The Ring
1034 Words
Gabriel’s POV
"Sir, you left this behind."
A young cleaner at the Mexico hotel showed me a gleaming object. It was my wedding band. It had slipped from my pocket as I was cleaning the toilet. The ring I continued to wear was like a hidden truth.
When I arrived in Mexico, I had no job, and the only one I could find was a cleaner in a hotel.
I grabbed it swiftly and hid it in my hand. "Thank you," I murmured. My voice was hoarse.
Half a year has passed. Half a year of floors, rude visitors, and evenings spent crying into my pillow to keep it a secret.
I wore the ring on a cord around my neck today, beneath my uniform. Each day that passes, I put a lot of effort into earning a living. The pay was little, but I put aside every cent. I eat beans and rice so that I can afford the van quickly.
Each night, I gazed at the ring. I recalled Clara’s finger as I slipped it on beneath the snow. I still remember how she walked slowly into the church, the hurtful words she said to me.
My heart aches from every single word that she said. But I still loved her and still hated her at the same time. The pain was so intense that my chest seemed split open.
After work, I rested on the chair. The moon appeared large. I removed the ring and spoke to it like a mad person.
“Clara, what made you say those things to me? Why did you grip my hand as if you were drowning?”
A gentle voice spoke behind me. "Perhaps she was attempting to say help.”
I spun quickly.
A lovely girl was standing there with two ice cream cones. The friendly visitor who consistently smiled at me while I tidied her room. She had bright and gentle eyes. Each time I saw her, her gentle eyes remembered Clare. I almost mistook her for Clare the first time I resumed work.
The little time I spent with Clare, I know for sure that she had only a sister called Ruby.
“I am Mary,” she introduced, her words startled me.
Hi my Gabriel” I responded shortly. I felt like changing my name, but there was no need for that, I had already lost everything I had, and I'm not hiding from everyone.
She sat close to me and handed me an ice cream. "You seem down every day. Ice cream can make it a bit better.”
I felt like being impolite and asked her to go, yet the ice cream was chocolate. I craved something sugary.
We stayed silent and licked.
At last, I said, "My wife walked out on me on our wedding day.”
Mary’s eyes widened. "That’s the most terrible thing I’ve ever heard.”
“She claimed I was too poor," I murmured. The word continued to linger like venom.
Mary remained silent for a while. Then she said, my daddy says that sometimes people say mean things because someone is pressing a knife against their heart.”
I gazed at her. "What do you mean?”
She shrugged. “Maybe someone made her say it and she had no choice.”
My heart began racing.
Throughout all these months, I believed Clara was the one at fault. But what if Mary was correct?
That evening, I was unable to rest. I roamed the corridors of the hotel like a specter.
Inside the lobby, I noticed the computer designated for guests. There wasn’t anyone nearby.
I took a seat, launched the web browser, and entered Clara’s name.
Nothing new.
Next, I entered William's name + wedding.
An image appeared. Williams was at a gathering with Ruby’s arm draped over him. Ruby was wearing a diamond ring on her finger. The type I could have purchased for Clara.
My hands trembled.
I joined David Jackson along with Skyline Group.
Bad updates were everywhere. The company was rapidly hemorrhaging funds. David was offloading shares to buyers.
After that, I noticed something that caused my heart to hang in the tracks.
A tiny article from three months ago.
“Local dancer Clara Smith was hurried to the hospital. She is expecting twins. No father has been identified.”
Twins?
I gazed at the screen until my eyes felt fire.
Clara was expecting twins, and she wasn't alone in the hospital. No, that can't be true. I meant to be a fake story from some hungry blogger.
I rose quickly when the chair tipped over and the night guard gave me a funny look.
I hurried to my room. I switched on the old laptop I purchased using tips I got from work.
I examined hospital files, baby names, and all other sources. Nothing more, but that was enough.
Clara never stopped loving me, and whatever she did to me, they were compelled by it.
At this moment, she required my help.
I glanced at the van's money jar. Nearly filled. Then I glanced at the necklace encircling my neck.
I want to purchase the van tomorrow and starting from tomorrow and begin to regain my strength more.
I gripped the ring firmly. Pledged a fresh vow to the moon.
“I am returning home, Clara. I will become the richest man on Earth once more.. Once I found you, I wouldn't stop from making you suffer for what you did to me and for my David, I will collect everything you took anyway from me.”
For the first time in half a year, I drifted off to sleep with a smile.
I dream within a cramped, grimy chamber. Clara was shouting my name as two little boys bearing my identical large eyes entered the world.
On the side of the door, Williams grinned and said to the nurse: "Put my name on the birth records. These boys are mine now.”
I jerked out of my bed and realized it was a dream, but clear enough to make someone's heartache.
So does Clare have a child with William or is it merely a dream?
- Writer
