Emily never imagined, at twenty, what lay ahead. She was a university student, loved Daniel, and dreamed of marriage, as they already talked about it.
Daniel was a few years older; he had finished his army service before he came to the schools autumn prom when Emily was in her final year. She remembered the first time she saw him. Though they lived in the same town and attended the same school, he had graduated earlier.
Whoa, whos that handsome bloke? Emily thought when Daniel entered the hall. He scanned the room, looking for familiar faces, caught her eye and smiled. She fell for him instantlyhow could she not? He seemed unlike any other boy.
Hi, Im Daniel. Whats your name? he asked, as Emily blushed and her cheeks turned pink. May I have this dance? he said, taking her by the waist and leading her onto the floor.
Emily she whispered.
She felt weightless, as if she were floating, while Daniel guided her confidently, every movement in sync with his.
Youre a natural, Emily, he grinned.
He stayed by her side all evening, and they promised to see each other after the prom. They walked for a long while, reluctant to part, but Emily knew she had to get home; her mother would be worrying.
Daniel never let her feel bored. After school, Emily entered university in her hometown. Daniel had a job, never knew a dull moment, and his optimism lifted everyone around him. He had a wide circle of friends, and Emily often joined them at weddings and gatherings.
Even in the dead of winter, Daniel brought her roses. Every date felt like a celebration. They dined in cafés, escaped to the countryside, and sometimes ventured out with friends.
When Emily was in her third year, Daniel surprised her.
Over the Christmas break were heading to a ski resort. Ive already booked two tickets. They have excellent instructors wholl teach you to ski in no time.
Yay, Daniel! Youre the best! she cheered, throwing her arms around his neck. Then, halflaughing, she added, Im a bit of a cowardI’ve never been on a mountain before. Did you know that? and giggled.
The trip was unforgettable. Emily learned to carve down the slopes quickly and loved it, though she lamented that the fairytale was ending. Later, on International Womens Day, Daniel arrived at her home with two bouquets.
Happy Womens Day, he said, handing one to Emilys mother and the other to her. For you, my beautiful, he added, kissing her cheek. She was thrilled by the gorgeous roses.
Daniel, why are you spending so much? her mother asked. Its expensive.
Its nothing, Daniel replied. My mates Sam and Victor are off on a job, and theyre pulling me in. Im heading out to work on the highvoltage lines as an electrician. The pays goodenough for a wedding and a car.
Emily grabbed his arm. I dont want you to go, she pleaded.
Itll be shortthree or four months. Well keep in touch. I want a beautiful wedding, and you do too, right?
I do, but a modest ceremony would be fine. What matters is that we stay together, she said, her voice tinged with sadness.
Daniel was determined and left with his friends. The wages were indeed generous, and they spoke on the phone often.
One day, while attending a lecture, Emily felt a vague unease that passed. The night before a call with Daniel, she didnt expect to hear from him. As evening fell, her heart raced. She dialed his number, but his phone was silent. Her pulse hammered, throbbing in her temples.
Why isnt Daniel answering? she thought, trying again and again.
Desperate, she called Victor.
Victor? Wheres Daniel? she asked.
A weary voice answered, Hes not hes not coming back.
Emilys world collapsed. She screamed, Mum! and broke down in tears.
Later she learned that Daniel had been electrocuted on that power pole. Margaret, Daniels mother, was a shell of herself, her eyes hollow with grief. His father and younger brother, Roman, had rushed to the site. The funeral was a blur of darkness and sorrow.
Emily sank into a deep depression, visiting Margaret often, usually in silence. They would drive together to the cemetery, standing by Daniels grave.
Margaret clung to Emily, urging her to stay, especially now that school holidays were here. They toured churches and shared tea.
One day, lets go to the seaside, Margaret suggested.
Emily agreed, though she felt nothing left her to look forward to. She was still grieving, and her own mother had begun urging her to move on. Still, they booked a weeks stay on the coast.
At the seaside, they woke early, basked in the sun, and rested in the afternoon. Margaret seemed a little steadier, but Emily couldnt sleep; she stared at her phone while Margaret dozed.
Life bustled around them, yet Emily felt isolated.
She walked to the promenade, where the sea met the sky. A tiny boat drifted on the horizon, gulls shrieked, cars honked, children laughed, and strangers chatted. The world was alive, but she was alone.
A beautiful sight, and such a sad one, a male voice said suddenly.
She turned to see a young man, his eyes oddly familiar. She wanted to retort sharply but held back.
Why does a thing so lovely never get a blessing? she replied wistfully.
I disagree, he said. Its not true. Trust me, Im Glyn.
Glyn? Im Emily.
They exchanged a few lines before Emily turned and walked away. Glyn watched her go. He had been noticing her for days, feeling sorry that she rarely seemed alonealways with Margaret.
Determined to learn more about her, Glyn approached her again at a shop. He grabbed the grocery bag from her hands.
Let me help, if you dont mind, he offered, instantly switching to a familiar you.
Help if you like, she replied.
Emily, I need to talk. There are many things Im curious about. If youre okay with it, he gestured toward a summer café beside the supermarket and invited her to sit.
Im leaving in three days, Glyn said. When will you be here longer?
Were leaving tomorrow night, tickets in hand, Emily answered.
I had a feeling, Glyn chuckled. Where do you live? she named the town, and his eyes widened.
Im from there too, he said, surprised. Great, we wont get lost on each other.
Glyn had graduated from the same university as Emily and worked for a design office in the council. He was still single, having recently split from his girlfriend, and had come to the coast to clear his head. Meeting Emily made him fall for her instantly.
She confided in him about Daniels death and Margarets clinginess. He was taken aback.
Why did you come with his mother? Usually, families let a daughter move on after such a loss, he asked. Ive never heard of this kind of arrangement.
I dont know, Glyn. I just dont want to hurt her, Emily admitted.
They swapped numbers and arranged to meet back in town. Emily had to go. Suddenly Margaret realized Emily had disappeared and asked, Emily, where are you?
I was at the shop, then walked around, Emily replied, feeling the weight of Margarets presence growing unbearable. Her own mother often reminded her, Let go of this burden. Why stay with his mother? Shes suffocating you. Yet Emilys kindness kept her from abandoning Margaret, especially after the sea trip.
Emily finally understood why Margaret held on so tightlyshe had hoped Emily would be pregnant, perhaps to have a grandchild, or maybe to share a future with her own son. The realization made Emily feel sick.
No, Emily snapped. I dont need anyone, especially not Daniels brother. Margaret wepther first tears since the funeraland then seemed lighter.
Emily decided she would start a new life, far from Margarets grasp.
Home, home, the thought echoed in her mind. And perhaps its a good thing I met Glyn; he helped me see the whole picture.
The new academic year began. Emily and Glyn grew closer, and one day she visited Daniels grave alone.
Goodbye, Daniel, she whispered softly. I was happy with you, thank you for the joy. You left too soon, but I must carry on. I am a different person now, with a different life a life without you. Farewell.
She stepped out of the cemetery, walked to the car where Glyn waited, and felt a genuine smile return. With Glyn she found renewed purpose; she rarely saw Margaret, only crossing paths by chance. Soon Emily married Glyn and awaited their first child.
Through loss and lingering attachments, Emily learned that grief is a river that eventually finds the sea, and that letting go makes room for new horizons. The true lesson is that while love may change form, life moves forward, and we must allow ourselves to thrive beyond the shadows of the past.
