Hello @sunnyag. Your story is the classic example of Maslow's Hierarchy No. 2 - - self-preservation. It's the most basic instinct on the ladder of personal needs. I don't blame your character. Who wouldn't think of himself first? I feel as though if he were already married to the young lady and indeed felt deeply for her, then maybe he would have included her in his plans for survival.
Besides self-preservation, your story suggests you character is also self-absorbed. How casually he casts off the concern for the person he indicated he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
But then I thought if both of us climbed on this thin board, it would be too risky. Sure, if this board was bigger, we could both adjust to it, but no, it won’t be able to bear the weight of both of us. So I gave up the idea of calling her.
It may have only taken a bit more effort to locate another board or a larger board to secure them both. Oftentimes, the true nature of a person is revealed by split-second decisions. He showed his true colors. I feel a bit bad for the young lady in his life. She didn't give their relationship enough time to find out truly what type of person she had chosen as a partner.
Thanks for sharing.
You are right that the main character of this story sounds too selfish and keeps himself before anyone else. You see, there were not too many boards in the water but everyone had to depend on lifejackets. Besides, it was not the hero that wrote this story and I had to bring the story to "wracked ship". So I saw no way but to make the hero sound too selfish. Thank you.