Collapse And Revelation

LINA’s POV.

Weeks went by, and in some way life fell back to something that was normal. School went back to its old beat, days melting into each other with lectures, homework, and small talks at dinner that demanded smiling which I had mastered to do.

When Clara inquired about my well being I replied that I was okay. It was simpler than describing how heavy I always felt in my chest, how tired I never appeared to be, or how my mind always kept revisiting the same things I could not bring myself to mention.

That afternoon Clara and I were sitting opposite to one another in the school cafeteria. The room was noisy, students talking over each other, trays scraping tables, laughter going up and down in sporadic bursts. It was curiously reassuring, as though the world had not slipped up under my feet in the same way that it did under my head.

“I’m glad,” I said and stirred a drink in front of me even though I had no intention of drinking it.

Clara raised her eyes on the food she was eating, and her face was full of curiosity. “Relieved about what?”

“Your parents,” I replied. “That they’re trying again. I understand how painful it was to you when they discussed divorcing. I’m really happy for you.”

Her face relaxed and she sat back in her chair. “I am too. I did not know how I was missing my mom until she returned. It feels… right.”

I nodded and had to smile. “You were so sad when they told about the separation. I hated seeing you like that.”

She sighed. “I felt that all was disintegrating. I didn’t know how to handle it.”

“But now it is better,” I said to her.

She nodded. “Yeah. It is.”

Silence reigned for a few moments before Clara broke it.

She shifted in her seat. “Holidays are coming up soon.”

“Yeah,” I said.

“I believe I would prefer to spent it at home,” Clara went on. “Spend additional time with my family. Things finally feel settled.”

“That sounds nice,” I replied. “You deserve that.”

She studied me for a moment. “What about you?”

“I am considering going back to my previous school after the academic session,” I said.

Her eyes widened. “What? You’re leaving?”

“Maybe,” I said carefully. “I miss home.”

She shook her head, evidently disbelieving. “Is that really why?”

“Yes,” I replied, too quickly.

“Is it because of Maya? she said, her gaze falling as she said it.

My chest tightened. “No.”

“You know she has been so bad to you,” Clara said. “I know she has.”

“I know,” I said and maintained the same tone. “But that’s not why.”

She crossed her arms. “Then what is it?”

“I only want a new beginning,” I said. “I miss home, I miss mum and I only want to go home.”

She looked at me a long time, as though she were attempting to fit up a puzzle. “You’ve been different lately. Quiet. Tired.”

“I’m just stressed,” I said. “And homesick.”

She was about to answer, when a kind of dizziness fell upon me. The room leaned at a right angle and the sounds that surrounded me became indistinct. My stomach tightened in agony, and I could not utter a word when my eyes became dark.

“Lina?” Clara said, alarmed.

I attempted to reply, but my body failed to comply. My legs collapsed and I was on the floor.

“Lina!” Clara shouted.

Someone called for help. Soon the sound died away and darkness enclosed me.

Upon opening my eyes once more, the first thing I saw was the white ceiling and the fluorescent lights above my head. My nose was filled with the smell of antiseptic, sharp and unmistakable.

“Lina?” Clara’s voice reached me.

I turned my head slightly. She sat next the bed and her face was white and strained with anxiety.

“What happened?” I asked, my voice weak.

“You fainted,” she said quickly. “You scared me.”

“I feel strange,” I murmured. “What’s happening?”

One of the nurses came into the room with a clipboard. “Hi Lina, you passed out but luckily no serious injuries , however we are going to run a few tests.”

Clara stood immediately. “Is she okay?”

“She will be,” the nurse replied. “We only aim to figure out what brought the collapse about.”

They examined my vital signs, took blood, and questioned me about a number of questions. Had I been eating properly? Was I sleeping enough? Had I felt dizzy before? I responded as frankly as I could even as Clara observed me, getting more and more worried with each hesitation and pause.

After some time they left us to ourselves. Clara sat on the side of the bed, holding on to the edge.

“You ought to have told me you were not well,” she said to me. “Why did you not say anything? Answer me!”

“I did not think that it was serious,” I answered.

She shook her head. “You always do this. You carry everything alone. Don’t you trust me anymore? Why didn’t you tell me?”

I turned my head, and could not answer and a thick blanket of silence came over the room.

A doctor eventually came in the room with a file. He looked calmly but seriously.

“Lina Reyes?” he asked.

“Yes,” I answered.

“I have your test results, he said.

My heart began to race.

“We found something, quite exciting.” He said, his face slightly more serious.

I held my breath.

“What is it doctor?” Clara asked.

“Lina Reyes , is pregnant.” The doctor said.