A week has passed since Andrei's best friend, Wesley, made a life-changing decision for him: to send him across miles of land and ocean to a place where he originally belongs but finds very unfamiliar.
Andrei believes he wants to do this as well. He feels a sense of melancholy in his heart. It is longing... Longing for family.
Now, just a couple of hours have passed since the aeroplane Andrei is on departed from his hometown. He's sitting in a perfect window seat, watching the mesmerizing city lights below while a mellow music plays on his headphones.
A smile curves on his lips at the sight of such an amazing view, and the feeling of leaving behind what he's known is oddly fulfilling.
But what gives him more joy is the thought of reconnecting with his family. Though unsure of what might await him, he feels a spark of hope.
Andrei leans back in his seat, trying to find a comfortable position to sleep. He still has twelve hours left on this flight and thinks sleeping might be the best way to pass the time.
As he closes his eyes, Andrei thinks of Wesley and the plans they made for his stay in Manila. Wesley had meticulously organized an itinerary, both in soft and hard copy. The list includes:
- Meeting the owner of the condo unit they've rented, named Sebastian Lee.
- Settling his financial accounts, daily meals, and other matters.
- Starting the search for his brother by visiting their family's hometown.
- Meeting his half-brother.
"Then what?" Andrei recalls his conversation with Wesley. "What do I do after meeting him?"
"Uhmm, greet him maybe?" Wesley had replied cluelessly.
"Oh, gosh. So, we're just meeting as the dead end? That doesn't sound right to me, Wes," Andrei complained.
"Hmm, maybe ask him to come with you to Canada! Or just spend some time with him to make up for the lost years," Wesley suggested.
Andrei had narrowed his eyes, trying to make sense of what Wesley said. He let out a small sigh.
"I believe you'll know what to do when you get there, Andrei," Wesley had assured him.
The last part of their plan might seem a little uncertain, but Andrei only has two weeks to search for his brother due to his limited availability. He is determined to take every path that might lead to his brother's whereabouts.
"I'm coming to find you, Atlantis. Don't be too far gone," Andrei thinks to himself as he starts drifting into a deep slumber.
The next day.
Warm, bright sun rays seep through the window pane, coaxing Andrei out of his sleep. His bed is a slight mess, evidence of how exhausted he had been the night before. He vaguely remembers the details-being fetched by a cab, arriving at the condo, and falling into bed without even unpacking.
The sound of the bustling street below makes its way up to his 17th-floor unit. Despite the distance, the noise of vehicles and people feels surprisingly close. His rented condo, unit 1706, is modestly furnished, likely because it hasn't been used much. Everything is spotless, and the faint scent of cleaning products lingers in the air, a sign that someone recently tidied up.
Andrei reaches for his eyeglasses on the bedside table, then grabs his phone. As expected, Wesley has bombarded him with a ton of messages. Andrei sits up, feeling the weight of the day ahead, planning to start it off by catching up with his best friend.
As Andrei scrolls through Wesley's messages, he can't help but smile. Wesley's texts range from practical reminders to random jokes, followed by a few concerned questions about how his first night in Manila went. There's a message timestamped just a few hours ago, asking if he'd managed to sleep well and another advising him on where to get a decent breakfast nearby.
Andrei types a quick reply: "Good morning, Wes! I'm alive and kicking. Condo's nice, thanks for arranging everything. Gonna head out soon and start the day."
Andrei places his phone back down and finally takes a moment to absorb his surroundings. The condo may be simple, but it has a comfortable, cozy vibe to it. There's a small kitchenette, a decent-sized living room with a couch and TV, and a balcony that likely offers a view of the cityscape.
Feeling the excitement mixed with nerves, Andrei decides to start his day with a warm shower. After freshening up, he grabs his bag and takes out the neatly organized itinerary Wesley prepared for him. The first item on the list: Meet Sebastian Lee, the condo owner.
Andrei glances at the clock on the wall. It's just a bit past 9 AM. He pulls up the contact Wesley saved on his phone for Sebastian and shoots him a quick text. "Hi, Mr. Lee. This is Andrei, the tenant staying in unit 1706. Would it be possible to meet up sometime today?"
