Waiting for Something
Emily sat on the bench in the garden of her family’s home, nibbling on a Bounty bar—her favourite chocolate since childhood. Their house was large, two storeys, built quickly thanks to her father being a builder. Emily had an older sister, Sophie, who was seventeen. The two were close, and Sophie, as the elder, kept an eye on her, helped her, and even stood up for her when needed.
Emily finished the chocolate and sighed deeply. A strange new weight pressed on her—she had fallen in love. At nearly fifteen, it shouldn’t have been unusual. Girls fell in love at twelve or thirteen, and here she was, almost fifteen.
*It would’ve been fine if it were just a boy from school, or even Oliver from the parallel class, the one all the girls fancied—even the older ones, because he was tall and handsome. But no, I had to go and fall for Dad’s friend, Daniel. What am I supposed to do now?* She envied her classmates, who giggled about crushes on boys their own age, not grown men.
Just then, guests arrived: Uncle Daniel, his wife Sarah, and their daughter Lily, who was two years younger than Emily. Their families had been friends for generations, starting with their grandparents. Emily’s dad and Daniel were close, and the wives got on well too.
Emily knew Aunt Sarah was kind and decent—she loved her husband—but that didn’t make it easier. She didn’t understand what was happening to her until Sophie dragged her away from the house one evening, during their mother’s birthday celebration.
“Emily, what’s going on?” Sophie asked, alarmed.
“Nothing, what do you mean?” Emily blinked innocently.
“Is this about Daniel? Are you in love with him?” Sophie stared, waiting.
“So what if I am? Jealous?” Emily shot back before bursting into tears.
She’d loved Uncle Daniel for three months, ever since his birthday party at their countryside home. He’d been so happy, dancing with her mum. She’d wished it were her. The way he laughed, the jokes he told—it left her flustered.
Now Sophie had figured it out. Emily was mortified. She’d thought no one knew. Sophie, irritated at first, suddenly hugged her.
“Oh, you silly thing. It’ll pass,” she murmured.
Emily stopped sulking instantly as Sophie wiped her tears. Then, of course, their mum hurried over.
“Emily, love, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing, Mum. She got scared by a wasp—nearly stung her face,” Sophie lied smoothly.
“Ah, right. Be careful, there are loads this year,” their mother said before leaving.
Time passed, but Emily’s feelings didn’t fade. She did well in school, had friends, and boys flirted with her constantly—she was pretty—but she never returned their interest. She went to school dances, accepted valentines, even dated later on. But Uncle Daniel remained her secret heartache.
By sixth form, she told herself, *I need to forget this. First loves are supposed to hurt, but this is too much.* Yet it clung to her. *It’s like living two lives—one with family and friends, the other with him.* Sophie had said it would pass, but it hadn’t.
When it came time to choose a career, she hesitated. She’d always dreamed of being a doctor, so medicine won out. She aced her exams and got into medical school with ease.
One day, Lily—Daniel’s daughter, whom Emily secretly resented—called.
“Hi, Emily! Mum’s birthday’s on Saturday. You’re all invited to our place in the Cotswolds.”
“Thanks, Lily. We’ll be there,” Emily replied automatically.
Aunt Sarah was a wonderful host—her cooking was divine. Everyone loved visiting. Daniel, meanwhile, grilled perfect kebabs, never burnt.
That evening, after a feast, Emily stepped outside. Autumn’s chill was refreshing after the stuffy dining room. She stood by a little table, admiring the well-kept garden.
“Your favourite,” a voice said behind her, making her jump.
Daniel held a plate of raspberry cheesecake and a cup of tea.
“Oh, thanks. Put it down, or I’ll drop it,” she stammered, blushing. “How’d you know I love raspberry?”
“Noticed at some point,” he smiled. “I notice a lot.” Then, before she could panic further, he walked away.
*What else has he noticed?* Her pulse raced. *Does he know?* She sat, eating the cheesecake without tasting it.
Lily joined her. “Mum’s amazing, isn’t she? She sent Dad out with that—knew you’d love it.”
“Yeah, delicious,” Emily mumbled.
The years rolled on. Emily graduated top of her class, became a cardiologist. She dated, even got engaged once—but called it off, saying she wasn’t ready. Life felt hollow, like she was waiting.
Then Aunt Sarah fell ill.
“Emily, love,” her mum said gently, “it’s bad. Late stage. Daniel’s beside himself.”
Guilt gnawed at her. *Did I somehow cause this?* But reason won out—it wasn’t her fault.
Sarah refused treatment. “Why prolong suffering?” she’d said. Lily was devastated.
*”Mum won’t even cry,”* Lily confessed.
Emily understood. Medicine had no cure. Sarah passed within the year.
At the funeral, Emily saw Daniel—older, weary. Lily wept. A week later, Emily still felt numb.
*Am I ill?* She slept poorly, her mind crowded. But one long nap later—she woke light, empty. The weight was gone. Even thoughts of Daniel had vanished.
Life moved on. Patients came and went. Colleagues congratulated her on her twenty-eighth birthday.
*Still single. Mum and Dad want grandchildren—where from?* She sighed, relieved her last appointment was nearly done.
A knock. Polite.
Daniel stood there, flowers in hand.
“Roman?” she asked, checking her list.
“Daniel,” he corrected, smiling. “No more ‘uncle,’ please.”
He stepped closer, glanced at the nurse, who excused herself. Emily backed up, but he took her hand, kissed it.
“We need to talk. And—happy birthday.”
Over coffee, he spoke earnestly. Outside, darkness fell.
“I want to ask your parents for your hand,” he said finally.
Emily froze. “I need time.”
“Of course. But not too much. We’ve wasted enough already.”
At home, she called Sophie.
“What do I do?”
“Say yes. I’ve seen how he looks at you—never at me like that. Mum probably knows too. Lily won’t mind—she’s in Germany now. But the real question is—do you love him?”
“Yes,” Emily whispered.
She said yes. Daniel was overjoyed. Lily gave her blessing.
Now, Emily finally knew what she’d been waiting for all along.
