That dance floor represented their entire world. Two beautiful souls in an embrace that was supposed to last forever, and a promise to meet each other ten years later, no matter the circumstances, no matter the happiness or the hardships life would impose on them.
“I don’t want to go,” Sally whispered, as her mascara had smudged from crying. “What would I do without you?” she asked with a breaking voice.
“Sally, studying in Europe has always been your dream. I don’t want to be the person holding you back. You are destined for great things and I don’t want to shrink your world,” Peter answered, secretly hoping she would still change her mind and stay.
Pulling her closer to him while their fingers intertwined, Peter promised to always be there for her; for the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.
“Peter, promise me you’ll never forget me. In ten years time, meet me at the Times Square.”
“If you get married by then, I’d be glad to hear how happy you are… no matter what, promise to meet me. I’ll be carrying a yellow umbrella.”
“I promise,” Peter said, squeezing her hand. “Ten years from now, on Christmas Eve, I’ll be there, waiting for the most beautiful girl with a yellow umbrella. I’ll be there.”
These two soulmates’ hearts beat in perfect synchronization. Although they were parting their ways, they knew that some goodbyes are see-you-laters.
Over the years, Sally and Peter remained in touch. But then, her letters stopped coming and Peter wondered what happened to the woman who stole his heart.
No time could change his feelings for her. His love never faded away, it just became stronger and stronger with each passing day.
The thought of meeting her again after ten years filled Peter’s heart with hope.
When the day finally arrived, he knew deep down that Sally would keep her promise of waiting for him at Times Square, carrying a yellow umbrella.
Peter stood near the towering Christmas tree. His eyes gazed through the crowds, searching for a familiar face and a distinctive laugh that still echoed in his memories.
Minutes turned into an hour, but Peter didn’t get tired of waiting. He knew it was worth it.
Then, suddenly, he heard a tiny voice calling his name from behind.
He turned around and saw a little girl carrying a yellow umbrella. Her eyes wide and recognizable.
The girl bit her lip, a gesture so hauntingly familiar it stole his breath. Peter froze for a moment, and the girl’s umbrella trembled in her tiny hands.
“I’m Betty,” the girl said quietly, “and she’s not coming.”
“What do you mean? Who are you?” he asked, although he could feel he already knew the answer.
“I’m your daughter,” the girl said, as her green eyes filled with tears.
“My daughter?” Peter barely found the strength to ask. But before the girl could say another work, a man, tall and nicely dressed, and an elegant woman approached.
“Hi, Peter, we are happy to finally meet you. We’ve heard so much about you,” the woman said.
The man, with a sorrow on his face, said, “We are Sally’s parents.”
“But I don’t understand. Where is Sally? And why this girl claims to be my daughter?” Peter asked, fearing the answers.
It was then that the woman broke down in tears. “Peter, Sally’s gone. She died of cancer two years ago. She didn’t want you to know, because she didn’t want to burden you.”
Peter’s whole world crushed. His Sally was gone – the only woman he ever loved.
“This girl is your daughter. Sally knew your mom was very sick and she didn’t want to put any pressure on you. But she regretted not telling you that she was carrying your child.”
Peter was speechless. He experienced a rollercoaster of emotions. Grief settled in his heart, but at the same time, he felt a strange feeling of joy because he had a daughter, a part of Sally that was there to stay.
Sally’s dad handed Peter a diary. It was Sally’s. In it, she wrote about the promise she and Peter gave each other about meeting ten years later, and that’s how they learned he would be there, waiting for her.
Peter hugged his daughter. He held her tightly and promised to never let her go.
She was eager to share with him stories about her late mother, and he was thankful he was given a glimpse of what Sally’s life was like.
Bringing Betty to the States from France where she lived with her grandparents was a long and complex process, but eventually, she moved in with her father. They visited her grandparents twice a year, and Betty became Peter’s world.
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