Within minutes, his phone buzzes with a reply. "Andrei! Good morning! No need for formalities, just call me Seb. How about we meet for a late breakfast at a café nearby? I can give you a little tour around the area too."
Andrei's stomach rumbles at the mention of breakfast. He responds with an enthusiastic "Sounds great, Seb! Just let me know the place, and I'll be there."
Seb shares the name of a small café within walking distance. Andrei grabs his wallet, phone, and keys, feeling a mixture of excitement and uncertainty about this journey he's begun. As he steps out of his condo unit, a sense of purpose fills him.
I'm really here. I'm really doing this.
With Wesley's supportive messages still fresh in his mind and his brother's image lingering in his thoughts, Andrei heads out, ready to face whatever awaits him in Manila.
Andrei spots Seb easily as he approaches the café. Standing by the entrance, Seb has a casual yet stylish look with his white button-down shirt and dark jeans. He's not particularly tall, but his fair skin and the effortless coolness of his stance make him stand out. A pair of sunglasses rests on his face, but as Andrei draws closer, Seb lifts them to the top of his head and flashes a friendly smile.
"Andrei, right?" Seb extends a hand, his smile widening. "Welcome to Manila!"
"Yeah, that's me. Thanks for meeting up, Seb." Andrei shakes his hand, already feeling at ease with Seb's laid-back vibe.
They head inside and settle at a small corner table near a window. The café has a cozy atmosphere, with the soft hum of chatter and the rich smell of coffee filling the air. After placing their orders, Seb leans back, giving Andrei an assessing but friendly look.
"So, what brings you here to Manila?" Seb asks, tilting his head with genuine curiosity.
Andrei takes a breath, hesitating slightly. It still feels strange to talk about his journey out loud, but he finds himself opening up. "Well, I... recently found out that I have a half-brother here in the Philippines. I grew up in Canada, so this is all pretty new to me. I'm here to try and find him."
Seb raises his eyebrows, looking intrigued. "A brother, huh? That's a big reason to make a trip halfway around the world. Do you know anything about him? Like where he lives?"
"Not much, unfortunately," Andrei admits. "I just know his name and that my family's hometown is somewhere in Pampanga. I'm hoping I can start there and maybe pick up a trail."
Seb nods, his expression thoughtful. "Pampanga, huh? That's not too far from here, maybe a couple of hours' drive north. It's a nice province-great food, very warm people. It's a little different from the hustle and bustle of Manila. You'll find it a bit more laid-back, especially if you're heading to the smaller towns."
Andrei leans in, interested. "What should I expect? I mean, I don't have much experience with the Philippines, so I'm not exactly sure what I'm getting into."
Seb chuckles, clearly amused but understanding. "Well, first thing's first, you'll have to get used to the heat and the occasional chaos. Pampanga is relatively easy to get to. You could take a bus from Manila, but honestly, if you're planning to visit a lot of places, maybe consider hiring a car or taking one of those ride-sharing services for a more comfortable trip. The province itself has a mix of urban areas and rural villages, depending on where you're headed. If you like food, you're in for a treat; Pampanga is known as the culinary capital of the Philippines."
"Really? That sounds amazing," Andrei replies, feeling a bit more excited.
Seb grins. "Oh, definitely. Try the sisig and bring some snacks like pastillas and chicharrón back with you. And people there are usually very friendly. If you ask around, you might be surprised at how willing they are to help a stranger out-especially if you tell them you're looking for family. Filipinos have a thing about family connections."
The idea brings a sense of relief to Andrei. Knowing that the people in Pampanga might be receptive to his search eases some of the anxiety he's been carrying.
"Thanks, Seb. That's... really reassuring," Andrei says. "It feels like such a shot in the dark, but hearing that makes it seem a bit more possible."
Seb gives him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "You've got this. And hey, if you need any help or even just someone to show you around a bit more in Manila, let me know. I know this city like the back of my hand."
