Silas looked around their church. It’s his last day and the brotherhood decided to offer a mass for his farewell. It’s his last chance to serve and prove his will.
During the homily, the priest talked about departure. He said, “With departure you feel sad but after a while, you can shake off that feeling and start a new beginning. God sent you to that place to learn; when you got the thing He wants you to know, He will remove you there and put you to somewhere you can learn again. Re-read your favorite book and always re-watch your favorite movie at different stages of your life. The plot never changes but your perspective does”.
The brotherhood had their lunch on the church with their parish priest. Fr. Arthur uttered, “Silas, don’t be regretful; We all know you have your reasons. Our church is always open to welcome you again”. Silas smiled, he felt like he is having a talk with his family. “I’ve got things to settle first. If time allows, I will come back here” he answered.
On the other hand, Stella went to her and Silas’ usual spot – the bench in the church. She is holding a lunchbox filled with Sister Hua’s specialty. She still wants to be consoled and she is still sulking about Silas’ actions last night. She was delighted when she saw a man sitting on the bench, wearing his cassock. She held the pendant from Silas’ necklace. She slowly walked while hiding her smile; she assumed that everything will be alright when they talk.
The man turned around and glared at Stella – it was Xavier. Stella was disappointed; she asked, “Xavier, why are you sitting there instead of Silas?”. Xavier stood up and started to lead her away from the church. He answered, “Stella, you can’t enter here anymore. Silas wishes not to see you anymore”. Stella got shocked of Xavier’s words.
She was blinded and found herself taking the path near the church entrance. Xavier grabbed her wrist, “I said you can’t enter there!” he said; repeating his words. “Who are you to stop me, Xavier? I’m here to clarify things with Silas. I won’t believe you unless I talk to him myself!” she said while forcibly removing Xavier’s hand from her wrist.
“You won’t believe me even when I give you this?” he asked while holding a flash drive that Silas gave him few minutes ago. “What’s that?” she asked. Xavier smirked and pulled her to sit with Stella, “Stella, I am still your
half-brother. I can’t stand seeing you desperate about him. This little thing I am holding will explain everything to you. Everything is against you guys” he said.
Stella looked at him with an unbelievable look, “You knew about us?” she asked. Xavier nodded, “In fact, he said he didn’t like you anymore” he said but it contains lies. Silas still adores Stella but they can’t continue at the moment. Xavier, who is not in favor with the two – tried to rip their relationship using his words.
Xavier added, “He gave me this flash drive minutes before our lunch. He said he can’t face you right now” – it’s true; he doesn’t have the guts to face his girlfriend for the last time.
Stella took the device from Xavier’s hand and started tearing. “I thought he was sincere. Turns
out he is just a playboy who hangs around breaking hearts” she said.
Xavier sighed, “Stella, if you ever feel that he is not sincere, remember he gave you his necklace. A lot of girls chased Silas because he is attractive but she chose you out of those girls even your religions don’t match” he said; trying to comfort her sister.
Stella huffed, “Funny how he showed his sincerity in just three months. Just three months Xavier!” she said and bawled her eyes with tears.
“I remember Dad said to me when him and my mom got divorced, a person in three months can make you feel what a person in three years didn’t. You see, time means nothing, character does. Remember he always spared time with you? He even brought you to his nature to make
you understand him more” he answered.
Stella laid his head on his brother’s shoulder; still crying. Xavier looked far with a mysterious smile on his face.
Before their classes start, Xavier knocked on Silas’ room. He found Silas packing his things and almost ready to go. Xavier glanced at the clock in the bedside table.
“You still have three hours to prepare, Silas. You can still go around the church and savor the environment here” he said.
Silas glanced at him, “Sure thing. What about Stella? What if she’s around?” he asked but deep inside, he badly wanted to see her again.
Xavier went near him, “Bro. Silas, you will never see Stella again. You knew that we’re half siblings and I also knew you were in a relationship with her. I’m calling it quits but something is disturbing me” he said, ready to give Silas false information to totally destruct the two’s
relationship.
“What is it?” Silas asked. He sat down on his bed and waited for Xavier to say a word.
Xavier sighed, “Stella wants to say that she’s breaking up with you. She said she can’t manage to wait for a year and close her doors to a new one” he said.
Silas’ mind went blank. He can’t say a single word; it felt true but he wants confirmation. He asked, “Is that for sure? Can I ask her myself?”
Xavier answered, “She doesn’t want to talk to you that’s why she sent me here”.
“Alright then. You can leave me now; I still have a lot of things to do” Silas answered. He’s good at masking his emotions. He didn’t expect things to come further and he isn’t ready to cut ties with her.
He laid down and stared at the ceiling; multiple thoughts coming from his head. He opened his phone and scrolled at his gallery again. All those photos are making him remember every single thing happened between them. Their first kiss, the star gazing, the Ferris wheel... everything.
Out of the blue, he deleted the album he created for her including her contact number. “It’s up to her if she wants to delete it also” he said and turned off his phone. He’s used to dealing with heartbreaks and it feels like he’s numb already. He’s hurting but it won’t last. He’s used to deleting contacts, photos, even disposing everything that came from his ex.
Stella is staring at his laptop screen. The flash drive is plugged in, she’ll just need to open it. Her eyes are sore from crying. She built up her courage and opened the device’s content.
A two-minute video appeared on the file folder together with hundreds of photos from Silas’
phone. She first opened the video, “For the first time, I will give you my promise. Don’t give up on your dreams”
She got her palms cupped on her mouth. Xavier’s words didn’t match Silas’. She continued watching it until the end. She proceeded with their photos that made her hurt.
Because of crying too much, she didn’t notice that she already fell asleep. When she woke up, she remembered what Silas said in the video. He can’t lie, maybe Xavier intentionally took her
laway from him because of their differences.
Stella went outside and ran through the church. Xavier saw her and stopped her from going near Silas’ car. She shouted but her voice became hoarse.
Silas went inside the car. His mom is driving it; he heard the voice coming from the church’s other side. The brotherhood and their parish priest were also distracted with Stella. Silas looked behind, he wanted to go outside and hug her for the last time but he can’t.
His mother talked, “Let’s go now, Silas” she said.
“Wait, just three more minutes please” he said. His mother looked at him, it is the first time in a while that he said ‘please’. His mother can sense that her son is not yet ready to leave because of her instincts but what they’re doing is the right one.
Silas faced the dashboard with fierce eyes, “I’m ready to go. I remembered she already cut ties with me” he said.