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That awaited day
#TheWritingProject
Is it always that our true love comes back?
Do we always have to be in someone's life to love them? Is it the deep yearnings or the purity from both-sided love that brings the gone love back?
This is the story of two childhood besties or sweethearts; Emerald and Steve. Emerald was the most outstanding, carefree, heartthrob of every other guy and the prettiest of all girls. Steve was an average-looking guy with a good physique and the most intelligent of all. Pearl one of their classmates and friends had a crush on Steve. It wasn't until when Pearl proposed to Steve, that Emerald realized how much she loved Steve, she slapped her right in the face, claiming Steve as her own. What a beautiful day it was for both Steve and Emerald, they confess their love for the first time, all thanks to Pearl. They were partners in crime, best buddies but they weren't lovers till now, they had never dated till then. Emerald was very close to her father, and a little distant from her mother who was a shrewd practical woman, unlike her father who values relationships over materialism. That day Emerald told her father about Steve and her father was happy because he always liked him. Steve and Emerald decided to go on their first date.
It wasn't like they both had never gone for outings but that day was very special as the feeling came off to be new and fascinating, that was their first date that was going to happen.
Fully dressed and excited, Emerald was on her way when she received a call about her father's demise. What terrible news was that! Emerald's father died in an accident. What followed next was a series of unfortunate events. Emerald was forced to marry a thirty-two-year-old widower with a daughter as he promised to take care of her late father's business. She was only 18 years old when she had to marry that man just for the sake of well well-being of her mother and little brother.
Steve was disheartened as if his life, his smiles, his happiness everything had gone with Emerald. She means so much to him and her departure changed him completely. He disconnected himself from her forever, with no calls or contact.
The man whom Emerald espoused was a good man, he could have married Emerald's mother for taking care of his three-year-old daughter but he preferred Emerald as she was naive and a nice person, unlike her mother who was a gold digger and a mature woman. He makes Emerald to further complete her education, get a degree, and hand over one of his companies to her. In the meantime, his daughter (Sara)and Emerald develop a great bond.
Emerald seemed happy but deep inside she was just living the life she had to choose, not what she wanted. She built a shell of a mature woman over the innocent clumsy girl.
Thirteen years had passed. Sara grew up, and both Sara and Emerald look more like sisters than mother and daughter. One day Emerald went to see the contest where Sara was performing under the group "Sweet Sixteens".After the show, Emerald was standing outside waiting for Sara to arrive when she heard someone calling "Emerald! Emerald"
She looked back to see a small girl hiding behind her smiling mischievously. Emerald was shocked to see Pearl her old classmate, and fairly friend looking for the little girl.
Pearl:Hey! Emerald, Am I right?
Emerald:Yes, Pearl this is Emerald.
Pearl was so happy that she couldn't repress her joy at meeting Emerald.
Emerald: Is she your daughter?
Pearl:Yes, Her name is also Emerald and this beautiful teenage girl must be your daughter
Emerald:Yes
Pearl was a little bit confused as Emerald married thirteen years ago but the girl seemed much older than that.
Emerald couldn't understand why Pearl was so happy about meeting her, she should have hated her for that nasty behavior, but it seemed as if she was desperate to meet her. The next moment was more shocking for her as she saw Steve coming for his daughter and wife.
Steve almost freezes to see Emerald after a long time.
Pearl:Hey Steve look who is there, Emerald
Emerald: Hello Steve
Steve didn't want to say even hello
, he stood there in awe in complete silence. There were no expressions on his blank face but a big question " Why"
Emerald:Hey Steve, It's nice to meet you.
Steve: I am still regretting why I met you in the first place and you are saying nice to meet you again.
An awful silence prevails just then Pearl handles the situation and continues the chat.
Pearl:We are running late, Please share your contact number so that we can be in touch from now.
Emerald gave her number and both bid goodbye pleasingly with Steve standing aloof and quiet. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction, but this time the reaction of her slapping Pearl had come after thirteen years, and this invisible slap had hit Emerald hard, much harder than it would have hit Pearl years ago.
Emerald (thinking): Now I understand why she was so satisfied meeting me, finally she had her revenge. Their daughter must be 4 to 5 years old, so they must have been married for 6 years or more. But who on earth gives his daughter the name of his heartbreak when her wife knows everything about his life? Bravo, Steve you always have been like this, blunt, brave, and true! What a beautiful understanding and relationship they both must be having.
Sara:Hey sis who are they?
Emerald: Mom, how many times should I have to tell you not to call me sis? Your father doesn't like that.
Sara:I know, but who gonna tell him
Emerald:(Piercing her ears) Me
Sara:Wish you could!
Emerald(with tears in her eyes):
He knows everything.
Sara:Hey mom! You are crying, let's change the topic, the previous one, Who are they?
Emerald:My classmates or you can say best buddies.
Sara:Oh really but that man looked much older than you, and that lady also isn't as young and beautiful as you.
Emerald:Yeah, time affects each of us differently, but they look happy.
Sara:We too are, Aren't we?
Emerald: Of course darling.
They reached home and had the best dinner with a heart-touching chitchat. Emerald took out her business file and started working. The workload was ample.
Meanwhile, Steve and Pearl reached home. Pearl was very excited and Steve was expressionless and cold as usual
Pearl:What a day it was! We met Emerald, She is as gorgeous as before but I think she has become a respectful and polite than before.
Steve:She was always like that
Pearl:Only to you, for others, she was an arrogant girl.
Steve: OK why are we discussing her? Accidents do happen, forget it, We aren't running over her again
Pearl:You don't want to meet her again?
Steve:Why should I?
