“Are you kidding?” exclaimed Nick, astonished. “How is that even possible? You’re only twenty-one! Why didn’t you say anything before?!”
Alice snuggled up to him, looking deeply into his eyes. “I was afraid that you might stop loving me and reconsider marrying me…”
“And now? What are you banking on now?!”
***
They met by chance. Alice had shopped heavily at the supermarket and stepped outside with two massive shopping bags. The ground was icy. She slipped on the steps and would have certainly fallen if not for the strong arms that caught her mid-fall.
“Careful,” she heard a smooth male voice beside her. “Hold onto me…”
Feeling stable, Alice looked up at her rescuer. “Thank you so much…”
“Why did you load yourself down like this?” asked the stranger with a smile, “especially in such weather?”
“I’m expecting my parents for a visit,” Alice replied simply, “they’re coming to check on how I’m settling in the city. So I…”
“Got it. Do you have far to go? Maybe I could give you a ride?”
“Oh, no. It’s inconvenient enough. You’ve already helped me. I can manage. Slowly. My house is just over there.”
Alice carefully started toward her destination. The man went his own way…
All day he tried to focus on work, but in vain; the image of the beautiful stranger kept coming to mind. That’s what he called her in his daydreams.
“What a lovely creature,” he mused. “Open expression, the minimum of makeup—it seemed she wasn’t even wearing lipstick. And that blush… so soft, barely noticeable… And her voice… like a brook… No, I must find her. She said she lives nearby…”
Nick wasn’t a ladies’ man; on the contrary, he was very cautious with the fair sex, constantly expecting a catch.
The reason was an unfortunate first love that ended in a common betrayal. Since fifth grade, Nick had been smitten with a classmate who, after seeing him off to the army and promising to wait, got married to some businessman’s son six months later.
Upon his return, she unashamedly said, “Nick, don’t be upset. If it comforts you, know this: I still love you. However, loving and getting married are different things. What could you offer me? Life in a rented flat or, worse—a dorm? A perpetually empty wallet? No way. I want to live well. I hope you understand…”
Nick understood everything. Suffered for a long time. Even started drinking. But then he pulled himself together, got a job, enrolled in university part-time…
And now, here he was—a thirty-year-old, single, quite successful man. Fantasizing about a girl he’d only seen once. And even then—briefly.
All because his heart had warmed. He’d waited years for that feeling. And now—it fluttered. And he didn’t even learn her name…
For two weeks, Nick hung around that supermarket. Waiting for the beautiful stranger. And she showed up.
One evening after work, Alice stopped by to pick up something for dinner… She was quite flustered when a man practically threw himself at her feet with the words, “I finally found you!”
Recognizing her rescuer, she smiled, “And why were you looking for me?”
“We forgot to introduce ourselves! I’m Nick, and you are?”
“My name is Alice,” the girl replied with curiosity, sizing up the excited man, “And what’s next, Nick?”
“Next? How about a wonderful dinner at a restaurant! Will you join me?”
“I’m not sure, this is so unexpected…”
“Say yes, Alice!” the man urged, “There’s so much I need to tell you…”
He shared everything about his life. His first love, the years of solitude, and how glad he was to have met her, considering it a gift from fate…
Alice listened intently… This man, so endearing and a bit naive, was more and more appealing to her…
They started dating. Almost every day. And the more they met, the stronger their bond grew. They enjoyed being together despite Alice being quite reserved; she didn’t allow Nick too close.
At first, this surprised him, but then it thrilled him. He was now absolutely sure that she was meant for him by fate and had been waiting only for him!
He introduced Alice to his mother. Alice took Nick to her parents’ home in the countryside.
Nick liked everything there. The simple way of life, the straightforward relationships. The hospitable hosts.
It was there, in the presence of her parents, that Nick proposed to Alice…
At the ceremony, only the closest were present; that was Alice’s wish. She said she didn’t want a big celebration but dreamed of a genuine honeymoon. Nick agreed. He bought the tickets. Their departure was planned a month after the wedding.
The second week of married life, they lived happily together. Nick couldn’t believe his luck. Every day after work, he practically flew home…
One fine evening, Nick felt that Alice seemed troubled.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” he asked gently, “Are you okay? Is everything alright?”
