“Zoe? Zoe, are you still there?” As I hear Officer Harris’s faint voice through the phone, I return to reality.
Sobbing, I struggle to pick up my phone, my hands shaking. “Yes, I’m here. I’m coming to the hospital,” I respond with great difficulty before ending the call.
I grab my car keys and rush out.
As I sit in the car, I fumble with my phone and dial Alex’s number. Tears blur my vision, and my hands are shaking so badly that I almost drop the phone. I feel suffocated, as if someone is choking me by grabbing my neck.
“Hello.” As Alex answers the call, a whimper escapes my mouth.
“Zoe… Are you alright? What happened?” He questions, his voice filled with concern.
“It’s Sky. He’s been in an accident.” I hiccup. “I’m on my way to Jacobi Hospital.” My voice shakes as I tell him. “Alex, I’m so scared for him.”
“Zoe, breathe. It’s going to be okay. I’m coming to the hospital too. Just hang in there, okay?” He tries to reassure me, but all I can do is nod, fiddling with my pendant even though he can’t see me.
As I reach the hospital, I rush into the emergency room, where Alex is already sitting.
“Did the doctor give… any update about him?” I ask, biting my lower lip, trying to stifle my sobs as I approach him.
Alex shakes his head as I take a seat beside him. I stare at the door of the emergency room, distraught. I need Sky with me to assure me that everything will be fine. He’ll be fine.
But how can he do that? He’s fighting for his life inside. And I’m the reason. He went to buy ice cream for me and met with the accident. I’m truly bad luck. I shouldn’t have let Sky get close to me. Because of me, his life is in danger. I’ll never forgive myself if something happens to him.
The guilt of being bad luck is killing me from within, and I end up crying loudly in front of Alex. “It’s all my fault,” I sob. “I’m cursed. Whenever I get close to someone, something bad happens to them.”
“Zoe.” Alex stares at me, taken aback by my words. “Don’t think like that. Sky’s going to be okay.”
I shake my head, feeling hopeless. “I’m terrified. If something happens to Sky, I won’t be able to live.”
Alex places his hand on my shoulder. “Just be strong.”
I continue to cry, covering my mouth with my hand, my eyes squeezed shut.
“Selena, Zoe is not in a good condition. Please come to the hospital. Sky had an accident.” After a few seconds, I open my eyes as I hear Alex’s words and find him talking to Selena on the phone.
After ending the call, Alex calls Sky’s father, informing him about the accident and asking him to come to the hospital as well.
Shit! Because of my guilt, I completely forgot to inform him. I don’t know how I will face him after putting his son’s life in danger.
***
A little while later, Selena arrives and rushes to my side. She wraps her arms around me, holding me tight. “Zoe, I’m here. Sky’s strong. He’ll make it through.”
Nothing is helping me. I can’t think about anything except what if I lose Sky like I lost my family because of my misfortune? And why did I let Sky go to get ice cream for me?
My cry becomes louder, and my shoulders shake as I bury my face in Selena’s chest. “It’s my fault, Selena. I shouldn’t have asked for the ice cream. This is all my fault. I’m bad luck.”
“No, Zoe, don’t say that. It’s not your fault. Everything will be okay. Sky will be okay,” she reassures me, rubbing my back.
After a minute, as we pull apart, I close my eyes and silently begin to pray, my heart aching. ‘God, please, I’ll do anything. I’ll go away from Sky’s life if that’s what it takes, but please, let him be alright. Don’t take him away. I’m begging you.’
Clutching my pendant, I repeat the prayer over and over, hoping that maybe, just maybe, my pleas will be heard. Maybe God will give me another chance and save Sky’s life.
Just then, the doors of the operating theatre swing open, and the doctor steps out, looking tired but relieved. Alex and Selena rush to him, and I follow them, my heart pounding in my chest with worry.
“The operation was successful,” the doctor announces. “Sky is out of danger now. You can meet him.”
I feel as if I’ve gotten my breath back after listening to the doctor’s words. My Sky is alright. Tears of joy trickle down my cheeks.
“Thank you, God!” I whisper, a smile of relief spreading across my face.
My smile disappears when I recall my promise to God. He spared Sky’s life, and in return, now I have to keep my distance from him. I made a promise, and I intend to keep it, no matter how much it hurts. I can’t let Sky’s life be in danger because of me. What happened today, I can’t bear it again. Sky needs to move on from me, and for the rest of my life, I’ll live alone, keeping him in my heart.
Today is the end of our story.
Selena and Alex look at me with smiles of relief, but I can’t bring myself to smile back because my heart is shattering. I made a promise to God, and it will shatter both Sky’s and my heart.
I have to leave Sky. He needs me now more than ever, but I’ve made up my mind. It’s for his safety. I’ll survive, knowing that we’re sharing the same sky, breathing the same air, living in the same world, but I won’t be able to live a single second if something happens to him because of me.
“Zoe, come on. We can see Sky now.” As I stand, frozen in place, Selena holds my hand, urging me to move toward the room where Sky is.
I nod, but inside, I know I can’t go with them. “Se-Selena, I just need to use the washroom first.” I try to keep my voice steady, but I can’t.
Selena and Alex stare at each other in shock. Before they can ask me anything, I dash to the restroom, but once I’m out of their sight, I head straight for the hospital exit.
I feel like I’m betraying Sky by leaving him like this when he has just been in an accident and needs me. But I keep walking, knowing that this is the only way to keep Sky safe.
Tears stream down my face because I’m leaving behind the only person who ever made me feel truly loved. But I’ve made my choice, and I have to believe it’s the right one for Sky, even if it means breaking our hearts brutally.