Andrei stands in the fading light of the late afternoon, feeling an undeniable weight in his chest. After a brief but meaningful conversation with Nigel and Jelo, he realizes it's no use staying any longer in the house. The hope he's clung to since his arrival feels more elusive now, and the uncertainty about finding Atlantis is settling in.
"Thanks for your help, Nigel," Andrei says, his voice tinged with regret. "I really appreciate it."
"Wait!" Nigel calls out, a hint of urgency in his tone. "Can I get your number? If I hear anything about Atlantis, I'll let you know."
Andrei nods, pulling out his phone to share his contact details. Just as they're exchanging numbers, Nigel hesitates, his gaze shifting. "May hinahanap rin ako... kaibigan ko dati. Si Lance..." His voice trails off, almost as if the words weigh too heavily to continue. He quickly shrugs it off, a slight, almost dismissive smile crossing his face, leaving Andrei uncertain if he heard him correctly.
With a polite nod, Andrei pockets his phone and turns to leave, offering a brief goodbye. As he steps out of the house, he spots the black cat once more, perched by the doorway, watching him intently. He gives it a gentle nod of acknowledgment before heading down the road, leaving Nigel standing silently in the doorway, his unspoken words lingering in the air.
As Andrei walks through the neighborhood, the sun begins to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows on the pavement. He wanders through the streets, passing small houses and bustling shops, but the excitement of discovery is overshadowed by the heavy cloak of despair wrapping around his heart.
Eventually, he finds a convenience store and steps inside, seeking comfort in something familiar. He grabs a few ready-to-eat meals, one of which is a sisig, the brightly colored packaging a stark contrast to his mood. As he pays, he pulls out his phone and hits the video call button for Wesley.
"Hey! How's it going?" Wesley's face appears on the screen, brightening up Andrei's mood slightly.
"Not great," Andrei admits, running a hand through his hair. "I met some people, but no leads on Atlantis yet. Just… feeling a bit lost, you know?"
Wesley's expression turns serious. "I'm sorry, man. Finding family can be really tough. But you're doing great. Keep your head up. You'll find him."
"Yeah, I know. I just wish it was easier. I didn't expect it to be this hard." Andrei sighs, glancing around the store as if searching for answers among the shelves.
"Just remember, you're not alone in this. I'm here for you. Keep looking and stay safe."
After a few more minutes of conversation, Andrei hangs up, his heart feeling a bit lighter. He leaves the store with a small comfort in the form of food and Wesley's encouragement, but the weight of his search presses heavily upon him as he heads back to his rented condo in Manila.
The ride back feels long and tiresome, each passing streetlamp illuminating his thoughts of hopelessness. Despite the vibrancy of the city around him, Andrei feels isolated, a stranger in a place he's supposed to call home. All he can think about is Atlantis and the family he desperately wants to reconnect with.
As he enters his condo unit, the silence echoes around him, amplifying his solitude. He drops his bags by the door and takes a moment to breathe deeply, trying to dispel the wave of exhaustion and frustration that washes over him. Tomorrow will be another day, another chance to search for the brother he has never met.
But for tonight, all he can do is prepare himself for the uncertainties that lie ahead, holding onto the faint hope that a new friend might somehow lead him closer to the answers he seeks.
The warmth of the morning light fills Andrei's small condo, spilling over his bed and coaxing him from a deep, dreamless sleep. He blinks against the brightness, taking a moment to reorient himself as the remnants of yesterday's weariness cling to him. Every muscle aches from the hours spent searching and traveling, and he realizes he hasn't even changed out of his clothes before collapsing onto the bed. A sigh escapes him as he stretches, feeling the stiffness in his shoulders ease ever so slightly.
Reaching for his phone on the bedside table, he rubs his eyes, preparing himself for the usual notifications. He's halfway through dismissing a few emails and promotional texts when a message from an unsaved number catches his attention. The message is brief, but it immediately pulls him fully awake.
"Hey, Andrei. This is Nigel. Just checking in, hope you're doing alright after yesterday."
Andrei's thumb hovers over the screen, and a small, unexpected smile plays on his lips. He hadn't really thought about Nigel after leaving Pampanga. His mind has been preoccupied with the feeling of near-hopelessness regarding his search, and he's mostly convinced himself that meeting Nigel was just a fleeting part of that journey, an accidental encounter in a place filled with strangers. He hadn't anticipated any follow-up. Yet here is Nigel, reaching out, showing an unexpected thoughtfulness.
