Happiness with a Hint of Sorrow
Emily, a sweet, slightly plump girl with unruly curls framing her round face, had been infatuated with the handsome Daniel from the parallel class since primary school. The trouble was, he barely noticed her.
Daniel was the most striking boy in school. Nature had blessed him with height, flawless olive skin, and sharp features. He was athletic beyond his years, and every older girland even some of the teacherscouldnt help but admire him. He did well in his studies without being a bookworm, and rumours swirled that he planned to attend Oxford or Cambridge after graduation. He never denied it. Whispers also claimed hed broken more than a few heartshardly surprising, given his charms. And Emily, hopelessly smitten, was one of them.
By sixth form, she had slimmed down, grown taller, and stopped braiding her hair, letting her golden waves flow freely. One day, as she walked down the corridor, Daniel finally noticed her. He paused, taking in her delicate frame, long legs, and cascading hair. Her heart fluttered*He sees me at last!*
“Hello, Thompson,” he said, his voice rough.
Emily nodded, smiled, and walked past, head held high like a queen. Where had this confidence come from? Yet, no matter how much she adored Daniel, she remained composed, refusing to rush into his arms. She knew she had rivals.
From that day, Daniel became restless, finding excuses to cross her path, walking her home, inviting her to the cinema. But Emily stayed firm.
Soon, the entire school noticed the longing glances he cast her way. The air between them crackled whenever they were near.
Everything changed at the winter formal. Daniel asked her to dance, then walked her home, confessing his lovehow hed lost sleep, how no one else mattered. Melting with joy, Emily finally accepted his invitation to the cinema.
She lived with her strict, distant mother, a single accountant who warned her daily about virtue and the dangers of young love.
Spring arrived, and their passion reignited. Hidden from prying eyes, they kissed endlessly, aching with unfulfilled desire. One day, reckless with love, they crossed the line. It happened at Emilys while her mother was at work. After that, they couldnt stop.
School ended. Emily planned to study teaching locally, while Daniels parents sent him to London. Heartbroken, he begged her to come with him.
“Em, just come. My parents will send moneywell rent a flat, live together”
Emily pleaded with her mother, but she refused. Desperate, Emily packed her things, took half her mothers savings, left a note, and fled to the station. Knowing Daniels parents would see him off, she boarded a different carriage. Off she went to London, certain of their happy future.
They enrolled in different universities but shared a rented flat. Emily, used to fending for herself, happily played the role of doting girlfriend. When his parents called, Daniel lied, saying he lived with a mate. Emily once tried calling her mother, only to be screamed at: “If you get knocked up, dont come back.” It hurt, but she had Daniel.
She trusted his experience, his assurances that everything would be fine. But occasional trysts were different from daily life. Two months later, she realised she was pregnant.
A baby wasnt part of their plan. At the hospital, the doctor warned her: with her blood type, an abortion could leave her infertile.
Daniel took the news bravely. Still deep in love, he shrugged. “Well manage. Worst case, Ill switch to part-time studies and work.”
“But were not married,” Emily murmured.
“Who cares? Plenty of couples dont bother. Em, weddings cost moneywe need every penny for the baby. Well sort it later.”
Emily agreed. What more did she need? He loved her. Pressuring him would only push him away.
Morning sickness left her gaunt and exhausted, but Daniel insisted shed never been more beautiful.
At winter break, she stayed in London, wary of her mothers wrath. Daniel refused to leave her alone, lying to his parents about research.
Perhaps sensing trouble, his parents showed up unannounced. His mother demanded Emily leave. His father lectured Daniel about ruined futures.
Then Daniel dropped the bombshell: Emily was pregnant. Chaos erupted. His mother shrieked about abortions, then clutched her chest. An ambulance was called. Later, calmer, she warned, “Youre throwing your life away. That girls from a broken homewho knows whose child that is? If you marry her, youre cut off.”
Daniel stood his ground. “If she leaves, you lose me too. Ill quit uni and work. Keep your money.”
His parents relentedon one condition: no marriage, and he must finish his degree. They hoped the harsh realities of parenthood would drive them apart.
During summer exams, Emily gave birth to a healthy boy. Studies became impossible; she took leave after leave. She found evening work as a cleaner, while Daniel juggled lectures and childcare.
She forgot Daniel was still handsome, still noticed by women. They never went out togethershe was too tired, too busy. But the truth was, hed started to resent her.
When their son, Oliver, started nursery, Emily returned to studiesonly to switch to part-time when he kept falling ill. After Daniel graduated and started work, she broached marriage.
“Why cling to a piece of paper? Drop it,” he snapped.
She hadnt seen his adoring gaze in years. She knew shed gained weight, but diets were impossible.
One day, she found lipstick on his shirt. *A handsome man is never just yours*, she thought. She swallowed her hurthed stood by her, hadnt he?
After acing an exam, she walked home in the sunshine, buoyant. Then she saw Danielarm in arm with a leggy blonde.
“Emily?!”
“Whos this?” the blonde sneered.
“Im his wife,” Emily said.
“Wife? Youre not even married,” the girl scoffed.
Before Emily could reply, they walked off. Daniel muttered, “Well talk at home.”
At home, she sobbed. When he finally returned at dawn, he packed his things and left. Pride kept her from begging.
Her next exam went terribly.
“Why enrol if you dont care?” her professor asked.
Tears splashed the desk.
“My husband left me,” she whispered. “I have a son, no money”
“Youre not from London?”
She shook her head.
He led her to an empty room. “Wait here.”
When he returned, shed stopped crying.
“Emily, Ive been where you are. My fiancée left me for my best friend. Im offering you a room in my houseno rent. Just cook sometimes. I wont touch you. If you like, we can marryjust for appearances. Oliver deserves a father figure.”
She hesitated. “You barely know me.”
“I know enough. Think about it.”
A week later, with rent due and Daniel gone, she accepted Professor Edwards offer.
His house was spaciousOliver adored him. Edward played with him, took him to the park, fetched him from nursery. Though she caught his longing glances, he never overstepped. She bloomed again.
One day, they bumped into Daniel.
“Youre even lovelier,” he said. “Is that your *husband*? Hes ancient. Em, I still love you”
“Love? You ignored Oliver completely. You abandoned us. Edward cares for usthats all that matters.”
That night, she went to Edwards room. His touch was gentle, but it wasnt Daniel. She endured it.
She never regretted her choice. Daniel would always have admirers, but Edward was steady, reliable.
Let the world talk. She had a husband; Oliver had a father. The rest didnt matter.
Sometimes, the safest love isnt the brightestits the one that stays.
