At 78 years old, I never imagined my life would take a sudden, dramatic turn. I was sitting at home, enjoying a quiet afternoon, when the doorbell rang. I wasn’t expecting anyone, so I went to the door, curious and a little surprised.

But when I opened it, I nearly lost my breath—standing there was Nathan, my first love, the man who had shattered my heart all those years ago.

Fifty years had passed since he vanished from my life without a trace, and now here he was, standing on my doorstep like no time had passed.

He looked me straight in the eye and said, “I want to explain everything. But will you let me in?”. His face had wrinkles, sunspots, and he couldn’t stand as straight as he once did. But he was still… Nathan. Just Nathan.

“Fine. Come in,” I finally answered in a huff, crossing my arms and leading him into my apartment.

“How have you been all these years?” he asked after sitting down.

“I don’t have time for chit-chat, Nathan. I want answers. Real answers this time. I haven’t forgotten how you ignored me back then and changed the subject. You either start talking now or leave,” I snapped, sitting down on a chair across from him with my arms still crossed.

“Ok… this is not easy. But back then, my parents didn’t want me to date anyone. When I turned 20, they told me that they had arranged a marriage for me with the daughter of one of their wealthiest friends. But I didn’t want it. I only pretended. I fell in love with you. But I knew they would disapprove,” Nathan revealed with a huge sigh.

My mouth dropped open for the second time that day, and Nathan continued his story. “Whenever I disappeared, I was with her. Kiara. She liked to travel. She was so demanding. But I always returned to you.”

“Until the last time. I waited for a year, Nathan. I waited for you,” I hissed, getting emotional. I couldn’t believe Nathan had someone else. “And you were che:ating on me the entire time.”

“I wasn’t! I swear I wasn’t! What I had with her was NOT romantic at all. I didn’t even hold her hand. She knew I didn’t want the arranged marriage all along, but Kiara forced my attention and my time. If I didn’t comply, she might have told my parents about you, and it would’ve been bad for you,” Nathan retorted, frustrated.

I thought about his words. I didn’t want to believe him, but he sounded genuine.

“Ok… so why didn’t you return for such a long time?” I asked quietly.

“That year was hectic. I was graduating. My father got me a major internship, and Kiara started to plan our wedding. It was all so complicated. I couldn’t see you. But then, Kiara died in a car accident and the situation became even more complex. But I let some time pass. I helped her parents out because they thought I was her fiancé, and I went back to you as soon as I could,” he finished, looking down as if he couldn’t hold his head up after revealing everything.

“Oh, wow. I’m sorry. I mean, I wouldn’t wish harm on anyone,” I commented but remembered something he said. “What do you mean ‘returned?’ When did you return?”

“One day, I went to your house, and I saw another man there with you. I didn’t know what he meant to you, but I knew I couldn’t show up and ruin it after all that time. I went to your house every day for a month, and he was always there, so I stopped going. I heard you two got married at some point,” Nathan explained.

“Yeah, that was my late husband, Charles.”

“My condolences.”

“What happens now?” I asked, raising her eyebrows in question.

“I don’t know. I hoped to explain everything to you, and maybe we could start a friendship,” Nathan suggested.

“How did you find me all the way here?”

“I moved down here in my 30s. I’ve been here since. I never had any family. After losing you, I couldn’t fall for anyone else. Kiara’s death also haunted me. It was tough. But around 20 years ago, I saw your parents walking around. I found out where they lived and hoped to see you at some point. When they died, I noticed that you didn’t sell the apartment, so I continued waiting,” Nathan continued.

I couldn’t believe those words. Nathan never got married or had children. And he had been waiting for me to come here for more than 20 years. “Would you like a sandwich, Nathan?” I offered, changing the intense subject.

Soon enough, Nathan started coming over every day. At first, we were only friends. We chatted about everything under the sun. But at some point, we couldn’t deny our feelings any longer. No matter how much time had passed, our love never ceased. It was like a candle that only needed to be relit to burn bright.