Pearl: To feel and meet yourself. See who you have become, you are not the Steve who was with me in school. You have lost yourself, I want to bring that Steve back, I want you to meet Emerald once. Something is there that is missing and that missing piece is Emerald, you need to talk to her. I am happy for ourselves, I found a little ray of hope when I saw Emerald. Go meet her, slap her, kiss her, or hug her but for god's sake just express yourself.
Steve:Have you lost your mind? What emptiness is there, do I not care for you and our Emerald(their daughter), you both are everything to me, what is wrong with you?
Pearl:Then why do your eyes look so empty? Why do we never quarrel, why do you always compromise with me and why do I always agree with you? Why do you never laugh wholeheartedly as you used to when we were in school? I am not saying you still love Emerald but you are broken and you haven't healed yet. A person cannot love another person unless he loves himself. I want you to be mended at any cost, even if it commands Emerald to be in your life.
Steve:(holding Pearl's hand)Don't love me so much. I don't deserve it. Why should I talk to her like, have you seen her, she looks so composed, beautiful, and happy she doesn't need to talk to me, then why should I? And I don't talk to other people's wives, that's not my manner.
Pearl:Maybe she also wants to meet you.
Steve:That luxurious car, her expensive designer dress, what does she ever need more, nothing and me neither...
Pearl (smiling):You pretend to be least bothered but see you glanced at even the smallest of the features. I am right, you need to talk to her. (chuckling)
Steve:No never
Just then their little daughter came directing her dad to come up and put her to sleep as usual. Little Emerald slept peacefully in Steve's arms, he kissed her put her to bed, and went back to her room, where he found Pearl sleeping as peacefully as his daughter.
Steve:( Smiling )Both mom and daughter are the same.
The next day Emerald woke up to find out she had been late, Sara went to school and it was 10:am already.
Emerald:Oh God! Clara( calling her maid)
Ask the driver to get the car ready I am already late.
Clara:But mam...
Emerald:No I am not having the breakfast
Clara:But Mam a guest is waiting for you in the living room
Emerald went downstairs and to her surprise, she saw Pearl sitting on the sofa.
Pearl:Sorry to disturb you dearly but I just wanted to know about your whereabouts.
I was returning from the gym so I decided just to say hi on the way. It won't take long.
Emerald:No No please have a seat, it's so glad to meet you.
Pearl:Where is your husband? I want to meet him, you met mine I want to see the handsome guy who woe this beauty queen.
Emerald:He died, eight years ago.
Pearl:Oh...I am sorry.
Emerald:He left us when Sara was eight years old. And Sara is his daughter with his ex-wife.
Pearl:And who owns this company?
Emerald: I and Sara are equal partners in his company. That was his will.
Pearl:So you both don't have your kid.
Emerald:Doesn't feel like Sara is not my birth child. I raised her since she was three. Our bond feels perfect.
Pearl:Lovely! See how you are completed even though you don't have a blood relation and someone is still incomplete despite having all he wanted in life. A man never forgets a woman who broke his heart.
You moved on, someone is still stuck in the past.
Emerald: No, I never did, but I decided to not let my emptiness affect anybody. I never loved my husband and the only man I loved was Steve, but that doesn't affect my home or my duty toward him.
Pearl:It isn't affecting us either, Steve cares for me, and is a very good husband and father but...
Clara:Mam, there is a call from the office, the delegation has already arrived. They are waiting.
Pearl:I should leave now.
Emerald:Tell them to call off the meeting, I am staying home today. Ah...Pearl, what were you saying but what?
Pearl:See it's not that Steve isn't a good husband or he doesn't take care of his family but there is intense pain in his eyes. The pain which only I can see because I know his past, I know you. Whenever I dress up he asks me to dress up a certain way, some special colors some particular shades which I know were your favorite He subconsciously misses you. Whenever I put on a particular hairstyle he corrects them to the style that I know was yours. He never takes your name but you are always there in between us and my suffering is that I know everything and can't do anything. Someone said it right ignorance is bliss, Had I not known about you wouldn't't have understood that he is searching for you in me. What a love story! I only want him to be aware of what he wants and where I stand in his life.
Emerald:What do you want from me?
Pearl:Just talk to him, rekindle your old friendship. OKmerald: OK I will meet him, you tell me when and where?
Pearl:Tomorrow at 5 pm at the same place where your first date had to happen in the first place. OKmerald: OK, but have you asked Steve?
Pearl:He will come definitely (confidently)
Pearl leaves. Emerald didn't know what to do, what would she say to him, what tomorrow would bring to her. She was both confused and excited as if she was alive after being dead for thirteen years. The feeling was like being eighteen years old again. Whatever shell she had built around herself began to crack, and the butterflies she had trapped inside were free tingling her whole body. She was so ecstatic to know what Pearl revealed to her, that Steve still loved her. Every strong woman has a weak point and that feeling was conquering her slowly. On the other hand, Steve was shocked when he heard about her dead husband. All his anger and reluctance started melting away in the form of tears. He had already forgiven her and the soft corner of his heart palpitated again for Emerald. He never wanted that for Emerald. It was a bit painful for Pearl to see her husband feeling for another woman but she was happy for Steve as finally, he confessed to himself his feelings, maybe in the form of tears. And this feeling for Emerald was always there, no wonder, it is just expressed today. The next day with a heavy heart, she bid goodbye to Steve for their meeting up. Now there was a certain concern in her eyes that Stev failed to notice in a moment of fury.
