We Think Life is Hard, Yet We Keep Making It More Complicated

Emily had known in school that James liked her it was obvious, and he never tried to hide it. After lessons in Year10 he would wait for her, walking beside her like a loyal knight. He would tell jokes and she would burst out laughing, though she kept him only as a friend.

At first their classmates teased both of them. If James wasnt beside her theyd ask, Wheres your bodyguard, Emily? Shed wave them off with a laugh, I have no idea. Emily understood that James was in love with her and she used the situation to her advantage. They sat together in class, he helped her with tests, and he excelled academically, whereas she struggled to pull a C.

She confided in her best friend Claire, who often said James was a genuine, honest lad and would make a good husband. I dont like that James is so modest and lives with his mother, Emily complained in Year11. Hell be an ordinary family man forever. I want passion and excitement. Claire warned, You cant be that blunt about a boys feelings. Everyone in the class, James included, knows youre swooning over him. Emily retorted, And how would you know how to behave with boys when youve never dated anyone? Im not hiding anything James sees it too. Claire replied, I read the books, watch the films My mother always says a man should chase you, not the other way round.

Emily and Claire had been friends since childhood, sharing every secret. Emily was lively; Claire was quiet and shy.

The school prom arrived. Luke, a tall boy with a reputation for being charismatic, spotted Emily in a stunning dress, her figure almost weightless. He took her hand and led her to the centre of the hall. They danced gracefully, drawing admiring glances. James stood apart, looking dejected, while Claire watched him with sympathy.

After the dance Luke leaned in, Emily, would you like to date me? Ive seen you in a whole new light youre beautiful and your smile shines. Emily, barely able to conceal her joy, whispered, Yes, though her voice trembled with excitement.

Luke had known for a while that Emily liked him, but the many girls at school made choices difficult. That night the whole class stayed out until dawn, and later Luke walked Emily home. She didnt think of James at all; he left early because his mother was ill. As the saying goes, We wound those who love us, yet often fail to understand their worth.

From then on Emily dreamed of a future with Luke, putting her studies aside. She imagined their life together and told him her plans, to which he nodded. Emily, Im thinking of going to a nursing college. What about you? she asked. Im not planning to go to university, Luke laughed. I barely scraped a decent GCSE. Ill train as a driver for the army and serve. Emily promised, Ill wait for you, no doubt. Luke replied, Ill finish my service, come back, and well marry. She urged, Dont rush, lets wait until youre back. Thats how Mum raised me. He agreed, though he soon left for a girl named Sarah, returning home the next morning.

Emily bid Luke farewell as he went off to enlist, trusting his word. James still stopped by now and then. Emily, Luke isnt the right man for you, he would say, but she laughed it off, keeping him merely as a friend.

James was the only son of a mother who had been bedridden for years. He cared for her, sometimes calling their neighbour Barbara to help with washing. Once Mum is on her feet, Ill have more time, he told his friends, studying at a local college rather than travelling to a distant university.

Years later Luke came home from the army. Emily, after finishing her coursework, rushed to his flat and froze at the sight of him in the arms of another girl, laughing together. Shocked, she fled home, her heart pounding. Her mother tried to calm her, I told you Luke wasnt right for you, and James kept saying the same. Emily stubbornly clung to the idea that only Luke mattered.

She soon learned that Sarah, the girl Luke had been with, was expecting a child and planning a wedding. In a fit of spite, Emily approached James and proposed they marry. Perhaps James had guessed her motives.

Two years passed. Emily and James lived together peacefully, rarely arguing. His mother died, and they stayed in Jamess family house. Emily sensed Jamess deep love, although she felt trapped in a shell, occasionally venturing out but often feeling wounded by the world.

One afternoon she left a shop and ran into Luke on the street. He took her hand, Emily, Im sorry for the pain I caused. She replied, Ive forgiven you long ago. Our paths now diverge, goodbye. She tried to walk away, but Luke, looking older and more handsome, begged, Wait. Ive realised I love only you. I know you waited for me after the army and never dated anyone else. Sarah and I split; the baby isnt mine. She deceived me. Emily, stunned, asked, Is that true, Luke? He swore it was.

Emilys life spun out of control. She confessed everything to James, I met Luke again, were divorcing, I love him. Jamess mother shouted, Youll regret this a million times. He loves you truly, Luke isnt worth it. James echoed the warning, He already betrayed you once; why endure another hurt? Emily answered, You both dont understand. I love him, and left for Luke.

Weeks later she believed she was the happiest woman alive. Sometimes Luke returned home slightly drunk, and she turned a blind eye, still wearing rosecoloured glasses. One morning she found a stray lipstick mark on his shirt. Luke, explain this, she demanded, holding the imprint under his nose. He feigned innocence, Maybe someone set us up. Yet his nightly returns with traces of another woman continued, and Emily finally snapped. She collected the divorce papers and left, moving back in with her mother.

I warned you, Mom did, James did, she thought at night. Now Im left to bite my own nails, wondering why I hurt James. She realized she had shut the door on her own marriage. Regret gnawed at her, yet she still imagined apologising to James, though pride held her back.

One evening James appeared at her door. He looked at her without meeting her eyes, Emily, perhaps its for the best that this happened. Now you finally see who truly loves you. She rushed to him, Thank you, James. I understand everything now. They remarried, grateful for genuine affection. Their son, George, was born, bringing joy to both.

When George turned five, a neighbour stopped Emily on the way home from school. Emily, have you noticed James being unfaithful? the neighbour whispered, Ive seen him with Veras daughter, Alina, walking together. Emily froze, her hand clutching Georges. She followed James discreetly and saw him with a young girl. Overcome with pain, she grabbed George and fled to her friend Claires house in a nearby town, filing for divorce immediately. She could not comprehend how James could do such a thing.

Time passed before James found them. He was thinner, his face gaunt. He stopped at the door of the small flat where Emily stayed. Emily, we need to talk. She replied coldly, I dont want to hear anything. He confessed, Im sorry. The woman I was with was my friend Igors wife. He died in a crash, and she was diagnosed with cancer. She asked me to look after her daughter Alina when she couldnt pick her up from nursery. When you left with George, I thought I would take Alina in myself. Its too late now. Emily was shocked but, after a moment, embraced the former husband. Together they returned home with George and Alina, this time promising honesty.

They signed the final divorce papers, this time truly ending the marriage. Alina was adopted, and the three children grew up as siblings, later forming their own families. Now Emily and James, both retired, enjoy the company of grandchildren, often gathering under one roof. Emily thanks fate for the twists that finally brought her true love, happiness, and a familythough it took three marriages to the same man to realise it.

Life has taught her that chasing fleeting excitement can blind us to the steady love that already walks beside us. True contentment springs from honesty, selfknowledge, and the courage to cherish the steady heart that never abandons you.