Chapter 1: Identification Card

In his final year at the university, Doyoung met someone.

He was at a local coffee shop called Loey’s. It is a three-minute walk from the university. The café is small with slow-turning ceiling fans, empty square tables, unoccupied chairs, jazz music, peach tiled floor, and large windows that look akin to doors.

The interior design is discreet, minimal but fashionable. It has paintings most cafes would have, small vases of white artificial roses, and daily specials on the chalkboard at the entrance.

The menus are neatly piled atop the counter. There is an array of cream cakes and pastries and all those English-sounding names that most of them Doyoung has no plan to eat. They have hot chocolate, some ice cream flavors, latte, cold drinks, and sandwiches. The price looks reasonable as well.

The crew has tired eyes, yet there is that glimmer and cheerfulness; he always greets with so much enthusiasm. His excitement would tell that the shop gets few customers. He seems very happy whenever he hears the door open.

The café has six tables with two chairs in each. There was one time when a group of four customers came in, and they had to drag another table to merge with the other so they can have one big table. Doyoung did not mind the sound the steel legs made whilst getting dragged against the floor; he was contented seeing Yedam, the crew, busy tending the customers.

Exactly twenty-seven minutes after he got his coffee, a deep voice broke his train of thoughts.

“Is this seat taken?”

He looked up, Mashiho smiled and his big pair of eyes twitched. He is the short best friend who is of Japanese descent and boasted of having been to Japan three times already. He is annoying and clingy but also trustworthy, loyal, cute, cheerful, and sparky. When trouble comes, Mashiho tends to withdraw and sulk and be submissive, yet during that withdrawal period he figures out unique and creative solutions that elude others. Doyoung may not be vocal about this, but Mashiho is the buddy he could wish for.

“Do you see someone sitting here?” Doyoung asked mockingly. “Or are you seeing someone I don’t see?”

“You’re supposed to say, ‘Are you?’ like the line from McDonald’s ad on TV.” He quipped as he slid to the chair across Doyoung’s. “You’re no fun.”

“I’m not up for jokes,” he countered.

“Why? Still thinking about the pair-up project given by our Writing professor?”

Doyoung did not respond. He squirmed inwardly and told himself to stay still before he could roll over the floor and let out a loud devastated shout that may shake the entire café. The semester just started and every professor has invaded his peaceful mind by providing the class with tons of workloads to do.

Now, Doyoung doesn’t know where to fit all those things inside his brain.

He still has no idea what he would do for his Technical Writing class, which Mrs. Yap had assigned to them.

“Reach out to the different departments and learn new things,” Mashiho imitated her voice, and Doyoung could hear the professor’s voice clearly. “What department were you assigned?”

“Health Sciences Department,” Doyoung flatly replied. “It’s hard writing for the medical department though.”

“Stop complaining,” Mashiho interjected after gulping the remaining juice in the bottle. He wiped the remains on the sides of his mouth. “I did not even complain when I got the Engineering Department, it is much more difficult. Do you want to swap?”

“I am considering it,” Doyoung pursed his lips and closed his eyes. “I don’t know anyone from both departments, however, Health Sciences is closer to ours so I am not considering it anymore.”

The shorter one glared at him. “I think I know someone from that department, but I doubt he’ll help. His is busy as well.”

“Why was this task not given to us during our internship? It would’ve been useful when we go to every beat.”

They are in their last year at the university and their schedule is packed. As Journalism and Communication majors, they have to be familiar with the different ways how the different industries work especially since it is inevitable for them to be exposed to these fields.

“You know you need to stop eating that burger, right? It’s just bun and their tomatoes look rotten. God knows a worm is thriving in there,” Doyoung laughed.

“Stop grossing me out. A person is eating. Basic eating etiquette please.” Mashiho half-gagged, pretending to be grossed out.

“Going back, you were saying you know someone from the Health Sciences?”

“Yeah, but he is in his internship.”

“Maybe he knows someone who’s not really busy?”

“I could check and let you know.”

Silence enveloped them.

