Nextdoor Neighbour

Image source: Meta AI

The night was long for Mirabel as the pains and discomfort increased; she prayed for the day to break, but the night dragged on. As the pains increased, she stood up from the bed, wanted to stand, but her legs failed her. She tried again, this time with much energy. She held the frame of the bed with both hands and pushed herself up, and she squeezed her face in the process as if lifting a heavy load.

She began to walk slowly. She took the first step; her legs were heavy, and she almost sat down, but this time, she was determined to push a bit further. Her children were fast asleep in the other room. Even if they were awake, they couldn’t have been able to render any help.

Her husband did not sleep at home that night maybe he would have rendered tremendous help to his wife.
Mirabel took a step at a time, with her heavy body. The pregnancy had restructured her body. She was once slim and fit. After her first delivery two years ago, she began to add some weight.

There was no power supply as everywhere was dark. She put on her phone and the time read 2:45 am. The phone was obviously low; she dialled her husband’s number, but he was not reachable. She thought of calling her neighbor but the phone eventually went off. At this point, she decided to put herself together, she endured the pain and crawled outside of the house.
She was in her early ninth month of pregnancy; however, she did not think that the baby would come so quickly.

She managed to get to her neighbour’s. All her strength was almost gone, and she sat on the ground and called out for the neighbour. Her voice was but a whisper; she tried many times, and they heard her and came out.

Mr Lucas and his wife have been married for over a decade without giving birth, as devoted Christians, they trusted in God for a miracle, yet it did not happen. Meanwhile, they had been in support of Mirabel and her husband in almost everything. Lucas’ wife has been Mirabel’s childhood friend, hence their bonds led them to live close to each other.

When they came out, they saw Mirabel on the ground. He immediately went inside his house and came out with his motorcycle, while his wife stayed with Mirabel.
In a short time, Mirabel was taken to a traditional home for delivery. They got there and the birth attendant came out and took her in. Lucas and the wife began to pray. Asking God to show Mirabel mercy through safe delivery.

They waited for close to an hour, and not long after, the birth attendant came out.

“How is she”? Lucas asked.
The woman breathed out heavily. “Tell us what the problem is”? They insisted. The woman could not respond but was only shaking her head as a sign of misfortune.

“The baby does not want to come out” she responded at last.

Immediately, Lucas' wife started crying, her husband held her and told her not to cry. He assured them that nothing was going to happen to Mirabel.

They continued to pray as the woman went back into the room, this time with Lucas’ wife.
Lucas continued to pray profusely and lost consciousness of his environment. Whatever happened around him at that moment, he knew not. He was actually in another realm.

Suddenly he heard a tap on his back. He opened his eyes, the day had already broken, and everywhere was lit up. As he turned, behold, Mirabel and his wife stood behind him with a baby wrapped in a wrapper. The baby cried, and Lucas looked at it was a beautiful baby girl. What a happy moment.

“I really want to appreciate you and your wife for your support. If it weren’t for you, I don’t know how my life would have been. I pray that God will grant you your heart's desires in a short time”, Mirabel said with tears flowing from her eyes.

“It’s Okay” Lucas responded. He took all of them back home.

At home, Mirabel’s husband was already home. He waited for their return. At last, a house party was organised to welcome the arrival of a new baby.