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The wedding ceremony had just concluded, and the joyful celebration continued at the reception. Amidst the merriment, a young lady dressed in white sat on a bench to the side. Her name was Beatrice, now officially a wife to her beloved, the man of her dreams.
Her face reflected a mix of emotions – a blend of happiness and sadness. Sipping her drink, she sighed, lost in her thoughts. An older lady, her mother named Eliza, approached and took a seat beside her. Beatrice turned to her mother, a questioning look in her eyes. "Mom, aren't you enjoying the party?" she inquired.
Eliza met her daughter's gaze and replied gently, "How can I truly enjoy when my daughter isn't? Tell me, what's on your mind?" Beatrice looked away, her silence speaking volumes. "Ah, I see. You're carrying a burden of guilt," Eliza deduced. Beatrice nodded, confirming her mother's insight. "It's the guilt of being unwell and not having enough time with your new husband, isn't it?" Eliza continued.
Beatrice was taken aback when her mother said, "But you don't need to carry that burden, my dear. You see, regardless of time or distance, the love between you and your husband will keep you connected, forever. Remember this, life may be short, but love endures."
Beatrice's lips curved into a slow smile upon hearing her mother's comforting words. She embraced her mother, gratitude filling her heart. "Enough of the tears, my love. Go and dance with Marco. He's waiting for you," Eliza encouraged. Beatrice kissed her mother's cheek and headed to the dance floor, her husband Marco eagerly awaiting her.
Months passed, and now Beatrice lay in her bed, her time drawing near. Weakly, she called out to Marco, her voice frail. He responded with tenderness, "Yes, my love?" Her voice barely audible, she asked, "Will you be okay when I journey to a place you've yet to reach?"
Marco's eyes held a mixture of concern and love as he posed a question of his own, "After all these months and years together, were you happy, my dear?" A serene smile graced Beatrice's lips as she whispered, "Yes. Because of you and our families, I've experienced happiness and will soon find peace, without guilt. Life may be brief, but love is everlasting."
With exchanged smiles, Beatrice's eyes fluttered closed, and she exhaled her final breath. Marco, grief-stricken, left the room and met his in-laws. Through tears of both sorrow and joy, he shared, "Beatrice has found her rest."
In that moment, sadness mingled with gratitude, a testament to a love that had transcended time and a life well-lived.
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(REWRITTEN)
(ORIGINALLY TITLED: "Life may be short, but Love lasts longer")
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YOU ARE READING
Short Stories
General FictionThis is just a compilation of short stories that I made. Hope you enjoy. (ChatGPT helped with the rewriting) (I don't have an official cover. The cover pic is from Pinterest)
