The next day, Reese's alarm clock roused him from his slumber at 6:00 AM, signaling the beginning of a day filled with anticipation and bittersweet farewells. After a quick shower and a moment of reflection,.
He made his way downstairs to the comforting aroma of breakfast being prepared by his family. The warm scent of fried eggs and toasted bread enveloped the kitchen as Reese greeted his loved ones with a smile that barely contained his excitement.
"Good morning," he said cheerfully, taking a seat at the kitchen table.
"Good morning, honey," his mother replied, returning his smile. "Did you sleep well?"
Reese nodded, reaching for a slice of bread. "Like a log. I'm really looking forward to today."
His father, glancing at him with a mixture of pride and concern, inquired, "It's a big step, son. Are you sure you're ready for it?"
Reese nodded confidently, his determination shining through. "I've been preparing for this moment for a while now. I'm as ready as I'll ever be."
As the family shared a hearty breakfast, the atmosphere was filled with a mix of excitement and underlying sadness. Ryan, unable to resist teasing Reese about his upcoming journey, injected humor into the room with a mischievous grin.
"Hey, Kuya, don't forget about your dear younger brother when you strike it rich in Cebu City," Ryan quipped, his eyes twinkling with humor.
Reese chuckled, rolling his eyes at his brother's antics. "Oh, don't worry, Ryan. I'll be sure to send you a postcard from my penthouse suite," he joked back, earning a laugh from their parents.
Their father joined in the banter, adding his own jest to the mix. "Just make sure you don't blow your entire paycheck on fancy gadgets and designer clothes, son. Your brother might need a loan at some point," he teased, winking at Ryan.
Ryan feigned offense, placing a hand over his heart dramatically. "I'm wounded, Dad! Can't a brother dream of a little financial support from his successful sibling?" he exclaimed, earning another round of laughter from the family.
The jovial atmosphere continued as they finished their meal, with jokes and lighthearted banter filling the kitchen. Despite the underlying sadness of Reese's imminent departure, the family found solace in the warmth of their shared moments together.
After breakfast, they helped load Reese's bags into the back of their trusty multicab. Reese's father glanced at him with a mix of pride and concern. "All set, son?" he asked.
Reese nodded, offering his father a reassuring smile. "Yeah, Dad. Ready as I'll ever be," he replied, trying to sound confident despite the nerves fluttering in his stomach.
"Shotgun!" Ryan shouted all of a sudden, then jumped into the passenger's seat, flashing a grin at Reese. "Time to hit the road, bro! Cebu City awaits the mighty Reese Urban," he declared dramatically.
Reese's mother leaned over, reaching to squeeze his hand affectionately. "Take care of yourself, honey. And don't forget to call us as soon as you find a job," she said, her voice tinged with maternal concern.
Reese nodded, returning his mother's gesture with a reassuring squeeze. "I will, Mom. I promise," he replied earnestly, feeling a surge of gratitude for his family's unwavering support. Reese settled into the backseat of their rusty multicab, ready to embark on the next chapter of his journey. As they drove towards the bus terminal.
It was already 9:00 a.m. when they arrived at the bus terminal. They saw that there were not a lot of people, but there was no bus yet. So they settled into the waiting area of the bus terminal. Reese's family took a seat on one of the benches, glancing around at the relatively empty space.
Ryan stretched his arms above his head, yawning loudly. "Man, it's early," he remarked, rubbing his eyes sleepily.
Reese chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, but better early than late, right?" he replied, trying to inject some enthusiasm into the conversation.
Their mother smiled, patting Reese's knee affectionately. "That's the spirit, dear. Always punctual."
Reese's father glanced at the conductor, who was also waiting, frowning slightly. "Boss, what time will the bus arrive that is bound for Cebu City?" he asked.
Looking at the clock on his phone. "15 to 20 minutes, sir," the conductor answered.
"Thanks, boss." Reese's father thanked him as he looked at Reese. "It looks like we'll be waiting for a bit."
Reese shrugged, leaning back against the hard plastic of the bench. "No rush. Gives us more time to chat," he said casually, flashing a grin at his family.
Ryan rolled his eyes playfully. "Chat about what, exactly? We've already covered every topic under the sun," he joked, earning a laugh from Reese and their mother.
Their father chuckled, shaking his head fondly. "Never a dull moment with you two around," he said warmly, his gaze filled with affection.
20 minutes later, the bus finally pulled into the terminal. Reese grabbed his bags, hoisting them onto his shoulder, ready to board. Ryan and his parents followed closely behind.
Resse was about to step onto the bus, but his father stopped him, slipping some cash into Reese's hand with a mischievous grin. "Here, son. Don't let your mother see this," he whispered, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Reese's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly nodded in understanding, concealing the money in his pocket with a grateful smile. "Thanks, Dad. I won't say a word," he replied quietly, giving his father a discreet thumbs-up.
With a sigh of relief, Reese finally stepped onto the bus, scanning the rows of seats for an empty spot. Spotting a few near the middle. After he sat down, he scanned his surroundings with his spiritual sense. Seeing that no one was looking, he transferred all of his bags into the Amethyst Orb.
As the engine of the bus roared to life, signaling its imminent departure, Reese glanced out the window one last time to catch sight of his parents. With a bittersweet smile, he waved goodbye.
"Take care, honey! Call us when you get there!" his mother called out, her voice tinged with a hint of worry.
Reese nodded, shouting back over the rumble of the engine, "I will, Mom! Don't worry, I'll be fine!"
His father grinned, giving him a reassuring thumbs-up. "Make sure to eat well and get plenty of rest," he added, his voice echoing in Reese's ears as the bus began to pull away.
Reese nodded again. "I will, Dad! Thanks for everything!" he called out, his words carried away on the wind as the bus gained speed.
As the bus pulled away, Reese's parents and younger brother watched with worry etched across their faces. His mother clasped her hands together tightly, her gaze fixed on the disappearing bus.
"I hope he'll be alright," she murmured, her voice tinged with concern.
His father nodded, and his brows furrowed with anxiety. "He may not be quite smart, but he'll figure things out," he reassured her, though his tone betrayed a hint of uncertainty.
Hearing his parents conversation, Ryan chuckled. He was the only one who was not worried about Reese.