Part 17: Standing the Test of Time

INTRO:

College years don't last forever.

Soon, Kate's time as a student will end.

What will the couple do

When one moves forward, leaving the other behind?

"4TH YEAR"

Kate is now in her fourth year.

Angelo is in his third.

A new year brings new challenges,

And this time, they face their toughest yet.

Kate's schedule is packed.

Internships, projects, responsibilities.

Angelo, though busy with his own studies,

Stays by her side, supporting her in every way.

She's rarely seen on campus now.

Her days are spent at XYZ Company,

Training as an accountant,

Immersed in the world that awaits her after graduation.

"MAKING TIME"

Despite their demanding schedules,

Angelo always finds a way to be with her.

Their routines miraculously align—

Mornings, he drives her to work.

Evenings, he picks her up for dinner before taking her home.

Day after day, night after night,

This cycle repeats.

A quiet, comforting rhythm,

A love woven into everyday life.

"CURIOSITY"

"Who's that handsome man dropping you off?"

Her colleagues tease her every morning.

They nudge her playfully, watching Angelo wait for her outside.

"I told you, he's my boyfriend," Kate laughs.

Yet they never stop, always grinning.

She watches from the office window sometimes,

Seeing him standing there, patient as ever.

"Oh, my sweet man...

My treasure, please don't shine too much.

Many already envy me for having you."

"MISSING OUT"

Angelo's absence doesn't go unnoticed.

His friends wonder where he is,

Why he misses gatherings,

Why he's always gone after class.

They understand—he's with Kate.

But even so, they worry.

He's skipping meetings,

Only appearing when necessary,

Still doing his part but never fully present.

"ANGER"

Presentation day.

Angelo and his group stand before the class,

Explaining their project, answering questions.

Everything is smooth—until the credits roll.

His name is missing.

The professor notices.

Angelo notices.

His groupmates claim he wasn't there,

That he didn't contribute.

The professor tests him, questioning him on the report.

Angelo answers, sharp and precise.

Not a single mistake.

The professor nods, reminding him to attend meetings next time.

His teammate, the one who left his name out,

Watches in silent frustration.

He has always envied Angelo's excellence.

This was his petty revenge.

Angelo only smiles.

A calm, unreadable expression.

"Congrats to us, guys," he says.

His lips curve in a smile.

His heart burns with quiet fury.

"MISTAKE"

Kate's superior doesn't like her.

Maybe because she's good at her job,

Maybe because she's happy,

Maybe just because she can be.

One day, a task is assigned.

A balance sheet—simple but important.

Kate completes it, submits it.

Her superior doesn't check.

She hands it in carelessly.

A mistake.

The sheet was for the wrong month.

It's her superior's fault.

But instead of taking responsibility,

She turns to Kate.

The scolding is harsh.

Unfair.

Kate stands there, absorbing every word,

Biting her tongue, swallowing her frustration

"STRESS RELIEVER"

Angelo grips the steering wheel tightly.

Anger still simmers inside him.

He plans to vent to Kate,

To let her comfort him like she always does.

But then, he sees her.

Walking out of the building, smiling.

Yet something is off.

That's not a happy smile.

It's the kind of smile that hides anger.

His own frustration fades instantly.

He softens his expression,

Plasters on a bright, warm grin.

As soon as she reaches him,

He pulls her into a hug.

"How was your day?" he asks gently.

He opens the car door for her,

And they drive into the night.

"DINNER NIGHT"

Kate talks as he drives.

Telling him everything,

Every unfair thing that happened today.

Her voice is sharp with frustration,

But as she speaks,

She slowly starts to relax.

She looks at him.

At the man beside her.

The one who listens to her every word,

Who never interrupts,

Who offers advice when needed,

And comfort when she doesn't ask.

By the time they arrive at her favorite restaurant,

Her anger has faded.

She barely remembers why she was upset.

They eat, laugh, talk.

Then Kate turns to him.

"You've been hiding something too," she says knowingly.

So Angelo tells her.

About the missing name, the silent betrayal.

They listen to each other,

Absorbing, understanding, healing.

