Two Wings

Roman and Eleanor spent seven years together since school days. They never had children. It just didn’t happen. Roman’s beloved grandmother insisted:
“Get married properly, youngsters! Then God’s blessing will descend upon you. The Lord will grant you heirs.”
For Roman, his grandmother was an unquestionable authority. So, he soon proposed properly to his common-law wife.
They had a lavish wedding. Exchanged rings. Got the passports stamped. Though during the celebration, a hitch occurred. When the newlyweds were handed champagne glasses, tradition required them to drain them (for a tearless future). Then, they were to smash the empty glasses on the ground. Roman’s glass shattered into countless pieces, but Eleanor’s didn’t crack; it just rolled away.
Guests whispered, murmuring loudly enough for all to hear:
“Oh, bad omen! No life together for the young couple.”
Roman and Eleanor just laughed. “Rubbish!” And the celebration continued.
Once the wedding faded, the young couple settled into life. But…
Eleanor, gaining the status of a lawful wife, soon changed and became domineering. Nothing was good enough. She nitpicked over trifles. Then declared outright:
“We shouldn’t have married, Roman. You and I are as different as chalk and cheese. It’s best we split.”
…Roman blamed his mother-in-law entirely. She seemed like the woman in the ‘Golden Goose’ tale – forever wanting more. Attention, money, space in their two-bed flat… And having her son-in-law live in her “hard-earned” flat meant she could constantly carp at him, lecturing him on making millions instead of scraping by on pennies. Roman endured his wife and mother-in-law’s barbs in silence for a year. Then came the command:
“Get out.”
He asked his wife:
“Eleanor, is this the final decision? Yours and your mum’s?”
“Yes! Mum has nothing to do with it!” snapped Eleanor.
Roman slowly packed his bags, glancing hopefully at his wife. *Perhaps she’ll change her mind.*
But Eleanor was unmoved.
“Goodbye, wife. Sorry if I let you down,” sighed Roman.
“Goodbye!” Eleanor slammed the door shut behind him.
Roman left his home. He didn’t mope for long.
The handsome young man – tall, athletic, manly – soon found himself in another girl’s arms. She’d fancied him for ages. They worked together. When Isabelle (the new love interest) noticed Roman looking utterly miserable, missing his usual sparkle, she suggested meeting outside work. Roman agreed. Just to break the monotony…
Isabelle was free, attractive, and had a spotless reputation.
That evening, they strolled through a park, drank coffee in a cosy café. Roman poured out his life story. Isabelle sympathised, gasped, and soothed him best she could. Then suddenly she confessed:
“Roman, haven’t you noticed how I watch you, catching your every glance? I’ve loved you for ages! Are you blind?”
Roman, of course, suspected Isabelle’s feelings. They saw each other daily at work. Whenever Roman approached, Isabelle would flush or pale. Her voice would vanish, her head spin. He’d noticed her like a beautiful, fragrant flower but no more. Isabelle was everything his wife wasn’t: calm, gentle, accommodating. Roman appreciated it. But back then, he was married! He kept his distance. Now, freshly ejected, Roman thought, *Why not? Easy prey… Who ignores a tasty morsel?*
…The next morning Roman and Isabelle arrived together. Colleagues exchanged meaningful glances. Isabelle had succeeded. Everyone knew she fancied Roman. But the obstacle – his wife – had always stopped her.
Roman moved in with Isabelle.
Isabelle fluttered around him like a beautiful butterfly, anticipating his every wish. Catering to him endlessly. She felt it was heaven itself! Roman gladly accepted Isabelle’s devotion. He named her ‘Firefly’ in his heart – her inner light warming his soul.
…Isabelle introduced Roman to her parents. Her father was a high-ranking civil servant. Seeing his daughter head over heels, he declared:
“Very well, live together. We’ll arrange the wedding later. First, I need to see what sort of chap you are, son-in-law.”
Dad, naturally, didn’t know Roman was married. Isabelle hadn’t dared tell him. She knew his temper…
The couple were happy! They made plans. Flew to Cyprus. Isabelle’s dad facilitated and funded the trip. “Nothing’s too much for my daughter! Let them have fun.”
…Three months later, Eleanor summoned her lawful husband back. She was expecting a child who needed its father. Roman (gritting his teeth) returned. Isabelle let him go to his lawful family but whispered:
“I’ll wait for you, Roman. Always…”
…Six months later, Eleanor and Roman became parents to a little girl, Olivia. A week after that, Isabelle called. She asked Roman to meet her… from the maternity ward. Isabelle had given birth to a daughter. Sophie.
Roman raced to the hospital with flowers and questions.
Isabelle’s father welcomed him, holding a huge basket of crimson roses.
Roman kissed Isabelle, handed her the bouquet. Isabelle saw confusion and fear in his eyes.
“She’s our daughter, Roman. Congratulations!” smiled the exhausted Isabelle.
Roman stood, bewildered. Calculating, comparing dates in his head… Isabelle interrupted:
“Don’t worry, Roman. Sophie and I won’t stand in your way.”
Isabelle’s father didn’t even acknowledge Roman. He stood like a statue of reproach.
Roman found himself living for two families. Everyone found out. Eleanor learned about Isabelle and Sophie, Isabelle learned about Olivia. Both women suffered silently. Eleanor blamed herself for kicking him out, leaving him unsupervised. Now she faced the consequences, reconciling herself to his other daughter. Isabelle blamed no one. She had her beloved’s child! What more? Shame Roman visited so rarely. But thankfully, he remembered them!
Roman found it tough too. He adored both daughters. They grew fast, asking awkward questions. “Daddy, why didn’t you stay last night? Daddy, why don’t you smell like Mummy? Daddy, I’m Sophie, not Olivia!” Or vice versa…
One day, visiting Isabelle and Sophie, he encountered Isabelle’s stern father.
“Isabelle, take Sophie for a walk. I need a word with Roman,” he stated firmly.
Isabelle took Sophie’s hand and obediently closed the front door.
“Well, son-in-law? Will you keep running back and forth forever? A son-in-law who can’t commit is useless! Here’s the deal: stay with Isabelle – I’ll take care of everything. You’ll want for nothing. Choose to leave? Stay gone! We’ll raise our grandchild without you. Blood is blood. We won’t beg for help. But your path back will be closed. You’re replaceable. I’d have kicked you out long ago, but Isabelle loves you. Decide. Now,” concluded her father.
Roman visited his grandmother that same day for advice.
“Grandson! Listen to me. Choose one of them. Look at yourself! Lean, grey-haired! Not even forty! This won’t do! Don’t fret for the other one! Women are cleverer than us men. Any will find another husband, a father for
Roman embraced her advice wholeheartedly, choosing Isabelle fully and leaving Eleanor to forge her own path with Olivia as he built a new life devoted to the woman who had always waited for him.