CHAPTER 2

Scientific & Career Odyssey

Cliff’s father was the very definition of an alpha male, the kind of man who seemed to carve his path through sheer force of will—and perhaps a stubbornness so intense it could bend steel. Born into poverty in the small, weathered Tinytown, he didn’t just climb the social ladder—he built it, stick by stick, likely muttering under his breath that if you wanted something done right, you had to do it yourself. With a stern gaze that could probably make a mountain move and an unyielding work ethic, he turned the modest beginnings of his childhood into a life of accomplishment and respect. A self-made man, he carried the weight of his family’s expectations like a burden on his broad shoulders, yet he never faltered—mostly because admitting defeat wasn’t in his vocabulary.

From the time he was a boy, Cliff’s father had known struggle. As the eldest of ten children, he often found himself trading his own dreams for the survival of his family. His heart had always been set on becoming a doctor, a dream that flickered like a distant star. But the realities of life dimmed that light. Instead, he became an English teacher, a position he attacked with the same determination he had once reserved for his lost ambition. His classroom was a battlefield, and his students were soldiers in the making—whether they knew it or not.

Yet, the fire of his dream never fully extinguished. Cliff’s father climbed from one position to the next—teacher, then school principal, and finally, the CEO of a company that managed multiple schools across the region. But even as he ascended these ranks, he never forgot the road not taken. He poured his unfulfilled aspirations into his younger brother, Cliff’s uncle, who went on to become the doctor he never could be. And when it came to his sons, he was relentless in his pursuit of excellence for them.

Cliff and his big brother, Guide, grew up in the shadow of their father’s relentless drive—a shadow so long it practically had its own zip code. From an early age, they absorbed his teachings like sponges—perseverance, perfectionism, and the belief that failure was not an option (because, let’s be honest, there wasn’t even a plan B). Cliff’s childhood was a series of achievements, each one a stepping stone laid by his father’s expectations, and paved by Guide who crossed it just before him. By the time he finished high school, he had already etched his name onto the honor roll, graduating with a flawless GPA of 5.0. For Cliff, there was never a question of what he would study; medicine was his destiny, not just because of his academic record, but because Guide had already blazed the trail (and also because no one dared suggest anything else!).

Despite being only two years apart, the difference between the brothers was stark. Guide was decisive, a natural leader with a personality that could fill a room—and probably rearrange the furniture while he was at it. Cliff, on the other hand, was quiet, introspective, always content to follow the rules and say “yes sir”. He was the obedient son, never causing any trouble, always in Guide’s shadow, following wherever he led—because why reinvent the wheel when your older brother can take the blame for it?!

To outsiders, Cliff might have seemed like an extension of Guide rather than his own person. He relied on his brother for almost everything, and their parents often directed any blame for teenage missteps at Guide, even if Cliff had been just as involved (though in Cliff’s defense, his missteps were usually of the “Guide said we should do it”!). But it wasn’t rebellion Cliff sought; it was safety. Guide had paved the way, and Cliff walked it without question. Their mother, ever protective of her younger son, would often remind Guide, “Take care of your brother, please.” That refrain echoed through their lives, even well into adulthood—though by then, “take care” sometimes meant “just take him with you and don’t get into trouble”!

When it came time for college, Cliff excelled once again. The sleepless nights, the endless exams—all were met with the same quiet determination that had marked his childhood. He graduated with honors and continued his postgraduate studies in Grandtown, following Guide to the same prestigious hospital. But while Guide had already established himself, Cliff was still searching for something more. He couldn’t bear the thought of a mundane specialty; he craved a challenge. And when he found it, he embraced it with the intensity of a man who knew that boredom was the real enemy.

Cliff’s postgraduate years were a blur of achievements, each one more significant than the last. He graduated with honors, earning the title of best graduate—a recognition that only fueled his desire for more. Scholarland, a distant and enigmatic country on the other side of the globe, called to him. He saw it as the next frontier, a place where he could push his limits further.

Scholarland was everything Cliff had hoped for—beautiful, with seasons that painted the landscape in rich, vivid colors. But it was also a place of grueling work and unrelenting pressure. The winters were harsh, biting through even the thickest coats, while the demands of his fellowship tested his endurance. Sleepless nights became routine, fueled by cups of coffee and hastily eaten meals. There were days when he worked for 24 hours straight, his body weary but his mind sharp, always ready for the next challenge (and possibly a nap). Despite the exhaustion, Cliff thrived. He hated stagnation and reveled in the constant growth that Scholarland demanded of him.

But even Scholarland couldn’t satisfy his hunger for achievement. When the opportunity arose for a second postdoctoral fellowship in Prosperland, Cliff seized it. Prosperland was known for its cutting-edge research and innovation, and Cliff was determined to be at the forefront. Yet, after all the years of pushing forward, Cliff longed for something more than just the next challenge. He yearned to return home, to Seatown, where he could finally start the life he felt had been on hold for far too long—preferably one that involved fewer all-nighters and more time with his feet up.

Seatown was where it all began, and Cliff hoped it would be where he could finally find the balance he had been searching for—a life where his career could thrive alongside his personal happiness, a life where he could be more than just his father’s son.