“Yeah, they can be! I've been in this field since I was 14,” he said, scratching his head. He then pocketed his lab coat.

  “Are you joking?” one nurse asked. That was the field of medicine. Fantasy and stories were not ever to interfere with reality. Immortals were in books and movies. Science itself had failed to make a man immortal. How could a respectable doctor with the highest level of education raise such a topic? If it were a bar, it would be accepted, but that was a hospital.

  “Maybe we should take him for a mental check-up,” Rajel said with his deep, booming voice.

  Then the doctor put on a serious face. Even the smile on his face faded. He then looked at them as if he had other news to tell. He looked at Miya, Rajel and General Charles with pity.

  He then broke his silence, “All parents hope for a healthy child. That's everyone's dream. But some are unlucky. Just like you are today.”

  He paused for a moment. “What do you mean?” Jade asked in surprise.

  “Though both of you escaped death, there are also health issues between you and your child. You might stay visiting hospitals for checkups for the rest of your lives.” He took a long pause and handed them a medical report.

  Rajel wondered why he had not been allowed to touch the child. He wanted to cause a scene but chose to be calm. He wore a vest that day. Everyone spotted the golden dragon tattoo on his left bicep. The doctor's words started to make sense.

  Tears fell as Miya moved her eyes down the report. It was a heartbreaking report.

  “Madam, this report is for mortals like us. Don't cry because you are immortals!” The nurse carrying the baby said to them.

  “How can we be immortals?” Miya asked bitterly. The nurse just pointed to Rajel's left bicep. He had bent forward so it could be seen well. A large golden dragon tattoo was on his biceps. He was not a rich man. How did he afford a golden tattoo?

  Finally, the visiting hours were over. Miya was to stay for a week or two in the hospital to undergo further medication. The high glucose dosage she had been injected with during labor had crippled her. She had to get back to her feet before being discharged.

  Rajel hugged her again.

  “I'm looking forward to the naming ceremony. You will find great changes at home,” he whispered to her left ear. He was happy. The baby will have complications and die a natural death. That was his dream, to get rid of the baby.

  Together with General Charles, they walked to the exit. Most people were leaving. General Charles was still eating snacks. Did he have four stomachs? He had almost bought all the snacks in the canteen that day.

  For two weeks, the hospital had been her home. Waking up, moving in a wheelchair, and being taken to the sun. Though she was happy she had a baby, she was always anxious about how it would turn out. Will it be weakling? Or will it be a madman? She never knew what it was.

  The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  It was on a Friday. She was back on her feet, she was called by the doctor to his office. The nurses who took care of her accompanied her. She had become their friend. They had to spend great last moments before they bid her farewell.

  “Miya, hope you are good today. The hospital is ready to release you. "Don't forget to attend regular checkups each month,” the doctor said. Miya's eyes lit up for a moment when she heard she was to be discharged, but when she heard of the check-ups her smile faded.

  “Is there something wrong?” the doctor asked when he saw the look on her face.

  “No, nothing,” Miya answered. She then stormed out of the office.

  “Madam, your baby,” one of the nurses called her. She then came back and snatched her baby. Just as she was about to leave, the other nurse called her.

  “A moment please,” she said.

  Miya nodded. Though she wanted to exit the hospital as soon as possible. She wanted to calm her mind. She didn't want the smell of the medicine anymore.

  “Madam, how did you manage to fall in love with a dragon rider?” She asked.

  Miya was wide-mouthed. Her gaze was full of amazement. She didn't know what she was talking about. How could her husband become a dragon rider?

  “How did you just manage to tame him? In mythology, they are ruthless and wild just like the dragons themselves,” she asked.

  Miya was still surprised by her words. She didn't hesitate to ask her, “Why do you think my husband is a dragon rider?”

  “Don't you remember the golden tattoo on his left bicep I showed you?” She asked. Miya shook her head. She hadn't seen anything at all. At that time, she had stared at his face.

  She said cheerfully,“Your husband has a golden dragon tattoo. Mythology says he's the rider of the mighty white dragon. He is a guardian of the universe.”

  The words made Miya doubt how strong her husband was. Her husband used to do hard manual jobs, but when he got home, he never appeared exhausted. Could her words be true?

  “I'll ask him where he got the tattoo. "Anyone can get a golden tattoo,” Miya said to dismiss her remarks. Miya gave them goodbye. With her baby, they walked towards the exit. The two nurses waved at her until she disappeared. They hoped to meet again with such a cheerful person. She made them feel energetic, like kindergarten kids.

  Miya walked to the bus stop. She didn't want anyone to take her home. Her husband had betrayed her the day she gave birth. Though she missed him, she wanted to prove her independence.

  The bus stage was busy. Buses were moving in and out of it. Some passengers entered, while others got out of the bus unhappy. The journey was enjoyable, but it had ended. They were back in an ugly world again.

  “Madam!” one conductor called. Another one pulled her arm from behind. The baby she had carried slipped through her arms and almost fell. She stood helplessly as her hands shook in fear. People stood there watching the baby fall slowly to the ground. A person dived and caught it just before it fell.

  “You!” The man who had dived to catch her yelled at the conductor who pulled her from behind. He was a young good-looking man. People of Wilson knew him as a selfish and arrogant person. He was so selfish that he couldn't buy himself a car. No one ever imagined he could help some poor lady like her. She wore cheap clothes. Her baby was wrapped in cheap towels. Her legs were in flip-flops.

  He handed the baby back to Miya. Miya thanked him. She pocketed and took out 50 banknotes that were in the pocket. 50 banknotes was good money but not enough. It would feed a student for a single day only. People laughed at her, but they were surprised that the guy became furious at them.

  “No one is allowed to ridicule her. If you do, I'll take you to jail!” he roared. When they looked at the conductor, he was already handcuffed.

  “Madam! You should get onto the bus fast before the media are here,” the first conductor said.

  “Why?” Miya asked, surprised.

  “You are all over the news,” the conductor said.

  Not everyone could believe it. Finally, they got to realize why the arrogant guy had behaved like that.

  Miya quickly climbed onto the bus. She had not booked a ticket. One seat was left. When she entered, the bus engine roared. It was automated.

  She laid her head on the seat, exhaled in relief and took a nap. Then she felt a familiar hand touching her. She opened her eyes. The baby wasn't on her thighs.