Emily never imagined, at twenty, what the road ahead would hold. She was a university student, in love with James, and whispered about marriage because their conversations already drifted that way.
James was older; he had finished his National Service before he first saw Emily at the schools Autumn Ball when she was in her final year of secondary school. Though they lived in the same town and attended the same school, he had graduated years earlier.
Whos that handsome fellow? Emily thought as James entered the hall, scanning the crowd. Their eyes met, he smiled, and she fell instantly in love. He seemed impossible to compare with any other boy.
Hello, Im James. And you are? he asked, his cheeks tinged pink as Emily blushed. May I have this dance? He took her waist and they spun.
Emily she whispered, feeling as if she were floating, her feet no longer touching the ground while James guided her with steady confidence.
Emily, you dance so gracefully, he grinned. He never left her side that evening. They promised to see each other after the ball, strolling for hours, unwilling to part, though Emily knew she had to return home; her mother would be waiting.
James never let her feel bored. After school, Emily entered university in her hometown while James worked. He never knew a dull moment; his optimism lit up everyone around him. He had a wide circle of friends, and Emily often joined them at weddings and gatherings.
Even in midwinter James would bring roses, turning each date into a small festival. They lingered in cafés, escaped to the countryside, or ventured out with friends.
When Emily was in her third year, James surprised her.
Over the New Year break were heading to a ski resort. Ive already bought two tickets. The instructors are brilliant; youll be skiing in no time.
Yay, James, youre the best! Emily squealed, looping herself around his neck. Then, catching her breath, she added, Oh Im a bit of a scaredycat on slopes, you didnt know that, did you? and burst into laughter.
The trip was unforgettable. Emily learned to glide down the slopes with ease, loving the rush, though the fairytale felt like it was ending too soon. On International Womens Day, James arrived at Emilys house bearing two bouquets.
Happy Womens Day, he said, handing one to Emilys mother and the other to Emily herself. For my beautiful girl, he whispered, kissing her cheek. She beamed at the fresh roses.
Its terribly expensive, Emilys mother protested.
Its nothing, James replied. Im heading to a highvoltage line crew for a wellpaid stint. The pay is decentenough for a wedding and a car.
Emilys eyes widened. I dont want you to leave, she cried.
Itll be only three or four months. Well keep in touch. I want a beautiful wedding; you want that too, right?
I do, though a modest ceremony would also be fine. The important thing is we stay together, Emily said, a hint of sadness in her voice.
James was already set on his plan, so Emily could not persuade him to stay. He left with his friends, the job indeed paid well, and they called each other often.
One afternoon, during a lecture, a vague unease fluttered through Emily, then faded. The night before, they had spoken on the phone, so she wasnt expecting a call that evening. Her heart thumped oddly at home, and she dialed James herselfa reversal of their usual routine. The line was dead. Her pulse hammered, echoing in her temples.
Why isnt James answering? she thought, dialing five times in a row, hearing only silence. She quickly found Daves number and called him.
Dave, wheres James?
A familiar voice crackled, Hes gone.
How? Emilys breath hitched as the line hissed.
Mother! she shouted, tears flooding her face.
The next hours unfolded like a nightmarish reel. She later learned that James had been electrocuted on a faulty pole while working on the power line. Mrs. Collins, his mother, turned ashen with grief, speaking little, waiting for his father and younger brother Harry to return. The funeral, the wake, a blanket of darknesseverything felt suffocating.
Emily lingered in a numb fog, visiting Mrs. Collins often, usually sitting in silence. Together they drove to the cemetery, knelt by Jamess grave. Mrs. Collins seemed unable to let Emily go, urging her to spend more time with her, especially now that the summer holidays were here. They toured old churches, shared tea.
One afternoon, Mrs. Collins suggested, Lets take a trip to the coast. Emily agreed, though the thought of leaving James behind felt absurd. Yet her own mother had begun to tell her it was time to loosen the grip of the past. So they booked a weeks stay by the sea.