“Are you done with the essay?”

“What essay are you talking about?”

“The essay.”

“What essay? I have about six subjects this semester you better be specific.”

“The fake news essay assigned yesterday.” Mashiho specified.

“Ah, that one? Isn’t that due next week?” Doyoung asked half-heartedly. He mentally checked all the things he needed to do because there are tons.

“You have about six subjects this semester, Kim Doyoung, and tons of things to do. Have you not considered creating a to-do list?”

“I like it this way.” The former retorted. “And don’t you dare impose your tactics on me. They don’t work.”

“All right. I got it.” Mashiho looked around. “Have you heard about yesterday?”

“I was working yesterday.”

“Right. I forgot. I should pay you a visit sometime this week. It’s been ages since I went to the movie house.”

“I prefer you don’t. You’ll just make me unproductive.” Doyoung countered. The two have been friends for a very long time and people would assume Doyoung has gotten the hang of him but no. Mashiho is so annoying when he talks about things. The guy cannot just shut up.

“Hey! I am trying to make you a company.”

“By disturbing my inner peace? No. Just don’t.”

“Ouch! I’m hurt.”

“Don’t exaggerate. Just tell me what happen yesterday.”

Mashiho stared at him in distaste, but he knew the other was just playing around. “You see that guy over there?” Mashiho turned his head towards the left.

“Who?” There are three tables occupied all by a lad.

“The first to the left with his back on us.”

“The one wearing a blue cap?”

“Bingo.”

“What about him?”

“Interested now, huh, Kim Doyoung?”

“Well, you started it, and stop calling me by my full name.” Doyoung closed his laptop and plopped his notebook on top of it. “You better finish it.”

“I actually have no idea who he is, but I am pretty sure he was the guy in the hallway yesterday.”

“The guy in the hallway?”

“Apparently, there was a crying guy in the Bates building hallway.”

“At Bates?”

“The Bates building. Yes, you heard me right.”

“Isn’t that jampacked?”

“That’s why everyone knows about it.”

“Was he bawling?”

“Bawling? No, he did not. But there was a scene. Something along the lines of begging someone not to leave him.”

“Oh, relationship issues,” Doyoung quipped.

“Could be but stop thinking too hard. Could be not.” Mashiho, who had been talking steadily about the guy in the hallway, gave him a distasteful look.

“What did I do?” Doyoung defended himself.

“You make it sound like a guy would only cry due to a failed relationship.” Mashiho laughed while he threw the napkin toward his best friend.

“I was just guessing.” Doyoung raised his hands in resignment.

“But given the fact that… that was the first thing that came out from your mouth speaks so much.”

“All right. I won’t talk.” Doyoung sulked. “But I am also guessing that a few years of snooping around offices to gather news made you a gossiper, huh?”

“Looks like it. But this time, it was coincidental,” Mashiho confirmed. “It so happened I was there to witness it.”

“So it wasn’t a relationship issue?”

“If you are so curious why don’t you approach him and invade his privacy. Go on, then. Speak now or hold your peace.”

“You’re giving me half-baked information.” Doyoung sulked. He wiped the remaining smudge on his right lip before standing up. “I have to go.” He then announced.

“Already?”

“Why not? Research will start in ten minutes and I will still have to drop by my locker to leave some of these.”

“Oh, come on, Doyoung. Nothing will happen to you if you’re going to be late for at least ten minutes.”

“Please stop. I should cut you off from my friends' list. You’re being a bad influence.”

“Hey! I am helping you cut some slack.”

“No, thank you.” He stood up quite immediately and gathered his things. “Are you not coming? Or have your rebellious side kicked in again?”

“I am coming with you.”

Before Doyoung left the café, he made sure to get a glimpse of the mysterious man in the hallway.

Two days later, Doyoung came back to Loey’s. Surprisingly, the place was packed. Almost all the seats were occupied, and it was not even lunchtime yet.

“Are you surprised?” Yedam chirped in without preamble.

“A bit.”

