We Think Life is Complicated, Yet We Make It Even More Challenging

We always think lifes already complicated, then we go and make it even trickier.

Back in school, Emily could see at a glance that she liked Oliver it was as clear as a sunny day, and he didnt bother to hide it. After lessons in Year10 hed linger by her locker, swaggering along like a faithful knight. Hed tell jokes, shed burst into loud giggles, but to her he was just a mate.

At first their classmates teased both of them. If Oliver wasnt right beside her, theyd snicker:

Wheres your bodyguard, Emily? Going solo?

Shed wave them off with a laugh. Emily knew Oliver was headoverheels for her and she toyed with him as she liked. They sat together in class, he helped her with quizzes, and while she was scraping by with threeCs, he was top of the class.

She confided in her best friend, Molly, who swore Oliver was a solid, honest lad a husband material.

Honestly, Molly, Im not thrilled about Oliver being so shy and still living with his mum. Hell be a perfectly ordinary, familytype bloke forever. I want fireworks, not a cosy potluck, Emily complained in Year11.

Emily, do you really think Arthur could turn out to be a proper husband? Molly replied. You cant be so blunt about your feelings; everyone in the class, Oliver included, knows you have a crush.

Really? And how would you know how to behave with suitors when youve never dated anyone? Why hide it? Arthurs caught on too we give each other that look, Emily retorted.

Because I read the books, watch the films and my mum always says, Better let a lad chase you than you chase him, Molly said, dry as ever.

Emily and Molly had been inseparable since primary school; Emily was the lively one, Molly the quiet one.

The school prom

When the graduation ball rolled around, Arthur spotted Emily in a stunning dress, looking almost ethereal. He stole her hand and led her onto the dance floor. They glided across the room, drawing admiring glances. Oliver lingered at the side, looking dejected, while Molly watched him with a sympathetic eye.

After the waltz, Arthur leaned in:

Fancy going out with me? Im seeing you in a whole new light youre gorgeous, and that smile could light up the Thames.

Alright, Emily blurted, trying to conceal her glee but failing spectacularly; she felt she was on cloud nine.

Arthur had long known he fancied her, but with so many girls around, making a choice was a headache. His heart was big enough for anyone. That night the whole class partied till dawn, then Arthur escorted her home. She didnt think of Oliver at all; he left early because his mum was ill, and there were other reasons. Why bother moping over Oliver when Arthur was there? As the old saying goes, We hurt those who love us, never truly appreciating the good.

From then on, Emily dreamt of a future with Arthur, even though she still had exams to worry about. Who cared about studies when love was in the air? She told Arthur all the plans she had for their life together, and he nodded approvingly.

Arthur, Im thinking of going to nursing college. What about you? she asked.

Im not planning to go anywhere. I barely scraped a decent Alevel, he laughed. The teachers were relieved when I finally left school. Ill train as a driver for the Army and then sign up for service.

Fine, youll have to do your bit, but Ill wait for you, no doubt about it, Emily promised, cuddling up to her beloved.

Im sure of it. Ill serve, come back, and well tie the knot, he said, hugging her tight, clearly eager for intimacy.

Arthur, dont rush, she urged. When youre back well apply for the marriage licence, and Ill be yours. Thats what mum taught me.

Arthur agreed without pressing further, though Emily didnt know hed later drift to a more carefree girl named Anne and would be back by morning.

Emily saw Arthur off to the Army, waiting faithfully. Oliver kept popping up.

Emily, Arthur isnt the man you need for life. Trust me, hed say, but she laughed it off, keeping him as just a friend.

Oliver was an only child caring for his ailing mother, whod been bedridden for years. He looked after her, sometimes asking their neighbour, Mrs. Barrett, to help with washing.

Ill get Mum on her feet, then Ill have more time, he told his mates, studying at a local college instead of traveling to a university far away.

The wait and the disappointment

Time passed, and Arthur returned from service. When Emily heard the news, she sprinted to his house after class, bursting through the door to find him in the arms of another girl, laughing merrily. The shock hit her like a dropped pie, and she fled home in a panic, forgetting the route entirely.

Her mother tried to soothe her.

Darling, Ive told you for ages Arthur isnt right for you, and Oliver kept warning you. Yet you stubbornly clung to him, she sighed. Youve convinced yourself no one else matters.

Soon enough, Emily learned that Anne, the girl Arthur had been with, was expecting a baby and planning a wedding. In a fit of spite, she marched to Oliver and proposed marriage. Perhaps Oliver guessed what she was up to.