“We need to talk,” his young wife quietly replied…
“Talk. I’m all ears.”
“I’m not sure how you’ll take this,” Alice began, struggling to find her words.
“I’ll take it fine,” Nick could see his wife was very anxious and tried to reassure her, “Whatever it is. You know I love you…”
“I know I should’ve told you earlier… But I couldn’t…”
“Alice, don’t keep me in suspense,” Nick was getting tense, “Have you stopped loving me?”
“No, of course not. It’s just… I’m sorry… I have children… Two…”
“What? Are you joking?” Nick was astonished. “How can that be?”
“I’m not joking…”
“But you’re only twenty-one! How and when did this happen? And why didn’t you say anything before?!”
Alice clung to her husband, looking loyally into his eyes. “I was scared you’d stop loving me and change your mind about marriage…”
“And now? What are you hoping for now?!”
“I don’t know. I hope you’ll understand and forgive me…”
“Forgive?! Me?!” Nick still couldn’t believe what he heard…
“You see, just like you, I have a sad story. We loved each other very much. When he found out I was pregnant, he left me. Got scared. I was only seventeen then. When my son was born, he came to his senses and asked for forgiveness. I forgave him. We started living together. Another year passed, and a daughter was born. But while I was pregnant, he found someone else. Arisha was six months old when he left me again. This time with two kids.”
“And where are your children now? This is a nightmare… I’ve been to your parents’ place… They didn’t say anything. They kept it hidden too, didn’t they…”
“The children live with relatives for now. They don’t have any kids, so they offered to take care of mine.”
“And your parents, what about them?” Nick couldn’t be pacified. “Aren’t they sad about their grandchildren?”
“They visit them regularly, but refuse to bring them home. They say they can’t manage.”
“I see. Quite the family…”
“Why do you say that? I never intended for this to happen. Remember, I wasn’t the one chasing you. You found me…”
“Indeed…”—murmured Nick. “And the act of innocence… You played it well… I even believed in your purity…”
“I was just afraid of getting too attached to you. I thought: what if it doesn’t work out…”
“And has it worked out?”
“Of course! We love each other!”
“And you can say that after such a dreadful lie? You could have told me this a hundred times before the wedding! But no, you tell me now that we’re married!”
“What’s changed? This was the only thing I hid. You’re my husband now, and I don’t want to deceive you anymore. Whether you can accept what I’ve told you depends on your love.”
“So, if I agree to raise your children, then it means I love you. If I refuse, then not?”
“If you refuse, they’ll stay with my relatives. That’s all. If you want, I won’t even meet with them.”
“In other words, you’re willing to forgo your children for me?”
“I am.”
“But that’s monstrous! Don’t you see?!”
“I just love you so much…”
Nick couldn’t hear anymore. He grabbed his jacket and stormed out of the apartment.
He wandered the streets for a long time, trying not to think at all. Trying to calm down.
Eventually, he decided to visit his mother. He desperately needed someone to talk to…
“I don’t know what to tell you, son,” his mother said thoughtfully after hearing Nick out. “You’ve got to make this decision on your own.”
“What decision, mom? I know it’ll be bad for me if I agree, and if I refuse, the kids will be without their mother, and they’ll all be miserable.”
“Then don’t rush into anything. Think about it. Though… I can’t imagine how you’ll live with someone capable of that…”
“Neither can I…”
“So, perhaps, it’s better if you divorce?”
“I love her, mom…”
“Then I don’t know…”
Nick stayed with his wife. He offered to bring the kids over, but Alice refused. “I don’t want to burden you with such a load,” she said quite calmly. “Let them live with relatives, and we’ll visit them.”
“In what capacity?” Nick asked tiredly. “They probably already call your aunt their mom.”
“And let them. They’re happy there, I’m sure. That’s what matters.”
“As you say,” sighed Nick and never brought up the subject again.
They visited the children a couple of times. Watching his wife play with them, Nick couldn’t help thinking: “What will happen when we have a child? What if something happens to me? And then? Will she take him there too?”
A year later, Nick filed for divorce…
He couldn’t live like that…
And that love… just faded away…
