– Are you joking? – exclaimed Ben in disbelief, – how is that even possible? You’re only twenty-one! And why didn’t you mention anything before now?
Emma snuggled closer to her husband, looking up at him sincerely:
– I was scared you’d stop loving me and call off the wedding…
– And now? What are you planning now?!
***
They met by chance. Emma had gone overboard shopping at Tesco, struggling under two large bags, when she encountered an icy patch outside. She would have certainly toppled over if not for the strong arms that caught her mid-fall.
– Careful there, – she heard a warm, velvet male voice nearby, – hold onto me…
Feeling stable again, Emma looked up at her rescuer:
– Thank you so much…
– Why did you take on so much? – he asked playfully, – especially in this weather?
– I’m expecting my parents over, – Emma responded simply, – they’re coming to see how I’m settling in town. So, you know…
– I see. Is it far to where you live? Maybe I could give you a lift?
– Oh, there’s no need. You’ve helped enough already. I’ll manage. My place is just over there, – she pointed out a nearby building.
Emma carefully made her way in the direction she indicated. The man went on his way…
The entire day, Ben found it impossible to concentrate at work; his mind kept drifting back to the captivating stranger. That’s how he envisioned her.
“What a charming woman,” he mused, “such open eyes, hardly any makeup, not even lipstick. And the blush… so gentle, barely there… And her voice… like a stream… I have to find her. She said she lives nearby…”
Ben wasn’t one to woo women easily; on the contrary, he was quite cautious, always expecting some ulterior motive.
His wariness stemmed from a heart-wrenching first love that had ended in betrayal. From the fifth grade, Ben was infatuated with a classmate who, after sending him off to the army with promises to wait, ended up marrying the son of a businessman within half a year.
When Ben returned, nonchalantly, she told him:
– Ben, don’t be upset. To put your mind at ease, just know: I still love you. However, loving someone and getting married are different things. What can you offer me? Life in a rented apartment, or perhaps, in a dormitory? With an always empty wallet? No, thanks. I want a normal life. I hope you understand.
Ben got the message. He struggled a long time, even turned to drinking. But eventually, he pulled himself together, found a job, and enrolled in university part-time…
Now, at thirty, single and quite successful, he was daydreaming about a woman he had seen but once. Even then, only fleetingly.
Because, for the first time in years, warmth bloomed in his heart. He had waited so long for this moment. And now it happened – his heart skipped. Yet he hadn’t even learned her name…
For two weeks, Ben hovered around that same Tesco, waiting for the beautiful stranger. And she did show up.
After work one evening, Emma stopped by to pick up something for dinner… She was quite flustered when a man suddenly appeared, almost throwing himself at her feet:
– At last, I’ve found you!
Recognizing her rescuer, she smiled:
– Why were you looking for me?
– We forgot to introduce ourselves! I’m Ben, and you are?
– My name’s Emma, – she observed him with curiosity, – so, what now, Ben?
– Now? Then we’re off to a fantastic dinner at a restaurant! Are you in?
– I don’t know, it’s so sudden…
– Please say yes, Emma! – he implored, – I’ve so much to share with you…
He told her everything. About his first love, the loneliness following it, and how meeting her felt like a gift from fate…
Emma listened intently… The man, so endearing and somewhat naïve, was growing on her…
They began seeing each other. Almost daily. The more they met, the more attached they grew. They enjoyed each other’s company despite Emma being somewhat reserved, not allowing Ben too close.
Initially surprised, Ben later found himself charmed by it. He was convinced Emma was meant for him, that she had been waiting just for him!
She met his mother. Ben visited her parents in the countryside.
Ben adored the simple way of life, the genuine relationships. The hospitable hosts.
It was there, in front of her parents, that Ben proposed to Emma…
Only the closest of family attended the registry office: this was Emma’s wish. She said she didn’t want a big celebration but longed for a dream honeymoon. Ben agreed. He bought the tickets. Their departure was set for a month post-wedding.
By the second week of living together as newlyweds, Ben could scarcely believe his happiness. Each day after work, he was homeward bound on wings…
Yet, during one of their cozy evenings, Ben noticed Emma seemed troubled.