“I was very surprised. I usually do not have this many customers but look.” He looked joyous. “Oh wait- I did reserve your usual spot. Just for you.”

“Oh,” was all Doyoung could respond.

“I figured you’ll be here. You always have been.”

“Well, thanks for that. I appreciate it. Really.”

“No need to thank me Mr. Frequent Customer. You deserve my care.” He laughed and that sounded so beautiful. He walked him to his table and took the order and left.

A man pushed the door open, and Doyoung could hear the chimes of the bells. Out of habit, he looked over his shoulder to check who was coming in. He had been afflicted with the compulsion to look behind him every time a door is opened. He did not like having to sit facing away from the door with his back exposed. Being the observant person that he is, the least he could do is to take notes of the people swarming this small café.

It was the guy in the hallway as Mashiho described. The man stared at him, a half-smile fixed on his face, his head dipped a little, his eyes unblinking under the bushy black brows. He had lavish raven hair covered by his blue cap. Doyoung has never seen this guy on the campus before. Knowing this guy’s quiet of an unrivaled scene in the hallway made Doyoung wonder what is in his mind. He turned his attention back to his laptop and tried to sway any thoughts about the guy in the hallway.

“It’s none of my business,” he muttered under his breath after sipping his coffee.

He opened his laptop and hit Google. He has a six-paragraph essay due next week and he still has to juggle his part-time, and research writing not to mention his hunt for a good soul who will help him with his medical technical writing task. As someone who majored in Journalism and Communication, Doyoung has dealt with tons of essay projects and he concluded that this type of task is headache-inducing. He can already feel it.

He gave his temple a light massage as he went through the different references for his fake news essay. A shrill ringing of his alarm reminded him that it was nearly lunchtime already. He bookmarked all the resources that he found helpful and stood up. He took his bag and was ready to move when –

“Doyoung?” It was Yedam.

“Yeah?” he looked at him, confused.

“So,” he started. “I found this one?”

“An ID?”

“Looks like it.” He responded while handing it to the other guy.

“And why are you giving this to me?”

“I really wouldn't mind keeping that here but our café will be closing-“

“Closing?

”- for a week for some arrangement changes.”

”I thought you’ll close down forever.”

“Just for a week,” he reassured and continued. “And I cannot afford to get this owner gatekept by your university’s security at the entrance for not having his identification card with him.”

“But, I-“

“I mean, you are in the same university and I am positive your school has this lost and found section somewhere or you can just leave that to the gate.”

“I guess so.” Doyoung had nothing to do but nod in agreement. “I have to go. Bye.”

Doyoung’s thoughts about his current trouble in essays had been irretrievably interrupted. He walked down the hall heading towards the Student’s Affairs Office. The hall was quiet except for the professors’ lecturing voices that echoed through the corridors at different decibels.

He glanced at the identification card he is holding. It’s from the guy in the hallway. He must’ve dropped it while he was at Loey’s. His name is Junghwan and he is from the Health Department majoring in nursing education in his final year.

He opened the door to the said office and was greeted by a rather gloomy-looking staff.

“Hi! According to the guard at the gates, this is where I have to return found objects like this?” Doyoung showed her the identification card.

“There is a phone number at the back of the ID and that would’ve been way easier,” she replied blatantly.

“Right, but I think this is way better? The owner would not be weirded out if he received a message officially from the office, would he?”

The lady staff took the ID and thanked Doyoung. She handed him a short form. “Kindly fill this out. We need them or at least to the owner of this ID to, you know, somehow thank you.”

“Is this really necessary, miss?” Mashiho asked while checking his watch. He’s already three minutes late for his class.

“It is,” she said coolly. “Your cooperation is highly appreciated.”

Doyoung resigned and put all his worries about being late inside his pocket. For the first time, he got late to the class but for the reason of becoming a hero.

About two weeks after Doyoung returned Junghwan’s identification card to the student’s affairs office, the former received a text from the latter.

“Sorry for taking your time and thank you for returning my ID. – Junghwan.” The text reads.

