Emily, is that you? a young woman halted, turning her head toward the familiar voice drifting from the right.
Sarah? How long has it been? Seven, eight years, maybe? Emily beamed, genuinely thrilled.
Nine, love, nine. Time flies, doesnt it? One blink and youre suddenly an old, meddlesome aunt with a stack of prescription pads Sarah squinted mischievously. Remember how we used to light up the room? In school we always shared a desk. No wonder people called us the Siamese twins. We even begged our parents to buy matching dresses, bags and diaries. Do you recall?
How could I forget! And the great toiletwall mural on the first floor when we were in Year 1? We were made to wash it off later. Youll never turn into a grumbling, nostalgic granny lecturing the younger lot about the good old days. Look at you now, blossoming! Emily said, admiring the outfit of an old school friend.
Anyway, Emily, Im staying with my folks for a few days while my husbands away on business. Im expecting you this evening. No objections, okay? I hope you havent erased my parents address from memory? Sarah cupped Emilys cheek, fixing her hair.
Of course not, Sarah. How could I forget the house that always welcomed me with open arms? The flat we almost burnt down doing kitchen experiments? Those cherry turnovers that always ended up black as coal because we never mastered the art of baking? The schoolmates fell silent for a heartbeat, recalling the funny mishaps of their childhood.
Sure, Ill be there Emily broke the pause. And your favourite cake, the Napoleon? Still a fan? What wine do you prefer now? Lets not go cheap like that dreadful bottle we tried in Year 11 that made us sick for three days and skipped classes.
Im on a Bordeaux these days. Ive actually brought a bottle for the occasion Sarah glanced at her watch.
Got it, love.
My mum and dad will be thrilled to see you; they were just talking about you yesterday. Well have a proper natter she sang a tonguetwister. Ive got to dash now, dont forget, seven oclock sharp. Cant wait.
Me too. See you soon! Sarah melted into the crowd, and Emily headed to the supermarket for a cake. Shed have to ask Mike to look after the kids; that was easy enough. The memory bits were a bit fuzzy, but maybe that was for the best.
Come on in, dear, dont be shy, called Mrs. Margaret in the hallway, ushering Emily into the sittingroom.
The room still had the same crisp white tablecloth, starched napkins that crackled, and the familiar pewter cutlery. A German Madonna tea set sat in its usual spot, reminding Emily of how happy and carefree her younger years had been. She imagined the two of them, giggling on the foldout sofa, chatting about boyfriends late into the night. The same table had once held their study sessions: formulas stacked, hyperbolas sketched, essays penned while stealing glances at each others notebooks.
Emily smiled, reaching out to greet Peter, the neighbour, who, with a cheeky grin, called her a beauty and kissed her hand, much to her embarrassment. After a sip of wine and a bite of cake, Peter and Mrs. Margaret said their goodbyes, leaving the girls to themselves.
The parents are ever so proper, I thought Emily mused. Finally, we can gossip like old times.
Sarah placed a halffilled glass of wine on the table. We moved to London three years ago, bought a flat. My husband works as a solicitor, I teach maths at a comprehensive school. Charlies now in Year 2, staying with his uncle Ruslans family. Curious little devil! she laughed, then turned to Emily. So, whats new with you?
Im just a humble housewife, but I do three evenings a week cleaning for some welloff families. Mikes a train driver, and the kids little Sasha is six, Karinas five are at nursery and also do a dance class at the community centre.
Remember how we both dreamed of marrying pilots and studying at a university with an air academy? What reckless romantics we were! Sarah chuckled.
And we thought anyone over thirty was an old man, didnt we? Emily replied.
Those were golden days, full of grand plans. We believed in everything until we had to take off the rosecoloured glasses. Even if youre the smartest cookie, you cant always be on top of the wave Sarah said, eyes twinkling.
Sarah, you never told me about Andrew. Have you seen him lately? Emilys blue eyes searched for an answer.
Lets not go there. I barely remember those days. I dont look for him; we just pass each other on the street like strangers. Honestly, Ive forgotten him entirely.
Oh, youre good at lying, arent you? Sarah teased. Sorry, love, didnt mean to upset you.
No, its fine. Im not looking for that chapter. Emily sighed.
The conversation lagged, and Emily prepared to leave. In the taxi, memories shed buried for years began to surface, the kind shed rather forget. Her heart hammered, cheeks flushed, fingers went numb.
