At 78 years old, I never thought my life would take such a sudden and big change. I was at home, enjoying a calm afternoon when the doorbell rang. I wasn’t expecting anyone, so I went to see who it was, feeling curious and a bit surprised.
When I opened the door, I almost gasped—there stood Nathan, my first love, the guy who had broken my heart all those years ago.
Fifty years had gone by since he disappeared from my life without any warning. And now here he was on my doorstep as if no time had passed at all.
He looked me right in the eye and said, “I need to explain everything. But will you let me in?” His face showed wrinkles and sunspots; he didn’t stand as tall as before. But he was still… Nathan. Just Nathan.
“Fine. Come in,” I finally replied with a sigh while crossing my arms and leading him into my apartment.
“I don’t have time for small talk, Nathan. I want answers—real answers this time! You ignored me back then and changed topics whenever it suited you,” I snapped while sitting down across from him with arms crossed tight.
“Okay… this is tough for me to say,” Nathan began slowly. “Back then, my parents didn’t want me dating anyone at all! When I turned 20 they told me they arranged a marriage for me with some wealthy friend’s daughter! But that wasn’t what i wanted—I pretended because of them but fell in love with you instead.”
My jaw dropped again as Nathan continued his story: “Whenever I’d disappear it was because of her—Kiara! She loved traveling but she demanded so much attention from me! Yet every time I’d come back to you.”
“Until that last time,” i interrupted angrily; tears were forming in my eyes now. “I waited an entire year for you!”
“I swear it wasn’t like that!” He insisted quickly; frustration clear on his face now too. “What happened between Kiara and myself wasn’t romantic at all—I never even held her hand! She knew about us but forced herself into my life anyway.”
I thought about what he said; part of me wanted to believe him even though it hurt deep down inside.
“That year was crazy for me too—I graduated school & got an internship thanks to dad while Kiara started planning our wedding—it felt impossible not seeing you during that chaos!” He sighed heavily before continuing: “Then Kiara died in an accident which made everything worse…but after some time passed? Her parents thought we were engaged so i helped them out until finally returning back towards you.”
“Oh wow…I’m sorry,” slipped out before realizing how odd that sounded given our past together.” What do u mean ‘returned’? When did u come back?”
“One day? Went over your place only finding another man there with u,” he explained quietly.” Didn’t know what role he played but couldn’t ruin things after being away so long…so stopped visiting after seeing him there every day.”
“Yeah—that’s Charles—my late husband.”
“My condolences.”
“What happens next?” My eyebrows raised curiously now!
“I’m not sure honestly…I just hoped explaining everything might lead us towards friendship again,” suggested nathan softly looking hopeful yet uncertain too!
“I moved here when i hit thirty & stayed ever since without family around anymore…after losing u? Couldn’t fall for anyone else either—not even after kiara’s death haunted memories kept coming up!” He added sadly before continuing: “But saw your parents walking around twenty years ago found their home hoping one day would see YOU again…and noticed once they passed away? You hadn’t sold this apartment either which meant waiting could continue!”
Couldn’t believe those words—Nathan never married or had kids?! And waited over two decades just hoping id show up here someday?! “Want a sandwich?” offered changing subjects suddenly feeling lighter somehow…
Before long enough nathan came by daily—we started off simply chatting like friends discussing anything under sun—but eventually feelings grew stronger than ever imagined despite how much TIME had flown by since last meeting—it felt like rekindling flame needing only slight spark reignite bright once more!!
