**JUST KEEP BREATHING…**
“Oh, good Lord… Where on earth did you dig her up? She weighs a ton! I dont understand you, Oliver. Absolutely hopeless! What do you even see in her? Mum, say something!” Emily fumed, her voice sharp with disapproval.
“Come now, Emily, calm down. Its your brothers choice. Olivers the one wholl live with her. Let him sort it out himself,” Victoria said, casting a questioning glance at her son.
“Finished? Right. Im marrying Tanya. Besides, were expecting a baby in autumn. Thats it, ladiesdebate over,” Oliver declared before striding out of the room.
…Oliver had been married once before. To a beauty. A daughter remained from that past life. Hed loved his wife beyond reason, but apparently, he hadnt fitted in. His mother-in-law had made sure to shatter that love. Oliver had no choice but to leave.
For a time, he lost himselfdrank without end, brawled, drifted between women…
…Then, out of nowhere, Tanya appeared. They met in a shared circle of friends. She noticed him straight awayhandsome, well-built, quick with words. And his humour? Unmatched. No one could make her laugh like Oliver.
Tanya taught maths at a secondary school. Lived with her parents in a quiet suburban home. She was twenty-four when their paths crossed.
Sometimes, you meet someone and love them instantly. For no reason at all. Just because they exist. You know theyre your soulmate, as if youve known them a thousand years. Life without them becomes unthinkable. Thats what happened to Tanya.
Oliver hadnt even noticed her that night.
First, he was utterly sloshed. Second, Tanya wasnt his typenot even close. Third, hed sworn off marriage. “Had my fill. Never again,” hed tell his mates.
But there was Emma in that gatheringutterly bewitching. Oliver struck up an easy conversation, then whisked her away to the kitchen. Later, they slipped into the night hand in hand.
…Emma was brilliant. Everything about her suited Oliver. She was effervescent, magneticmen turned their heads and sighed.
Oliver introduced Emma to his sister, Emily.
“Lovely girl. But not wife material,” Emily concluded.
“I know,” Oliver replied.
Emma left him for another man. Oliver didnt grieve. Knew she wasnt the one. Let her go without regret.
…Tanya waited for her moment. Oliver was freetime to act.
She asked him out. He hesitated but agreed.
Tanya brought him home, introduced him to her parents. They adored him.
And so it began…
Oliver was wrapped in care, day and night. Tanya fluttered around him like a moth to flame. His every whim was met without delay.
Six months later, Oliver told his mother and sister about Tanya.
“But do you love her, Ollie?” his mother asked.
“No. Once, I loved… You know how that ended. It hurt too much. Knowing Tanya loves me madly is enough,” Oliver murmured.
“Itll be hard, sonliving under the same roof with a woman you dont love. Will you grow used to it?” Victoria wiped a tear.
“Well see,” he said vaguely.
…The wedding at Tanyas home was loud and bright.
“Live well, love well, quarrel and make up quickly, newlyweds,” her mother toasted.
They quarrelled. Never made up. Oliver started drinking again. Moved back in with his parents.
Victoria shook her head but stayed silent.
Tanya stormed in that same day.
“What were you thinking, Oliver? Come back. I wont let anyone take you!”
He returned.
…A son was born.
Life spun faster.
Oliver grew fonder of this warm little family. His in-laws adored him. The best cut of meatalways for Ollie.
When he came home from work, the house hushedlet him rest. New clothes, little treatsthey spoiled him.
Oliver never disrespected Tanyas parents. Took on all the household chores.
Called her “Tansy,” always.
Worshipped his son.
…Twenty-five years passed like a single day.
Her parents aged. Fell ill. Spent days in the clinic.
“Ollie, maybe you should get checked too, just once?” Tanya suggested.
“If you say so, Tansy…”
…He was always rushingfixing the fence, renovating the house, tidying the garden. Always in a hurry…
…The ambulance arrived.
“Nothing more we can do. Sudden death.”
The ground vanished beneath her. Tanya collapsed.
Doctors revived her.
“How? Ollie just saw the doctors! They said he was fine! Then he slipped… Its absurd! I dont believe it!” Her voice broke into a scream.
Her elderly parents sat bewildered.
“We shouldve gone first! Why this injustice?” her mother sobbed.
“Ollie! Youre my life! Just keep breathing…” Tanya flung herself over his still body.
…They buried him.
…Two months later, Tanyas father died.
With his last breath, he pleaded, “Ollie… Take me with you.”
A month after that, her mother followed.
…Six months later, Tanya sold the house. Couldnt bear to stay. Bought a small flat. Married off her son.
…Seven years a widow, she confessed to Olivers sister:
“Emily, a man like Ollie… Losing him was hell. I didnt protect him.”
She made her son promisebury me beside Dad.
The pain never fades, Emily. Believe me… Time doesnt heal.