Are you alright? the driver asked.
Could you go a bit faster? I need to get home, please. Emily urged.
During the short ride, fragments of her past clicked back together, though a few pieces were still missing.
She saw herself as a child, walls plastered with gluedup glossy magazine cutouts of actors, a porcelain doll collection in ballroom dresses perched on the piano, an open book on the desk whose title was hidden. She sat on her bed, meticulously cutting strips from her pristine wedding dress with tiny manicure scissors. Sparkling sequins scattered like sand, the veil torn into narrow strips, petals tossed aside. She smashed her shoes, shattered a perfume bottle with a hammer. The room smelled of cinnamon, rosemary and a faint hint of jasmine. She was deliberately destroying anything that reminded her of Andrew.
Then her eyes landed on a small velvet box. Without thinking, she snatched it up; inside lay two gold wedding bands, engraved with forever. She dragged a heavy axe from the loft, hammered the rings into a flattened lump of metal. Her hands then grabbed scissors again, hacking away at her long lightbrown hair while her mother looked on.
There wont be a wedding. Its best we both go our separate ways that was the line Andrew had spoken on the phone three days before the ceremony. She remembered his voice clearly; he gave no explanation.
Later, stepping out of the car at her block, she saw a dark male silhouette.
Who could that be? she wondered. Could it be Andrew? Two strange meetings in one day coincidence?
Good evening, Emily! Please, hear me out! the figure pleaded.
Im not thrilled to see you, Andrew, but youve got five minutes, so make them count Emily said, voice steady. Even a condemned man deserves a final word.
Andrews nerves were obvious under the weak streetlamp.
Im sorry, Emily. I was scared, like a child. I was twentyeight then, you were twenty. My first marriage was a disaster, my wifes affair tore me apart. I never wanted to be a laughingstock again. You were naïve then, didnt know life. Yet I loved you, and still do. I was a coward, I know.
He reached for her hands. She pulled away, the clock ticking down.
What else did you want?
Yesterday I talked to your friend Sarah. I told her everything and asked her to speak to you. She said shed let me know if you still loved me, giving me a chance.
Minus one Emily muttered, annoyed. Shes a friend? I didnt expect that treachery.
No, youre wrong. Theres no chance. Andrew hissed.
Wait, Im not done. Emily shoved him aside.
I havent told you everything. After we spoke, I went up to the hills and switched off my phone. He lifted his hand to her forearm, his fingers grazing old scars. She jerked it away.
Dont! she hissed.
Images swirled in her mind like a kaleidoscope; missing pieces fell into place. Her memory returned.
Your parents and brother threatened to ruin me if I ever got near you. I promised them Id stay away Andrew whispered. I once stood by your hospital window while you were on IV drip for two weeks. I never meant to hurt you. I have money now, a future. Leave your husband, Ill care for you and the kids.
The night was quiet, insects buzzing. Suddenly she heard a splash in a bathroom. She found herself lying in a hot tub of crimson water, blood gushing from a cut on her left hand. She tried to close her eyes, yearning for sleep.
A shouted voice jolted her awake. Her fathers frightened face appeared, greytinged hair now sprouting. Daughter! What have you done?
She remembered the whitepainted ceiling of her hospital room, the bandaged arm that ached, but her soul ached far more. The medication had dulled the pain, turning her into a walking shell.
Months later, after three and a half months in hospital, she returned home on the first snowfall, greeted by her mum and dad.
Her body healed, but a part of her had died. Anyone whos felt deep sorrow would understand.
Her memories of school and knowledge were wiped clean; the drugs had erased the mind that once loved learning. They silenced the physical pain but left her a husk, unable to become the bright, joyous girl she once was.
Years went by. Working as a checkout clerk in a supermarket, Emily met Michael. His love healed her broken heart and sparked a desire to live again. They married, and life seemed to settle.
Wait a minute, Andrew! Emily shouted, running into the stairwell.
She unlocked the storage door, found an old dusty box on the top shelf.
Here you go she handed him the tarnished box shed found behind the bathroom after her parents moved. Its all thats left of your endless love.
Andrew opened it. Inside lay two shattered rings. An old melody drifted in his head:
Wedding band, not just a trinket, two hearts, one decision
He clutched the broken pieces, standing beneath the dim streetlamp, the night air cold around him.
