Breathe, Just Breathe
“Oh, goodness Where on earth did you dig her up? She must weigh a ton! I dont understand you, Oliver. Shes a right old lump, isnt she? What on earth do you see in her? Mum, tell him, for heavens sake!”Emma fumed, her frustration bubbling over.
“Now, now, Emma, calm yourself. Its your brothers choice. Olivers the one wholl live with her. Let him sort it out with his bride-to-be,”Margaret gave her son a questioning glance.
“Finished? Good. Im marrying Tanya. Besides, were expecting a baby in autumn. Thats it, ladiesdebate over,”Oliver strode out of the room.
Oliver had been married once before. To a real beauty. A daughter remained from that past life. Hed loved his wife to distraction, but it seemed he hadnt fit in. His mother-in-law had done everything to poison the marriage, and Oliver had no choice but to leave.
Back then, hed spiralleddrinking himself senseless, picking fights, burning through women like matches
Then, out of nowhere, Tanya appeared. Theyd met through mutual friends. She spotted Oliver straight awayhandsome, well-built, quick with a joke. No one could make her laugh like he did.
Tanya taught maths at a local school. She still lived with her parents. She was twenty-four when they met.
Sometimes, you see someone and just know. You love them for no reason at alljust because they exist. Because they feel like home, like youve known them a thousand years. Thats how it was for Tanya.
Oliver hadnt even noticed her that night.
First, he was hopelessly drunk. Second, Tanya wasnt his typenot even close.
Third, hed sworn off marriage. “Had my fill. Not setting foot in that trap again,” hed tell his mates.
But there was another girl thereSophie. A right stunner. Oliver struck up an easy chat, then whisked her away to the kitchen. Later, they slipped out together, hand in hand.
Sophie was brilliant. Exactly Olivers sorteffervescent, the kind men turned to watch. He introduced her to his sister, Emma.
“Pretty girl. But not wife material,” Emma concluded.
“I know,” Oliver replied.
Sophie left him for another bloke. Oliver didnt pine. She wasnt the onehe let her go without a second thought.
Tanya waited for her moment. Oliver was freetime to make a move.
She asked him out. He hesitated, but agreed.
Tanya took him home, introduced him to her parents. They adored him.
And so it began
Oliver was doted on, day and night. Tanya fluttered around him like a butterfly, indulging his every whim.
Six months in, Oliver told his mum and sister about Tanya.
“But do you love her, Ollie?” Margaret asked.
“No. I loved onceyou know how that ended. It hurts too much. Knowing she loves me is enough,” he murmured.
“Itll be hard, son, living under the same roof with a woman you dont love. Will you manage?” Margaret wiped a tear.
“Well see,” Oliver said vaguely.
The wedding was held at Tanyas family home.
“Live well, love well, argue and make up fast, newlyweds,” her mother toasted.
They argued. They didnt make up. Oliver started drinking again and moved back to his parents.
Margaret sighed but stayed quiet.
Tanya raced over that same day: “Whats got into you, Oliver? Come home. I wont let you go!”
He returned.
A son was born.
Life whirled on.
Oliver grew fonder of this warm little family. His in-laws adored himthe best cut of meat always went to him. When he came home from work, the house hushed, letting him rest. They spoiled him with little gifts.
Oliver never disrespected them. He took over the household chores.
He called Tanya “Tansy”always.
He worshipped his son.
Twenty-five years passed in a blink.
The parents aged, often ill, in and out of hospital.
“Ollie, maybe you should get a check-up too, just once?” Tanya urged.
“If you say so, Tansy”
He was always rushingfixing the fence, repairing the house, tidying the garden. Always in a hurry
The ambulance arrived.
“Nothing more to be done. Sudden death.”
The ground fell away. Tanya collapsed.
The doctors revived her.
“How? He saw every specialistthey said he was fine! Then he just slipped. Its not right. I dont believe it!” she screamed.
Her elderly parents sat stunned.
“Were the ones who shouldve gone first! Why this cruelty?” her mother sobbed.
“Ollie! Youre my life! Just breathe” Tanya threw herself over his body.
They buried him.
Two months later, Tanyas father died.
With his last breath, he whispered, “Oliver take me with you.”
A month after that, her mother followed.
Six months on, Tanya sold the houseshe couldnt bear it. Bought a flat, married off her son.
Seven years a widow, she confessed to Emma:
“Luv, a man like Oliver Losing him was hell. I didnt protect him enough.”
She made her son promise: “Bury me next to your dad.”
The pain never fades, Emma. Time doesnt healbelieve me.