It was four in the morning on Monday. He just woke up after having a bad dream from drowning in the pits of black water. He had been dreaming about gigantic waves and getting swallowed by them lately.

When he was ten years old at St. Anna, his origin place, he learned how to swim. His father taught him and helped him find his balance in the water. When he knew how to do it alone, Doyoung kept swimming back and forth from the coast to the lagoon. He got addicted to it.

Every weekend, he went alone or with his friends. For two more years, he lived for the cold waves.

Swimming made him aware of the complete indifference of nature. The waves were powerful forces, predictable sometimes but utterly unconcerned about the damages they could make, even to Doyoung.

His love for the water did not last when he felt a strain on his lower leg, too painful for him to move, and got him drowning. The first time the saltwater entered his nose, he thought he was dead, or about to become dead. Panic, fear, and more panic. His hair floated upward and the sunlight was getting further away. He was still unmoving. More bubbles came out of his mouth as more saltwater invaded his lungs, and he was getting pulled by gravity.

He can’t fathom how it happened but his brother's hand found his arm and he pulled him upwards and to safety.

Eleven years later, now twenty-one years old, Doyoung has not visited the ocean anymore. He forgot how to swim, yet, the incident kept on haunting him. Sometimes, the memory of the pain was too powerful to make him grimace. It made him start to feel terrified as if it was happening again.

Teeth gritted, he got up and drank a glass of water in the dining area, removing the vivid nightmare that is staying rent-free in his mind. He faced the mirror and noticed the dark circles under his eyes.

It’s been a whole week since he did not get the quality sleep he used to get. He looked so skinny and light. Under the pretense of the dawn light that reflected from his window, he noticed pimples growing on his right cheek.

He studied himself and tried to compare his younger self. He used to have long hair, but now, he made sure to get his dark hair done twice a month to maintain his desired look. He thought a clean-cut would fit his 5’7-tall stature. He has double eyelids with natural brown brows that perfectly accented his tall nose and reddish full lips.

Back in bed, lying under the warm covers in the dark, Doyoung made one more discovery before he fell back into sleep. He discovered he did not have to reply to Junghwan’s message albeit knowing the chance of getting a partner for his technical writing task.

“You look nasty. Are you on drugs?” Mashiho teased him that morning in their Codes and Ethics class.

“Shut up,” Doyoung replied.

“Doyoung and Mashiho, keep it down please.” Professor Lim stopped his lecture.

They both mumbled a soft sorry.

“Are you okay, though?” Mashiho asked again, voice laced with concern this time. “You look like you have not gotten some sleep for weeks. What’s up?”

“I have been having some bad dreams again,” he replied.

“The waves?” Mashiho specified.

“Yeah.”

“Do you want to go to the guidance office?”

“And do what?”

“Hey,” Mahisho whispered. “They can give you advice on what you should do about it. It’s stressing you out. We have Psychology students.”

“I’m fine.”

“You always say that when you’re not,” Mashiho argued, starting in on a familiar refrain. “You have to take care of yourself too. We have to at least define what your dreams mean.”

“It’s nothing,” Doyoung muttered. “Probably, nothing. And it’s not like they can help me. They’d probably think I am just making of a big deal on small meaningless and harmless dreams.”

“Then why is it recurring?”

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s because I almost got drowned,” Doyoung closed his eyes as he slightly massage his temples. Mashiho looked at him with a concerned look. “Don’t worry, I am fine.”

“Would you like to skip the class?”

“You really are a bad influence.”

Doyoung made a short stopover at Loey’s to grab a mug of hot coffee to release some tension that has been building up in his head since this morning. Not once did he ever understand the things discussed in three of the subjects he attended.

A cup of coffee will help him clear his mind or so he thought.

“Same order?” Yedam asked.

“I’d like a cup of cappuccino.”

“Oh, a new flavor. Any particulars?”

“Just with less foam,” he answered.

“Are you okay?” he is the third person to ask him that.

“Yeah, I am fine.”

“You sure?”

