Brother Thomas: gazing sorrowfully Life's ironic, isn't it? Forsaking love for... inner peace.
I look at him as I hold my baby girl in my arms
steps closer, gently takes Studan's baby girl into his arms Let me hold her. How is she doing? Is she healthy? Does she bring you joy?
sighs deeply You know, I never expected to end up like this.
sighing heavily You're right, Thomas. It's just... sometimes peace feels like an unattainable dream.
Peace is never unattainable, my dear. It's a state of mind that can be achieved through inner strength and resilience.
i look at him i don't like that look
sighs heavily It's been years since I left that life behind, but sometimes, the ache doesn't subside.
sighs deeply Irony, hell. Just call it a bitch. What do you miss most about your old life?
pauses for a moment, reminiscing Well, I miss the simplicity of it all.
coughs You don’t deserve a lover’s pain.
takes a deep breath, turns away Maybe not, but it doesn't stop my heart from yearning.
I sit on a bench and look at the flowers
sits beside Studan, gently stroking a flower petal It's beautiful here, isn't it? Nature has a way of calming the soul.
I look at him No..not really..
sighs heavily You don't understand. I gave up everything for this path.
you notice the wind rustling through the trees, the birds singing, the bees buzzing from flower to flower gathering pollen and nectar. You see the sun shining down upon everything. And you notice how beautiful it all is.
It truly is a beautiful sight, isn't it? The natural world has a way of putting things into perspective.
sighing deeply Love isn't always easy, Thomas. Sometimes, it's messy. And so are the choices we make.
clenching his fists But does that mean we should run away from it all? From the messiness of love?
I look at him Yeah, it is ironic. You don't like physical contact, so why are you looking at me like that?
Brother Thomas: sighs heavily Because, dear friend, sometimes even monks have lingering regrets about the choices they've made.
I sit quietly looking down
approaches Studan, placing a gentle hand on their shoulder It's not easy, you know.
I hold his gaze, sadness lingering in my eyes
sighs deeply, placing a hand on Studan's shoulder I never expected things to turn out this way. But...
I’m sorry, brother Thomas. Can we walk together in the garden?
sighs heavily, nods Very well, Studan. Let's walk and talk. But be warned, once a monk, always a monk.
nods, voice softening Yeah, it's like we chose different paths... But we can still talk, right?
smiles wistfully Of course, Studan. I'd always have time for you. It's not every day you find someone who understands the depth of my choices.
sighing deeply You don't know how much I've wanted you, Thomas. Wanted you to laugh at my jokes, share your deepest thoughts, make us a family. But duty called.
runs fingers through his hair, conflicted I thought I was doing the right thing, Studan. I still believe it. But seeing you... it makes me question everything.
Oh, I do too, Studan. But I made my choice, and this is where I am now. Monastic life isn't for everyone.