Silas entered the room and found his mom having tea by herself. He asked, “Where’s Ji An?”. Clarina answered, “I already sent her to the ward. Her mother is already there. What took you so long? I thought you’ll be quick?”.
Silas handed over the dessert he bought. “I also thought I’ll be quick but I ran into someone” he showed the stained handkerchief to his mom. His mother gasped, “What happened? Is there something wrong?” she asked.
Silas answered, “That belongs to Kristen. She offered that a while ago when my nose started to bleed again”. His mother sat back, “I told you Kristen has a soft side. What happened to you two?” she asked out of curiosity.
Silas sighed, “Let’s say, I gained a friend” he answered. His mother cupped her mouth and showed delight, “You two will make a good pair. Besides, befriending someone can make the cupid aim bullseye” she answered. Silas tsked, “There’s no way we can be together. I still don’t know her enough and there’s someone captivating my heart up until now” he answered. Clarina replied, “You still can’t get off her in your mind” she said and sipped her tea.
“Things were too complicated for us. The story we wrote is still open-ended and I won’t allow that to happen” Silas uttered. His mother replied, “Silas, you’re the author of your own story. You will decide how things will work for your own good or if you’re selfless enough, then try to make your story ending advantageous for the others to enjoy”. Silas answered, “But how can I make her enjoy our story? How should I end it? I’m so full of it and I can’t break my promise. You see, it’s my first time promising to her but I think anytime soon, it will be broken”. Clarina sighed, “You haven’t listened to my moral talking before. Didn’t I say, if you will make a promise, do it because you’re willing and don’t do it out of the sake of the person’s feelings”.
He replied, “Maybe I was too preoccupied on the fact that I decided to take the challenges with her. Guess what, I turned down my own words”. His mother replied, “Even though I give you more advices, I think you’ll still go for your own gut. You can take risks but you can’t do it anytime. What if the decision will risk two lives? Haven’t you thought about that?” she asked.
Silas stopped the conversation with his words, “Mom I’m tired. Can we not talk about that now? My thoughts are full enough to absorb more” he said. She replied, “If you say so”.
Kristen walked happily to her mother’s office. She saw her mother busy typing records in her computer. She initiated, “Mom, guess what happened today” she said. Her mother didn’t manage to give her a glance but replied, “What is it? Did you scam your father again to give you his card?”. Kristen frowned and replied, “That’s not it! My day is so lucky”.
Frances looked at her while holding her glasses, “Lucky? You disappointed someone, you got into a fight, you got shameless things and you’re saying that you’re lucky?” she asked. Kristen sighed, “I think that was a way for me to go to my luckiest moment a while ago” she answered.
“Spill the tea young woman” Frances said and started continuing her work. Kristen happily told her, “Silas and I are friends already!” she said. Her mother stopped what she is doing and faced her daughter. “What did you say?” she asked to confirm. “I said Silas and I are friends already. We bumped into each other again few hours ago in the cafeteria” she answered.
“Oh my God. That is destined. You two are destined to each other to begin with” Frances said. Kristen replied, “Mom, I don’t believe in destiny. I believe in coincidence and besides, Silas is not my crush. He hates me but he didn’t disagree when I said we’re friends”.
Frances laughed, “Then you two should be closer. Try to know him more and you two will surely develop something” she said. Kristen replied, “Mom for goodness’ sake, don’t ship us more. You teasing me will make everything change”.
Stella is baptized after a week of learning about Catholic faith. She was greeted by the brothers and that includes her step brother – Xavier. “Welcome to the Christian world, Stella” he simply said. Mr. Zhou threw a simple celebration in the ministry for Stella and her mother’s transition to being a Christian.
Stella glanced outside the window. To the bench she usually sat months ago while waiting for lunch time and for Silas to come and see her. Those were the good old days and she’s still hoping that Silas will come back with his old self. She badly wanted to see Silas with the attitude she once loved.
Dina patted her shoulder, “Stella, go inside. There are still more visitors coming and they want to see you” she said. Stella shrugged and went inside. Just as that, she felt that her life changed from gray to something colorful. Her faith cheered her up. After the celebration, Stella walked around the church with Xavier.
She said, “I just realized, God always provide. I thought there’s no more hope left but you see what I have now is an opportunity to change. Isn’t it relieving?” she asked. Xavier answered, “It’s good that you actually reflected after being baptized. Ever since I was a kid, I already dreamt of serving Him for the rest of my life. I guess I was born to be directed in His place”. Stella smirked, “That was the vocation Silas taught me. That word really meant a lot not just for literacy” she said. Xavier replied, “You’re right. When time comes and you feel like you also want to serve with us, don’t hesitate to ask and join”.
Stella answered, “I already thought about that but as a woman, my dream is to live a normal life with a dreamy wedding and a beautiful complete family with me as a mother”. He replied, “Then that’s your vocation. You want to enter the married life but that doesn’t mean that you’ll leave your faith behind”. Stella nodded, “I understand your point. Things became easy when I entered here. I feel like I’m free of confusion”.
Xavier answered, “Maybe your faith really is your deepest confusion and you were locked between your mother’s restrictions. Don’t worry, everything’s fine now”. Stella smiled and continued walking around the church with him.
One week already passed and Silas found himself texting Xavier’s number. He already decided what to do. He already knows how to end their story; he failed fighting their challenge and it’s time for him to give up.
“I’ll be there few hours from now. I decided to make things easier for Stella” he typed and immediately sent it to Xavier.
Xavier who’s about to surrender his phone before their class received the message from Silas. He became nervous after reading that. It’s been a long time since they contacted each other. He texted back, “Promise you will be easy on her. She just got her comfort, don’t ruin it. Face me first before coming to her”.
Silas was relieved after receiving Xavier’s message. It doesn’t seem to sound like he’s angry and he thinks that it is the perfect time to say the words he was planning to say. Silas leaned back, he’s already prepared and ready to go. It’s been a long time since they last seen each other and their departure is not that good too.
He thinks that his absence made her wait with high hopes of him returning with the same love they shared but it’s untrue. Silas will be back to make everything unusual. He decided to go there for the last time and the departure he’ll be doing will pain everyone more.
He wore his mask and started leaving the hospital building. He opened the car’s door and went inside.
Clarina uttered, “This will be the last time in a while that you’re allowed to go outside the hospital grounds. Make sure you don’t miss anything that you want before staying in the hospital for months”. Silas answered, “I decided to take a visit in the seminary only. I miss the brothers, the whole ministry, even the atmosphere. Thinking this might be the last, I wish to go there”
Clarina replied, “If you say so, let’s get going then”. She started the engine and maneuvered the way to the center city, to the place her son once got frustrated.
Silas’ heartbeat goes with the ticking sound of the clock. He prepared for this but his heart kept racing because of nervousness. They’re still not halfway there but he feels like Stella’s presence will make him attached away.