Love Story Part Three(3)
The love between Clive and Emma was only for school. They spent time together, going to places and eating together. Everybody in school believed that they were married, and nobody would ever separate them. Many boys believed that because they were rich, every girl would be theirs, but for Emma, with her stunning beauty, it was the opposite since she only loved Clive, no matter what challenges they faced, be it in times of hardship or happiness. The same was true for Clive, who never entertained other girls, even if they tried to seduce him with their beautiful voices.
One day, Emma's parents visited unnoticed and caught them together in the bedroom. This was the moment they realized that they had been hearing someone knocking on the door for the past hour, and they hadn't locked it. Clive and Emma's concern was not about who was in the house but where to hide. If it were possible to disappear that day, it would have been their best chance. Emma's dad immediately started questioning Clive without giving him a chance to explain himself, "Tell us, are you a rapist or a thief trying to rob our daughter?" Clive was mesmerized and stammered, "I...I..." but there was no time as Emma's dad started slapping him. At that moment, the neighbors arrived, and they all supported Emma's dad, calling Clive all sorts of bad names and joining in punishing him.
After they had satisfied their anger and punishment, they decided to give Clive one last dose of humiliation, and this was the worst of all – Clive was forced to eat a whole kilogram of chilies.
The experience was excruciating for Clive. The fiery pain engulfed his mouth, and his body convulsed from the intense heat. He couldn't comprehend how the people he once considered friends had turned against him. But amidst the agony, he caught a glimpse of Emma's tearful eyes, and he knew that he couldn't give up. He wanted to prove his love for her, no matter the hardships he had to endure.
When the pain finally subsided to a dull burn, Clive's mind was still reeling. He realized that he couldn't change people's prejudices easily, but he could change himself. Determined to win back their trust, he decided to show everyone that he was a better person. He would respect the society's rules and prove that his love for Emma was pure and true.
In the following weeks and months, Clive persevered. He faced the judgmental whispers and glances of the community with resilience. He distanced himself from Emma, knowing that his presence might cause her more pain. Instead, he focused on self-improvement, participating in community projects and demonstrating his commitment to change.
Gradually, some of the neighbors began to question their hasty judgment. They saw the sincerity in Clive's efforts and how he had transformed himself. Though not everyone forgave him immediately, Clive's dedication and love for Emma started to sway opinions.
One evening, as the sun painted the horizon in hues of orange and gold, Clive mustered the courage to stand before Emma's parents again. He spoke from his heart, admitting his past mistakes and vowing to be a better person for Emma and for the society.
It was a long road to redemption, but Clive's determination paid off. Slowly, he won back their acceptance and proved that true love could withstand the test of time and adversity. Clive and Emma's love story became an inspiration to others, teaching them to question their prejudices and choose understanding and empathy instead. And as they walked hand in hand, they showed the world that love could overcome even the harshest judgments, emerging stronger and more resilient than ever before.
TO BE CONTINUED…
