My Sister's Boyfriend
49

- Malu.

"Malu?" "I was about to say it was probably a mistake and get rid of it right away when he continued. "Is it Pablo?" Do you remember?

-Pablo? I was on alert, I hadn't heard from Pablo in ages. -What happened?

"I called to let you know...

-Warn what?

"I'm sorry I can't talk in person. But... Igor and I were in a car accident yesterday. We're in the hospital. "It took me a while to recover from the shock. Hospital? I coughed, searching for my voice.

"Is everything okay with you?" "With him?" I wanted to ask. I found myself anxious. The voice on the other end of the line was muted, I felt a giant cake form in my throat. I tugged on my leg, even more nervous. -Pablo? You're scaring me... "I broke my arm, Igor hit his head hard, but it's okay now. He's awake.

"What a relief. I could feel my heart pounding, but I knew there was something more because of his voice. -So... What's the real problem?

"He doesn't remember who I am. He doesn't remember anything. I swallowed, taking in the words. How? Didn't remember anything? First I tried to remember how to breathe, to remember how I listened, I felt all my senses stop momentarily. I recovered:

-Pablo? You're not...

-Playing? His voice sounded desperate on the other end of the line. "Do you really think I'd play with something like that?" I'm desperate, you know? Completely desperate. I don't know what to do, Malu... My best friend doesn't remember me! He yelled on the other end of the line. I felt my bones melt, as if acid had been poured on them. It wasn't a lie then. I squeezed the phone tightly, controlling my voice.

"Which hospital are you in?" I'm going there now!

So, after hanging up the phone, I ran to my room, grabbed my wallet with some bills of money, and flew out the door. The day was very windy and I saw my hair being thrown hard in my face as I ran. I brushed my hair awkwardly out of my face, stopping near the street where taxis always passed. I got one fast, which was a miracle. I gave him the address and swayed anxiously in the car seat. Watching the streets go by like a blur under my eyes. I paid and went downstairs, stopping in front of the sidewalk. Looking at the hospital sign. I took a deep breath. I hated hospitals, I hated the smell, the clothes, the looks, the pain. The last time I had been in a hospital was when I was admitted. But that's another story... Calmer on the outside, but practically boiling on the inside, I entered the hospital. I found Pablo, with some abrasions on his face and a cast on his arm. He had his head thrown back, looking absolutely lost. -Pablo? He raised his head quickly and came over to me. Holding me with one arm. I squeezed myself close to his torso awkwardly. Controlling the hysteria. -Are you okay?

'M. His voice was monotonous; We sat down and he began to explain what the doctor had already told him. Igor had hit the side of his head right where the personal memory was located. Luckily, he hadn't forgotten everything exactly. In the first few hours he remembered his name and flashes of his past memories. But the rest... Like friends, college, girlfriends... I had really forgotten. The memory was going to come back, it was a fact, but you didn't have a certain time. It could last for days, weeks, months... Years.

When Pablo finished counting, I stood in the same place. Going over everything in my mind. It was hard to believe. My thoughts and my heart rebelled. Had he really forgotten everything? Did that include me? He couldn't forget me. He loved me! I wanted to scream.

"yes, he didn't tell me that. I collapsed even more in my chair. The ochre smell of the ether made my nose itch. And the story about Igor's parents made my head spin. That never... came to the point. I didn't know much about Igor other than his quirks. I didn't know its whole story. Did you know that you must have problems with your parents, but not talk to them for years? I had no idea! I was suddenly reminded of someone of whom he spoke admiringly. "And the aunt?"

- Lives miles away. And he doesn't have many close friends, other than the two of us. I swallowed, watching things get worse. Not that I wanted to get rid of Igor. I just... It was a lot of responsibility. And I certainly wanted to take care of him, but I didn't have much idea how. I tried to find a solution, but it was difficult. "He's going to be discharged in a few days. I'm going to try to convince the Planetarium to give him an early vacation. And I'm going to take him to his apartment. "Does he live alone?"

"We're almost neighbors. But yes, he lives alone.

"I'll help you with whatever you need.

"I talked to him. He whispered. "He remembered my name..." But that's about it.

-This is good.

"Are you going to go see him?"

-Tomorrow. I sighed, running my hand over my forehead. "I'm not going to scare you today.

"Do you like him yet, Malu?" Pablo's question startled me, causing the cake in my throat to intensify. I swallowed, said just a word, so as not to give in. "Ahan.

"Why didn't you stay together?" I thought about it again. The motives were still hammering in my head.

"Did he tell you what happened?"

-Everything... He told me everything.

"Do you understand my motives?"

"In a way... Yes. But he was going crazy without you. Going out drinking, never hooking up with anyone, inattentive in college. It felt like that vacation again. A girl confusing him like this and... "Do you want me to feel guilty?" I ran my hand through my hair, messing it up. "Because you're really getting it."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...