TWENTY-SIX

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(Still at the hospital, Salome still unconscious; Sandra, Alvin and Clara still in shock as to how Bernice and Rita knew each other)

Clara: Aunty Bernice please how did you know my mother?

Bernice: (Keeps silent for a while) it is a long story.

Sandra: (To Clara) go meet the phlebotomist to take you sample for the test, then, come back.

Few minutes later

Sandra: (To Bernice) I think we have all the time in the world as we wait for the nurses to finish.

Bernice: I met Rita the same day you gave birth to
Salome. I was on my way to work when I knocked down a little girl, so I rushed her to the nearest hospital, which happens to be the same hospital that you gave birth to twins. At first, I did not know that you were at that hospital because it was not your family hospital. (To Sandra) Remember I only found out about the hospital when one of the nurses called me with your phone.

Sandra: Yes, I remember

Bernice: Thank you. After dropping the little girl off at the hospital; I met Rita at the hospital entrance very heavy with pregnancy and crying, so I approached her and asked what the problem was; well… I think it will be best suited for her to say.

Rita: Mrs. Bernice here is my lifesaver, I was still in labor when I arrived at the hospital but I didn’t have any money on me and I had no one to run to for help. While I was outside crying and praying to God to send me a help; she walked up to me and asked me what the issue was, I explained everything to her and she offered to pay the bills, which she did before she left.

Alvin: I still don’t understand what you both are talking about.

Sandra: Me too, (To Rita) is that all?

Rita: Not really, she came back later that day to check up on me and gave me some money for me and my daughter (Pointing at Clara)

Bernice: Actually, that is not all; there was something that happened that day which I had kept only to myself but I think it is time let the cat out of the bag.

(Everyone was once again quite except for Clara who couldn't keep calm)

Clara: What happened? (Very curious)

Bernice: I came back to the hospital later that day to check up on her but when I got there, she had already given birth to her daughter and was already asleep so I requested one of the nurses to show me the baby; that was when she gave me the worse news ever.

Rita: I don’t understand what you are talking about.

(Bernice keeps calm as tears flows continuously from her eyes)

Clara: Please someone should tell me what is going on here.

Bernice: When I came back to see you and you were asleep, I went to see the baby only for me realize that (crying)

Rita: That what happened? Please say something.

Bernice: I am sorry but you lost the baby.

Rita: (Screams) that cannot be true. I carried the baby in my arms before I slept. I saw her cry; so what is it you are saying? My child is dead! (Looks at Clara)

Clara: Please someone should tell me what is really going on here because I do not understand.

Bernice: When I realized what has happened; considering the fact that you were a widow with no one to help you I could not bear the pain and agony that I felt in my heart knowing that you might not recover from the shock when you wake up, and judging from what I had learnt about you at that moment. I decided to help.

Sandra: Help her; how?

Bernice: As I was about leaving with the nurse, another nurse came in with twins and laid them; since I could not do it, myself I paid and pleaded with the nurse to help me switch the babies at least for Rita and who ever has the other child could go home with a baby.

Clara: (Tears flows down her cheeks) are you trying to say that my mum isn’t my mum?

Bernice: Yes

Rita: (Cries) so are you saying my child is dead?

Bernice: Yes; I am sorry.

Rita: Why didn’t you tell me when I woke up?

Bernice: Looking at the joy and smile on your face, I could not bring myself to tell you the truth.

Rita: So what about the woman that you gave her child to me?

Bernice: Honestly, I do not know. I only paid the nurse for her to do the job for me while I left the hospital. (Facing Sandra) when I heard about the death of your child and that you both delivered in the same hospital, I immediately rushed back to meet with the nurse and ask her some questions only for me to find out that she wasn’t a full time staff at the hospital and that she no longer works there. I then asked some of the nurses around about the incident of that day but I was told two women gave birth to twin’s girls and that each of them lost one of the babies so I came to the conclusion; that your child might be dead for real.

(The room was calm as everyone was looking at Clara)

Clara: Aunty Bernice, so how can I find my mother? (Cries profusely)

Bernice: Baby I am sorry but I don’t know who your mother is. I tried searching for her but couldn’t find her.

(Just then, the doctor walks in with the result of the laboratory test on his hand; his face was looking a little bit worried)  

Doctor: Please can we all go to my office?

Sandra: Hope all is fine doctor; please tell us. What did the result say?

Doctor: My office please

(They all went to the Doctors office and he offered seat)

Doctor: Well the result is out and…

Clara: And what doctor? Please just go straight because I can’t hold myself again, will my friend wake up? Am I compatible? Can I save my best friends life? Doctor please say something, my ears are aching and my heart is beating fast.

Doctor: (To Sandra) is she your daughter?

Sandra: Is who my daughter?

Doctor: Clara

Sandra: No, she is my daughter’s best friend and my house help. Why?

Doctor: This is complicated, your house help and your daughter’s best friend.

Alvin: Doctor please go straight to the point.

Doctor: Well… you told me that Clara is her best friend; so while carrying out the test I wasn’t expecting to get a positive result. Knowing very well, that heart transplant has a high possibility of success when the donor and recipient are blood related, but it was 99% match so out of curiosity and as the family doctor I ran a DNA test. Here is the result (He handed the result over to Sandra)

Sandra: Jesus!!!

Clara: Ma please can I see the result? (She hands it over to her while starring at her) Doctor, are you sure of this result?

Doctor: I was confused myself so I had the lab run the test three times to be sure and it all indicates that Salome is your Twin sister, Clara. Therefore, as it stands, I think you are the only person that can save her.

Alvin: (Crying) please doctor can I get myself tested. I can’t allow any of my siblings to die, not while am alive and besides Salome won’t forgive me if she wakes up and learns of everything that happened here today.

(The Doctor takes his blood sample and sends it to the lab for testing, after a while the result was ready. The nurse brings the result to the doctor's office as the light fades)

Stay tuned for my next book titled "Regret" dropping on the 23rd October on Amazon.com

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