Happiness with a Hint of Sorrow
Emily, a sweet, plump girl with unruly curls framing her round face, had been hopelessly in love with Daniel, the handsome boy from the parallel class, since primary school. The trouble was, he never seemed to notice her.
Daniel was the most striking boy in school. Nature had blessed him with height, flawless olive skin, and sharp, chiselled features. He was athletic beyond his years. Every older girl in school adored him, even the younger ones. And it wasnt just the studentsfemale teachers couldnt help but glance his way too.
He was clever, though not a bookworm. Rumours said he planned to study at Oxford or Cambridge after graduation. Daniel laughed them off but never denied it. Whispers also claimed he had broken more than a few hearts, and who could blame the girls? Who could resist him? Emily certainly couldnt.
By sixth form, she had slimmed down, grown taller, and stopped wearing her hair in braids, letting it flow loose. One day, during break, she caught Daniels eye as she walked down the corridor. He actually stopped, taking in her delicate figure, long legs, and the golden cascade of hair over her shoulders. Emilys heart fluttered wildly. *Hes noticed me. At last.*
“Hello, Thompson,” Daniel said, his voice rough.
Emily nodded, smiling, and walked past with her chin lifted like a queen. Where had that confidence come from? But no matter how much she liked him, no matter how her heart raced, she kept her distance. She knew she had plenty of rivals.
From that day on, Daniel couldnt rest. He went out of his way to see her, walked her home, asked her to the cinema. But Emily remained unmoved.
Soon, the whole school could see the fire in Daniels gaze whenever she was near. The air between them crackled with tension.
Everything changed at the Christmas dance. He asked her to dance twice, then insisted on walking her home. There, beneath the streetlights, he confessed he loved her, that she was all he thought about. Emily, dizzy with joy, finally agreed to go to the cinema with him.
She lived with her strict, distant mother, a single parent who worked as an accountant. Seeing her daughter blossom, she fretted endlessly, warning her about reputation and the risks of young love.
Spring arrived, and nature awakenedso did Emily and Daniels passion. Hidden from prying eyes, they kissed until they were breathless, aching with desire. One night, reckless with love, they crossed the final line. It happened at her place while her mother was at work. After that, they couldnt keep their hands off each other.
Soon, school was over. Emily planned to study teaching locally, while Daniels parents sent him to London. The thought of parting was unbearable, and he begged her to come with him.
“Em, lets go. My parents will send moneywell rent a flat, live together”
Emily tried to convince her mother, but she refused. So she made a desperate choice. While her mother was at work, she packed her things, took half of her mothers savings, left a note, and headed to the station. Knowing Daniels parents would see him off, she booked a seat in a different carriage. And just like that, she left for London with the boy she loved, certain their happiness would last.
They enrolled in different universities but shared a rented flat. Emily, used to fending for herself, revelled in playing the role of a happy young wife.
When his parents called, Daniel lied, saying he lived with a friend. Emily once tried calling her mother, but she shouted at her ungrateful daughter, warning her not to come home if she got pregnant. Heartbroken, Emily clung to the one thing that matteredshe and Daniel were together.
She trusted his confidence, his promises that everything would be fine. But occasional trysts were one thing; living together was another. Two months later, she realised she was pregnant.
A baby wasnt part of the plan. At the hospital, the doctor warned herher negative blood type meant an abortion could leave her unable to conceive again.
Daniel took the news bravely. Their love still burned bright; lifes challenges seemed small.
“Well manage. Worst case, Ill switch to part-time studies and get a job,” he said.
“But were not married,” Emily murmured.
“Who cares? Plenty of people live without a certificate. Em, weddings cost moneywe need it for the baby. Everything will work out.”
Emily agreed. He loved her. That was enough.
Morning sickness left her gaunt and pale, but Daniel swore shed never been more beautiful.
At Christmas, Emily stayed in London, remembering her mothers words. Daniel refused to leave her alone, lying to his parents about university work.
Perhaps they missed himor sensed something wrongbut one day, his parents appeared at their door. The confrontation was brutal. His mother demanded Emily leave, while his father lectured Daniel about ruined futures.
Then Daniel confessed she was pregnant.
Chaos erupted. His mother screamed for an abortion, then clutched her chesthis father called an ambulance. Later, calmer, she pleaded, “Son, youre young. You have your whole life aheadcareer, women, children. Dont throw it away. That girl who knows whose child it really is? If you must stay with her, finebut make her get rid of it. Marry her, and youll get nothing from us.”
Daniel stopped Emily from leaving and faced his parents. “Shes keeping the baby. If she goes, you lose me. Ill quit uni, get a jobI dont need your money.”
His mother gasped but waved off another ambulance.
In the end, they relentedtheyd keep sending money, but only if he stayed in school and didnt marry her. They were certain the couple would crumble under parenthoods weight.
Emily gave birth to a healthy boy that summer. Uni was impossible nowshe took a leave, then another. The baby was too young for nursery. She found work as a cleaner, evenings only, while Daniel watched their son.
She forgot how handsome he was, how women still looked at him. She thought they stayed home because of the babynot because hed started to feel ashamed of her.
When Paul was older, they enrolled him in nursery, and Emily returned to her studies. But he was often ill, forcing her to switch to part-time.
After Daniel graduated and found work, she tentatively brought up marriagetheir promise to his parents had expired.
He frowned. “Why obsess over a piece of paper? Drop it.”
She hadnt seen his admiring gaze in years. Of coursepassion fades. She knew shed gained weight after the baby but couldnt diet.
One day, she found lipstick on his shirt. Thered been a work party. A man like him would never belong to just one woman. And what right did she have to complain? Hed stood by her against his parents, hadnt pushed for an abortion. He loved her. So when he came home, she said nothing.
Emily aced her first summer exam. The sun was warm, Paul was at nursery, and she decided to walk home.
Then she saw him. Daniel, arm in arm with a leggy blonde. Only when Emily blocked their path did he notice her.
“Emily?!”
“Dan, whos this?” The blonde gave her a frosty once-over.
“Im his wife,” Emily said.
“Wife? Youre not even married,” the girl sneered.
Before Emily could reply, they walked off. Daniel muttered theyd talk at home.
She sobbed all night. Losing her mother, enduring his parents scornnone of it hurt like this. She waited, ready to forgive if he came back.
He arrived at dawn. Dishevelled, she rushed to him. But he said he was done, packed his things, and left.
Pride kept her from begging. Once the door shut, she wept into her pillow. Later, she took Paul to nursery, then lay in bed staring at the ceiling until it was time to fetch him.
She nearly failed her next exam.
“Why enrol if you dont care?” the professor asked.
Emily bowed her head. Nothing mattered now. The worst had happened. A tear hit the desk.
“Something wrong?”
“My partner left me,” she whispered. “Ive got Paul, and no way to pay rent.”
“Not from London?”
She shook her head.
“Come.” He led her to an empty room. “Wait here.”
An hour later, he returned. Shed stopped crying.
“Emily, I understand pain. Years ago, my fiancée married my best friend. Im not proposing anything improper, but Id like to help. My flats bigI live alone. You and Paul can have two rooms. No rent. Just cook sometimes.”
“I wont pressure you. If you want, we can marryno strings. But youd have status, Paul would have a father, even if only on paper.”
“You dont know me”
“I know people. Think about it.”
A week passed
