FICTION: THE WEIGHT OF TRUTH

GENERATED USING AI

It had been three days.

Three days since Clara was admitted into the hospital. George sat still in one of the hospital rooms, his eyes tired and swollen. His neck, a bit strained from sitting in the chair for long. Exhaustion wore over him, still, he kept his eyes fixed on his pregnant wife, who lay on the hospital bed, unconscious. A small blanket draped across her large form barely covering her swollen belly. Her hands and feet sprawled against the white sheets of the bed unmoving.

The doctors words echoed through his ears again

“Her blood pressure is high which could lead to further complications for the baby. Keep her calm. No emotional shock or distress.”

George had never been more fearful of anything in his life, except the day he found her collapsed on the kitchen floor, three days ago. Clara and his unborn child were his world. He couldn't bear the thought of losing either of them. The doctor had said it was a stress related complication.

A message popped on his phone screen, distracting him momentarily from his thoughts.

“ The burial is tomorrow” It read.

Another wave of exhaustion washed through him immediately. George rubbed his hand over his head in utter confusion. What was he going to do? The turmoil within him was driving him crazy. He had to make a decision quickly. But as he stared at his unconscious wife and her swollen belly. It felt like an impossible choice.

Two nights ago, at the hospital, a call came through. Clara's twin, Rachel, was dead. A drunken driver had collided heavily with her car on a rainy highway. It was so violent, there were no survivors. The doctors couldn't do anything to save her. She was already gone. Just like that.

His stomach twisted.

Rachel was dead. The burial is tomorrow and Clara still didn't know.

How do you tell a twin that half of her soul is gone?

The person who had shared every birthday, every secret, every heartbreak, every triumph.

George stared at his wife again. She and his unborn child were his top priority. But somehow, he felt guilty for keeping this kind of information from her. It was her right to know. He felt selfish and the guilt ate at him slowly, even more than the exhaustion he felt.

The door creaked open, the doctor walked in with a nurse behind him. For a moment everywhere was silent as he checked her vitals.

“How is she” George asked eagerly

“She's stable”

“U’mmm Doctor, can she handle any bad news at this time” George asked, scratching his head .

"Extreme emotional distress could trigger complications.” The doctor said,

“Whatever it is, choose the right time.”

The word sank in deeper than it should.

George fell silent again. Lost in his own thoughts. The possibility of complications, a risk he wasn't willing to take.

He shut his eyes close for a bit. An attempt to drain out the voices in his head, or the guilt clawing at him.

When he eventually opened his eyes, he was met with Clara's bright eyes, staring right at him.

“You're awake” He said, sitting upright

“I didn't want to disturb you “ Clara answered sheepishly, A small smile framing her face

That smile almost knocked the air out of George’s lung. Because at that moment, he remembered her twin, Rachel. Their resemblance was so uncanny. He felt a lump in his throat. He couldn't meet her eyes, Not with this kind of guilt.

“You’re never a bother “ He tried saying, looking away for a bit

“What's wrong?” Clara asked

“Nothing”

“Your Lying, something is bothering you”

“I'm just tired that's all”.

She studied him carefully for a few seconds, then reached for his hands

“ You're worried”

“No”

“Is it because of me or the baby?”

“No”

George said simply, looking away. The concern in her voice made it all worse. It always seemed to surprise George how his wife could tell when something was wrong. It was like a super power she had. She always seemed to know when something was off. Sometimes George thought she had some sort of psychic power she wasn't even aware of.

“You know I can tell when your lying” She said squeezing his hands

His throat constricted.

“How was he supposed to continue hiding this information from her? He thought.

“You know I’ve been having nightmares about Rachel” She said suddenly, looking out the window.

“W what?” George said in between stammers

“ I feel something's off. She has never stayed away for this long. She hasn't even called nor text me. The Rachel I know would come rushing down here the moment she hears I’m in the hospital “.

At that moment, the room seemed to shrink around George.

“Maybe she's busy,” He said, the words sounding bitter in his mouth

“No, it's like she's trying to tell me something,” she said, her eyes welling up with tears.

“I just miss her,” she says, sobbing quietly.

And at that moment, George couldn't hold it in anymore. Her mind sensed her absence even before she knew it. She had unknowingly mourned her without knowing. Maybe twins were indeed connected far more than he could ever understand. And he suddenly realized that there would never be a right time to break the news. There was only a necessary truth that needed to be told.

“Clara” He said, lips trembling, as tears gathered at his eyes.

“Clara, Rachel’s dead”

“No!” Her breathing quickened

“No!” She shouted

“No!” She shook uncontrollably, all the color draining from her face as an earth shattering cry erupted from deep within her, breaking the silence in the room.

Ethan rushed to her side, hugging her tightly in an attempt to calm her down

The sob that escaped her chest was raw, deep, painful, like the sound of something sacred being broken.

She continued shaking uncontrollably, refusing to accept it.

“Rachel!”

She called, again and again and again like saying it would somehow bring her back.

If only love could reverse death.

Hours later, she finally fell asleep in George’s arms, her tear-stained face soaked his check coloured shirt but that was the least of his concern.

He felt lighter now. Despite the grief, he was grateful. The weight of truth finally lifted off his shoulder. As he stared at his sleeping wife, hands placed on her swollen belly. The unbearable loss was still there but although one life had ended. Another await to begin, and he was certain of one thing, they would be fine.