On the first morning, they lounged on the beach, sun warming their shoulders, later resting in a small seaside cottage. Mrs. Collins seemed slightly recovered; Emily stared at her phone, unable to sleepshe never napped in daylight. Mrs. Collins dozed lightly.
Life bustled around them, yet Emily felt alone. She walked to the promenade, the sea merging with the sky, a tiny steamer barely visible on the horizon. Seagulls shrieked, cars honked, children laughed, couples chattered. The world was alive, but she was solitary.
Such a beautiful yet sorrowful sight, a male voice said beside her.
Emily turned, intending to snap back, but hesitated. The stranger reminded her faintly of James, though she couldnt place why.
Beauty often goes without blessing, she replied sadly.
I disagree, the young man countered. Trust me, Im Gleb.
Gleb? Im Emily.
They exchanged a few more words, then Emily turned sharply and walked away. Gleb watched her go, having observed her melancholy for days, pitying that she rarely had a moment alone except with her mother.
Gleb resolved to discover Emilys story; something about her grief tugged at him. He often lingered on the beach, hoping to catch a glimpse of her smile that never seemed to appear.
Two days remained before they left. After a beach outing, Emily entered a shop; as she emerged, Gleb rushed to help with her groceries.
Ill lend a hand, if thats alright, he said, instantly dropping the formalities.
Help if you wish, she answered.
Emily, I need to talk. Its serious, and I have many questions, if you dont mind, he gestured toward a summer café beside the supermarket and invited her to sit.
Im leaving in three days, Gleb disclosed. How long will you stay?
Tomorrow night were heading home; tickets are in hand.
Ah, I felt it, Gleb murmured. Where do you live? Emily named a town; his eyes widened.
No, Im not mistakenI live there too.
Surprised, she smiled. Greatso we wont lose each other.
Gleb, a recent university graduate working in a design office for the council, had broken up with his girlfriend and fled to the coast to mend a broken heart. Meeting Emily, he fell for her at first sight.
She confided the tragedy, mentioning Jamess mother. Gleb, puzzled, asked, Why does his mother cling to you? Usually, after a sons death, families dont hold onto the daughter of the deceased.
I dont know either, Emily admitted. I just dont want to hurt her.
They swapped numbers and arranged to meet back in their hometown. Emily was about to leave when Mrs. Collins, still searching, asked, Emily, where have you gone?
Just to the shop, then a stroll, Emily replied. The weight of being near Mrs. Collins grew oppressive, as if the house itself breathed her sorrow. Her own mother often reminded her, Free yourself from this burden. Her presence drags you down. Yet Emilys kindness kept her from abandoning Mrs. Collins, even on the seaside trip.
She realized she could no longer continue this tangled existence and decided to return home, to step away gradually. That evening, as they packed, Emily whispered to Mrs. Collins that she would start a new life elsewhere.
Mrs. Collins stared oddly, then said, A new life, you say Yes, you have your whole future ahead. To me youre still family. I thought perhaps youd be expecting a childafter all, you and James were together for so long. I hoped you might be pregnant I still have my own son, perhaps you could think of him
Emilys skin crawled. No, she snapped, I need no one, especially not Jamess brother. Mrs. Collins wept for the first time since the funeral, and the tears seemed to lift a little of the heaviness.
Emily finally resolved: her new life would have no room for Mrs. Collins. Home, home, the thought echoed in her mind. Perhaps meeting Gleb was a blessing; through him, she finally saw the situation clearly.
The new academic year began. Emily and Gleb kept seeing each other, and one day she walked alone to Jamess grave.
Goodbye, James, she whispered faintly. I was so happy with you. Thank you for the joy. You left too soon, but I must go on. I am now someone else, beginning a life without you.
She stepped over the cemetery gate, heading to the car where Gleb waited. Indeed, a different life unfoldedGleb breathed new vitality into her. She saw Mrs. Collins only occasionally, if at all. Soon she married Gleb and awaited the birth of their son, stepping fully into the other life she had once only dreamed of.