By the end of the night,

They drive home with lighter hearts.

"PICTORIAL"

Graduation is near.

Kate wants to capture the moment.

So they take photos together,

Smiling, posing,

Freezing this joyful milestone in time.

In every picture,

Their love shines.

"GRADUATION"

The final moment.

The end of one chapter,

The beginning of another.

Her name is called.

She walks onto the stage,

Draped in a long toga,

Gold medals weighing on her neck.

She shakes hands,

Accepts her diploma.

Tears well up in her eyes.

Memories flash before her—

Every struggle, every joy, every moment.

She steps off the stage,

Walking toward the people who made this possible.

Her family, waiting with open arms.

Then, him.

A bouquet in his hands.

A smile just for her.

He opens his arms wide,

And without hesitation,

She melts into his embrace.

"Thank you," she whispers.

And finally, she looks up at him and says,

"I love you."

"CELEBRATION"

Laughter, food, champagne.

A night of joy.

Everyone is smiling.

Kate glances at Angelo.

His smile is the purest of them all.

"WHAT LIES AHEAD?"

After some moments,

As the night grows older,

The celebration comes to an end.

Angelo finds himself outside, looking at the stars.

Then, something cold lands on his face.

He turns to the side—

Kate is there, bringing him something refreshing.

She takes a seat beside him.

"I'm proud of you, my love,"

He says while gazing at the stars.

Then, he shifts his attention to her.

"The sky is so vast," he muses.

"Our world will soon be just as vast."

He pauses, then continues,

"Honestly, I'm a little scared...

Of what lies ahead of us.

You're stepping into a new journey,

One completely different from mine."

His eyes lock onto hers.

"Your eyes look like a distant galaxy to me…

I keep seeing stars in them."

He takes a deep breath.

"That's what makes me afraid.

Looking at the sky and the stars,

You always appear in my mind.

And I'm scared…

Will I be alright when you leave me behind?

Will I be strong enough to handle being away from you?

These thoughts make me afraid,"

He admits, his voice calm and gentle.

He looks back at the sky.

"I know these feelings might be foolish,

But I can't help it.

I can't imagine my life without you,

Not even for a single moment."

"STANDING STRONG"

Kate sits beside him in silence,

Listening to every word,

Letting him pour out his emotions.

When he finishes, she takes his hand,

Holding it firmly between hers.

"Your emotions and worries are valid," she says.

"They're not nonsense to me.

Because… I have fears too."

She takes a deep breath before continuing.

"I fear that your attention will shift to someone else when I'm gone.

I fear that your love for me will slowly fade.

I fear that you won't be strong enough to handle your studies without me by

your side.

And so many more fears…"

She pauses, her grip on his hand tightening.

"But fear isn't the only thing I feel."

She smiles.

"I also see hope.

Hope for us to have a bright future.

Hope for us to build something meaningful together.

Hope that no matter what happens,

The future will welcome us with open arms."She looks up at the sky,

Then back at him, her eyes filled with determination.

"I was so happy finally completing my school years,

But thinking about leaving you behind… it hurts a little.

Still, as the older one in our relationship,

I will make my will strong.

I'll face life's challenges first,

I'll work hard so that by the time you graduate,

I will have already built something for us.

I will show you that the woman you chose to love is strong.

I will prove that I can create a future where we will both be happy."

"TODAY"

Kate answers Angelo's worries with her own.

Her honesty lingers in the air between them.

"We don't know what the future has planned for us,"

She says, gently holding his hands.

"But one thing is certain…"

She reaches out, cupping his chin,

Guiding him to meet her gaze.

"Today is a day worth celebrating,"

She whispers, wiping away the small tears that have fallen from his eyes.

Then, she leans closer,

Her lips meeting his in a tender kiss.

"We'll think about the future tomorrow,"

She murmurs against his lips.

"But for now, let's focus on the present."

A small, teasing smile forms on her lips.

"I still haven't opened my present."

OUTRO:

Love in college is a dream many long for.

To have someone by your side,

To share the highs and lows,

To face the future together.

For Kate and Angelo,

This love is real.

And it's only just beginning