“Do you mind serving my coffee to my table?” Doyoung diverted the conversation. He was not in the mood for a full-on conversation.

“Not really. Give me three minutes.” Yedam received the message very clearly.

Life in the city has its comforts, despite having all the types of pollution and people and the bleakness of having a good support system from the people around. Doyoung at least found very few people who made his city life better than what he expected four years ago when left the rural for his pursuit of a better education. It was never easy.

His stay there has been surprisingly uncomplicated. He cannot say it’s pleasant though.

Times like this made him want to leave the bustling location, board a local bus, and just trudge the muddy road toward his house at Sta. Anna. Nothing can equal home.

He took out his pen from its case and open his notes. Another essay project is coming its way to ruin his mood and it did an amazing job. He cursed under his breath.

It’s Monday. The newly added giant wall clock at Loey’s reads 3:34 PM. He’s supposed to be walking to his fourth and final class but his academic spirit left a long time ago. He scribbled very few words on the page but no right words came out lest a simple sentence formed.

“Is this seat taken?” A fresh voice is registered in his ears. He looked up and saw a tall man. Doyoung had to stretch his neck upward to finally capture the entire face of a rather familiar face.

The guy in the hallway. Doyoung recognized him.

It was Junghwan.

The standing guy smiled expectantly, waiting for his unattended question.

“No,” is all Doyoung could respond.

“Can I sit here?” he asked.

“Yeah- yeah sure. No problem.”

“The café is packed and I need a table. I need to use Wi-Fi for research. You don’t mind me sitting here, do you?” He smiled. Doyoung zipped his lip and smiled.

“No, I don’t,” Doyoung responded awkwardly. He’s sure it was due to the headache. He is having a hard time striking good communication with a stranger because of his headache.

Junghwan muttered a small thank you before he opened his laptop and dig into his task. All Doyoung could ever do was steal glances at the man across from him.

He couldn’t tell if the man’s head is shaved smooth on the sideburns due to the cap he is wearing, but he is clean and relatively neat, and he doesn’t have dark circles under his eyes. His eyes are not bloodshot compared to other nursing students he encountered as a result of burning midnight candles.

Doyoung bit his nail out of habit while he lowered his gaze to the guy’s laptop so he could study his features silently and secretly.

The other guy has a raven thick hair with thick lips. He is somewhat too tall for his build. It was as if he stopped growing only to be stretched on one of those medieval racks a half-foot more. He is handsome, not perhaps in the conventional sense, but he had that appearance that could make him stand out in the crowd. He has pale skin. His unfathomable, hazel eyes contrasted exceptionally with his light-toned face. He has a light scar on his right cheek. His eyes were as deep and expressive as his white-collared shirt. He has a habit of chewing and pouting his lips when he's too focused.

Doyoung wanted to stand and leave but the heavy feeling in his head glued him to the chair as if the gravity is too strong in the specific corner.

A few minutes turned into half an hour, and he has nothing very specific written in his notes. He made a long exasperated sigh before closing his notebook and decided to kill his laptop. He’s going to call it a day and make a grand reunion with his bed and blanket.

He doesn’t know if he’ll let the other guy know that he is going or not. Is it a requirement to let the other occupant know that he is leaving? He pondered. Is it? He stood up and the other guy must have noticed the sudden movement because he looked up and their eyes met.

“Sorry for the little disturbance. I gotta go.” Doyoung said sheepishly.

“On nothing biggie. Thanks for sharing this table.” The other guy stood up too while hiding his hands in his back pocket. “I know you like this area, specifically.”

“Yeah,” was all Doyoung could respond. He grabbed his laptop and walk past the other man in his attempt to escape a prolonged awkward conversation, but a tight grip on his left arm prevented him to do so.

“Wait- oh, sorry.” The other man apologized as he let go of Doyoung’s long and lanky arms. “Sorry.”

“Is there anything else I can help you with?” Doyoung asked instinctively.

“I did not catch your name.”

“Doyoung.”

