**Fate Knows Best: Reuniting with Emma After 13 Years**
My graduation day was approaching fast. I eagerly looked forward to the evening, even though I didn’t have a date. Yet, I was convinced that fate had its plans. When the moment arrived, I knew I’d find the one to spend the night with.
On that day, I dressed in a sharp dark suit, smoothed my hair, caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, and with my parents’ blessing, headed to the venue where our celebration was to take place.
Amidst vibrant smiles and a kaleidoscope of dresses, my gaze fell upon a girl who appeared to be attending alone. I recognized her — Emma was in a parallel class, although we’d never spoken before.
Only then did I truly see how unique she was. Slender and graceful, with deep gray eyes and long blonde hair cascading down her delicate shoulders.
I don’t recall how I mustered the courage, but I walked over, extended my hand, and invited her for a dance. From that moment until dawn, I danced with no one else.
The following day, I knew — she was my girl. I had fallen in love.
But fate had other ideas.
**A Broken Heart**
Emma didn’t feel the same about me. I discovered she’d been dating a guy from another city who’d return after graduation. They planned to marry.
I couldn’t believe it.
For two years, I lived in hope. Hoping she’d change her mind, hoping she’d see me differently. I’d stand beneath her window, hide in the shadows when she stepped outside. I wanted her to notice me yet feared she’d recognize my pain.
Every glance of hers, every word not directed at me, tore me apart.
But there was nothing I could do.
And when Emma finally married, I watched her wedding from afar.
I promised myself: I would wait.
I tried to move on, to start relationships with others, but no girl could take her place. Everything felt hollow, meaningless.
Thirteen long years passed by.
**A Second Chance from Fate**
Then, one day, tragedy struck.
Emma and her husband were in an accident. He died instantly. Miraculously, she survived but was left with an injury that required her to walk with a cane.
Fate gave me another chance.
However, I knew I couldn’t just storm into her life uninvited.
I waited.
And only when we both turned 35 did I finally hold her hand.
She looked at me with eyes full of weariness, pain, and perhaps, regret.
“Why are you still here?” she asked softly.
I didn’t know how to answer. Because I loved her? Because I never forgot? Because I waited for the day I could tell her everything?
I simply pulled her close and embraced her.
From that moment, we were together.
**The Trials We Endured**
We shared ten years of bliss. Of course, we didn’t have children. After the accident, Emma couldn’t have any.
But it didn’t matter to me.
I loved her. I loved the streak of gray in her hair she left untouched. I loved her tired smile. I loved her even when pain stole the color from her face.
But fate took her from me once more.
Emma fell ill. The doctors said there was hope, but she refused treatment.
“I’m not afraid,” she said one day.
She only did one thing: she cut her hair.
“Why?” I asked, stunned.
“I want to give it to someone who can still fight,” she replied.
Her beautiful blonde locks became a wig for another woman who could conquer illness.
Emma knew she wouldn’t win this battle.
I held her hand to the very end.
And if I could live my life over again, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’d wait for her all over again. I’d love her again.
Because Emma was my heart. My fate. My life.
