Henry's Race Against Time.

In the heart of London. Henry was able to ignore the sound of the second hand, which is now the only thing he can hear. For that time, once something he took for granted, was now the most precious thing in the world. He only had a few hours left.

The doctor's voice echoed in his head. “ You don’t have much time left.“ They said bluntly, sterile. The truth had stung him. As he left the doctor’s office, he couldn't ignore the rhythmic ticking of his watch increasing in volume, each tick reminded him of time taken away from him.

He stared at the people of London, seeing people with no sense of urgency that each second mattered. He made a decision right there on the sidewalk. He couldn’t leave the world without exploring places he had not seen, unsaid things to be done, and promises to keep. He could not let them slide. 

First on his list was Sarah. He gets out his phone and texts her. Henry had not talked to her for a few months. How do you talk to a person you haven’t spoken to in ages? Can we meet? He texts. I thought you would never ask. She responded. Let us. A smile appeared on Henry’s face. He always wanted to meet her.

They met at a cafe where he and Sarah spent countless afternoons together. Henry spots Sarah by a window. Henry slid into the seat across from her. They both were quiet, how do you say goodbye to a person? He didn’t know where to begin. They talked hesitantly. But, soon their conversation drifted into silence. Out of curiosity, Sarah said, “ Henry,......... it has been years since we met.” “Too long. “ Henry responded. “ Why Henry, did you want to meet up? “ Sarah asks.

Henry’s smile faded. He was nervous to tell the truth. He was depressed. The words caught his throat. “ I… don’t have much time left.” The words left his mouth. There was an awkward silence. 

Sarah finally said. “If that’s how your fate goes Henry, then let’s make the best out of it.”

For the next few hours, the tick of his watch went into the background. The sound of laughter took over. They had plenty of conversations. They wandered around the city. Had his last conversations with people he knew.

The next objective on his list was his Family. They were in Winchester. It’s 2 hours away from London. But for Henry, time was important, every second mattered. But so was Family. He booked a train to Winchester. It was better than a car. When he reached his home. His brother welcomed him with joy. Henry could not find his Dad as usual Henry’s mom recognized the guilt in Henry’s face. “What’s the matter, darling? You look really sad.” Henry’s mom asked.

Henry started weeping in tears. “ Oh Mum, I don’t have much time left.” Henry’s brother consoled Henry. While the rest of the family starts crying too. “ Stop crying! Motivate Henry to be strong.” Henry’s dad said to Mom loudly. “Thanks, Parker, but I have other things to do before I leave Earth,” Henry says bye to his family. It was an emotional scene. He had completed his second objective. 

As he walked away from his house, Henry thought about the next person on his list: his Dad. They hadn’t spoken in years, the result of a bitter argument that neither of them could remember but both stubbornly kept hold on. In the silence that followed, pride has overshadowed love.

Now, with his remaining time slipping away, Henry realized he could no longer hold the weight of the grudge. He needed to make things right, even if it meant swallowing his pride and facing the possibility that his uncle might not want to forgive him. He dialed in the number. 

“Hello?” His grumpy voice said. “Dad… it’s me,” Henry said, his voice barely audible. He could feel his heart pounding. There was a pause on the other end. “Henry… it’s been a while.” “I know,” Henry replied, a lump forming in his throat. “Listen, I’d like to come by, if that’s okay. There’s… there’s something I need to tell you.” Silence hung between them for a few agonizing seconds, but then his father’s voice softened. “Of course. Come by whenever you’re ready.” As he hung up, Henry felt a wave of relief wash over him. He knew the road to forgiveness might not be easy, but he was determined to bridge the gap between them. Reconnecting with his father wouldn’t bring back lost time, but it could give them a chance to heal, to share one last moment that mattered. With a deep breath, Henry began his journey toward his dad’s home, feeling the weight of time balanced by a glimmer of hope.

As he was heading to his destination. A car crashes into him. He was injured in every part of his body. Henry was rushed to the hospital. The doctors recognized the patient. They removed the glass from his body. 

As he arose, he knew his time was up. The tick of his watch took over again. He quickly dialed his Dad and said his final words “ Bye Dad, wish everyone well. “ The phone fell from his hands. “Henry? Please respond” His dad was screaming. The doctor comes in and sees Henry lying on the floor. The doctor picks up the phone. “ This is Ethan Gates. Your son, Henry….. Is gone. I am sorry for your loss.” Everyone inside the room can hear the cries of Henry’s dad. 

“I’m sorry”. ‘’But that was his fate” Ethan said, as he was disconnecting the call. 

As Henry lay on the cold hospital floor, his mind drifted through memories. Each laugh, every moment he had cherished with friends and family flashed before him. He had finally come to peace with his fate, knowing he had made the most of his remaining time. As his breathing slowed, a calmness settled over him.

At the end. Henry died without regret