When love comes back : Patricia's second chance

My name is Patricia. I am 24 years old. I live in a small town called Mill View. I work in the town library. I love books. Three years ago, I had a boyfriend. His name was Daniel. He was my first love. We planned to get married one day. But after high school, he left for the big city to study. He promised to call me every day. But he stopped calling. My heart broke. I told myself I would never love again. It was a rainy Monday in September. The library was empty. I was arranging books. Then the door opened. A man came in, wet from the rain. It was Daniel. He looked different. Taller, with short hair. But his eyes were the same kind eyes I loved. He said, "Patricia?" He told me why he left. His father got very sick in the city. His mother lost her job. He had to work in the day and study at night. He had no money and no time. He felt ashamed. He thought I would be better without him. He said he is now an engineer. He came back to build the new bridge in our town. He will stay here for one year. After that, Daniel came to the library every day. At first I was cold to him. But he was patient. He brought me coffee. He helped me with heavy books. One day he found a letter inside an old book. It was a letter he wrote to me three years ago but never gave me. In the letter he wrote that he loves me and will always love me. I cried. Slowly, I started to love him again. But I was scared. I told him, "I am afraid you will leave me again." He held my hands and said, "Patricia, last time I was young and foolish. Now I know what I want. I want you. If I go to the city, I will take you with me. If you want to stay here, I will stay here." In October, our town had a festival. Daniel asked me to go with him. I wore a blue dress. We danced together. Under the moonlight near the river, he asked, "Patricia, can we start again? As new people? Can you give me one chance to love you correctly?" I said yes. Our new love was slow and calm. We talked for hours about our dreams. I told him I want to write a book. He wants to build a small house near the river. In November, there was a big storm. The river rose. The bridge Daniel was building was in danger. He worked for three days without sleep. I went to the site with food for him. He hugged me tightly in front of everyone. In December, it was snowing. The library was decorated for Christmas. Daniel came in with a small box. He went down on one knee in front of everyone. He said, "Patricia, I left you once. It was the biggest mistake of my life. You gave me a second chance. You forgave me and loved me again. I love you more today than when we were 17. Will you marry me?" I was crying. I said, "Yes! I will marry you." Now we are planning our wedding in spring, near the river. Our love story had pain, but it has a happy ending. I learned that true love is not about never leaving. It is about coming back. It is about forgiveness. And I know, this time, we will never leave each other. THE END