THE LETTER

Jade had found out a way to stop thinking about Alec all the time.

She immersed herself in her work.

She had been writing feverishly. Going through the love story she was currently writing as fast as she could.

Thought she had to admit that the story had a little more depressing theme to it than her other novels.

She had been attending meetings with the representatives of the publishing house, spending time with her friends and the twins.

And completely avoiding any contact with Alec.

A recent conversation with her mom had surprised her when she had been told that Alec was still in town.

But she had immediately changed the topic. Alec's name always brought a pang to her heart.

She had a bad headache when she came back home from the meeting with the publishing house.

Jade seemed to be living on aspirin and coffee nowadays instead of food.

She went into the kitchen to make herself a cup of coffee, when she noticed that the post that she had got to her apartment the day before was lying on the table.

Jade went and picked up the letters going through them one at a time.

Bills.

A postcard from Cousin Maria.

A letter from Emma.

Wait... A letter from Emma.

Jade kept the other letters back on the table and tore open Emma's letter from the envelope.

There were two full pages filled with Emma's neat cursive handwriting.

Why was she writing a letter to her?

Jade sat back and started reading the letter, her headache forgotten.

Hi Jade,

I am sure you are extremely surprised to get a letter from me. But to be honest I do not know how to call you and tell all that I have to say to you. So a letter was my safest option. Anyways I am British, if we are taught anything, it is to write good letters.

I am writing this letter in the car on the way to Chicago. I will drop it in the postbox as soon as I reach there. Well atleast I hope I end up with enough courage to do that. (Since you are reading the letter, that means I did gather enough courage. Congratulations to me!)

The main reason why I am writing this letter is that I want to apologise. For everything that I have done since we met. The argument, the threatening. But more than that I want to apologise for closing my eyes and refusing to see what was happening in front of me.

I knew from the first time I was introduced to you- maybe from before- that the thing between you and Alec was much more than just friendship.

But I made a decision to close my eyes and ignore it. I was like the ostrich, who buries his head in the ground when enemies attack, thinking that if it can't see the problem the problem doesn't exist. I thought that if I couldn't see the connection between you both it was not really there. So I pretended.

Pretended to think that you'll are friends. Pretended to be jealous when I saw you both together, when actually I just wanted a reason to tell Alec to propose to me.

Now about that. I know putting blame on others is an easy way to get off. I am not going to do that. But there is one thing I have realised, there were certain things that were put into my head from when I was young. Some very clear rules and expectations that were set for me. Expectations I wanted to live up to.

My decisions were not really mine they were already made by my parents. You have met them. You know how they are.

Susan did the thing what my mother should have done long back. She taught me what being in love was. She told me what caring for someone was.

I broke the engagement.

Not because of anything else but because I know I was not in love with Alec. And I also know that Alec was going ahead with the whole thing because he is too sweet to hurt me.

I broke the engagement and that's the reason I am on my way to Chicago. I am taking up a job there. Not only because it's a promotion and a good opportunity for me. But because I want- I need- some time away from my parents.

I have to decide what I really want from my life. And this time it has to be me who makes the decision.

I guess this is my second chance at the life I really want to live.

And since we are on the topic of second chances... I know I'm not the best person to tell you this and I know there is absolutely no reason for you to listen to me.

But Jade, listen to me and give Alec another chance. What you both have is hard to find and very easy to loose.

I know he is stupid, reckless, and absolutely foolish sometimes- well most of the times- but he is caring and sweet too. And he really loves you.

Susan told me one thing which will always stay with me.

She said that the best thing we can do for ourselves in this life is spend it with the people we love.

I don't know if I will find those people with whom I really want to spend my life, but for you... They are right in front of you. Alec is right in front of you.

This is one long letter. And I don't even know what I have written. But please give what I have said- well written a thought.

Give him another chance.

I hope you have a great life ahead of you and I hope you forgive me for all that I have done.

All the best!

Emma.

PS:- The green dress that I gave you the first night we met.... You remember? Well I hope it really reminds you of me.

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