Tests

I have this friend which we shall name John. I met John in a flight last February from Singapore heading to Cebu City, Philippines. He was my seatmate then. It all so happened when my uncle complained the unlikely smell from where he was seated. The flight attendants eagerly resolved the concern. It was were our conversation started. The ‘who i am’ and ‘where am from’ followed.

Our flight was packed of stories one would certainly not talk with a stranger. We chatted from the time the airplane take off through the run way of Changi Airport till it finally touch down. John gave up his seat on that said day to give way to our ‘kabayan‘ a domestic helper catching for a flight to Hong Kong via Manila. Thus, we became seatmates and friends eventually.

I have known that John is happily married and has 3 daughters. First, the eldest followed by a twins. His wife is currently stationed as a nurse in a state in U.A.E.  Just recently, he shared his most challenging story.

My this friend’s childhood sweetheart added him in Facebook. For the record, their so-called childhood story was supposedly against all odds until it ended when this girl we shall name Sarah thought that my friend John was running out of all the excuses to meet her for a date (the ex-lovers where a hundred miles away then since Sarah pursued her tertiary education in a university in Manila while John stayed in the province). The long  distance relationship failed. Sarah married one of the University Officer and bore off-springs. After seven years of John’s waiting for their separation, John met his now wife. The invitation from Sarah paved the way for John to know that his long time childhood sweetheart had separated with his husband. Sarah’s husband committed adultery. He housed his mistress in their family condo and finally decided to leave Sarah with their children.

Such fate made John tremble and started thinking the what if’s of clinging to the long suppressed feeling. One night John gave me a ring seeking for my opinion and so i told him:

Maybe the fire is rekindling yet for many reasons, it has long died half a decade ago. Think of today. The what you have, and what you are living for before Sarah pass on you the message. Is she worth than the important persons you have in your life now? The earthly cravings can pass. Maybe for a year or two both of you will enjoy reminiscing the years gone to waste. But the years after would be an unending battle. A battle for yourself, your wife, your children. Are you decided to swerve to another way?

John take my advice and had successfully passed the first test. After a week john told me that his wife suddenly wanted to call things over. He did not have any idea where the hell it was coming from. He just conveyed that a few days back, he was so busy playing ball and haven’t had the time to harvest his plantation in Farmville (a preloaded game in Facebook). Further, a plan to transfer to U.A.E was not realized instead prolonged due to some circumstances. I hurriedly cut him off, the memories of his story flashing like thunder in my head. He quickly assured me that he remained faithful to his beloved wife and Sarah is but a past for him. Thus, he sought for my advice and so i tell John:

We may not know were the trouble is coming from. Hold on to what you believe is right. Follow what your heart desires for only our hearts can know how to reach a place called home. Don’t let things slip away without fighting the battle most especially when you know in yourself that it is worth every trouble. Tests are not as it may seem unless we deal and overcome them.