When Love Break Ties

Chapter 45: A Fresh Start

Nathan sat at his desk, the glow from his laptop illuminating the dimly lit room. The open email on the screen showed an offer from an international writing workshop, this time in Bali. Months ago, he would have jumped at the opportunity without hesitation, eager for the thrill of a new adventure and the validation that came with being selected for such an exclusive program. But now, he was different. His journey, both personal and professional, had shifted his priorities in ways he hadn't anticipated.

He leaned back in his chair, reflecting on everything that had brought him to this point. The Tokyo workshop had been a whirlwind—a time of growth, heartbreak, and discovery. He had left Manila seeking clarity and success, but instead, he had found himself tangled in the complexities of love and the weight of family expectations. His relationship with Abby had been passionate and consuming, but it had also forced him to confront parts of himself he had been avoiding for years. And when that relationship fell apart, he realized that the answers he was searching for couldn't be found in another city, another country, or even another person.

They had to come from within.

Now, sitting in the comfort of his family home, Nathan felt a sense of peace that had eluded him for so long. The chaos and noise of the world seemed quieter here, allowing him to listen to the voice inside that had been buried beneath ambition, guilt, and longing. He had learned hard lessons in Tokyo—about love, loyalty, and the delicate balance between personal desires and family responsibilities. But those lessons had shaped him, bringing him back to his roots with a deeper understanding of who he was and what truly mattered.

The email from the workshop coordinator was polite but enthusiastic. They were thrilled with his recent work and believed he would be a valuable addition to their Bali retreat. It was another prestigious opportunity, the kind that many writers only dream of. But Nathan didn't feel the same urgency to prove himself this time. He wasn't chasing validation anymore.

He clicked out of the email and closed his laptop, allowing the stillness of the room to envelop him. He needed time to think—to approach this decision with the calm and thoughtfulness that had been missing from his previous choices.

The next morning, Nathan went for a walk through his old neighborhood. The streets were familiar, lined with sari-sari stores and children playing with homemade kites. The scent of freshly cooked food wafted through the air as mothers prepared lunch for their families. Everything felt grounded and real here, far removed from the high-paced world he had been living in for the past few years. Here, things moved slower. People took time to sit, to talk, to simply be.

He passed by the local church, where he had spent countless Sundays as a child with his family. The sight of it brought a wave of nostalgia over him, but also a sense of comfort. Family had always been his anchor, even when he didn't realize it. And now, after everything that had happened with Abby, he understood just how important that anchor was. Family wasn't just about blood or obligation—it was about connection, about belonging to something bigger than yourself.

Nathan walked through the gates and into the quiet courtyard of the church. He found a bench under a tree and sat down, watching as a few elderly parishioners lit candles and said their prayers. For the first time in a long time, he felt truly at peace. Not because all his problems were solved or because he had found all the answers he was looking for, but because he had come to terms with the fact that life wasn't about having all the answers. It was about navigating the uncertainties with grace and resilience.

His thoughts drifted back to the workshop offer. Bali. It was tempting, of course. Who wouldn't want to spend time in such a beautiful, serene place, surrounded by fellow writers and creatives? But this time, Nathan wasn't interested in escaping or running away to find something he felt was missing. If he went, it would be on his terms—with a clear sense of purpose and a grounded sense of self.

He wasn't the same person who had left for Tokyo months ago. That Nathan had been searching for something outside of himself, desperate to prove that he belonged. But the man he was now knew that belonging didn't come from external accomplishments. It came from within—from being true to who you were, from staying connected to the people who mattered most, and from doing work that was meaningful, not just successful.

Later that evening, Nathan sat at the dining table with his family. His mom had prepared a feast, as usual—pansit, adobo, lumpia, and rice filling the table. His father sat across from him, quiet but content, while his younger sister chatted away about her day at work. It was a simple family dinner, but it meant everything to Nathan. These moments of togetherness, of shared stories and laughter, were what he had missed most during his time away.

His mother glanced at him across the table. "So, anak, have you decided about the workshop in Bali? It sounds like a great opportunity."

Nathan smiled, appreciating her enthusiasm. "I'm still thinking about it, Ma. It's a great offer, but I want to make sure it's the right decision for me. I don't want to go just because it looks good on paper. I want to go because it's something that feels right."

His father, who rarely spoke during family dinners, chimed in. "That's a good way to look at it, son. You've already accomplished so much. You don't need to prove anything to anyone. Just make sure you're doing it for yourself."

Nathan nodded, grateful for his father's quiet wisdom. It was true—he didn't need to chase after external validation anymore. His writing had always been a deeply personal endeavor, and now more than ever, he wanted to focus on telling the stories that mattered to him, stories that reflected the complexities of life, love, and family.

The next few days passed in a blur of reflection and quiet contemplation. Nathan took long walks, read through old journals, and spent time writing in his notebook, capturing thoughts and ideas that had been swirling in his mind. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that the Bali workshop wasn't about furthering his career—it was about continuing his personal journey as a writer and as a person.

If he accepted the offer, it wouldn't be to escape or prove something. It would be to explore, to connect with other creatives, and to immerse himself in the process of storytelling. And this time, he would approach it with a sense of balance, knowing that his worth wasn't tied to his achievements but to his growth and the relationships he had nurtured along the way.

With a deep breath, Nathan opened his laptop once more and typed out his response to the workshop coordinator.

Dear Ms. Lopez,
Thank you for the generous offer to join the writing workshop in Bali. After careful consideration, I'm excited to accept your invitation. I'm looking forward to engaging with fellow writers, learning from new experiences, and contributing to the creative environment you've fostered.
Best regards,
Nathan Salvador

As he hit send, Nathan felt a calmness settle over him. This time, he wasn't running away. He was moving forward, with a renewed sense of purpose, grounded in his identity and the lessons he had learned. He was ready for a fresh start.