Steve was a bit late, Emerald's car was already parked there. The restaurant was full of teenagers and appeared to be a bit awkward being there amidst teenagers but that was their choice to be there to relive some old moments. Pearl had booked a private cabin for them. Steve arrived to see Emerald's back sitting facing the table. He called her "Emerald ".Listening to her name fim after years was a heartthrob moment for her. She hesitantly turns to greet him but Steve embraces as if they were the same buddies as before.
Emerald:Can you leave me now? (blushing)
Steve: Only for now, then I am not leaving you anyway have a seat
Emerald: First I have to say sorry to you. Do forgive me for ruining your life.?. I should not have taken the decision all by myself when the relationship was ours. But my mom compelled me to marry him. She and my younger brother were so troubled by my father's demise and the collapsing business that we had to surrender our love for them. I paid the price for my family but you don't deserve to be suffering for my plight.
Steve: Forget everything that has taken off, it can't be mended but the best part is we can still shape our destiny you and I will be together again.
Emerald:It isn't as easy as it seems, we are not alone.
Steve: I will handle all, Just assure me now you will not leave, and even if you want to, don't leave without goodbyes
Emerald:(holding Steve's hand) I am not leaving at all, if destiny has united us we will be together, now it's our time.
They both reconciled, talked, laughed, and ate their favorite childhood food. Now it's time to leave. Both hug each other again and Steve is about to kiss Emerald when his phone rings. He took it and answered, Darling, coming home."
Emerald felt a bit uneasy and took her off his grip.
Emerald:Bye see you soon
Steve:It was Emerald, my daughter, she was asking me to say hi to another Emerald.
Emerald:It wasn't Emerald, It's Pearl, who told the little girl about us. Don't forget, Pearl loves you and she is your wife, the woman to whom you allegedly belong
Steve: And my heart belongs to you, my first love.
Emerald: But now I am the second woman in your life.
Steve:Again you want to ruin things.
Emerald:No, dear accepting things as they are. Now I don't dare to lose you.
Pearl was waiting for Steve desperately. As soon as the doorbell rang, she rushed to open the door. To her surprise, she saw Steve standing and smiling for the first time while entering the house i.e. six years.
Pearl:How is the date?
Steve: It's not the date (kissing her), just a meeting, and thanks to you for making it happen.
Pearl:Now, what's next, you both be dating or friends from now on or something more Or
Steve: Or?
Pearl: (relucantly) Or you can marry her if you wish to, you can leave me.
Steve: What nonsense! We will be good friends from now on, I am not leaving you, and our daughter.
Pearl:You can have our daughter, but don't make her an excuse for us to be together. Think about it, I will never complain. Tell me. Are you accomplished with me? Do you love me?
Steve didn't know what to say. An awkward silence filled the room. Pearl leaves the hall disheartened.
The next morning Emerald woke up as never before, she was happy as never before. She picked up her phone to see 10 unread messages from Steve. It was like a dream come true, she was like flying in heaven. Just then her maid interrupts to inform her that the breakfast and the car are ready. With a blushing and a smiling face, she went downstairs to see Sara waiting for her.
Sara:Hey sis, what's going on? The charm of your eyes says many things
Emerald: mom Sara
Sara: OK Mom! Is something cooking?
I am happy for you, I heard some gossip in the mansion about your last night's date. The driver, maid, and all.
Emerald:(chuckling)God... Nothing can be concealed.
Sara:Why should you? You have a right to be happy.
Emerald:What about you little girl, you are my responsibility.
Sara:I will be with you till I don't find anyone to spend my life with.Then what about you? Life can't be spent like this alone. You can take your decision.
Emerald:Oh mine the little girl is growing up. Yes, but first I have to decide on signing the contract for our new company for which we have to move on to Turkey.
Sara:So are we moving?What about your new happiness?
Emerald: That's why I am postponing it, I decided to send your dad's nephew to Turkey to look after it. I chose to stay, this time I didn't want to lose Steve.
Sara:(kissing her) Whatever you are up to I am always with you because I love you more than anybody else.Bye mom
Sara embraced her mom and went to school. Just then Emerald receives a call from Steve asking for a short trip for two or three days with her. Steve got a leave easily from his office as he is among the most reputable positions in the company and the most punctual and hard-working man. But Emerald had a lot of pending work to be finalized and, she couldn't go for three days, so they decided just to take a day off together.
Dressed like a boy in his mid-twenties
, he was setting his hair with the dryer when Pearl hugged him from behind and kissed him on the shoulders.
Pearl:Say hi to Emerald
Steve:Are you ok?
Pearl:Cant say in words what I am feeling
Steve:Me too either.
Pearl: Are you regretting marrying me? Had your parents not insisted upon you marrying me, you could have married Pearl now. I was selfish I just kept impressing your parents for my benefit.
Steve:No, you are not. You are not the reason for our suffering. Everyone has the right to be happy in life and to go for what they want. I am still thankful to my parents for such an understanding wife. How could you bring Emerald back into my life? How could a wife be like that?
Pearl: I became your wife later, first we were friends. I saw you crying for Emerald, your yearnings, and your love for her. You know the day when Emerald left you was the happiest day for me, no matter what but I am an opportunist, I kept stocking you, and contacting you until we became friends. I place myself in your life but I was unable to fill the void in your heart. As years passed by I came to realize that I can exist in your life but not in your heart. It's better when you return, take the final decision, free yourself from this binding relationship, and live without emptiness.
