A Short Love Story: The Dignity of Love
This isn’t about not loving; it’s about the dignity of love.
Back then, she was the talented woman of the city, but also an extremely fragile lady. Like all lovers deeply in love, she often foolishly asked, “If we break up one day, and I’m in my most difficult time, will you still step up to help me?”
Women lack a sense of security. She asked this question a thousand times. And he had to answer it a thousand times.
Like all men deeply in love, he gently kissed her to stop her from speaking further. He lovingly said, “I will, of course, I will, silly. No matter what difficulties you face in the future, as long as you think of me first, I will come to help without hesitation.”
A man must protect a woman; it’s his eternal responsibility.
They were passionately in love. But like most loves in the world, after the passionate period, they began to quarrel, sometimes over trivial matters. Perhaps, the deeper the love, the more sensitive one becomes. Sometimes, when she returned home without seeing his smiling face, she would irrationally wonder if he no longer loved her.
They didn’t know why this happened, it was like a vicious cycle. They argued, made up, made up, and argued again over various things. Finally, one day, he said with infinite sadness, “Let’s break up. I don’t know why, but I feel increasingly unhappy being with you.”
She cried torrentially. Was it her fault, or was love wrong?
The night they broke up, they entangled all night, like cherishing the last moments. She repeatedly asked him, “Will you still remember me after we break up? Will we still be good friends? Will you still remember your promise that no matter what difficulties I face, you will be the first to step up?”
He said, “I will, I haven’t forgotten my vow. When you’re in trouble, please think of me first.” Afraid she wouldn’t believe him, he voluntarily wrote her a note, saying, “No matter how time changes, when you are in trouble, please think of me first. I will help you without hesitation.”
She left reassured. As years passed, three years later, she still lived alone. She couldn’t forget him, the man and love that bloomed in her life like brilliant fireworks. In those three years, she rejected many admiring glances from men. She became silent because her heart was deep as the sea.
Three years later, she learned that the man she once loved deeply had become the owner of the city’s largest IT company. He got married and had a lovely wife. She saw him interviewed on TV. The more mature a man becomes, the more charming he is. She watched him talk confidently on camera. His success today was something she had imagined back then. But for some reason, her heart ached, then ached again.
Misfortune followed her. First, her company went bankrupt, and she lost her job. In the days of job hunting, she wandered around the city, but found nothing. When it rains, it pours; she fell ill and was diagnosed with breast cancer. Surgery required a large sum of money, but she was poor and had nothing.
No one could imagine how she endured those times. At her most difficult times, she held that note in the dark night, thinking of seeking him, but she restrained herself.
After being discharged from the hospital, she felt reborn after a serious illness. To quickly repay her debts, she opened a small eatery. The once pure and elegant woman started to wrap her hands in towels, running back and forth in the smoke and fire to serve customers. Her expression was determined, and she no longer complained about fate. Maybe everything depends on oneself. When a woman stands firm like a mountain, she is the best scenery.
One day, a car stopped by her eatery. When the customer who got off the car walked into the shop, they recognized each other almost simultaneously. He was shocked, and she trembled, almost losing control. The memories of the past years were vivid. She turned away, almost unable to face him.
When they finally calmed down, he gently asked her, “Why didn’t you call me? Why didn’t you seek my help? Didn’t I say that when you’re in trouble, I would be the first to step up?”
She wiped her tears and smiled. Yes, she had thought of finding him. Many times in the dark nights, she held the note he left her, thinking of seeking him, but she never did. It wasn’t because she didn’t trust him; she knew if she sought him, he would fulfill his promise.
She didn’t seek him because as long as one has truly loved, after many years, one must show their most beautiful side to their former lover and silently bear the greatest hardships alone. This isn’t about not loving; it’s about the dignity of love.
Short stories shared for free on our ” Sitestorys “. Thank you for reading!
