"Well... I won't be able to. I am already busy. Why didn't say anything earlier?" Nicola answered.
"I know that you don't like changing your plans at the last moment so don't worry about it."
"Damn! How can I reject such a seductive offer," Nicola started having doubts.
"Tell your friends that you don't feel alright and come to my place."
A gigantic smile appeared on his face, "I will be coming shortly."
***
Laura started preparing the bed. The night sky was getting darker and darker. The clouds started turning black and the moon began shining in deep blue light. The busy streets below the sky were a typical view of Laura's window but this time the cars were moving slower than usual. Laura looked through the window, "I wonder how long it will take," she was getting anxious. She felt as if the world was slowed down.
She went to the kitchen to prepare some noodles. She opened the drawer and...
*BAM!*
Suddenly she heard a loud noise outside. She opened the window and started thinking what it might be. Black smoke was rising between the buildings several avenues away.
Laura felt a deep pain in her heart for some reason. It was as if her heart was crushed literally. Being overwhelmed by the feelings, she almost collapsed. Laura sat on the sofa and tried to recover. The sensation was almost gone about ten minutes later. She was not sure what just happened.
She called Nicola again to ask whether he was coming soon but no one answered.
"This is unusual. He always answers my calls. I wonder what happened. He is driving and he can't talk, maybe."
She started waiting for him and turned on the TV.
***
Laura was staying alone at the house 30 minutes later.
"Nicola would never lie to me. If he says that he will come, then he will. I am starting to get worried. Something might have happened to him. I will try to reach him again."
She took her phone and called him but no one answered.
"I don't know what is going on but he'd better be here soon," Laura thought.
"Breaking news!" a voice came from the TV.
"This evening in the outskirts of Rola," the same district where Laura lived, "a terrible car accident happened."
"So this is what it was", Laura understood what the noise was all about.
"A young male who was driving with insane speed crushed in another car. Then, a 'chain reaction' accident occurred. There are more than 20 damaged people. Alan Fo is there, please tell us."
A reporter started speaking, "Hello, this is Alan Fo and we are currently on the spot where everything happened. A driver hit another car which was overtaking him. The traffic was heavy so more cars were caught in the accident. The unreasonable driver is currently being taken to St. Sofia hospital as you can see."
The camera suddenly showed a person lying on a stretcher who was being taken to an ambulance. Laura took a glimpse of his face but it was enough. She recognized him. It was Nicola who caused the traffic accident and it happened all because of her. He was in a rush to come to her.
"The medics said that there are no risks for anybody's life," Alan said and remained silent.
"Thank you, Alan. This was the up-the-minute information for Rola TV. We will keep you informed about everything important." and the TV show returned as scheduled.
Laura felt extremely guilty that her selfish desires caused so much trouble.
"I don't think that I will be able to overcome this. I will have to bear this burden forever. How can I be so stupid," she was getting depressed. The tears started falling from her eyes. Laura was so upset and frustrated.
"I have to do something. I will go to the hospital. I can only pray for Nicola's well-being now," she thought.
The sky was getting even darker than pure black. The moon was behind some clouds and now it was not visible at all.
She took the keys for her car and locked the door. She went downstairs while overthinking everything again. Laura got inside her car and started the engine. She left the underground parking and headed to St. Sofia hospital.