Michael was about to graduate from university when he suddenly thought of marrying his first love from secondary school, Alice! Alice was attractive, but even more importantly, she was kind-hearted and clever. At that time, she too was finishing her dissertation. The young couple decided to wed once they had submitted their dissertations.
Michael chose to break the news to his mother, but she was far from pleased. His mother insisted that he should either marry Rebecca, the girl next door, or no one at all. She challenged him: What matters more your career or love? She pictured her son achieving great things.
Rebecca came from an affluent family and, besides that, she had fancied Michael for years, while he was tied up with Alice, who had no pedigree or background. Alice’s mother was spoken of poorly in the community… What would people think?
I dont need another daughter-in-law whos beneath us, do as you please! declared his mother.
Michael pleaded with her for ages, but she stood her ground and threatened that if he married Alice, she would disown him. Fearing his mothers wrath, Michael lost his nerve. He and Alice continued seeing each other for six months, and eventually their relationship died away.
In the end, he wed Rebecca. She was genuinely in love with him, but they decided against a wedding ceremony. Michael didn’t want Alice to come across any photographs of the event. And so their life together began. To be fair, Rebeccas upbringing had been privileged, and Michael moved into their grand house. His parents offered him plenty of help climbing the professional ranks. Nonetheless, happiness eluded him.
Michael shied away from having children. Once Rebecca realised she couldnt convince him otherwise, she filed for divorce. At that point, Michael was in his mid-forties and Rebecca just thirty-eight. She eventually had a child and found true joy.
Michael always longed to find Alice. He searched for her, but she seemed to have vanished. Eventually, he heard from a friend that she had married the first man she met after their breakup, but he was no good.
Afterwards, Michael returned to his parents modest flat, drowning himself in regret and old photographs of Alice. He never forgave his mother.
Life, it turns out, is too short for regrets. Neither ambition nor wealth can fill the void left by giving up on true love.
