"Letting Go: A Royal Struggle"

Graduation in Overtime

Prince entered university in 2016, full of hope and dreams. He first started dating in his first semester after 21 years of abstinence after meeting his sweetheart, Gwen, who was by his side, and he felt invincible. After their first year together at college, Prince decided to take their relationship to the next level.

On a warm spring evening, he led Gwen to his room at 423 ko di Barrackseng, his heart pounding with anticipation. As he reached into his pocket for the ring that he spent months saving for, Gwen's voice cut through the air.

"Prince wee, we need to talk."

Those words stopped him cold. Before he could react, Gwen continued, "It's not you, it's me. I think we should break up."

Prince's world shattered. The ring in his pocket felt like a lead weight, dragging him down into a pit of despair. He couldn't focus on his studies, and his grades plummeted. By the end of 2017, he had failed and discontinued studies at the university.

Depression consumed him. He left his church, unable to find solace in faith. He turned to food for comfort, and his once-fit physique gave way to obesity. Pride kept him from seeking help or counseling.

In 2019, Prince mustered the courage to return to school with the help of his parents and friends. The journey was arduous. He struggled to pay tuition, working multiple jobs and barely scraping by. His studies were challenging, as he battled not only the coursework but also his own demons.

Despite the obstacles, Prince persevered. In 2024, four years later than he had originally planned, he finally earned his degree. It wasn't the journey he had envisioned, but he had made it through, carrying the scars of his past and the hope for a brighter future.