt safer in the warmth of his embrace.
A car approached.
"Did you order a taxi?" the driver asked, stepping out.
"Yes, sir. Please help with my suitcase-and take me to the nearest clinic," Bara said, trying to steady his voice.
"Alright," the driver replied, loading the suitcase before driving off.
A shiver ran through the driver's body. Picking up a passenger at a cemetery before dawn was not something he experienced every day.
"Is that your baby?" he finally asked, glancing through the mirror.
Bara did not answer, still cradling the infant whose cries were fading into soft whimpers. He stroked her gently, trying to keep her warm.
"Is the baby sick?" the driver asked again, more concerned this time.
"Yes. Please hurry and find the nearest clinic," Bara said anxiously.
"Okay, sir. We'll be there soon."
All throughout the ride, Bara prayed silently-begging God to save this fragile little life he had stumbled upon.
Minutes later, the taxi stopped in front of Maternal Love Clinic. Bara didn't even bother taking his suitcase. He practically ran inside with the baby in his arms.
"Nurse! Nurse!" Bara called out desperately. The clinic was nearly empty-too early for most of the staff to arrive.
A security guard rushed over upon hearing his voice.
"What's wrong, sir?" the guard asked.
"Please call the doctor! This baby was just born and her umbilical cord is still attached!" Bara pleaded desperately.
"Alright, sir. Come with me!" The guard, now visibly panicked, led him to a room and pushed the door open.
"Doc, emergency patient!" he announced.
"A baby?!" the doctor exclaimed, immediately taken aback by the sight of the infant in Bara's arms.
"Yes, her umbilical cord is still attached," the guard explained.
"Bring her in, quickly!" the doctor said, hurrying toward the ICU room next door.
Following the doctor's instructions, Bara gently laid the weakening baby on the bed. Her tiny chest rose and fell unevenly.
"Doctor... please... save her," Bara begged, his voice breaking. He had never pleaded this hard for anything in his life.
"We'll do everything we can. Please wait outside," the doctor said as she pulled on her gloves.
Bara stepped out of the ICU, his hands trembling. He sank into a chair, clasped his hands tightly, and prayed again and again.
"Who could be heartless enough to throw away such an innocent child? What kind of devil would do that?!" Bara growled through clenched teeth, furious and shaken. His own problems were forgotten-overwhelmed by concern for the helpless baby fighting for life inside.
A moment later, the taxi driver appeared, carrying his suitcase.
"Sir, your suitcase," he said.
"Oh-yes, I'm sorry. Thank you," Bara said, taking out money for the fare. He handed the driver several bills.
"This is too much, sir," the driver said, startled.
"It's alright. Really. Thank you for helping," Bara said.
"Thank you so much, sir! I hope the baby recovers soon," the driver said gratefully before leaving with a brightened face.
Bara remained seated, hands clasped tightly, praying endlessly.
---
Two hours passed.
Finally, the emergency room door opened. The doctor emerged with two nurses. One nurse held a now-clean baby wrapped neatly in a soft pink cloth and immediately carried her into a clean room.
"Doctor... how is she?" Bara asked urgently as he jumped to his feet. His eyes stayed fixed on the tiny baby being taken away.
"She's been treated. Fortunately, you brought her in on time. If the placenta remains attached for too long after birth, it can rot and cause infection," the doctor explained thoroughly. "She's still not fully stable. Being left exposed for too long caused breathing problems. She needs to stay in an incubator for proper recovery."
"Please... do everything you can," Bara said helplessly. He knew nothing about babies, and all of this terrified him.
"Where is the baby's mother? She needs breast milk to support her recovery," said the doctor-her name badge showing Dr. Lissa.
"A-actually... I found her," Bara admitted honestly. "Before five this morning, I heard her crying. She was left on the open ground."
"What?" Dr. Lissa gasped.
"But... I want to take care of her," Bara continued earnestly. "I want to be the parent to this baby. Can you help me?"
"What do you mean, sir?" the doctor asked, shocked.
"Please... issue a letter stating that I found this child and that I will adopt her. I want to take care of all her paperwork properly," Bara said with deep sincerity.
The doctor studied him for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright. I'll help. But her official status will be recorded as a 'Found Child.'"
"I understand. My name is Bara," he said, offering his hand.
The doctor shook it firmly.
"Can I... see the baby?" Bara asked softly.
...
