З життя
The Taxi Stopped at the Cemetery Gates. The Young Man Who Stepped Out Approached the Woman Selling Flowers By the Roadside.
The taxi pulled up by the iron gates of the cemetery. A young man stepped out and approached the flower seller at the entrance.
“Twelve tulips, please,” he said, handing over the money in pounds before bowing his head and walking into the quiet grounds.
A year ago, Daniel had considered himself the happiest man alivedeeply in love and loved in return. But everything changed in an instant when his beloved Kate was lost in a car accident.
It took him a month to gather himself, and only with the support of his colleagues at work did he slowly return to some semblance of normal life.
Near the gravestone, Kates mother sat on a bench.
“Hello, Aunt Mary,” Daniel murmured.
“Good afternoon, Daniel,” she replied, rushing to embrace him, burying her face in his chest as tears fell.
He stared at the headstone, where Kates smiling face looked back at him from the photograph.
Once she had composed herself, Mary helped him arrange the flowers properly. They stood in silence for a long while before she finally spoke.
“Youre not married yet?”
“No. I cant forget your daughter. Its as if her heart still calls to me.”
Mary nodded sadly, lowering her head. The events of that day over a year ago were still a blurthe hospital, her daughter lying still, the unbearable grief.
She turned to Daniel, wanting to say something, but seeing his sorrowful expression, she remained silent.
Daniel had graduated from the police academy and served for two years, recently promoted to sergeant. He still lived with his parents.
The tragedy had shattered the steady rhythm of their family life. Their son had spent the past year locked in his room, lost in grief. That Saturday, he returned home with the same heavy heart.
“Daniel, come and eat,” his mother called as he stepped inside.
He nodded and washed his hands before sitting at the table. His mother hesitated before speaking.
“Your father and I visited your grandparents graves today” She trailed off, seeing his dark expression.
“I went to see Kate too,” he admitted.
“Son, its been a year. Kates gone, but you must go on living.”
“I cant, Mum. Its like shes calling me to her.”
“Daniel, dont say such things!” she pleaded, alarmed.
“Its fine. I know you and Dad want me to settle down, but not yet.”
He finished his meal and retreated to his room.
Police work was demanding, often requiring late nights. Exhausted, Daniel lay down and fell asleep without realizing it.
In his dream, Kate called to himsomething that happened often. But this time was different. She sounded desperate, as if in danger.
He woke with a start and rushed out.
“Son, whats wrong?” his mother asked.
“Just going for a walk.”
Outside, his feet carried him without thought. He reached the park and hurried deeper into the trees, where he spotted three drunk lads harassing a frightened young woman.
“Whats going on here?” Daniel demanded.
Her fearful eyes locked onto his, silently begging for help.
“Whats it to you?” one of them snarled, lungingbut in seconds, he was on the ground.
“Take your friend and leave. Now,” Daniel ordered.
The other two hesitated, then dragged their mate away.
The girl stood frozen, clutching her chest, before fumbling in her pocket for a pill. Tears streamed down her face.
“Its alright now,” Daniel said gently, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
“Th-thank you,” she stammered.
“Let me walk you home.”
As they walked, she steadied herself, and he asked, “Whats your name?”
“Emily.”
“Im Daniel. What happened back there?”
“I always walk herethe doctors recommended it. But those boys”
“Understood. Is your heart?”
“Ive had trouble since childhood. Last year, it nearly gave out. I had surgery and was told Id recover.”
As Daniel listened, a strange lightness filled his chest, as if Kate were right beside him.
They stopped outside a modern apartment block.
“This is me,” Emily said, her sad eyes meeting his.
“Im glad we met,” he admitted.
“Daniel would you like to come up? Meet my mum?”
“Is that alright?” He couldnt hide his delight.
“Of course!”
The flat was elegant, tastefully furnished. A woman emerged from another room, surprised to see her daughter smiling beside a stranger.
“Mum, this is Daniel. He saved me from those men.”
“Lorraine,” she introduced herself warmly. “Come, tell me what happened over tea.”
As they sat, Emily recounted the ordeal.
“You mustnt walk there alone,” her mother fretted before turning to Daniel. “And how did you end up there?”
“My heart led me,” he joked.
“What do you do for a living?”
“Im a police officer.”
“That explains how you handled those lads,” she mused. Then, cautiously, “Are you married?”
“No.” The answer pleased herbut also stirred suspicion. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-five soon.”
Her doubts grew. A handsome, unmarried man of twenty-five? She fell silent.
Daniel sensed her thoughts. “I had a girlfriend,” he admitted softly. “She passed away a year ago.”
“Oh, Daniel, Im so sorry.”
They finished their tea in quiet.
“Thank you,” he said, rising. “I should go.” Seeing Emilys hesitation, he smiled. “Lets swap numbers. Call if you ever need me.”
That night, sleep eluded him.
“Whats happening to me? Walking with her I couldve sworn I heard Kates heartbeat.”
He closed his eyes, but instead of Kates face, Emilys features filled his mind. He drifted off near dawn.
The next morning, he called her.
“Emily, fancy going to the shops together?”
At her doorstep, she hesitated before greeting him.
“Hello, Daniel.”
Her mother appeared.
“Good morning, Lorraine.”
“Were just popping out,” Emily said.
“Go on, enjoy yourselves.”
Daniel brought Emily home. His mothers face lit upthis was the first girl hed brought back in a year.
“Mum, this is Emily.”
“How lovely to meet you!”
His father tried to look stern but couldnt hide his smile.
Over lunch, Emily charmed them effortlessly. Afterwards, she helped clear the table, chatting brightly with his mother.
Daniel led her to his room.
“Want to see where I?”
A gasp cut him off.
Emily stood frozen, staring at the photo on his wallDaniel and Kate, smiling.
“Daniel thats Kate.”
“You knew her?”
“A year ago, I was dying she didnt make it but I survived. The transplant.”
“Her heartits inside you?”
She nodded, tears spilling.
He looked at her, their faces blurring in his mindEmilys, then Kates. For the first time, he felt fates hand.
“God must exist,” he whispered. “Hes given you back to me, and I wont lose you again.”
He pulled her close.
“Ill be with you always, Emily.”
And in that moment, he knewsome bonds transcend even death.
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