Such is life: We’ve lost 20 precious years, but our time has finally come!
My name is Emma Wright, and I live in the charming town of Dorchester, nestled among the green landscapes of Dorset. I never managed to become his favorite; fate didn’t give us a chance to come together as a couple. Meanwhile, my dear Alex repeatedly plunged into the depths of love, losing himself to women who broke his heart. For twenty years, we danced around each other, but only now, in the twilight of our youth, life showed us some mercy.
It all began in year eleven when Alex joined our class. New and shy, with an open heart, he immediately caught my attention. Seven months later, he fell for Lisa, our classmate—spirited, cunning, with a mischievous smile. She pretended to reciprocate his feelings, while she pulled his strings like a puppet. She even introduced him to her parents, who were thrilled at having found such a ‘nice young man’. But behind his back, Lisa had a fling with the most popular boy at school, James. Alex turned a blind eye until he caught them together at her party. Even then, he didn’t leave; he stuck around, serving as her shadow, her cover. Lisa’s parents disapproved of James and banned her from seeing him, while Alex was their “ideal son-in-law.” He shared her with another and endured. I, his friend, listened to his justifications, his tears, his heartache. This went on for years.
Then came Natalie, sweet and cheerful, but not ready for a mature relationship. Alex dreamed of a family, kids, and when she accepted his proposal, he believed it to be forever. But on the morning of the wedding, she vanished—didn’t put on the dress, nor stepped foot out the door, just disappeared. Alex fell into a despairing void. I was there—now his colleague, his right hand at work. I watched him drown his sorrow in work, swearing to never fall in love again. Then there was Olivia—life of the party, funny and carefree. Everyone adored her, and she appeared to love everyone in return. Alex loved her unreservedly. But then he found out she was having a child by another man. The real father showed up at the birth but didn’t acknowledge the baby. Alex gave the child his surname and raised him as his own. Olivia cheated repeatedly, and he tolerated it—for the child, for the love that burned within him. Until she stunned him: she invited him to be the godfather at her wedding to another man. Alex agreed and continued to care for her son, justifying her capricious nature.
Next was Alice—demanding, like a spoiled princess. She made him take her to fancy restaurants, serve breakfast in bed, and plan extravagant holidays. For three years, he bent over backward for her until she threw a tantrum mid-air over a one-hour flight delay. On the plane itself, she ended things with him, yelling that he wasn’t worthy. Then came Julia—insanely jealous. Alex, loyal and devoted, never gave her a reason to doubt him. But she despised me, his friend. We worked together, inseparable like siblings. Julia insisted he quit his job—because of me. Claimed he spoke of me too often at home. Yes, we spent countless days together, but there was nothing beyond friendship. I loved him secretly, but he never noticed. I was with another, Michael, who knew my heart belonged elsewhere. He accepted it, living with me, waiting for a miracle. Meanwhile, Alex moved on to new romances, believing in their sincerity. And so we drifted apart for ten years.
Ten years later, we met by chance at a cafe on Dorchester’s square. Time stopped. We talked for hours, laughed, reminisced. Neither of us had married. Over the years, he endured three more empty relationships, while I broke up with Michael—he had found someone who gave him her all. I, meanwhile, waited for Alex. “I suppose I won’t find true love to spend my life with. It seems I’m unworthy,” he said, staring into an empty cup. At that, I couldn’t hold it in any longer—I grabbed his hand and kissed him. He pulled back, “What are you doing? Don’t act out of pity!” Pity? I pitied only myself for the years of silence. “Alex, can’t you see? I have loved you since school!” I blurted, trembling. He froze. Admitted he loved me too but saw me as just a friend, afraid to ruin what we had. We lost twenty years to this blindness.
Now we’ve been together for 22 years. Recently, our daughter, Lisa, confided in us: she’s in love. Her boyfriend is kind and sincere, and I see the way he adores her. What did I tell her? “Don’t wait twenty years like we did. Live your love now.” Alex and I missed so much time, but our moment came. I am grateful for every day beside him—for his kindness, for his heart that searched for me in the arms of others for so long. Life can be harsh, but sometimes it offers a second chance. We seized it—and will never let go.
