MY TIME IS UP;MY ECLIPSE
The midwife smiled at the two mothers and asked them for the names of their children. The woman who gave birth first said, "RAINE, I'll name her Raine because this name will remind me of this incident that took place." The midwife turned to the second mother who looked pale in comparison to the first one which got her worried. "Lily, if you're done cleaning Raine and her mother, please bring another bowl of hot water and a towel for Ms Rose and her daughter." Lily nodded and left to get what was required. At this point, Raine and her mother had fallen asleep while Rose was shivering and panting heavily. The midwife's face was painted with worry for the new mother. The midwife looked down and noticed that Rose was bleeding a lot. Even the sheets underneath her were stained with blood.
"Lily please hurry up, it's an emergency". The midwife panicked and moved to take the baby from the mother, but Rose was unwilling to let go of her baby. She stuttered, "Pl-please let m-me hold my ba-by for one last t-time". The midwife looked at Rose who was clutching onto her daughter with teary eyes as if she knew that the grim reaper had come to collect her soul. Rose kissed her daughter and blessed her before looking at the midwife and saying, "Eclipse...she will be called Eclipse. My Eclipse". She looked back at her daughter who was crying in her arms as if she knew that her mother was going to a place where she could not follow as it wasn't her time yet. "shhh my Eclipse. I love you so much. I've loved you right from the very first day when I found out that you were growing in my womb and I'll continue to love you even after the end of time. It's time for me to go, but know that I'll always be with you. One day, you will find out everything and meet your father...I hope." After saying this to her daughter, Rose gave Eclipse to the midwife who was crying and smiled at her one last time before her eyes closed and her body went limp. As if the Heavens were upset about the death of Rose, a loud thunderclap was heard and bright lightening struck. Eclipse wailed louder. Just then, Lily came into the room with the bowl of hot water and a towel. She saw the midwife holding the crying baby in her arms and staring at Rose with tear-filled eyes. Realization dawned on her and she asked, "She's gone isn't she?". The midwife could only nod in response to her assistant's question. "May her precious soul rest in peace and may her daughter have a long and happy life". Lily said and the midwife answered with an "Amen".
"Lily, please inform Rose's mother of her daughter's demise and arrange two male attendants to escort the lady to the great lake to dispose of her daughter's body". Lily nodded and left to give Eclipse's grandmother the bad news. When the 55 year-old lady heard the news, she took a step back and collapsed on the muddy ground before bursting into tears. "My precious Rose, how could this happen to you? How could you leave your mother and daughter behind like this?". The lady said bitterly. Lily was patting her back trying to console her. "Calm down ma'am, be strong for your granddaughter's sake. Whatever happened is the will of God. Your daughter's body is being cleaned as we speak so that you can dispose of it in the great lake. (this was the tradition of the people). The lady requested for her granddaughter to be brought to her. The assistant midwife nodded and went to arrange everything for them to leave.