When will He?

**When Will He?**

The question hung in the air like a specter, shadowing every interaction, every quiet moment at the small café on the corner of Maple and 5th. Sarah sat at her usual table, staring into her cup of coffee with a furrowed brow as steam spiraled up and dissipated, much like the hopes she could barely articulate. She had thought about this moment countless times, each replay in her mind prompting a mixture of anticipation and dread. In a world where time seemed to stretch infinitely, the simple question seemed to loom larger—when will he?

The question was about Marcus—a man she had loved for the better part of three years. When they first met at a mutual friend’s gathering, there was an undeniable spark. He had a magnetic charm, coupled with a sense of humor that made her laugh until her sides hurt. Their connection felt profound, an inexplicable bond that drew them together amid the chaos of their lives. Yet, as time passed, she found herself caught in a cycle of uncertainty about their future.

For the first year, they navigated the waters of burgeoning love, filled with weekend getaways, shared dreams, and whispered confessions under starlit skies. There were moments when everything felt right—the way his eyes would light up when he saw her or how they could spend hours discussing everything from literature to their ambitions in life. They complemented each other, like yin and yang, and for Sarah, it felt like the beginning of forever.

But forever appeared to remain elusive. As Sarah watched couples around her progress in their relationships—friends getting engaged, buying houses, and starting families—she began to question her own. “When will he ask me to take that next step?” she mused, the specter of doubt creeping ever closer.

Weeks turned into months, and the conversation about their future always seemed to hit a wall. Whenever Sarah broached the subject of marriage, Marcus would smile and change the topic, redirecting her away from the precipice of vulnerability she often stood upon. It was as if he were an artist, skillfully avoiding the more troubling strokes of their relationship and opting instead for the comfortable, colorful picture they had created together.

Today, as she sat in the café, she noticed a couple walking by, hand in hand, their laughter infectious. Her heart ached at the sight, an almost palpable reminder of what she yearned for. Riding the wave of her emotions, she pulled out her phone, scrolling through past pictures of Marcus. Each photo evoked bittersweet memories —his goofy smile, their adventures, and quiet nights filled with laughter. But alongside the joy was a growing sense of frustration.

Finally, she set her phone down, steeling herself for what lay ahead. If they were going to move forward, she had to confront the issue head-on. She had tried to be patient, nurturing their connection, but patience had frayed into a pervasive anxiety. Taking a deep breath, Sarah resolved to talk to Marcus that evening.

That night, as they prepared dinner in her cozy apartment, the smell of garlic and tomatoes wafting through the air, she felt a surge of courage. “Marcus, can we talk?” The weight of her words hung between them like thick fog.

His playful demeanor shifted, and he turned to her, concern etched on his face. “Sure, what’s on your mind?”

“I’ve been thinking about us,” she began, each word feeling heavy with significance. “About our future. I love you, but I need to know where we’re headed.”

Marcus tilted his head, a familiar nervous habit, his brow furrowing as he processed her words. “Sarah, you know I care about you deeply. I’m just not sure I’m ready for that kind of commitment right now.”

The words felt like a single drop of ice water in a still pond, rippling outwards and deepening her uncertainty. “But how long do we stay in this limbo? When will you be ready?”

Silence fell, a chasm widening between them. Marcus sighed, running his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know. I guess I’m still figuring things out. I want to make sure I’m the man you deserve before I take that next step.”

His honesty was both a relief and a heartbreak. She respected his desire for self-reflection, yet she couldn’t help but feel as though he was brushing aside the urgency of their situation. “But we’ve already invested so much time together,” she pressed. “Don’t you see how much I want this?”

“Of course, I do. But rushing into something because it feels right isn’t always the best choice. I need to feel sure.”

The conversation drifted into familiar territory—an ebb and flow of hopes and fears intermixed with affection and doubt. They continued to discuss their visions of the future, but for Sarah, the undercurrent of anxiety remained. She couldn’t shake the haunting question: “When will he?”

Weeks turned into months again, and with each passing day, Sarah found herself wrestling with her emotions. She would catch glimpses of what could be—a wedding, children, a shared home—but the visions felt increasingly out of reach. Friends encouraged her, often assuring her of Marcus’s love and the importance of patience. Yet, the waiting felt heavier, suffocating even.

One rainy afternoon, as she sat in her favorite café, Sarah grasped her mug between her hands, pondering the weight of the silence that hung between them. The realization washed over her: she could not wait indefinitely for answers anchored in uncertainty. She needed to reclaim her narrative, even if it meant stepping away from Marcus.

That evening, she gathered her thoughts, writing a letter to him. She penned her feelings honestly, expressing her love and vulnerability but also her need for clarity. “I love you, but I cannot remain suspended in uncertainty. I need to know if we can build a future together, or if it’s time for me to move on. I hope you can understand.”

As she placed the letter in an envelope, she felt an unexpected sense of relief. It was not just a goodbye but a declaration of her commitment to herself. No longer would she be defined by someone else's timeline. She would love fiercely, but she would also prioritize her own needs and aspirations.

Days later, Marcus received her letter, and for the first time, he found himself grappling with the weight of the questions they had both avoided for too long. As he read her heartfelt words, the realization hit him—love is not simply about feeling good in the moment. It requires engagement, a willingness to confront fear, and courage to step forward into the unknown.

In that instant, he understood the importance of timing—not just in life but in love. It wasn’t merely about readiness—it was about making a choice, taking that leap together.

He took a deep breath and began to write back. “I never wanted to make you feel uncertain, but I’ve been scared too. I realize now that when it comes to us, waiting isn’t an option. I want to be with you, and I’m ready to take that next step. When can I see you?”

For both Sarah and Marcus, the question that had once loomed so ominously now held a new meaning. Instead of a haunting shadow, it transformed into a catalyst for clarity, prompting them to embrace their love with courage, intention, and a shared commitment to the journey ahead. In that pivotal moment, they began to find the answers they had both been seeking all along.