“Hi, Doyoung! I’m Junghwan. Pleased to meet you.”

Doyoung gave him a small smile and stormed out of the café and totally forgot to pay Yedam for his orders. Later that night, he sent the gentleman barista a sorry message and blamed his headache for being disoriented.

The Holy Divine University is the home of the province’s largest library – a wooded estate standing in the university’s mini forest with a stunning façade of timber and glass. It has a massive function hall downstairs that even private agencies rented out for special occasions.

“I thought you said he had a heart attack. Except if he’s that young, you probably mean a cardiac arrhythmia.” Doyoung commented as he walked past behind Mashiho while scanning through volumes of encyclopedias.

“Yeah, that was the assumption. A couple of witnesses saw him suddenly grab his chest and collapse. He was dead on the spot.” The bestfriend replied. “Oh, look, what I found.”

“Yeah?”

“Isn’t this the volume?” They have been going around in circles looking for offline resources. Their professor tasked them to use books for their project today. They do not really visit the library. If it weren’t for this activity, they won’t go.

“Probably.” Mashiho took the thick and dusty book to their table and sat down.

“So, how do I write a news article about that? I was not at the scene.”

“Shouldn’t you be going to the police station or hospital to check some records?” Mashiho replied.

“Don’t answer me with another question, silly.”

“But you know that’s the answer.”

“I don’t know why Professor Zaluaga gave me this assignment. I hate writing reports about dead people.”

“She likes giving tasks we hate,” Mashiho answered matter-of-factly. “By the way, remember I told you about knowing someone from the Health Sciences? Well, he’s really busy and he did not give any recommendations. Everyone’s busy, I guess.”

“That’s too bad,” Doyoung puckered his lips as he played with his pen. “I guess I’ll just have to randomly ask someone in the hallway?”

“I guess so,” Mashiho laughed at the thought. “You’re not free this afternoon, are you?”

“I got a job,” Doyoung replied.

“So, who’s going to come with me later for my project?”

“Your shadow?”

Mashiho left Doyoung with annoyance painted all over his face.

The afternoon came, and Doyoung is sitting down at his counter waiting for moviegoers to earn him some profit.

One of the best things he learned while having a part-time job while attending university is knowing time management and balancing one’s energy between activities.

He started doing this when he was in his junior years. His laptop got sick, and he needed some cash to get it fixed. He cannot afford to ask his mom for the cost of the check-up and repair. With so much going on in college and fees, he decided he cannot be another burden.

He accepted tutorial services as his first job experience. It lasted only for a month after realizing he is not into teaching kids.

A friend recommended he apply for an office staff position – more like an errand boy in a small law office located at the heart of the city. He did photocopies, accepted client calls which are mostly redirected calls, fetched some trivial pieces of evidence, and marked down notaries. It did not last long though. He received a pink slip after mixing serious documents that eventually led to some serious allegations.

Now, Doyoung is enjoying much of this time in the movie house.

He likes his current job. All he does is sit and wait for moviegoers to come. He set the room for them and go back to the counter. Weekdays are dry seasons except for Friday; and even on weekends, there are times when the business is slow. With the advancement of technology, people can easily access movies through streaming sites like Netflix or Hulu.

Today, only one room is occupied. A group of working women came to watch Dear John. They ordered two jumbo popcorns and six cans of Miranda. Doyoung took them to their room and explained the house rules. When he came back, he saw Junghwan at the counter.

“Hi!” the man at the counter greeted first.

“Hello! What are you doing here?” What a stupid question, Doyoung mentally slapped himself.

“Err.. to watch a movie?” Junghwan raised his eyebrows and laughed. “I did not know you work here.”

And I did not know we are this close to having this conversation, Doyoung wanted to retort but decided against it.

“Right,” is all he could respond. “Part-time and all.”

“That’s so cool.”

“For how many?” Doyoung interjected. He reminded himself to be business-like after noticing a group of people following the now existing queue.

“One.” Oh, alone. “This is my first time in a movie house like this. I usually go by the cinema.”

