A Sweet Love Story

Author Unknown

    1  This is one of the most touching and purest love stories I’ve read in a while.

    2  From the very beginning, Jessica’s family objected strongly to her dating her boy friend Edgar. They said that the boy’s family background didn’t match hers and that she would suffer for the rest of her life if she were to marry him.

    3  Due to the pressure from her family, the two youngsters quarreled from time to time. Though Jessica loved Edgar deeply, she always asked him:“How deep is your love for me?”

    4  As Edgar was not good with words, Jessica felt very upset when Edgar remained silent whenever she asked the question. Because of this, Jessica often vented her anger on Edgar while the latter only endured it in silence.

    5  After a couple of years, Edgar finally graduated and decided to further his studies overseas. Before leaving, he proposed to Jessica: “I’m not very good with words, but all I know is that I love you. If you allow me, I will take care of you for the rest of my life. As for your family, I’ll try my best to talk them round. Will you marry me?”

    6  The girl agreed, and through Edgar’s determined efforts, Jessica’s family finally gave in and agreed to let them get married. So, before Edgar went abroad, they got engaged.

    7  Soon Jessica began to work in a local factory whereas Edgar was overseas, continuing his studies. They sent their love through emails and phone calls. Though it was hard, they both bathed in each other’s affection.

    8  One day, while Jessica was on her way to work, she was knocked down by a car that lost control. When she woke up, she saw her parents beside her bed. Jessica realized that she was badly injured. Seeing her mum cry, she wanted to comfort her. But she realized that she could not utter a single word anymore. All that could come out of her throat was just a sigh. She had lost her voice...

    9  Jessica’s doctor told her parents that the impact on her brain had caused her inability to use her voice. Though she could hear everything, Jessica knew that she would never be able to use her voice as she used to — she broke down. During her stay in hospital, she cried, silently, not because she didn’t want other people to hear her cry, but because nobody would ever hear her voice thereafter. 

    10  Two months later, Jessica was discharged from hospital. Upon reaching home, everything seemed to be the same, but whenever she saw the light signaling a phone call in the sitting room and someone in the family went to pick up the receiver, she felt as if something had pierced her heart. She did not want Edgar to know her condition, nor did she want to be a burden to him in the future, so she wrote a letter to him saying that she didn’t wish to keep their relationship any longer.

    11  After that, she sent the engagement ring back to him. However, Edgar could never agree to her decision and sent millions of letters to her. 

    12  Seeing their daughter in a very miserable condition, Jessica’s parents bought a new house away from their hometown and moved there with their beloved daughter, hoping that she could eventually forget everything and be happy. 

    13  In her completely new environment, Jessica learnt sign language and started a new life.

    14  One day, Jessica’s friend came to see her and told her that Edgar was back. She asked her friend not to let him know what happened to her. Since then, there wasn’t any news of him.

    15  A year passed and her friend came again with an envelope, containing an invitation card for Edgar’s wedding. Jessica was shattered. When she opened the folded card, she saw her name on it. “What’s going on?” she asked herself, feeling puzzled, and wrote these words on a slip ofpaper, asking for an answer. Just then, she saw Edgar walking toward her,wearing the smile that she was so familiar with...

    16  He used sign language to tell her, “I’ve spent a year learning signanguage. I want you to know that I’ve never forgotten our promise. Let mebe your husband, your dearest friend and your voice. I Love You.” With that,he slipped the ring back on her finger. Jessica’s back shook while she weptsilently on Edgar’s shoulder. Slowly yet affectionately, she rose from Edgar’sshoulder and told him in sign language: “I love you, too.”  

(758 words)

1. They said that the boy’s family background didn’t match hers and that she would suffer for the rest of her life if she were to marry him. 

他们说那男孩的家庭出身配不上她，还说杰西卡要是嫁给他，下半辈子定会吃苦。

动词 said 有两个 that 从句，第二个 that 从句是虚拟语气，表示对将来的推测。

2. As Edgar was not good with words, Jessica felt very upset when Edgar remained silent whenever she asked the question. 

由于埃德加不善言辞，所以每当杰西卡问这个问题时他总是沉默不语，这让杰西卡感到非常沮丧。

3. Upon reaching home, everything seemed to be the same, but whenever she saw the light signaling a phone call in the sitting room and someone in the family went to pick up the receiver, she felt as if something had pierced her heart. 

回到家中，每样东西看上去都跟过去一样，可只要看到客厅里电话机上的指示灯亮起来，家里某个人走过去提起听筒，杰西卡就感到像是有什么东西刺穿了她的心。