A frail figure lies in the center of the bed, surrounded by pillows and blankets. This is Getrude, her face etched with the lines of a life well-lived but now showing the weariness of age.
Gertrude is propped up on a mound of pillows, her breathing slow and shallow. Her eyes, once bright and mischievous, now reflect a sense of resignation. She stares into the distance, lost in her thoughts.
"Oh my husband...It's been so long since I've seen you."
Gertrude's voice trembles with a mix of longing and sadness. She reaches out a frail hand, as if trying to touch a memory.
Suddenly, a figure begins to materialize at the foot of the bed. Gertrude's late husband. He appears as he did in his prime, tall and handsome, with a warm smile on his face. He gazes at Gertrude with loving eyes.
"Honey...is it really you?"
"Yes, my love. It's me."
Gertrude's eyes well up with tears, and a bittersweet smile forms on her lips. She reaches out again, this time with more urgency, as if afraid the apparition might vanish.
"Oh, how I've missed you. The house feels so empty without you."
"I've missed you too, Gertrude. But it's time for you to let go, my love. Your time here is coming to an end."
Gertrude's smile fades, replaced by a look of concern.
"But I'm scared. Scared of what comes next."
He moves closer, sitting gently on the edge of the bed. He takes Gertrude's fragile hand in his own, providing a sense of comfort and reassurance.
"There's no need to be afraid, my dear. I'll be waiting for you on the other side. We'll be together again, just like we always were."
Gertrude's fear begins to fade, replaced by a sense of peace. She looks into his eyes, finding solace in their familiar warmth.
"Promise me, honey. Promise you won't leave me."
"I promise, Gertrude. I'll be with you every step of the way."
Gertrude's eyes grow heavy, and a sense of tranquility washes over her. She releases a contented sigh, her hand still clasped in Henry's.
"Thank you, honey. I love you."
"And I love you, Gertrude. Always."
As Gertrude's eyes close, the room fills with a soft, ethereal light. The figures of Gertrude and her husband fade away, leaving behind a profound sense of love and peace.
YOU ARE READING
Unspoken Desires
General FictionCheska, a girl whose heart bore the weight of abandonment, had carried the scars of her past with her throughout her life. The wounds ran deep, originating from the neglect she had endured at the hands of her parents. Their absence had left her with...
