Reading Time: 3 min
Vlera had completely forgotten how simple the lock looked like. She always remembered it as an ornate medieval lock with the key the size of two fingers. Though she was not really disappointed to see that it was just a simple padlock with entwined hearts next to their names and the date engraved. It was indeed simple, yet it meant so much to them. It was never about unbreakable love, that was never the promise.
Love by itself is never sustainable. They fumbled multiple times. There were a few times that were enough to give up on the other, but they resisted the urge to do so. She remembered when Jasin moved out. They had a terrible fight which ended with him calmly walking out. They stayed apart, cut down all communications. She failed to recall whose fault it was, probably her, or his, or maybe both, but she fondly remembered who talked first. He did; and for coming back, she would forever be indebted to him. He returned; he was angry and felt betrayed, but still, he came back and rekindled all the love that they had promised to one another, allaying all the fears of that love getting lost. It was like those months never happened. All the hatred and anger and sorrow just evaporated. They were together again, and she knew she will never give up on him again. This love, she acknowledged, was that once-in-a-lifetime kind love; love that comes and sweeps you off your feet yet keeps you grounded. She knew she was fortunate.
It was not that they never had problems. It happened again, but never that serious that one of them had to storm out of the room. They talked. They spoke for hours. They made every effort to understand one another. They solved themselves. They collaborated for their future. Their life had lasted 6 years now, not only did she spend the time with the love of her life but now was a proud mommy of a two-year-old girl.
She held the lock in her palm and smiled. She turned and saw Jasin walking up the bridge, their daughter proudly riding on her daddy’s shoulders. Vlera looked at the lock and said to herself what they had said to each other years ago when they locked their promise on these chains – “We will never stop trying, no matter what our lives throw at us. I love you.”
Their love was never about unbreakable love. It was always about resolute love.
