10 YEARS AGO…
Marcus barely noticed the late hour as his fingers flew over the keyboard, the words on his screen blurring slightly from the strain of staring too long. His focus was broken by the soft, concerned voice of his mother, Juliana, as she appeared in the kitchen doorway.
“Oh, son, aren’t you done yet? Look at the time; you’re still awake.” Her tone was gentle, but there was no missing the worry in her words.
He glanced up and met her gaze, feeling an immediate sense of calm wash over him. The warmth of her presence was a quiet, grounding force amidst the chaos of his late-night work session. Juliana’s face, though slightly lined from years of dedication and hard work, was still undeniably beautiful.
Her features, which had matured gracefully, carried the kind of strength and resilience that only time and experience could impart.
In that moment, Marcus was reminded of how much his mother had endured and how much she had given for him to be where he was today. It wasn’t just her physical beauty that struck him, but the depth of her character that shone through every line on her face, every wrinkle that told the story of her sacrifice, love, and determination.
Her eyes, a soft brown like his own, held a quiet affection as she looked at him amidst the clutter of his books and laptop. Despite the exhaustion that weighed on him, Marcus felt a sense of peace in her gaze, as if the world outside his immediate surroundings didn’t matter. He had always found comfort in his mother’s presence, a soothing balm for the stress that often consumed him.
Her gaze was tender, and as she took in his tired state, he couldn’t help but feel the weight of her concern. Even though his own body was worn from hours of study, the simple act of meeting her eyes and receiving her quiet support made him smile, albeit tiredly. It was a smile that carried a mix of gratitude and love, a silent acknowledgment of how much she meant to him.
“I have to, Mom,” he replied, his voice steady but tinged with weariness. “To make sure I graduate.”
He glanced up and met her gaze, feeling an immediate sense of calm wash over him. The warmth of her presence was a quiet, grounding force amidst the chaos of his late-night work session. Juliana’s face, though slightly lined from years of dedication and hard work, was still undeniably beautiful. Her features, which had matured gracefully, carried the kind of strength and resilience that only time and experience could impart.
In that moment, Marcus was reminded of how much his mother had endured and how much she had given for him to be where he was today. It wasn’t just her physical beauty that struck him, but the depth of her character that shone through every line on her face, every wrinkle that told the story of her sacrifice, love, and determination.
Her eyes, a soft brown like his own, held a quiet affection as she looked at him amidst the clutter of his books and laptop. Despite the exhaustion that weighed on him, Marcus felt a sense of peace in her gaze, as if the world outside his immediate surroundings didn’t matter. He had always found comfort in his mother’s presence, a soothing balm for the stress that often consumed him.
Her gaze was tender, and as she took in his tired state, he couldn’t help but feel the weight of her concern. Even though his own body was worn from hours of study, the simple act of meeting her eyes and receiving her quiet support made him smile, albeit tiredly. It was a smile that carried a mix of gratitude and love, a silent acknowledgment of how much she meant to him.
“Alright, I’ll make you a snack and prepare some coffee,” she said, her voice as soothing as a lullaby.
Her gaze flicked briefly to the clock hanging on the wall, its hands showing that it was already well past midnight. As she moved toward the counter, Marcus felt a surge of gratitude. Even at this late hour, his mom was there for him, offering her support in the simplest but most meaningful ways.
The quiet ticking of the kitchen clock was a stark reminder of the hour—it was already one in the morning. Marcus knew his mother had a point; staying up so late wasn’t ideal. But he also knew that sacrifices had to be made.
This thesis was his last major hurdle before graduation, and he couldn’t afford to be complacent. Every keystroke on his laptop brought him closer to achieving a dream that had been years in the making. Fatigue tugged at the edges of his mind, but he pushed it aside, fueled by determination.
“My class starts late tomorrow, Mom, so I’ll still get some sleep,” he said, trying to sound reassuring.
Marcus glanced up briefly to see Juliana’s worried expression soften at his words. He appreciated how much she cared, always making sure he balanced his responsibilities with his well-being. Despite his exhaustion, her presence gave him a small sense of comfort.
