Hey love, let me tell you about Mias life its a bit of a rollercoaster, but shes pulled through, honestly.
Mia was five when she became a complete orphan. First her mum fell ill and passed away, and a few months later her dad was gone too. Six months after that, Granddad John died, and Grandma Margaret survived them all for barely a year.
Her Aunt Gertie, who lived alone in a tiny hamlet up in Yorkshire and was raising three kids on her own, took Mia in. Life with Aunt Gertie wasnt a picnic. She was harsh on her own brood, shouted at the slightest thing and wasnt afraid to lay a hand down when she thought it necessary. Sometimes shed weep in front of the icons, pleading for forgiveness, and the little ones would tiptoe over, hug her and feel sorry for her. A shaky peace would settle over the house for a while, but Mia kept her distance, terrified of catching Gerties fiery temper. She dreamed of growing up fast and getting out of that place forever, clinging to memories of her real family a home full of love and understanding.
Poor little thing, are you really going to leave me behind? her mother had whispered, stroking Mias head the night before she slipped away, sensing her own end was near.
The years trudged on.
When Mia turned eighteen, she said a relieved goodbye to Aunt Gertie and the three kids. She didnt care where she was headed she just wanted to be out of that house as quickly as possible. She caught a train back to Manchester, the city shed left as a toddler, and it felt like the air was sweeter, the stars brighter, the people friendlier. She moved back into the tiny flat shed once shared with her parents everything was familiar, the smell alone took her straight back to those carefree days. Aunt Gertie had been renting the flat out all those years.
Mia got a job as a waitress in a cosy café. The tips were generous, the admirers relentless, champagne seemed to flow like water. How does a freshofftheboat soul survive that whirl? Her twenties whirled by in a blur.
A year later she found herself alone with a baby in her arms. She had to head back to the Yorkshire hamlet to stay with Gertie. Of course the aunt had a thousand things to say.
You havent even managed to crawl out of the porch yet and youre already bringing a child into the world!
But Gertie took the baby in, and rushed her to the little village church to be christened. May an angel watch over you, she whispered, naming the girl Faith.
Mia wept night and day, feeling her young life had been ruined forever. Yet the village never bored you there was always something to do. After a while Mia steadied herself, but she never let go of the dream to leave the countryside for good.
When Faith grew older, Mia started planning her escape again. She never really got used to the rural rhythm. Gertie gave her a parting piece of advice:
Listen, love, the worlds full of temptations that can drag you down. Choose your companions wisely.
Back in Manchester, Mia enrolled Faith in a nursery and took a job as a ladyofthehouse for a market trader named Albert, who sold exotic sweets at the local market. Albert was a charmer, showering Mia with treats, promising marriage, trips abroad, introductions to his relatives Mia, feeling hopeful, agreed to have a daughter with him and let him name the baby Jasmine after his mother.
Soon after, Albert began to keep his distance, then outright fired her and cut off contact.
Mia didnt go back to Gertie this time shed be ashamed to show up with two halforphaned kids. Lord, why do I keep jumping from one ditch into another? she muttered, vowing to pull herself out of this quagmire on her own.
Only God knew how hard it was for her. When she felt her spirit drooping, she recalled Gerties words: Youre on your own now, lad. Rely on yourself, and maybe a ray of sunshine will peek through your window. Even though Gertie could be a nightmare, shed also been a stoic survivor, raising her own children and taking in an orphan despite a whole extended family. Mia finally understood her aunts grit instead of judging her.
Years slipped by. Mia grew cautious in relationships honestly, there werent any. The kids grew, responsibilities piled up, and she bore the weight of her life like a heavy cross, calling her fate bitter wormwood. Yet at thirtyseven, fate tossed a new chance her way.
Victor spotted Mia at a holiday resort. He liked how she cared for her daughters, the way she chatted with them, her smile, the occasional lingering glance. They got to know each other that evening, and Mia poured out her whole story, just needing someone to listen. Victor nodded, absorbed every word, then said, Mia, will you marry me? You wont regret it.
And so Victor and Mia became a family. Faith and Jasmine adored Victor, and he loved them all dearly. Victor adored Mia, hovering around her like a bee over a blossom. But Mia kept her guard up. She doubted his love, terrified of getting hurt again, convinced shed never be the kind of wife who needed more than a fed, washed, ironed man. What more could I ask for? shed think.
Victor would often drop hints about having a child together, but Mia brushed them aside, saying shed rather raise her two girls. One night, frustrated, Victor shouted, Snow Queen, at least give me a kind look once!
Mia replied coolly, What, you think Im a puppet on a string? Let them take me if they want I wont cry.
The next morning Victor was gone, his suitcase packed, never to return.
What did he lack? Mia wondered.
At first she enjoyed her single life eat what she wanted, sleep whenever, no one nagging about dirty dishes or mismatched socks. Freedom.
But the years went on, the daughters married, left the nest, and Mia found herself alone with only her memories and a lingering longing for Victor. Twenty years had slipped by, and she still wanted to catch a glimpse of his life, just to see how hed fared.
Through mutual friends she tracked down Victors address a suburban house. She decided to pay a visit, planning a little cover story: Im his distant cousin, Annie.
A woman in her midforties opened the gate.
Can I help you? she asked, puzzled.
Hello, I was wondering if Victor lives here? Mia said, trying to sound casual.
He used to Who are you to him? the lady pressed.
I Im his sister sort of. Annie, Mia improvised.
Thats fine, come in. Im Lucy, his widow, the woman replied, ushering her inside.
Mia felt faint, her legs wobbling. Lucy helped her to a chair, offered water.
When did this happen? Mia whispered.
About a year ago. Victor was very ill. He kept a secret a woman he loved madly. He lived with me, but at night hed call out for that other woman I loved him, I forgave him, I even felt jealous, I cried. We never had kids. He kept hoping the other… Mia, he called her Mia, Lucy said, tears spilling.
Lord, what a mess, Mia muttered, the flood of old regrets pulling at her throat.
She sobbed, then, steadier, confessed everything to Lucy:
Im the Mia he called. I fled to find him, but its too late. I crushed his love. I never knew how to love, to cherish, because I grew up an orphan. Aunt Gertie took me in, but I could never accept that life. I kept running, thinking I could find a pure love, but life kept slamming me into mud. I didnt trust anyone, and Victor felt that. Im sorry I hurt him.
Lucy, shocked, whispered, You were his salvation! If youd come sooner, maybe hed have healed. But I think youre innocent in a way you never learned love as a child.
Mia shrugged, bewildered. The two women embraced, crying like old friends reunited.
And thats where Mias story pauses a life of loss, stubbornness, love, and a few fleeting chances, all stitched together with the threads of English grit and a stubborn heart. Hope you liked it. Talk soon.