– What’s wrong, love? – he asked gently, – Are you okay? Is everything alright?
– We need to talk, – whispered Emma…
– I’m all ears.
– I’m not sure how you’ll take this, – Emma stumbled for words.
– I’ll take it in stride, – sensing her worry, Ben assured her, – no matter what it is. You know how much I love you…
– I know I should have told you earlier… But I just couldn’t…
– Don’t drag it out, Emma, – Ben now showed concern, – have you fallen out of love with me?
– No, of course not. It’s just… Forgive me… I have children… Two…
– What? You can’t be serious! – Ben was shocked, – How is this possible?
– I’m not joking…
– But you’re only twenty-one! When did you have them? And why didn’t you tell me before?!
Emma leaned into her husband, her eyes sincere:
– I was afraid you’d stop loving me and wouldn’t want to marry me…
– And now? What are you hoping for now?!
– I don’t know. I hope you understand and forgive me…
– Forgive?! Me?! – Ben couldn’t believe what he was hearing…
– You see, like you, I’ve had a sad chapter. We were deeply in love. When I found out I was pregnant, he abandoned me. He was scared. I was only seventeen then. After our son was born, he came back, asked for forgiveness. I forgave him. We lived together. The next year, our daughter was born. While I was expecting, he found someone else. Our daughter, Grace, was just six months old when he left me again. Now with two kids.
– And where are your children now? This is unbelievable… I was at your parent’s place… They didn’t say a word. They kept it a secret too…
– The children are with relatives for now. They have no kids of their own, so they offered to keep mine.
– And your parents? – Ben pressed, – weren’t they concerned about their grandkids?
– They visit them regularly but refuse to bring them home. They claim they just can’t manage.
– I see. Quite the family…
– That’s not fair. I never wanted this to happen. I didn’t come to you; you found me…
– Well…, – Ben retorted, – you played the innocence card well… I actually believed in your modesty…
– I was simply scared of getting too attached to you. I thought: what if it doesn’t work out between us…
– And did it?
– Of course! We love each other!
– And you can say that after such a monstrous lie? You could have told me a hundred times before the wedding! But no! You’re saying it now, when we’re already married!
– What’s changed? That was the only thing I hid. Now you’re my husband and I don’t want to deceive you anymore. Whether you can accept this depends on your love.
– So, if I agree to raise your kids, it means I love you. And if I refuse, it means I don’t?
– If you refuse, they’ll stay with my relatives. That’s all. If you want, I won’t even see them.
– So you’re willing to give up your own children for me?
– I am.
– But that’s monstrous! Can’t you see that?!
– I just love you so much…
Ben couldn’t listen any longer. He grabbed his jacket and stormed out of the apartment.
He wandered the streets for a long time, trying not to think about anything. Trying to calm down.
Eventually, he decided to visit his mother. He desperately needed to talk…
– I don’t know what to say, son, – his mother mused after hearing Ben’s story, – it’s your decision to make.
– What decision, mom? I already know: if I agree, I’ll be miserable; if I refuse, I strip those kids of their mother, and they’ll all be unhappy.
– Then don’t rush into any action. Think it over. Although… I can’t imagine how you’d live with someone capable of such deception…
– I can’t imagine either…
– Maybe it’s best if you two separate?
– I love her, mom…
– Then I just don’t know…
Ben stayed with Emma. He offered to bring the children, but Emma refused:
– I don’t want to burden you like that, – she said calmly, – let them stay with the relatives, and we’ll visit them.
– In what capacity? – Ben asked, weary, – they probably already call your aunt “mom.”
– Fine. As long as they’re happy, that’s what matters most.
– It’s up to you, – Ben replied, and he never revisited the topic.
They visited the children a couple of times. Watching Emma play with them, Ben couldn’t help but wonder:
– What will happen when we have our own child? What if something happens to me? Then what? Will she send our child here too?
A year later, Ben filed for divorce…
He simply couldn’t live like that…
And the love had somehow vanished…
