Ex-wife, Please Come Back

Jacob's longings and love for Alice ebbed away while he was waiting for her return for four years. Back then, he was of the belief he would be in love with Alice for the rest of his life. He couldn't envision a future without her.

When people were young, they were often naïve. They mistook their first love to be everlasting.

But life had other plans. When unexpected situations were presented, people moved on. After all, four years was a long time. His new life bore resemblance to his old life. And as a consequence, his feelings had changed.

He couldn't quite describe how he had moved on. It happened without him knowing.

Jacob was deep in thought. His gaze went to Alice. At that moment, memories came back to him unbidden and unwanted. He had thought he had forgotten everything. But it turned out he had a vivid memory of the past.

He wondered whether storing these memories was of any use. 'Perhaps, it will help me make better decisions in the future, ' he reasoned.

He recollected when he had parted with Alice. He had taken an oath to stay away from her. Even then, he knew this relationship was beyond repair.

If they broke up, he had wanted to break up for good. He planned on never looking back. In spite of his wise decision, his heart still ached.

Some situations compelled people to make a ruthless decision. As his resolve wavered, Jacob's heart began to plead to keep her.

Back then, he clung to love. With her departure, he thought he would lose his ability to love. After all, what was life without love? It was nothing! He would be akin to a walking corpse.

"I'm fine," Alice said, snapping him back from his reverie. Tears were trickling down her cheeks. Jacob watched her in horror.

Watching her upset made him upset too. He couldn't believe he still cared about Alice. But he told himself there was nothing wrong with it. Her vulnerability could make anyone sympathetic towards her. He gazed at her, feeling a little nervous.

"Are you in pain?" he asked, mustering up some courage.

The doctor regarded the two of them. Clearing his throat, he said, "Hello, mister. Is this how you treat your wife? You have done an awful job taking care of her. Pregnant women require lots of care. She is carrying your child! Does that mean nothing to you?"

to the doctor's words, tears rolled down her cheeks. Jacob cast her

Alice wasn't just someone. She

he couldn't see her sad. After all, he still remembered those years he had loved

in all, this was a rather uncomfortable situation. A feeling of helplessness began to creep

the woman he had once wished to spend the rest of his life with. He had been so resolute in his decision to

Alice wasn't willing to accept

something he could conjure up in his heart. It took time to fall for someone. The concept

His vision too had changed with time.

Jacob was a

thought it was best to not correct him. Alice already looked so forlorn. If he made this

a sigh of relief when they

stood by the door, gazing after her. He had assumed Alice would

an irony in this.

might, he couldn't become cruel to Alice. But he wouldn't mistake this concern for

ill. He couldn't leave her alone in this condition. He knew she

next day, Alice

the middle of the night, the doctor came out of

eluded him. He was sitting on a chair, his eyes glued to the street lamps in the distance. Since

immediately. He was eager to know the result. Yet at

of the patient?" the doctor asked, standing

have shaken hands with that man. However, the doctor's stiff

of hers actually. Doctor, so tell me, how is

baby is no more." The doctor was solemn. He didn't rebuke Jacob anymore. But from the cold manner he spoke, one could tell he had a very low