I called her after five years

 I called her after five years.

Strangely enough, she had never changed her number.

Almost as if she had been waiting.

When she picked up, my whole body trembled.

Her voice sounded so happy.

In the background, I could hear children laughing.

After her “Hello?” I lost the ability to speak.

I had no idea what to say.

I was happy for her, but at the same time, something inside my chest broke.

Five years earlier, she had told me she would love me forever.

I laughed then and said:

“You’ll find your happiness one day.”

But deep down, I knew she was not lying.

Still, I walked away from her.

When she said “Hello?” again, I hung up.

I held the phone so tightly in my hand that my fingers hurt.

A few minutes later, a text message came through.

It was from her.

“Hi, Ryan. I was waiting for your call. I really hoped I would hear your voice. But you got scared, just like you did back then. Now I can finally turn this phone off. I know why you called. You wanted to know if I still love you. Yes, I do. I did not lie to you then…”

I tried to call her back.

But the number was no longer available.

I called the next day.

Then again.

And again.

Every day.

I tried to find her.

But it was as if she had disappeared completely.

Now I am thirty-nine.

I am alone.

I do not have a child.

I do not even have a cat.

All I have is the same phone number I had fifteen years ago.

Just in case she ever calls.

Value the people who are beside you now.

Not later.