Steve didn't know what to do or how to react so he left without saying anything. Pearl's words were disheartening for him but as soon as he caught up with Emerald he forgot everything. He couldn't keep his eyes off her who was dressed in a bold short skirt of all hues of red and white, beautiful curls of brown hairs touching her waist, and her large wide eyes blushing mischievously. Reminiscing some old memories they began conversing about a series of old incidents, mischiefs, and the names they have given to the other colleagues at the school. Gradually the barriers of outer decency and maturity were breaking and the real Steve and Emerald began to reappear from the curtains of intricacy and formality. Just then Emerald asks him to let her drive. Thinking that now Emerald is grown up and mature he agreed but Emerald is still a terrible driver with the same clumsiness and same rash driving. Steve immediately tries to snatch the steering from her, but she instead plucks his hair, and in no time they both are fighting like teenagers as they used to in childhood. Amongst all this hustle and bustle, their car almost bumped into a nearby car. The car stopped and they both began to giggle, still blaming each other for the accident.
Emerald:Oops The car will not start again
Steve: Let it be, come let's eat something at the nearby cafe.
Steve ordered pizza and fries because he still remembers Emerald's craving. Pizza with extra cheese and olives was her favorite. Steve picked all the olives from the pizza and ate them. Emerald gave an angry gaze as there were no olives left. Furious Emerald spills the whole water bottle on Steve.
Steve:( laughing ) ok ok sorry we will order now two separate pizzas
Emerald:Why always do you have to eat all my olives?
Steve:Because I too like olives.
Emerald: OK now you will have yours and I will have mine.
Then the server brings two separate pizzas. Steve took all the olives from his pizza and this time to Emerald's surprise threw all of them in a dustbin.
Emerald:Why would you do that?
Steve:Because I hate olives
Emerald:What?
Steve: Always! but I love teasing you like this always.
Emerald:Since childhood, you have been teasing me like this, I hate you
Steve:I love you
Emerald blushes for a moment, then she calls the waiter and asks for a discount.
Steve:Have you gone mad, why discount? We can pay.
Emerald:Don't you remember I always did that?
The waiter told Emerald to meet the manager. Emerald starts flirting with him and takes the discount.
Steve:You are so cheap!
Before Emerald could say something Steve interrupted and said "Now don't you dare to say those filthy lines to me... what beauty is for if it can't be used"
Emerald:Hahaha you remembered that.
Steve: I always hated that thing of yours.
Emerald: I knew that
Steve:( fixing her top that just slipped because of their mini fights) I am still very possessive about you and I can't tolerate anybody looking at you. Just imagine how I have felt after knowing you married someone.
Emerald:From now I am only yours, Happy! But I want to confess something. My husband isn't dead, he left me for his childhood sweetheart who didn't want to take care of his daughter, So he faked his death to not hurt Sara, no one knew except me.
Steve:What a selfish dad was he!
Emerald:We can't judge him because kids should not be the reason to stay in any relationship. He knew I would be the best for his daughter. That was the deal. His way of loving his daughter was different from ours.
Steve:Maybe. Come let's go to the beach. They sat beside the sea bed with Emerald resting her head on his shoulders and holding his hand. Such a peaceful moment it was to get lost in its serenity. Just then a photographer came with wedding costumes and insisted on having a photoshoot with costumes." It will be memorable mam, sir."
All dressed in a wedding gown Emerald was looking like a fairy and Steve in a suit like an angel. Both had a wedding photo shoot.
Steve:Would you like to spend the rest of your life with me?
Emerald:yes
Steve kissed Emerald for the first time and then they danced and danced until the end of the dusk beneath the sunset.
Emerald: I will wake up at 10:00 a.m.
Steve: OK I will make the breakfast for us
Emerald: I don't like to cook.
Steve:We will hire a cook
Emerald:We will hit the gym together.
Steve:Yes and every day we would watch our favorite shows, do our common favorite activities which we used to do since childhood in our quality time, and fight as usual.
Emerald: What about our kids?
Steve:Our daughter will be just like me sincere and our son will be like you clumsy and funny.
Emerald:So my daughter will not be so looking and my son will be handsome.
Steve:No they both will be very good-looking
Emerald:Just like you. You are the most handsome man I have ever seen. (Both kissed passionately)
Night befalls and now it's time to go home. On the way, Steve gives some money to a beggar and he blesses him by saying "You got a beautiful wife, may you always be together forever", to which Steve responds playfully mumbling she fights a lot.
Steve:I lived my whole life in one day.
Emerald:Yes, even for one day, our dream comes true. Now it's time to say goodbye. I am leaving for Turkey the day after tomorrow.
Steve:You don't have to..we won't meet from now on, you can stay here
Emerald:Yes but staying here and not meeting you is not possible for me. I just can't. Goodbye.
Steve: Be in touch
Emerald:Yes and this time don't ghost me ok, Don't block me.
Steve:Sure but if you promise to meet me once again
Emerald: I will try, even if I can't, Always remember that I love you so much always and more after you decided to choose Pearl over me. I am your first love, thanks for not making me a second woman in your life.
Steve: Bye, all the best.
Steve deleted all the pictures of them from his mobile and kept just one. He called "Emerald "for one last time and exclaimed, "I am the happiest man".
Emerald:Love you always.
Steve reached home. Pearl looked more stable than she was in the morning.
Steve:(happily)Look at me, do I still look like an empty man?
Pearl: No, not at all...
Steve: I don't know whether I love you or not but I am accomplished with you and our Emerald.
Just then the little Emerald comes and hugs her dad
Emerald:Dad you are late, you know I can't sleep without you.
Steve hugs both Pearl and his daughter.
Then they took a family selfie and uploaded it on social media with the hashtag #happy and complete.
Emerald liked the picture.
Sometimes it the not the loss of love we keep mourning, it's the loss of feelings, loss of hope, and dreams. Keep your life filled with love, Romance, and enthusiasm. Reconnect with your loved ones. Love is not to claim a person in your life but to keep a person forever in your heart with the best memories and no grudges.