“Is that so?” she said with a thoughtful nod. “Okay then, I won’t make you coffee. You might have trouble sleeping later.” With a decisive motion, she returned the cup she’d been holding back into the cupboard. Her understanding demeanor reminded Marcus of how supportive his parents had always been, encouraging him to pursue his ambitions without hesitation. His gaze drifted back to his laptop screen as he thought about why he worked so hard. Graduating with a degree in BS Biology was just the first step on a long journey. His goal wasn’t just to finish school—it was to continue to medical school and eventually specialize as a cardiothoracic surgeon. It was a lofty ambition, requiring years of intense study and rigorous training, but Marcus welcomed the challenge. In ten years, he envisioned himself in a bustling hospital, performing life-saving surgeries and making a tangible difference in people’s lives. The thought filled him with purpose, making every late night and sacrifice
“You don’t need to work while studying, son. Your dad and I have already prepared for this. You can finish med school with the money we’ve saved for you.” Her voice was warm, but there was a clear note of worry underlying her words. Marcus could see the concern etched in her features—she wanted to protect him, to ensure he didn’t burn himself out by taking on too much. But as much as he appreciated their support, he also knew that he wanted to take charge of his own future. Marcus shrugged, his gaze dropping to the last bite of the sandwich on his plate. “Mom, I’ll be okay, I promise,” he said, his tone reassuring but resolute. He could tell that she wasn’t entirely convinced, but he was determined to follow his own path. Finishing the sandwich, he wiped his hands on his napkin and looked back at his mother. Despite her concern, he could feel the pride and love in her eyes. He knew they only wanted what was best for him, but Marcus had always been driven by the need to prove himse
“How is he?” Marcus asked, his voice steady, though a hint of unease betrayed the calm exterior he wore.Deep down, he yearned for a miracle—some reassurance that his father was on the path to recovery, that the man who had once been his guiding light would return to him. His words were weighted with both hope and trepidation, a fragile mix of emotions that only those who loved deeply could understand. “He’s the same as before,” the doctor replied, his tone measured yet tinged with empathy. The words hung in the air like an unspoken acknowledgment of the battle they both knew too well. As if to soften the blow, the doctor placed a comforting hand on Marcus’s shoulder. “But I still haven’t lost hope,” he added with quiet conviction. The sincerity in his voice was unmistakable—a small flame of optimism burning in a sea of uncertainty. Marcus exhaled heavily, the sigh carrying the weight of years spent in limbo. His gaze shifted to a figure sitting beneath the sprawling branches of a l
If only he could heal this, Marcus thought bitterly. He was a surgeon renowned for his expertise, a man whose hands had performed miracles in operating rooms. His colleagues spoke of him with reverence, marveling at his precision and skill. But none of that mattered here. The wounds he tended in his profession were tangible—visible cuts that could be sutured, broken bones that could be set. The wound inside him, however, was something no scalpel could mend. It was deep and unrelenting, a mix of grief, guilt, and longing that stemmed from memories too painful to dwell on. As much as Marcus wanted to believe that time could heal all wounds, he doubted it could ever touch the one etched in his heart.“Dad?” Marcus’s voice was barely audible, as if even speaking louder would disturb the fragile silence surrounding the man sitting under the acacia tree.His father, unmoving, kept his gaze fixed on some distant point, his expression a blend of detachment and tranquility. The sight tugged pa
“You don’t need to work while studying, son. Your dad and I have already prepared for this. You can finish med school with the money we’ve saved for you.” Her voice was warm, but there was a clear note of worry underlying her words. Marcus could see the concern etched in her features—she wanted to protect him, to ensure he didn’t burn himself out by taking on too much. But as much as he appreciated their support, he also knew that he wanted to take charge of his own future. Marcus shrugged, his gaze dropping to the last bite of the sandwich on his plate. “Mom, I’ll be okay, I promise,” he said, his tone reassuring but resolute. He could tell that she wasn’t entirely convinced, but he was determined to follow his own path. Finishing the sandwich, he wiped his hands on his napkin and looked back at his mother. Despite her concern, he could feel the pride and love in her eyes. He knew they only wanted what was best for him, but Marcus had always been driven by the need to prove himse
“Is that so?” she said with a thoughtful nod. “Okay then, I won’t make you coffee. You might have trouble sleeping later.” With a decisive motion, she returned the cup she’d been holding back into the cupboard. Her understanding demeanor reminded Marcus of how supportive his parents had always been, encouraging him to pursue his ambitions without hesitation. His gaze drifted back to his laptop screen as he thought about why he worked so hard. Graduating with a degree in BS Biology was just the first step on a long journey. His goal wasn’t just to finish school—it was to continue to medical school and eventually specialize as a cardiothoracic surgeon. It was a lofty ambition, requiring years of intense study and rigorous training, but Marcus welcomed the challenge. In ten years, he envisioned himself in a bustling hospital, performing life-saving surgeries and making a tangible difference in people’s lives. The thought filled him with purpose, making every late night and sacrifice
10 YEARS AGO…Marcus barely noticed the late hour as his fingers flew over the keyboard, the words on his screen blurring slightly from the strain of staring too long. His focus was broken by the soft, concerned voice of his mother, Juliana, as she appeared in the kitchen doorway. “Oh, son, aren’t you done yet? Look at the time; you’re still awake.” Her tone was gentle, but there was no missing the worry in her words. He glanced up and met her gaze, feeling an immediate sense of calm wash over him. The warmth of her presence was a quiet, grounding force amidst the chaos of his late-night work session. Juliana’s face, though slightly lined from years of dedication and hard work, was still undeniably beautiful. Her features, which had matured gracefully, carried the kind of strength and resilience that only time and experience could impart. In that moment, Marcus was reminded of how much his mother had endured and how much she had given for him to be where he was today. It wasn’t j
If only he could heal this, Marcus thought bitterly. He was a surgeon renowned for his expertise, a man whose hands had performed miracles in operating rooms. His colleagues spoke of him with reverence, marveling at his precision and skill. But none of that mattered here. The wounds he tended in his profession were tangible—visible cuts that could be sutured, broken bones that could be set. The wound inside him, however, was something no scalpel could mend. It was deep and unrelenting, a mix of grief, guilt, and longing that stemmed from memories too painful to dwell on. As much as Marcus wanted to believe that time could heal all wounds, he doubted it could ever touch the one etched in his heart.“Dad?” Marcus’s voice was barely audible, as if even speaking louder would disturb the fragile silence surrounding the man sitting under the acacia tree.His father, unmoving, kept his gaze fixed on some distant point, his expression a blend of detachment and tranquility. The sight tugged pa
“How is he?” Marcus asked, his voice steady, though a hint of unease betrayed the calm exterior he wore.Deep down, he yearned for a miracle—some reassurance that his father was on the path to recovery, that the man who had once been his guiding light would return to him. His words were weighted with both hope and trepidation, a fragile mix of emotions that only those who loved deeply could understand. “He’s the same as before,” the doctor replied, his tone measured yet tinged with empathy. The words hung in the air like an unspoken acknowledgment of the battle they both knew too well. As if to soften the blow, the doctor placed a comforting hand on Marcus’s shoulder. “But I still haven’t lost hope,” he added with quiet conviction. The sincerity in his voice was unmistakable—a small flame of optimism burning in a sea of uncertainty. Marcus exhaled heavily, the sigh carrying the weight of years spent in limbo. His gaze shifted to a figure sitting beneath the sprawling branches of a l