Even though Clark had no certainty about when he and Gel would see each other again, he still felt joy. It no longer mattered whether Gel would ever return his feelings. What mattered now was that he had helped Gel's family—it wasn't easy, but with the help of his own family and his uncle who worked at the U.S. Embassy, the Adriano family's documents were processed quickly. That's why he brought them to the airport at dawn. He was able to help, and that alone brought him happiness.
Clark was deeply grateful to his parents and to his uncle, who didn't hesitate to help the family of the girl who had brought color into his life for so long. He could no longer dwell on the uncertain days of the past and had decided to focus on the present with a positive outlook. It didn't matter that his feelings for Gel remained in the past; what mattered was that he helped, and that he didn't leave anything undone for them.
And he knew that because of what had happened, he had left at least a small mark in Angela's mind—the girl who used to avoid even looking at or smiling at him. That's why he chose to remain silent, watching her secretly from afar, trying hard to control the slowly blooming feelings he had for her. Because he knew—and constantly reminded himself—that he shouldn't hope. Angela loved someone else—and that someone wasn't him.
Despite all that, Clark had learned to be content with what he had. This perspective gave him clarity during moments of loneliness. Always positive in life, he never gave up. If there was one thing he learned from his beloved grandmother, it was to wait for the right time.
Clark, who loved reading and exercising, didn't give in to life's temptations. He wasn't like other young men seeking attention or wasting time on things that didn't matter. He was disciplined and stayed away from vices. "How can I become a doctor if I don't take care of my body?" he would always say whenever his friend Andres teased him.
In fact, Andres was his gym buddy.
Andres, the opposite of Clark, was cheerful, full of life, and often at the center of attention. He always teased Clark about being quiet and for not taking advantage of moments when girls paid attention to him. But despite their differences, they both knew nothing could match their friendship.
One day, while walking down the hallway of the library, they passed a girl carrying a stack of books. In her hurry, she nearly stumbled, but Clark caught her just in time.
"Sorry," the girl blurted out, freezing upon seeing who had caught her—a man holding her arm, calm despite the surprise on her face.
Meanwhile, Andres was busy picking up the scattered books. "Hey, bro, maybe you'll get a love story in the library," he joked while lifting a thick nursing book.
The girl was startled when she heard Andres' soft cough followed by a teasing laugh. It was as if she had been doused in cold water. She quickly hurried off, her cheeks blushing from her ears down.
"What a shame," Andres said as he watched her walk away. "She was cute too. But I can't compete with your charm, bro."
Clark ignored the joke. He just shook his head. "Then help her. Go run after her," he said as he continued walking to his favorite library spot.
Andres shook his head too, but with a grin. "You really love those dramatic exits. But me? Nah! If I'm looking for a date, I want it to be someone whose heart already fell for me before she even saw you. That way, she's got no escape!"
Clark smiled. He knew his friend was half-joking, half-serious. He was used to this kind of banter. But behind the humor, Andres couldn't help but feel a tinge of envy.
Girls were always looking at Clark. Andres wasn't unattractive—he had a boy-next-door appeal—but Clark seemed to have a stronger pull, especially with women. He remembered what happened last year when they were approached by modeling agents at Starbucks. Clark was offered a modeling job for a clothing brand but declined right away.
"So annoying," Andres muttered. "If that were me, I wouldn't have turned it down! Wasted exposure!"
And that wasn't the only time it happened. Once, at the mall right after they left a bookstore, a talent manager approached them.
As in previous instances, Clark instantly declined the appealing offer. He loved studying more, and that was what mattered to him. More than anything, his privacy was important to him.
So, Andres thought to himself—they really were different. Clark was content with a quiet life, while he thrived in the spotlight. So, Andres decided to just accept it and continued reflecting. Maybe that kind of life just wasn't meant for him.
Through all this, Clark continued to learn from the experiences and relationships he had gathered over the years. Sometimes, he wished things were simpler. But one thing he was sure of—their friendship would not end and would only grow stronger over time.
Even now, as Clark busied himself with each passing day, he still remembered the moments he shared with Gel. He didn't dwell on what the future might hold, nor did he worry about things beyond his control. Instead, he chose to trust the flow of life, believing that the right time would come for everything.
And the most important thing now wasn't the unspoken words he kept, but the friendships and love he had from the people around him. Just never lose hope—because at every corner of life, there are chances for new beginnings.