© Shaesta
Is it always that our true love comes back?
Do we always have to be in someone's life to love them? Is it the deep yearnings or the purity from both-sided love that brings the gone love back?
This is the story of two childhood besties or sweethearts; Emerald and Steve. Emerald was the most outstanding, carefree, heartthrob of every other guy and the prettiest of all girls. Steve was an average-looking guy with a good physique and the most intelligent of all. Pearl one of their classmates and friends had a crush on Steve. It wasn't until when Pearl proposed to Steve, that Emerald realized how much she loved Steve, she slapped her right in the face, claiming Steve as her own. What a beautiful day it was for both Steve and Emerald, they confess their love for the first time, all thanks to Pearl. They were partners in crime, best buddies but they weren't lovers till now, they had never dated till then. Emerald was very close to her father, and a little distant from her mother who was a shrewd practical woman, unlike her father who values relationships over materialism. That day Emerald told her father about Steve and her father was happy because he always liked him. Steve and Emerald decided to go on their first date.
It wasn't like they both had never gone for outings but that day was very special as the feeling came off to be new and fascinating, that was their first date that was going to happen.
Fully dressed and excited, Emerald was on her way when she received a call about her father's demise. What terrible news was that! Emerald's father died in an accident. What followed next was a series of unfortunate events. Emerald was forced to marry a thirty-two-year-old widower with a daughter as he promised to take care of her late father's business. She was only 18 years old when she had to marry that man just for the sake of well well-being of her mother and little brother.
Steve was disheartened as if his life, his smiles, his happiness everything had gone with Emerald. She means so much to him and her departure changed him completely. He disconnected himself from her forever, with no calls or contact.
The man whom Emerald espoused was a good man, he could have married Emerald's mother for taking care of his three-year-old daughter but he preferred Emerald as she was naive and a nice person, unlike her mother who was a gold digger and a mature woman. He makes Emerald to further complete her education, get a degree, and hand over one of his companies to her. In the meantime, his daughter (Sara)and Emerald develop a great bond.
Emerald seemed happy but deep inside she was just living the life she had to choose, not what she wanted. She built a shell of a mature woman over the innocent clumsy girl.
Thirteen years had passed. Sara grew up, and both Sara and Emerald look more like sisters than mother and daughter. One day Emerald went to see the contest where Sara was performing under the group "Sweet Sixteens".After the show, Emerald was standing outside waiting for Sara to arrive when she heard someone calling "Emerald! Emerald"
She looked back to see a small girl hiding behind her smiling mischievously. Emerald was shocked to see Pearl her old classmate, and fairly friend looking for the little girl.
Pearl:Hey! Emerald, Am I right?
Emerald:Yes, Pearl this is Emerald.
Pearl was so happy that she couldn't repress her joy at meeting Emerald.
Emerald: Is she your daughter?
Pearl:Yes, Her name is also Emerald and this beautiful teenage girl must be your daughter
Emerald:Yes
Pearl was a little bit confused as Emerald married thirteen years ago but the girl seemed much older than that.
Emerald couldn't understand why Pearl was so happy about meeting her, she should have hated her for that nasty behavior, but it seemed as if she was desperate to meet her. The next moment was more shocking for her as she saw Steve coming for his daughter and wife.
Steve almost freezes to see Emerald after a long time.
Pearl:Hey Steve look who is there, Emerald
Emerald: Hello Steve
Steve didn't want to say even hello
, he stood there in awe in complete silence. There were no expressions on his blank face but a big question " Why"
Emerald:Hey Steve, It's nice to meet you.
Steve: I am still regretting why I met you in the first place and you are saying nice to meet you again.
An awful silence prevails just then Pearl handles the situation and continues the chat.
Pearl:We are running late, Please share your contact number so that we can be in touch from now.
Emerald gave her number and both bid goodbye pleasingly with Steve standing aloof and quiet. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction, but this time the reaction of her slapping Pearl had come after thirteen years, and this invisible slap had hit Emerald hard, much harder than it would have hit Pearl years ago.
Emerald (thinking): Now I understand why she was so satisfied meeting me, finally she had her revenge. Their daughter must be 4 to 5 years old, so they must have been married for 6 years or more. But who on earth gives his daughter the name of his heartbreak when her wife knows everything about his life? Bravo, Steve you always have been like this, blunt, brave, and true! What a beautiful understanding and relationship they both must be having.
Sara:Hey sis who are they?
Emerald: Mom, how many times should I have to tell you not to call me sis? Your father doesn't like that.
Sara:I know, but who gonna tell him
Emerald:(Piercing her ears) Me
Sara:Wish you could!
Emerald(with tears in her eyes):
He knows everything.
Sara:Hey mom! You are crying, let's change the topic, the previous one, Who are they?
Emerald:My classmates or you can say best buddies.
Sara:Oh really but that man looked much older than you, and that lady also isn't as young and beautiful as you.
Emerald:Yeah, time affects each of us differently, but they look happy.
Sara:We too are, Aren't we?
Emerald: Of course darling.
They reached home and had the best dinner with a heart-touching chitchat. Emerald took out her business file and started working. The workload was ample.
Meanwhile, Steve and Pearl reached home. Pearl was very excited and Steve was expressionless and cold as usual
Pearl:What a day it was! We met Emerald, She is as gorgeous as before but I think she has become a respectful and polite than before.
Steve:She was always like that
Pearl:Only to you, for others, she was an arrogant girl.
Steve: OK why are we discussing her? Accidents do happen, forget it, We aren't running over her again
Pearl:You don't want to meet her again?
Steve:Why should I?
