Just as I expected, Mom called me again the next morning.
She said something about Nathan being seriously ill, and since his parents were busy and couldn’t take time off to take care of him, I should do it as I was his childhood friend and had always looked after him.
Of course, I refused immediately. “Mom, stop worrying about him. Nathan has a girlfriend. Of course, she should take care of him if he’s sick. I’ll only be in the way if I go. Alright, I’m busy now. Gotta go.”
Without waiting for her response, I ended the call.
I thought that would be the end of it, but I had underestimated just how far Nathan would go. He really used every possible connection just to try and make me show up.
Not long after I hung up on Mom, I got a call from the hospital.
The person on the other end was Nathan’s primary physician, Daniel Wilson. As soon as I picked up, he immediately asked if I was Nathan’s family.
I denied it firmly and said that I didn’t know him well.
However, through the phone, I could hear Nathan’s weak voice struggling to speak. “Yvonne, I know it’s you. How can you say that you don’t know me? We’re about to get married soon. Why are you suddenly ignoring me?”
“I’m sick because of you. Do you not feel sorry for me at all?” he continued hoarsely, his voice bordering on a sob. “I’m about to go into surgery. Could you come and see me one last time? What if I die during the operation…”
Then, I heard the doctor and nurses trying to comfort him, saying that it was just a minor procedure and that he wouldn’t die.
I did not say anything. I just stayed silent.
