Fate Has Its Ways: After 13 Years, I Embraced My One and Only Again
My graduation was approaching. I eagerly anticipated the evening, despite not having a date. However, I trusted that fate would align everything perfectly. When the time came, I’d just know with whom I should spend that night.
On the day of graduation, I put on a sharp, dark suit, slicked back my hair, caught my reflection in the mirror, and with my parents’ blessings, headed off to the restaurant where the celebration was set to take place.
Amidst all the bright smiles and colorful dresses, my eyes landed on a girl who also seemed to be alone. I recognized her — Emily was in a parallel class, yet we had never spoken before this moment.
Only then did I realize how remarkable she was. Graceful, slender, with deep grey eyes and long, blonde hair cascading onto her delicate shoulders.
I can’t recall how I mustered the courage, but I approached her, extended my hand, and asked her to dance. From that moment until dawn, I danced with no one but her.
The following day, I knew — she was the one for me. I had fallen in love.
But destiny had different plans.
Heartbreak
Emily didn’t feel the same way about me. I discovered she had been dating a guy from another city who was set to return after graduation. They intended to marry.
I couldn’t believe it.
For two years, I lived in hope. Awaiting the day she might change her mind, hoping she’d see me in a different light. I stood beneath her window, hid in the shadows when she walked outside. I wanted her to notice me, yet feared she’d see my heartache.
Every glance that wasn’t for me, every word spoken to someone else, tore me apart.
But I was powerless.
When Emily eventually got married, I stood at a distance, witnessing her wedding.
That’s when I vowed: I would wait.
I tried to move on and date others, but no girl ever replaced her. Everything felt wrong, empty, and meaningless.
Thirteen long years went by.
A Second Chance at Fate
But then, tragedy struck.
Emily and her husband were in an accident. He died instantly. Emily survived, but she was left with injuries that required her to rely on a cane.
Fate granted me another chance.
Still, I knew I couldn’t just burst into her life.
I waited.
And only when we both turned 35, did I finally hold her hand for the first time.
She looked at me with a gaze full of weariness, pain, maybe even regret.
“Why are you still here?” she softly asked.
I didn’t know how to reply. Was it because I loved her? Because I never forgot? Because I hoped to someday tell her everything?
I simply pulled her close and embraced her.
From that moment on, we were together.
The Trials We Faced
We shared ten years filled with happiness. Of course, we had no children. After the accident, Emily couldn’t have any.
But it didn’t matter to me.
I loved her. Loved the silver strand in her hair she never dyed. Loved her tired smile. Loved her, even when her face lost color from pain.
But fate took her from me once more.
Emily got ill. The doctors spoke of a chance, but she refused treatment.
“I’m not afraid,” she told me one day.
She made a single gesture: she cut her hair.
“Why?” I asked, shocked.
“To give to those who can still fight,” she answered.
Her beautiful blonde locks became a wig for another woman who might conquer the illness.
Emily knew she wasn’t destined to win this battle.
I held her hand until the end.
If I had to live my life again, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’d wait for her all over again. I’d love her all over again.
Because Emily was my heart. My destiny. My life.
