LONG LOST LOVE

© Praise Abraham

The dual earth-shattering news hit Helen on her fourteenth birthday. Her parents were getting divorced. And her childhood best friend, Edward, had suddenly relocated abroad with his family.

That night, she cried profusely. Why was everything she'd come to cherish falling apart? Maybe she wasn't worth loving.

Even though, years later, she was successfully running two startup businesses, she felt this gaping hole of betrayal inside her.

So, when she bumped into a well-refined Edward in a business conference in Dallas, she was stunned beyond words.

Without thinking or caring what people thought, she squealed and clung to him in an endearing hug.

He also recognised her, so it wasn't an awkward moment.

He suggested they excuse themselves from the boring event. They snuck out to a nearby restaurant to grab something to eat. Throughout that evening, they talked as though they had not been apart for almost two decades.

Edward explained all that had transpired since the day he disappeared, why he couldn't come back for her. His family faced a financial meltdown. And, at a point, he was diagnosed with acute appendicitis that almost killed him.

Helen was shocked. Was that when she had felt a strong urge to pray for her long lost friend even though he'd hurt her by leaving without so much as a goodbye?

Helen confided in him about her failed attempts at relationships with men and how she had to care for her depressed mother while juggling her work.

As they took a stroll down the beach front, Edward brought out the promise bracelet which they had exchanged while they were teens from his pocket. It was a simple string of white beads.

Her eyes brimmed with tears when she saw it.

"Helen, I didn't forget you. Or our promise. I thought of you every single day," Edward said.

"Me too," Helen said, equally pulling back her long sleeve to reveal her bracelet on her left wrist. "You don't know how much I missed you."

Edward grinned impishly. "I always suspected you had a secret crush on me."

Helen blushed and said softly, "I think it was more than a crush. When you left, it was like you took a chunk of my soul with you. I felt hurt for years. I had no way to find you. But then, God helped me to pray for you in the moments you needed it most."

"Helen, I'm so sorry. I was a naive boy then. Not anymore. Seeing you again confirms all I felt about you. It's not a coincidence that we met today. If it's not too soon, will you allow me to court you, Helen?"

Helen smiled through her tears. "Oh, Edward! You don't know how long I've dreamt of this. It's a yes."

And so, under the silvery moonlight and crashing sound of waves, Helen and Edward embraced, sealing their renewed promise to each other.

At the end of the day, we all want love.