Pearl: To feel and meet yourself. See who you have become, you are not the Steve who was with me in school. You have lost yourself, I want to bring that Steve back, I want you to meet Emerald once. Something is there that is missing and that missing piece is Emerald, you need to talk to her. I am happy for ourselves, I found a little ray of hope when I saw Emerald. Go meet her, slap her, kiss her, or hug her but for god's sake just express yourself.
Steve:Have you lost your mind? What emptiness is there, do I not care for you and our Emerald(their daughter), you both are everything to me, what is wrong with you?
Pearl:Then why do your eyes look so empty? Why do we never quarrel, why do you always compromise with me and why do I always agree with you? Why do you never laugh wholeheartedly as you used to when we were in school? I am not saying you still love Emerald but you are broken and you haven't healed yet. A person cannot love another person unless he loves himself. I want you to be mended at any cost, even if it commands Emerald to be in your life.
Steve:(holding Pearl's hand)Don't love me so much. I don't deserve it. Why should I talk to her like, have you seen her, she looks so composed, beautiful, and happy she doesn't need to talk to me, then why should I? And I don't talk to other people's wives, that's not my manner.
Pearl:Maybe she also wants to meet you.
Steve:That luxurious car, her expensive designer dress, what does she ever need more, nothing and me neither...
Pearl (smiling):You pretend to be least bothered but see you glanced at even the smallest of the features. I am right, you need to talk to her. (chuckling)
Steve:No never
Just then their little daughter came directing her dad to come up and put her to sleep as usual. Little Emerald slept peacefully in Steve's arms, he kissed her put her to bed, and went back to her room, where he found Pearl sleeping as peacefully as his daughter.
Steve:( Smiling )Both mom and daughter are the same.
The next day Emerald woke up to find out she had been late, Sara went to school and it was 10:am already.
Emerald:Oh God! Clara( calling her maid)
Ask the driver to get the car ready I am already late.
Clara:But mam...
Emerald:No I am not having the breakfast
Clara:But Mam a guest is waiting for you in the living room
Emerald went downstairs and to her surprise, she saw Pearl sitting on the sofa.
Pearl:Sorry to disturb you dearly but I just wanted to know about your whereabouts.
I was returning from the gym so I decided just to say hi on the way. It won't take long.
Emerald:No No please have a seat, it's so glad to meet you.
Pearl:Where is your husband? I want to meet him, you met mine I want to see the handsome guy who woe this beauty queen.
Emerald:He died, eight years ago.
Pearl:Oh...I am sorry.
Emerald:He left us when Sara was eight years old. And Sara is his daughter with his ex-wife.
Pearl:And who owns this company?
Emerald: I and Sara are equal partners in his company. That was his will.
Pearl:So you both don't have your kid.
Emerald:Doesn't feel like Sara is not my birth child. I raised her since she was three. Our bond feels perfect.
Pearl:Lovely! See how you are completed even though you don't have a blood relation and someone is still incomplete despite having all he wanted in life. A man never forgets a woman who broke his heart.
You moved on, someone is still stuck in the past.
Emerald: No, I never did, but I decided to not let my emptiness affect anybody. I never loved my husband and the only man I loved was Steve, but that doesn't affect my home or my duty toward him.
Pearl:It isn't affecting us either, Steve cares for me, and is a very good husband and father but...
Clara:Mam, there is a call from the office, the delegation has already arrived. They are waiting.
Pearl:I should leave now.
Emerald:Tell them to call off the meeting, I am staying home today. Ah...Pearl, what were you saying but what?
Pearl:See it's not that Steve isn't a good husband or he doesn't take care of his family but there is intense pain in his eyes. The pain which only I can see because I know his past, I know you. Whenever I dress up he asks me to dress up a certain way, some special colors some particular shades which I know were your favorite He subconsciously misses you. Whenever I put on a particular hairstyle he corrects them to the style that I know was yours. He never takes your name but you are always there in between us and my suffering is that I know everything and can't do anything. Someone said it right ignorance is bliss, Had I not known about you wouldn't't have understood that he is searching for you in me. What a love story! I only want him to be aware of what he wants and where I stand in his life.
Emerald:What do you want from me?
Pearl:Just talk to him, rekindle your old friendship. OKmerald: OK I will meet him, you tell me when and where?
Pearl:Tomorrow at 5 pm at the same place where your first date had to happen in the first place. OKmerald: OK, but have you asked Steve?
Pearl:He will come definitely (confidently)
Pearl leaves. Emerald didn't know what to do, what would she say to him, what tomorrow would bring to her. She was both confused and excited as if she was alive after being dead for thirteen years. The feeling was like being eighteen years old again. Whatever shell she had built around herself began to crack, and the butterflies she had trapped inside were free tingling her whole body. She was so ecstatic to know what Pearl revealed to her, that Steve still loved her. Every strong woman has a weak point and that feeling was conquering her slowly. On the other hand, Steve was shocked when he heard about her dead husband. All his anger and reluctance started melting away in the form of tears. He had already forgiven her and the soft corner of his heart palpitated again for Emerald. He never wanted that for Emerald. It was a bit painful for Pearl to see her husband feeling for another woman but she was happy for Steve as finally, he confessed to himself his feelings, maybe in the form of tears. And this feeling for Emerald was always there, no wonder, it is just expressed today. The next day with a heavy heart, she bid goodbye to Steve for their meeting up. Now there was a certain concern in her eyes that Stev failed to notice in a moment of fury.
Steve was a bit late, Emerald's car was already parked there. The restaurant was full of teenagers and appeared to be a bit awkward being there amidst teenagers but that was their choice to be there to relive some old moments. Pearl had booked a private cabin for them. Steve arrived to see Emerald's back sitting facing the table. He called her "Emerald ".Listening to her name fim after years was a heartthrob moment for her. She hesitantly turns to greet him but Steve embraces as if they were the same buddies as before.