“Do you have a movie in mind? Or would you like some suggestions?” Doyoung asked as he punched in some details on his counter.

“The first Avenger movie.”

“We have that. It’s one of the most-watched movies.” Doyoung smiled. “As for the snacks?”

“Just water for me.”

“Cool.” After punching all the payments, Doyoung made the other guy aware of the policies. Junghwan just nodded his head.

“The toilet is far-right over there, and your room number is 7. Any questions?” He shook his head in response.

Doyoung did not notice how fast time went by until his customers bid him goodbye. The two other rooms are now empty.

Ten minutes before closing time, Junghwan has not shown up yet. Doyoung finished all his tasks including counting the money on the counter, mopping, sweeping the floor, and making sure no rooms have electricity on.

Three minutes before closing time, Junghwan emerged with an apparent sleep in his eyes.

“I’m sorry, I slept.”

“Oh, not a problem, really.” It’s already fifty-eight minutes past eight and the night is getting deeper.

“Thanks,” he smiled sheepishly while hiding his hands in his back pockets.

“The exit is over there,” Doyoung showed him the way. “It’s half-closed already so that people won’t come in. You should be good to go.”

“Do you want me to wait up?”

“What do you mean?”

“I think I owe you some sort of a company for keeping you up later than usual.”

“You don’t. Many customers did that to me, and they don’t affect me at all. After all, my shift will end by nine.”

“And it’s nine already,” Junghwan pointed out.

“Yeah, but I am cool,” the other guy assured. “Like, really cool.”

“But, I am not. I’ll wait for you outside.”

Doyoung just had to agree, or the conversation will stretch, and he doesn’t like to go home at ten.

The night was cold. Doyoung underestimated the October cold night. December is approaching. The streets already wore Christmas lights and decors. Tonight, the city is alive with lights that echo heaven's stars.

He loves this side of the city. The city of Sta. Barbara is thick. It has a multicultural identity that has truly left its mark. Hundreds of coffeehouses, take-outs, and gastropubs that offer a plethora of culinary choices, and those who feel hungry for something else can enjoy an amusement park, one of the many parks, tours, or one the many other recreational venues. It is suited for its estimated hundred thousand residents and dwellers.

“So,” Junghwan started to talk as they passed a pharmacy. “Where do you live?”

“In Phase Two.”

The traffic light turns red so they both marched across the zebra-print lane. More people were walking in the street.

“Oh, so you are going to the Square for the jeepney?” They made a turn to the city’s library.

“Yeah, and you?”

“In Peñaflor. We’re basically heading towards the same destination.”

“Cool,” Doyoung noted that the cold is the type of coldness that reaches into the bones, as if his heart were a door left wide open to the icy wind, slamming only to open again.

The thing about going home at this specific time is that people will have to go through a long queue of people. Very few jeepneys travel at night causing delays in transport among passengers.

“From which department are you?”

“Languages. You?”

“Health Sciences. Final year. Are you too?”

“Mmmm. Kind of sucks actually.”

“Why?”

“I’m in my last year as a Communication student and I am not sure what kind of job I must apply for after graduation. Sure thing, there are lots, but I guess that is the problem?” When too many options are provided, the percentage of getting the right decision will be bleak.

“Well, why did you take that course in the first place?” The very same question Doyoung wanted to ask himself. He remained silent. “Well, for me, I am taking nursing because my parents wanted me to. One of my aunts works in the US and they want me to work there as well.”

“That’s very Filipino,” Doyoung commented as he tightened his grip on the strap of his bag.

“Very,” Junghwan affirmed. “Oh, looks like we have arrived.”

“Looks like it.” Doyoung smiled. “Hmmm…”

He stopped in his tracks and Junghwan too.

“Yeah?” Junghwan asked expectantly.

Doyoung wanted to ask the other lad and let him be informed of his task and that he is the key to its completion but Doyoung can’t put his request to words.

“I gotta go.”

He was sure he heard Junghwan wave him goodbye with a confused look, but he did not mind at all.

***