“So, a marriage certificate really is stronger than just living together, eh?” The men had teased Nadia.
“I wont go to the thirtieth reunionitll just depress me. Let the people who go every year handle it. They dont notice how much theyve changed,” Nadia snapped into the phone when her only friend, Margaret, called.
“Whats got you so worried? We met up five years ago, and you looked fine. Did you put on weight or something?” Margaret sounded surprised.
“Its not about thatI just dont want to go, Rita! Drop it!”
Nadia was ready to hang up, hoping Margaret would take the hint and move down her list. But this time, her friend clung stubbornly.
“Nadia, our circles already shrinking.”
“What, someones passed on?” Nadia flinched. She didnt consider herself old enough for classmates to start dying.
“No, nothing like thatjust some have left the country. Though, Andy Blake did pass years ago, young and suddenly. Ive told you before.”
“Dont be stubbornour whole years getting together, four groups, but only thirty people will show. Didnt you finally get your son married? Come on, itll be a chance to relax.”
Margaret kept talking, but Nadias mind drifted back to Andy. Hed always had dark circles under his eyes, a heavy gaze, and the lads in their group had labelled him weak.
Turned out, Andy had a weak heart. Hed studied hard, dreamed of building a grand suspension bridge in his hometownbut never got the chance. And what had she achieved, Nadia wondered?
Shed fallen for Ian, a foreman at the construction site where she worked after graduation. He was on rotation in their town before returning home.
Theyd dated for agesIan even called her his wife in front of everyone. Said a civil partnership proved real love. People stayed together not because of a certificate, but for love alone…
Then she realised she was pregnantjust as Ian missed his shift. Turned out, he had three kids and a sick wife. He quit without telling her.
Nadia knew she couldnt demand anything from a man with three children and an ill wife.
She left construction before anyone noticed. Though one bloke joked as she left:
“So, a marriage certificate really is stronger than just living together, eh?”
But she didnt care anymore. She took a job at a corner shop near her flat, arranged by a neighbour. They agreed shed work two days a week, even after the baby came.
Her mother reluctantly agreed to watch little Timthough she never let Nadia forget shed thrown away a good career.
“You raised me like this!” Nadia finally shouted when her mother pushed too far.
“I hoped youd turn out better! I worked my fingers to the bone for your education, and look at you!” her mother scolded.
“Like mother, like daughterwhat did you expect?” Nadia shot back, instantly regretting it.
They hugged and cried, but what was the use? Where could she go now?
So when Margaret called for their five-year reunion, Nadia didnt go.
Theyd talk about families, careers, show off photoswhile she scrubbed floors in three places: a block of flats, a school, and a nursery. What would she even say to them?
Or ratherwhat would they say to her?
She did it all for Tim, her only joy.
Especially after her mother, once Tim started nursery, decided shed done her duty. She moved to her sisters village, claiming the city air didnt suit her.
Years later, luck finally turned. Nadia got a part-time job in her field just as Tim started school. She managed everythingeven picking him up after club. Some mothers envied her.
A colleague later showed interest, but she shut it down. Tim didnt need a stranger in their home. No man could replace his fatherjust bring trouble.
Nadia excelled at work. By the time Tim grew up, shed secured a full-time engineering role.
Yet she never felt worthy. Even her appearance was mutedplain clothes, no dye in her greying hair.
She believed she didnt deserve happiness, not after nearly taking a father from three children.
No bright clothes, no standing outsomeone might notice her again.
Shed stopped believing in happy endings. With so many divorced around her, she was no bettermaybe worse.
But Tim grew up kind, untouched by her sacrifices.
He spent summers in the village with Granny Irene and her sister, helping plant potatoes, beetroot, and carrots. He chopped wood, stacked logs, and helped with preserves.
Even her mother admitted he was a blessinga beloved grandson for her and her spinster sister.
So what use were cafes and reunions now?
All these thoughts flashed through Nadias mind in seconds.
She heard Margarets insistent voice:
“So, youll come? The café opposite the old dorm, next Friday at three. At least Ill have someone to talk towill you?”
Margarets voice trembled unexpectedly. Without knowing why, Nadia agreed.
Putting the phone down, she instantly regretted it. She checked the mirror, then tried calling backbut the line was busy.
Late that evening, she opened her wardrobe and pulled out the blue dress Tim and his wife Natasha had bought for their wedding. Theyd dragged her shopping, insisting she try things on.
The blue dress won everyone overeven her. Theyd picked shoes too, then Natasha took her to a salon for a cut and colour.
That was a year ago. Tim and Natasha lived happily now.
Her roots had grown out againwho was there to impress?
Still, she styled her hair, slipped on the blue dress, and dabbed on lipstickthen wiped it off. Too bold.
The café was bustling when she arrived. Margaret spotted her instantly.
“Nadia! You look stunning! Im so glad you came!”
Margaret had gained weight, but it suited hermade her look younger.
They chatted awhile before Margaret was pulled away. Nadia sipped juice, listening to old student-era songs playing in the background.
“May I have this dance?”
She looked upand recognised him instantly.
Alex Carter, from the parallel group. Hed married in their third yearback when shed fancied him.
“Nadia, youre beautiful. First reunion Ive bothered withI didnt recognise anyone but you.”
He offered his hand. She took it, catching Margarets surprised glance as they danced.
They moved through several songs in silence. Then Alex asked:
“Can I walk you home? Im long divorcedbut if youve got someone waiting…”
He didthen they met again the next day, and never parted after.
Natasha helped Nadia pick a wedding dress, already round with Nadias grandchild.
“Youre gorgeous, Nadia,” Natasha whispered. “Tim and I are so happy for you. Happiness isnt age-restricted, you know.”
At the reception, Nadia looked at her husband Alex and smiled.
Maybe, just maybe, she was allowed this.
Nadia finally forgave herselfand let happiness in.