Emerald:Can you leave me now? (blushing)
Steve: Only for now, then I am not leaving you anyway have a seat
Emerald: First I have to say sorry to you. Do forgive me for ruining your life.?. I should not have taken the decision all by myself when the relationship was ours. But my mom compelled me to marry him. She and my younger brother were so troubled by my father's demise and the collapsing business that we had to surrender our love for them. I paid the price for my family but you don't deserve to be suffering for my plight.
Steve: Forget everything that has taken off, it can't be mended but the best part is we can still shape our destiny you and I will be together again.
Emerald:It isn't as easy as it seems, we are not alone.
Steve: I will handle all, Just assure me now you will not leave, and even if you want to, don't leave without goodbyes
Emerald:(holding Steve's hand) I am not leaving at all, if destiny has united us we will be together, now it's our time.
They both reconciled, talked, laughed, and ate their favorite childhood food. Now it's time to leave. Both hug each other again and Steve is about to kiss Emerald when his phone rings. He took it and answered, Darling, coming home."
Emerald felt a bit uneasy and took her off his grip.
Emerald:Bye see you soon
Steve:It was Emerald, my daughter, she was asking me to say hi to another Emerald.
Emerald:It wasn't Emerald, It's Pearl, who told the little girl about us. Don't forget, Pearl loves you and she is your wife, the woman to whom you allegedly belong
Steve: And my heart belongs to you, my first love.
Emerald: But now I am the second woman in your life.
Steve:Again you want to ruin things.
Emerald:No, dear accepting things as they are. Now I don't dare to lose you.
Pearl was waiting for Steve desperately. As soon as the doorbell rang, she rushed to open the door. To her surprise, she saw Steve standing and smiling for the first time while entering the house i.e. six years.
Pearl:How is the date?
Steve: It's not the date (kissing her), just a meeting, and thanks to you for making it happen.
Pearl:Now, what's next, you both be dating or friends from now on or something more Or
Steve: Or?
Pearl: (relucantly) Or you can marry her if you wish to, you can leave me.
Steve: What nonsense! We will be good friends from now on, I am not leaving you, and our daughter.
Pearl:You can have our daughter, but don't make her an excuse for us to be together. Think about it, I will never complain. Tell me. Are you accomplished with me? Do you love me?
Steve didn't know what to say. An awkward silence filled the room. Pearl leaves the hall disheartened.
The next morning Emerald woke up as never before, she was happy as never before. She picked up her phone to see 10 unread messages from Steve. It was like a dream come true, she was like flying in heaven. Just then her maid interrupts to inform her that the breakfast and the car are ready. With a blushing and a smiling face, she went downstairs to see Sara waiting for her.
Sara:Hey sis, what's going on? The charm of your eyes says many things
Emerald: mom Sara
Sara: OK Mom! Is something cooking?
I am happy for you, I heard some gossip in the mansion about your last night's date. The driver, maid, and all.
Emerald:(chuckling)God... Nothing can be concealed.
Sara:Why should you? You have a right to be happy.
Emerald:What about you little girl, you are my responsibility.
Sara:I will be with you till I don't find anyone to spend my life with.Then what about you? Life can't be spent like this alone. You can take your decision.
Emerald:Oh mine the little girl is growing up. Yes, but first I have to decide on signing the contract for our new company for which we have to move on to Turkey.
Sara:So are we moving?What about your new happiness?
Emerald: That's why I am postponing it, I decided to send your dad's nephew to Turkey to look after it. I chose to stay, this time I didn't want to lose Steve.
Sara:(kissing her) Whatever you are up to I am always with you because I love you more than anybody else.Bye mom
Sara embraced her mom and went to school. Just then Emerald receives a call from Steve asking for a short trip for two or three days with her. Steve got a leave easily from his office as he is among the most reputable positions in the company and the most punctual and hard-working man. But Emerald had a lot of pending work to be finalized and, she couldn't go for three days, so they decided just to take a day off together.
Dressed like a boy in his mid-twenties
, he was setting his hair with the dryer when Pearl hugged him from behind and kissed him on the shoulders.
Pearl:Say hi to Emerald
Steve:Are you ok?
Pearl:Cant say in words what I am feeling
Steve:Me too either.
Pearl: Are you regretting marrying me? Had your parents not insisted upon you marrying me, you could have married Pearl now. I was selfish I just kept impressing your parents for my benefit.
Steve:No, you are not. You are not the reason for our suffering. Everyone has the right to be happy in life and to go for what they want. I am still thankful to my parents for such an understanding wife. How could you bring Emerald back into my life? How could a wife be like that?
Pearl: I became your wife later, first we were friends. I saw you crying for Emerald, your yearnings, and your love for her. You know the day when Emerald left you was the happiest day for me, no matter what but I am an opportunist, I kept stocking you, and contacting you until we became friends. I place myself in your life but I was unable to fill the void in your heart. As years passed by I came to realize that I can exist in your life but not in your heart. It's better when you return, take the final decision, free yourself from this binding relationship, and live without emptiness.
