This is the hardest story that I've ever told

Michelle meant everything in the world for Darren. Everything he did, every word he said, was about her. Their friends got tired of him talking about her every single time they went out. They knew that Michelle wasn’t serious about Darren; she was just making use of him. But their words always fall on deaf ears; Darren wasn’t going to change his mind about her.

Darren neglected his friends more and more as he got closer to Michelle. He soon isolated himself so that he could spend time with Michelle, and he got more and more obsessed with her. He bought her gifts, flowers, and things that she liked. Darren had to work part time just to buy things that she likes. Michelle on the other hand, was a pampered child from young; she always gets everything that she wanted. And Darren was just another pawn for her to make use.

Finally one day Darren decided that it’s time to pop the question, he asked Michelle out to a romantic restaurant. He ordered a bouquet of flowers for Michelle as he knows that she loves flowers a lot. Halfway through the meal, a waiter came forward with the bouquet of flowers and passed it to Darren. Darren took it and looked at Michelle, he asked, “Michelle, do you think we can take our relationship to another step?” Michelle looked shocked but she contained herself and nodded her head. The night fades into dawn as the two of them walked hand in hand home.

From that day on, there is only Michelle in Darren eyes. He met her every day; he sent her home daily without fail. After three weeks, Michelle couldn’t take it anymore, she got tired of Darren. She ignored his messages and his calls. Darren got worried and decided to give Michelle a visit on their first month anniversary. What he saw left him stupefied. Michelle was holding the hands of another guy and walking down the road they used to take. Darren couldn’t believe what he saw. He waited till the guy went off before heading down the road to confront Michelle.

Michelle appeared quite nonchalant when Darren came in front of her. All she said was a hello. But Darren however, appeared quite worked up about the whole situation.
Darren: “Who is that guy?”
Michelle:”Just some guy from my work place, why?”
Darren:”But I saw you holding his hands.” Darren was getting more and more impatient by the minute.
Michelle:”Oh come on, why can't I hold his hands?” “Why do you even care so much anyway?”
Darren:”I am your boyfriend. God damn it.” He could no longer hold back his anger; his voice raised a notch higher by the minute.
Michelle:”Oh please, you? My boyfriend?” “You must be kidding!” “We only went out a few times, you call that being together?” “Besides, you’re not handsome, and you’re not rich” “Why would I want a guy like you?”
Darren:”But. But when I asked about taking our relationship to another step, you nodded your head.”
Michelle:” Oh that, I thought you said you wanted to be good friends with me.”
With that, she turned and walked away.


Darren chased after her and held on to her arm.
Michelle:”Stop it! You’re hurting me!”
Darren:”Look! I got you the ring you’ve always wanted. I found it online.” “Please, don’t ignore me again.” “I’ll do anything.”
Darren:”Can you please tell me what is it that you want?” “I already know what I want, and its right in front of me” “You and me, us, together.” “This is what I want.” “Now, what do you want?”
Michelle:”Who wants this cheap ring!” She took the ring and threw it out to the road.
Michelle:”Go get the ring back, if you can find it then I’ll consider about it.”

Darren hesitated for a moment before dashing towards the road in search of the ring. When he found it, he smile and turned to look at Michelle. He saw Michelle waving her hands at him and shouting. Before he could react, he felt the impact on his body, and then everything went black.
In his dreams, Michelle was back to him. She was his and he was hers. He woke up to the bright lights above him and drifted back to unconsciousness.

The doctors found a letter for Michelle in Darren’s pocket.
It wrote:

Dear Michelle,
Today is our first month together, perhaps you’ve forgotten about it as you’re quite busy lately. That’s why I’m here to remind you that our relationship is one month old. But you’ve not been answering my calls or replying my messages recently, I’m worried. Was it something wrong I did? If it is, then I’m sorry.
Anyway, I’ve found the ring that you’ve always wanted and got it shipped from the U.S. It arrived yesterday and I know you’ll be really happy to see the ring. It’s really pretty and really suits you. I know that you’re still doubtful about your feelings of me. But you can be sure that my feelings for you are true. You had stolen my heart, my dear, you have stolen my heart. And I would gladly die for you if you want me to. These few weeks with you only confirmed my feelings for you. You’re like an angel that belongs in my dreams, except now you’re truly right in front of me. If I can, I want to hold your hand till we’re old, can I? Michelle, I love you.
With love,
Darren

Michelle couldn’t keep from crying after she has finished reading the letter. It has been two weeks since the accident and Darren still lay motionless on the bed just a few feet from her. She could not bring herself to look at him; she was the one who made him this way. She left the room in tears.

After walking around aimlessly for hours and hours, her tears finally dried up. She went back to the ward and knelt down beside the bed. She held on to Darren’s hand and just looked up at Darren quietly, as if willing him to wake up and look back at her.

Finally, she leaned over to Darren’s ears and said: “I’m sorry for everything I’ve done. Darren my love, I’ve been in love with you ever since I could remember. It’s true. The guy you saw me holding hand with, he’s actually my cousin. I’ve asked to act a show for you to see so that you can give up on me. You’re a nice guy, too nice to be true. I fear that one day you’ll discover the differences between us. I fear that I’m not good enough for you. But now I know; I know I love you and I need you. Please don’t go. You said that you’ll do everything for me, please wake up. All I need from you is to wake up and love me once again.”

Michelle:”This is the song you once sang for me, do you remember?” “Now I shall sing it for you.”

“So baby, I will wait for you,
cause I don’t know what else I can do.
Don’t tell me I ran out of time.
If it takes the rest of my life,
Baby, I will wait for you.
If you think I’m fine it just ain’t true.
I really need you in my life.
No matter what I have to do,
I’ll wait for you. “

Michelle fell asleep by the side of Darren’s bed. She woke up when she felt someone stroking her hair; she looked up with swollen eyes and saw Darren smiling at her softly.
Darren whispered:”I told you I’ll do anything for you, didn’t I?” “So far I’ve not fail you before and I’m not intending to start now.”

Darren recovered fully after suffering a few broken bones on his left knee and left shoulder. He also suffered minor concussion but was fully healed after a few months. Darren and Michelle became the best of friends as well as the perfect couple after Darren got discharged from the hospital. They were inseparable. They both did well in their studies and got into the same university. They got married at the age of twenty-five at Melbourne, Australia.

Now at the age of sixty, their memories might be a little bit hazy. But they still remembered everything that they’ve been through. Every day they wake up and thank God for bestowing them with another day to spend with each other. Every day they love each other more and more. Every day they remembered fondly that it was love that got him well and kept him safe from harm. It was also love that brought Darren and Michelle together and helped them to live happily ever after.

The end!