Like sand slipping between our fingers, we tend not to allow our love to go down the drain, especially when it begins to blossom. I'm Andrea, and this is my story.
I and Harry had dated for two years, and on my birthday, he proposed. That was the biggest news my family had received, as I told them over the phone.
"Drea! This is great news, and I'm so sorry I didn't turn up for your birthday. You can punish me later, but I'd still be your maid of honor." Sofia giggled as she made her way into my living room.
"I can't believe I'm finally getting married, so I'm officially leaving the single club for you to be in charge," I tittered.
"But there's something he doesn't know," I continued.
"Something like what?" she asked.
"I'm pregnant, but I don't want to tell him yet. Don't worry, my wedding is next month, and all symptoms would go unnoticed." She gave me a pale look that only expressed her dissatisfaction with my decision.
"Drea! I don't know who's been feeding you this crazy idea, but are you sure about this?"
"I'm very sure, and it's cool." So we ended our day already discussing my wedding plans.
The official plans had already kicked off, with both families getting involved.
After a hectic preparation, D-day dawned with an influx of emotions and unexplained butterflies in my stomach. It was joy unspeakable for me as I was going to walk down the aisle with the very one I'd fallen head over heels in love with.
We kept our eyes deeply fixed on each other as we made our vows at the altar. Everything seemed so perfect and like a dream come true for me.
Five years later, Heaven had grown so big and intelligent. She'd developed a unique bond with her father that made her more confident and self-assured around him. They were inseparable. My marriage was pure bliss, but did it stand the test of time?
I constantly started receiving cranked phone calls. "Hello! I don't know who you are, and I don't even care. If you don't have anything to say to me, then stop being a nuisance." I hissed and annoyingly dropped the call.
"Hey, honey! Who's pissing you off?" Harry asked as he walked into the kitchen, giving me a loving peck.
"It's this completely enigmatic person that keeps bombarding my phone with his annoying calls."
"Come on, babe, don't get yourself worked up; it's one of those things. By the way, my stomach yearns for food. Please hasten up; I'd be in the parlor with the love of my life," he chuckled.
"So if Heaven is the love of your life, who am I to you?" I jokingly asked.
"You're the overall love of my life," he reassured, planting a soft kiss on my cheek.
There was never a dull moment with Harry and Heaven. They were the greatest gift I was blessed with, and we'd lived so happily for years and still carried on.
On a beautiful morning, Harry had left for work while dropping off Heaven at school, and I'd remained home to tidy the house. It was a day off for me.
Then I heard a creepy sound coming from the living room, so I called out.
"Who's there?" I got no response.
I tiptoed into the living room, and lo, it was Harry.
"Come on, honey, you startled me. Why are you home so early?" I inquired.
"Andrea! I've missed you so much. I'm so sorry for everything. I wish you would give me the chance to explain." He went down on his knees, almost in tears.
At that moment, I couldn't grasp it; I was bewildered.
"I don't seem to understand you. Why are you on your knees? What seems to be the problem? And what are you sorry for?" My husband had never been so broken like that before, and that got me so worried.
"Aren't you mad at me? I didn't show up on our wedding day, and I've been away for five years, and you still aren't mad at me?"
This was crazier than I thought. What was he saying?
"Babe, you're beginning to scare me. We've been married for five years, and I can't believe you're saying all of these things. What seems to be the problem?" I asked, looking all confused.
"No, Andrea, you're getting me scared here. What are you even insinuating? On our wedding day, I had an accident. I was in a coma for months, and when I finally regained consciousness, I lost my memory. I couldn't figure out who I was. Just a few months ago, I remembered you, our wedding, and everything about us, so I became the anonymous person that kept calling your phone all the time. I missed you, I missed hearing your voice, and I needed to be sure you were fine. I'm so sorry, Andrea," he begged.
This sent a cold shiver down my spine, giving me goosebumps. My legs were so heavy to move, and I felt the way my heart panicked.
"I don't even know if this is one of your jokes, but we've been married for five years with a child. So this cooked-up story of yours is bewildering, and I have no idea why you're pulling this stunt." I said.
I immediately picked up my phone and dialled Harry's number; it rang, and he picked up.
"Hello, darling! Are you missing me already?"
I was consumed by shock. What was happening?
"Hey babe! Please, I need you to come home. It's so urgent, but I'm fine."
A few minutes later, Harry arrived. I stared at both of them aghast, unable to speak. They were so identical and indistinguishable that I was unable to tell them apart.
"What's going on? Can someone tell me what this is all about?" I shrieked.
"Okay! I'll go first. First of all, I'm Henry, not Harry. We're twins."
"What?" Harry exclaimed.
"I grew up with my dad, and before he died, he made me promise him that I would find you. Our mother had run away with Harry when we were little, and so I'd spent all my life living with his excesses. I'd struggled all day and all night, and I never really had a joyful moment." Henry paused, and after a while, he continued.
"So all these years, I looked for you. When I found out that you were getting married and where you'd lodged, I made my way to come see you before you left for church. But unfortunately, you got involved in an accident. I got to the scene on time and rushed you to the hospital. And..." he paused.
"And what? Keep going." Harry blasted.
"I decided to replace you while you recover. I got married to Andrea instead, and I'd fallen hopelessly in love with her. I tried telling myself that this wasn't right, but I still couldn't drift away from her beauty and elegance. So I went back to the hospital where you'd been in a coma and bribed the doctor to kill you to end the pain."
"What?" I exclaimed in utter shock.
"Andrea! I'm very sorry. Please don't let our five years of blissful union go down the drain. For the sake of our only daughter, please forgive me."
"Your daughter?" I blurted and continued.
"Heaven is not yours and would never be. I was pregnant with her before the wedding. I kept it to myself because I didn't want the church wedding to be cancelled. So all these years, I've lived with someone as despicable as you? You moved into his house, pretending to be Harry, and enjoyed everything he laboured for? I would make sure you pay for all your evil deeds." I snapped, picked up my phone, and called the cops.
So I turned to Harry; he was drowning in tears. I ran to his arms and hugged him, and without holding back, he hugged me too.
"Would you still take me back, Andrea?" he asked.
"You're my forever, Harry!" I answered.
So we sold our apartment and got a new one, rekindling in us the flame of love.