Two years later, Emily and Oliver lived together peacefully, never fighting. Olivers mother passed away, and they stayed in his family home. He loved her wholeheartedly, hoping for more than just respect, but Emily kept herself in a shell, venturing out only occasionally, feeling oddly bitter at the world.

One day, as she left a shop, she ran into Arthur. He smiled and took her hand.

Hello, Emily. Sorry for hurting you.

Enough already, Ive forgiven you ages ago, she replied, eager to dash away. Our paths have diverged. Goodbye, I must be off.

Arthur, now looking more mature, tried to stop her.

Wait, listen. Ive realised I love only you. I know you waited for me after the Army and never dated anyone else. Anne and I split; the child wasnt mine. She lied, he confessed earnestly.

Is that true, Arthur? Emily asked, hardly believing her ears.

Its the truth. I have no reason to deceive you, he insisted.

She shut the door on him, further complicating her life.

Emilys world turned upside down. All she could think of was Arthur. She poured her heart out to Oliver.

I met Arthur; hes divorced now. Im filing for divorce. I love him.

Emily, what are you doing? her mother scolded. Youll regret this a million times. Oliver loves you truly, and Arthur isnt worth it.

Oliver echoed the same warning.

Emily, snap out of it. Hes already betrayed you once; why endure more?

Neither you nor mum understand. I love him, she said, and walked away toward Arthur.

A while later, Emily considered herself the happiest woman in the universe. Arthur sometimes came home a little tipsy, and she turned a blind eye, still seeing the world through rosecoloured glasses. Then the illusion cracked. One morning Arthur stumbled in, his shirt stained with someone elses lipstick.

Arthur, explain this, she demanded, holding the lipstick imprint up to his face.

I dont know where it came from, he feigned innocence. Maybe someones trying to split us up, he muttered before heading off to work.

But his drunken, lipstickstained escapades kept happening. Emily eventually took the divorce papers and left him for good. He never called or chased after her. She moved back in with her mother.

Mom warned me, Oliver warned me. I didnt listen. Love! Now Im chewing my own elbows, wondering why I hurt Oliver, she mused in sleepless nights. Why blame fate when Im the one who slammed the door on my marriage?

She began to think of Oliver again, dreaming of apologising, though pride held her back. One day, as she walked home, she saw Oliver on her doorstep.

Emily, maybe this is for the best. You finally see who truly loves you, he said, not meeting her eyes.

She threw herself at him.

Thank you, love. I finally get it. Thanks for coming back.

They remarried, and everything changed. They welcomed a son, Jack, who brought them both immense joy. Oliver became a devoted husband, always there.

A sudden blow

Life wasnt all smooth sailing. When Jack turned five, a familiar neighbour, Mrs. Patel, stopped Emily on the street.

Emily, havent you noticed Olivers been cheating?

What? No, never, Emily protested. He could never

Men arent capable of that, Mrs. Patel chuckled, but Ive seen Oliver with my neighbour Veras daughter, Alisha. He even walked her home. Keep an eye on your husband.

Emily froze, Jacks tiny hand gripping hers.

No, this cant be, she whispered, then decided to keep watch. She followed Oliver and saw him with a little girl, laughing. Shocked, she snatched Jack and fled to her old friend Mollys flat in a nearby town, filing for divorce on the spot. She couldnt fathom how Oliver could do such a thing.

The third and final wedding

Time passed. Oliver eventually tracked them down, looking gaunter than before. He stopped at the house where Emily was staying temporarily.

Emily, we need to talk.

What? I dont want to hear anything, she snapped.

Youve got it all wrong Im the one at fault. The woman I was seeing was the wife of my old friend Ian, who died in a crash. She was diagnosed with cancer, and I agreed to look after her daughter, Alisha, when she couldnt pick her up from school. When you left with Jack, I thought Id adopt Alisha myself. Im here now to explain, though its too late.

Emily was stunned, but after breathing through the shock, she hugged her former husband. The three of them drove home together. They finally signed the papers for good, ending the cycle.

Alisha was adopted, and the siblings grew up as close as any brothersister duo could be. They all married, had families, and now Emily and Oliver sit surrounded by grandchildren, grateful for the twists of fate that finally gave them a steady, loving partnershipafter three marriages to the same man, no less. Sometimes life writes the strangest scripts.