So it all started when I received a call from Genies. Kelly mentioned over the call that a fifteen year old girl named Nadia, having a complicated form of cancer, was taking in her last breaths at a nearby hospital. Guess what her last wish was? She wanted to meet Matty that is Matthew Healy from The 1975.
"I want to talk to Matty Healy in person" was exactly what she said. I am extremely nervous. Yes. I'm Matthew Healy from The 1975. I am about to witness an angel.
"Hey Nadia" I chirped. I tried to hide my anxiety as much as I could. I wanted to fill the room with positivity. I was all sober and not a hint of alcohol or heroin in my blood.
"Hello Matty. You sound sober" she tried to chuckle but ended up smiling a weak smile instead. Her eyes seemed as if they were fighting for the last time to remain open. We did not have much time.
"Yes ma'am. I'm all sober. So what are we doing today. Are we just talking about thin—"
"I ain't got much time Matty. We both understand, know and respect that. Sit here" she cut me off and eyed the stool beside her bed. Clearly there was no room for fillers. She was expecting a straight and truthful conversation.
I moved towards the stool and took a seat. I watched all the lines of pipes and needles piercing her skin. The IV dripping away.
"I would like to be clear about one thing Matty. I don't want you to sympathize my situation. People are born to die. Maybe not today but definitely tomorrow" she said. The maturity.
"I stan The 1975 and I love you Matty. I want you to be the greatest band of the planet. I think that will be difficult because you even talk about real things. Real things that hurt right there" she pointed to my heart.
"You even talk about the humanity of people being at stake rather than solely sticking to the bright sides of the life. And that is what makes you the perfect listener to my pre-death rant. Just thinking about life to be a perfect blend of all the romantics is a perfect waste of time and energy. But we do that, cause we have to feed our desires in order to live and be happy. We focus on all our wants and desires with little time to invest in humanitarian causes. But with each day that passes, every second that ticks away, people start to understand what they are missing on. Do you know what that is Matty? "
"What? " I questioned back. Clearly she was checking whether I was attentive or not. Witty. Her voice vaguely qualified to be a whisper now.
"Time. People are losing on time. Later, not now, someday. But look at me, I ain't got time" she held my hand. Her touch was gentle but her fingers felt cold against my skin. We were running out of time. Any minute now.
"I won't be given one more time. There's won't be one more fight" she smiled at me after modifying the lyrics of Robbers.
I could see a tear roll down her eyes. I rubbed it off with my thumb.
"I'm scared of dying but it's fineeee"
"I know you like America and America likes you " I tried to be humorous. I could see another tear rolling down her eye. She continued.
"Scarlet will take care of my parents but she won't have me anymore to take care of her" she whispered.
Her eyes were closed now. She still was holding my hand. I could hear her breathing. We have time. We still have time. She continued.
"I wanted to travel throughout the world and stand under the northern lights and feel infinite. But it's okay. Everything was just a dream. Everything will be okay. "
I felt the pressure on my palms decrease. The light breathing noise had disappeared. There was just the sound of the monitor with the straight, thin green line. There was no time left at all. It was over. I could feel my hands getting cold under her cold fingers. I was crying. Unknowingly.
The doctor and her family members entered the room. They were also crying. I figured out her parents and her sister, Scarlet. Kelly ushered me to return to my band mates and resume my schedule. But I couldn't. Something held me back and asked me stay there and wait. I decided to wait. I just heard the last words of a little girl and I was petrified. It made me sad.
The hospital clock struck one in the afternoon. The smell of floor cleaner and medicine lingered in my nostrils.
I got to wait now. Wait. Time.
To be continued...
