Even when you are miles away .....

Waiting for the first trip bound to Cebu City in the North Terminal in their town in Daanbantayan 2nd of December 2022 Friday 5:30 am. It has been more than a year ago since she traveled to the city although she is not traveling alone she is more anxious now than before since she will be going there to work for the next 2 years and Henry will also apply as a scholar for Do Yun's company and if he is accepted he may need to stay with her in the city for the next 2 years also. Seated at the 5th column 5th row on the left side of the driver, she was seated in the middle with Michael on her lap while Henry took the window seat her mother Elizabeth took the seat by the aisle with Emma on her lap. Her parents' house is only 1 kilometer away from theirs but her mother insisted on tagging along with her on the bus even if they will just get off in a few minutes. Theo did not see them out when they left their house and she did not bother to wake up her 2 other children in case their pleading will cause her to change her mind. Clink clink clink. The bus inspector hits the bar handle of the door that signals the bus is now departing. After a few minutes, her mother together with Emma and Michael got off the bus and she is now seated alone with Henry. Since they took the first trip, the sun is already up although Amor is wide awake for the whole trip she did not take notice of where they at during the travel but Henry did. With a speed of 50-60kph, Amor did not even budge as the bus traveled down the cemented sometimes rugged zigzag road. After an hour of travel, the bus stopped in Borbon for a 15-minute break and Amor urged Henry to get off the bus to eat. Amor took notice that Henry has not been able to sleep during the travel, "Henry we will have our last stop in Lilo-an if you want you can still take a break there because right after we arrive in the terminal we will go straight to our boss's residence and we may not be able to have a decent rest until everyone will be interviewed and there are 5 applicants including you." Henry only nodded in response. True enough Amor and Henry got off in Lilo-an but she didn't have the appetite to eat, she's torn between hoping that Henry will make or break the interview. Due to the heavy traffic starting from Consolacion it took them 4 hours to reach the city, and when they got off in the north terminal Amor hailed a taxi. After a few minutes, they are now about to enter the condominium premises. It is not as intimidating as the other buildings around the city but for Henry who is used to seeing bungalows in their community, the high-rise condominium is already intimidating him. Upon entering the gate the guard asked the driver for the homeowner's name, "Mr. and Mrs. Kim, boss," replied Amor.

"So, we are here now. I will go up first and hand your application to my boss, I will come back here if it is your turn to be interviewed. You can stay in the play area while waiting for your turn," then both of them immediately got off and Henry watched his mother as she went up the building.

Now that the waiting game has started, Henry checked the surroundings around the play area and heard some children's voices. Although it is already noontime, there was enough shade in the area because of the trees. He tried to follow the direction of where the voices are coming from when he heard a bicycle ring behind him that caused him to immediately jump on the safer side of the road. He was unable to see the face of the driver but he was sure it was a boy, "I might as well stay on the safer side of the road," he told himself. Around the corner, he took notice of another biker who looked like still practicing to balance, "Hhhhhmmmm, just practicing alone?" he thought, and out of curiosity, he approached the new biker.

"Excuse me are you practicing alone?" he asked but the new biker got startled and totally lost balance good thing Henry was able to hold on to the bicycle right on time and catch the biker before falling to the ground.

"Sorry if I startled you, I'm Henry by the way."

As soon as the biker was able to retain her balance, she got off the bicycle and turned to face Henry. The girl did not say anything but only lifted her gaze toward him with no expression at all. It was then that Henry realized the girl had a slim figure, a small face, a v-shaped jaw, pale skin, straight eyebrows, flawless skin, and large eyes. He can tell right away she is not Filipino and although he only sees them on television the looks of the girl fit that of a damsel straight from K-drama.

"Hi," he said with a slow but louder voice this time in case she did not understand him earlier.

"Geuneun naega gwimeogeolilago saeng-gaghabnikka? (Does he think I'm deaf?)" Chaewon asked herself.

Since there was no response from the girl Henry greeted her again this time with a slower but loud voice still and a waive, "H e l l o."

"Naega geuleul ihaehaji moshandago saeng-gaghanayo? (Does he think I don't understand him?) Geuleonde wae naega daedabhaji anhseubnikka?? (But why am I not answering back??) thought Chaewon.

Henry sighed in frustration and thought to act out the words instead, "How..... are..... you?"

"Geuneun imi jjajeung-i najiman naneun na jasin-i deo jjajeung-i nanda. (He already looks annoying but I am annoyed more of myself)," Chaewon told herself. Although she has seen Filipino boys, girls, men, and women for the last 3 years that she has been living in the city but she has not been this up close to a boy her age before. Henry looks like any other Filipino boy his age with a brown complexion, short in stature, black hair, and brown eyes but there's something in him that makes her want to stare at him longer.

And maybe someday they will both find out what that something is.