Steve didn't know what to do or how to react so he left without saying anything. Pearl's words were disheartening for him but as soon as he caught up with Emerald he forgot everything. He couldn't keep his eyes off her who was dressed in a bold short skirt of all hues of red and white, beautiful curls of brown hairs touching her waist, and her large wide eyes blushing mischievously. Reminiscing some old memories they began conversing about a series of old incidents, mischiefs, and the names they have given to the other colleagues at the school. Gradually the barriers of outer decency and maturity were breaking and the real Steve and Emerald began to reappear from the curtains of intricacy and formality. Just then Emerald asks him to let her drive. Thinking that now Emerald is grown up and mature he agreed but Emerald is still a terrible driver with the same clumsiness and same rash driving. Steve immediately tries to snatch the steering from her, but she instead plucks his hair, and in no time they both are fighting like teenagers as they used to in childhood. Amongst all this hustle and bustle, their car almost bumped into a nearby car. The car stopped and they both began to giggle, still blaming each other for the accident.
Emerald:Oops The car will not start again
Steve: Let it be, come let's eat something at the nearby cafe.
Steve ordered pizza and fries because he still remembers Emerald's craving. Pizza with extra cheese and olives was her favorite. Steve picked all the olives from the pizza and ate them. Emerald gave an angry gaze as there were no olives left. Furious Emerald spills the whole water bottle on Steve.
Steve:( laughing ) ok ok sorry we will order now two separate pizzas
Emerald:Why always do you have to eat all my olives?
Steve:Because I too like olives.
Emerald: OK now you will have yours and I will have mine.
Then the server brings two separate pizzas. Steve took all the olives from his pizza and this time to Emerald's surprise threw all of them in a dustbin.
Emerald:Why would you do that?
Steve:Because I hate olives
Emerald:What?
Steve: Always! but I love teasing you like this always.
Emerald:Since childhood, you have been teasing me like this, I hate you
Steve:I love you
Emerald blushes for a moment, then she calls the waiter and asks for a discount.
Steve:Have you gone mad, why discount? We can pay.
Emerald:Don't you remember I always did that?
The waiter told Emerald to meet the manager. Emerald starts flirting with him and takes the discount.
Steve:You are so cheap!
Before Emerald could say something Steve interrupted and said "Now don't you dare to say those filthy lines to me... what beauty is for if it can't be used"
Emerald:Hahaha you remembered that.
Steve: I always hated that thing of yours.
Emerald: I knew that
Steve:( fixing her top that just slipped because of their mini fights) I am still very possessive about you and I can't tolerate anybody looking at you. Just imagine how I have felt after knowing you married someone.
Emerald:From now I am only yours, Happy! But I want to confess something. My husband isn't dead, he left me for his childhood sweetheart who didn't want to take care of his daughter, So he faked his death to not hurt Sara, no one knew except me.
Steve:What a selfish dad was he!
Emerald:We can't judge him because kids should not be the reason to stay in any relationship. He knew I would be the best for his daughter. That was the deal. His way of loving his daughter was different from ours.
Steve:Maybe. Come let's go to the beach. They sat beside the sea bed with Emerald resting her head on his shoulders and holding his hand. Such a peaceful moment it was to get lost in its serenity. Just then a photographer came with wedding costumes and insisted on having a photoshoot with costumes." It will be memorable mam, sir."
All dressed in a wedding gown Emerald was looking like a fairy and Steve in a suit like an angel. Both had a wedding photo shoot.
Steve:Would you like to spend the rest of your life with me?
Emerald:yes
Steve kissed Emerald for the first time and then they danced and danced until the end of the dusk beneath the sunset.
Emerald: I will wake up at 10:00 a.m.
Steve: OK I will make the breakfast for us
Emerald: I don't like to cook.
Steve:We will hire a cook
Emerald:We will hit the gym together.
Steve:Yes and every day we would watch our favorite shows, do our common favorite activities which we used to do since childhood in our quality time, and fight as usual.
Emerald: What about our kids?
Steve:Our daughter will be just like me sincere and our son will be like you clumsy and funny.
Emerald:So my daughter will not be so looking and my son will be handsome.
Steve:No they both will be very good-looking
Emerald:Just like you. You are the most handsome man I have ever seen. (Both kissed passionately)
Night befalls and now it's time to go home. On the way, Steve gives some money to a beggar and he blesses him by saying "You got a beautiful wife, may you always be together forever", to which Steve responds playfully mumbling she fights a lot.
Steve:I lived my whole life in one day.
Emerald:Yes, even for one day, our dream comes true. Now it's time to say goodbye. I am leaving for Turkey the day after tomorrow.
Steve:You don't have to..we won't meet from now on, you can stay here
Emerald:Yes but staying here and not meeting you is not possible for me. I just can't. Goodbye.
Steve: Be in touch
Emerald:Yes and this time don't ghost me ok, Don't block me.
Steve:Sure but if you promise to meet me once again
Emerald: I will try, even if I can't, Always remember that I love you so much always and more after you decided to choose Pearl over me. I am your first love, thanks for not making me a second woman in your life.
Steve: Bye, all the best.
Steve deleted all the pictures of them from his mobile and kept just one. He called "Emerald "for one last time and exclaimed, "I am the happiest man".
Emerald:Love you always.
Steve reached home. Pearl looked more stable than she was in the morning.
Steve:(happily)Look at me, do I still look like an empty man?
Pearl: No, not at all...
Steve: I don't know whether I love you or not but I am accomplished with you and our Emerald.
Just then the little Emerald comes and hugs her dad
Emerald:Dad you are late, you know I can't sleep without you.
Steve hugs both Pearl and his daughter.
Then they took a family selfie and uploaded it on social media with the hashtag #happy and complete.
Emerald liked the picture.
Sometimes it the not the loss of love we keep mourning, it's the loss of feelings, loss of hope, and dreams. Keep your life filled with love, Romance, and enthusiasm. Reconnect with your loved ones. Love is not to claim a person in your life but to keep a person forever in your heart with the best memories and no grudges.
© Shaesta
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