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?"

rolled down her cheeks. Jacob cast her nervous glances, not

have been so nervous. But Alice wasn't just someone. She was the woman he

he didn't love her anymore, he couldn't see her sad. After all, he still remembered those years

in all, this was a rather uncomfortable situation. A

glancing at the woman he had once wished to spend the rest of his life with. He had been so

later, Jacob had no romantic feelings for her. And Alice wasn't

heart. It took time to fall for someone. The concept of life was similar to a philosophical

changes had occurred in his life. His vision too had changed with

in the ambulance. Jacob was a man who took Alice's emotions and health into

husband. However, he thought it was best to not correct him.

relief when they reached the hospital.

was quickly sent to the emergency room. He stood by the door, gazing after her. He had

sensed an irony

emotionally exhausted. Try as he might, he couldn't become cruel to Alice. But he wouldn't mistake this concern for love. He knew he didn't love

ill. He couldn't leave her alone in this condition. He knew she wished to start all over again but that

Alice woke up.

the

tired but sleep eluded him. He was sitting on a chair, his eyes glued to

the door opening snapped him from his reverie. He stood up immediately. He was eager to know the result. Yet at

you a relative of the patient?" the doctor asked,

the doctor's stiff body language detained him from doing so.

tell

the baby is no more." The doctor was solemn. He didn't rebuke