As they finish their coffee and continue chatting, Andrei feels a growing sense of confidence. He doesn't have all the answers, but he's finally taking those first steps toward finding his brother and discovering a part of his roots. With new friends like Seb and Wesley cheering him on, Manila and Pampanga don't feel as daunting anymore.
After saying goodbye to Seb, Andrei decides to take a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood. The city hums with life, from street vendors selling everything from grilled meats to tropical fruits, to the lively chatter of people going about their day. Manila's energy is palpable, buzzing with a warmth he's never quite experienced back home in Canada. He takes in the sights, the architecture blending colonial influences with modern skyscrapers, the fragrant aroma of food wafting from small eateries, and the colorful jeepneys weaving through traffic.
As he walks, he feels both like an outsider and oddly at home. There's a sense of familiarity, something he can't quite put his finger on, as though the city is welcoming him in subtle, unspoken ways.
Eventually, he makes his way back to his condo. Unlocking the door, he steps inside and notices something on the dining table-a neatly wrapped package with a small note on top. Curious, Andrei picks up the note, recognizing Seb's neat handwriting:
Thought you'd enjoy a little taste of Pampanga. Here's some pastillas and a few snacks to start your journey. Good luck, Andrei.
He smiles to himself, touched by the small but thoughtful gesture. Unwrapping the package, he finds an assortment of traditional Filipino snacks, including pastillas-sweet milk candies wrapped in delicate paper. He pops one in his mouth, savoring the rich, creamy sweetness, and feels an unexpected wave of comfort wash over him.
After settling down on the couch, he pulls out his phone and dials Wesley's number. The familiar ringtone chimes a few times before a groggy voice answers on the other end.
"Andrei? Do you have any idea what time it is here?" Wesley mumbles, clearly half-asleep.
Andrei chuckles. "It's morning for me, so technically, I'm doing you a favor by getting you up early."
"Right... thanks for that," Wesley replies, his voice laced with sarcasm. A moment later, he sounds more awake. "So, how's Manila? Did you meet Seb?"
"Yeah, I met him. He's cool-kind of laid-back, very helpful. He gave me some tips about getting to Pampanga," Andrei says, glancing over at the package on his table. "He even left me some snacks from Pampanga. Pastillas, some other treats. Really nice guy."
"That's awesome! See? I told you you'd be fine out there. Filipinos are super hospitable," Wesley says, sounding pleased.
"Yeah, you were right. I'm actually planning to head to Pampanga the day after tomorrow," Andrei continues. "I just need a couple of days to shake off this jetlag and get a little more familiar with my surroundings."
Wesley hums approvingly. "Good plan. Take it slow, ease into things. Pampanga sounds like a good starting point for your search. You know, I'm proud of you, Andrei. This is a big step."
A comfortable silence settles between them, and Andrei lets out a deep breath. "It's surreal, you know? I can't believe I'm actually here, doing this. I keep picturing what it'll be like if I actually find him. I don't even know how I'll react."
Wesley's voice softens. "You'll figure it out. Just take things one step at a time. The fact that you're willing to go through all of this shows how much you care. Whatever happens, you'll be okay."
A vision flickers in Andrei's mind, an image of meeting his brother for the first time. He wonders what he'll look like, what kind of life he's had, if they'll share any resemblance or similar quirks. A mix of excitement and nervousness bubbles up inside him, and he feels the weight of what lies ahead.
"Thanks, Wes. I really needed this," Andrei says quietly.
"Of course. I'm here, always," Wesley replies warmly. "Now, get some rest and enjoy Manila. And remember, one step at a time."
Andrei nods, even though Wesley can't see him. "I will. Talk to you soon."
They end the call, and Andrei leans back on the couch, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. His eyes drift to the window, where the vibrant city lights twinkle against the darkening sky. Despite the distance from his hometown, there's a growing feeling within him-a connection to this place and to the journey ahead.
As he drifts off to sleep, a small smile lingers on his lips, filled with hope that, in a few days' time, he might finally meet the person he's crossed oceans to find.