For a brief moment, Andrei considers ignoring the message. After all, he's here with a purpose: to find Atlantis. Forming attachments or getting sidetracked with someone he barely knows might complicate things. But the memory of Nigel's easy-going smile and his steady, almost comforting presence lingers. Andrei doesn't have many connections here, and maybe… maybe it wouldn't hurt to make a friend along the way.
With that in mind, he types out a quick reply, keeping it casual. "Hey, thanks for checking in. I'm good, just settling back in after the long day yesterday."
He sets his phone down, expecting that to be the end of it. But within minutes, his phone chimes again. It's Nigel.
"Glad to hear it! Hope you're not too wiped out. It must've been exhausting."
Andrei smiles a little, feeling the warmth of someone genuinely caring, even if they're practically strangers. Maybe he's just friendly, Andrei thinks, shrugging off any other notions. He replies briefly, keeping the conversation polite but concise. He's learned over the years to be cautious about opening up too quickly to people he barely knows.
8:16 AM
Andrei: Yeah, just catching up on some rest. You doing alright?
8:20 AM
Nigel: Yeah, all good here! Went out for a ride this morning. Felt good to clear my head.
As the morning stretches into afternoon, though, the messages keep coming. Nigel checks in again around lunchtime, asking how Andrei's day is going and mentioning that he's gone for a ride on his motorcycle. Andrei finds himself replying, sharing a few small details about his plans for the day, but always keeping his words measured.
Andrei put his phone down after that last message, a small smile lingering on his face as he glanced at the screen. It felt strange, having someone so casually interested in staying connected. But he couldn't deny that it felt… nice.
Then, around mid-afternoon, Nigel sends another message.
12:34 PM
Nigel: So, how's the day going?
12:40 PM
Andrei: Pretty quiet. Just running errands and getting some stuff done. You?
12:42 PM
Nigel: Same here. Just passed by this awesome little café. Got me thinking, ever since I came back here, it feels… nostalgic, you know? Like I'm rediscovering the place.
Andrei reads the message and tilts his head slightly, curious. Rediscovering the place? It makes him wonder if Nigel, like him, has left something behind that he's hoping to find. Or maybe he's just back for family and friends. Either way, Nigel seems to be reaching out, sharing pieces of his own story in a way that feels… persistent. Almost like he doesn't want the conversation to end.
12:46 PM
Andrei: Yeah, I get that. Sometimes places change while you're away. Or maybe you're the one who changed.
12:48 PM
Nigel: True that. Feels kinda weird, but in a good way. Like I'm getting to know my hometown again.
By late afternoon, Andrei's phone has buzzed so frequently that he finally puts it on silent, letting a few of Nigel's messages pile up without immediately replying. He glances at them occasionally, noticing how Nigel seems to be casually, but consistently, keeping the conversation alive. At one point, he even sends a picture of the café he mentioned and somehow a selfie of him, with a note saying,
3:07 PM
Nigel: See attached image. Thought you might like this place. Could be a cool spot to hang out if you're ever around.
3:15 PM
Andrei: Looks nice. Where's that?
3:18 PM
Nigel: Just a few blocks from where we met yesterday. They've got this really good iced latte and a quiet vibe. Figured it might be your kind of place.
3:20 PM
Andrei: Might not be able to check it out anytime, but thanks for the tip.
Andrei raises an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at his lips. There's something oddly charming about the way Nigel is trying to engage him, though he can't quite place why. But there's also something peculiar in it, an insistence that seems unusual for someone he's only just met. Is he always like this with new people? he wonders, mildly amused but still cautious.
6:11 PM
Nigel: Hope I'm not blowing up your phone too much. Just thought it'd be nice to keep in touch, you know?
As the evening settles, Andrei finally replies, thanking Nigel for the recommendation but keeping his response light. He doesn't want to get too wrapped up in someone else's life right now. Not with his own mission still so unresolved. But part of him can't deny that Nigel's messages have made his day feel a little less lonely.
6:18 PM
Andrei: Haha, it's fine. It's nice talking to someone here, honestly.
6:22 PM
Nigel: Cool! Let me know if you're ever around. Maybe we could grab a coffee or something?
6:25 PM
Andrei: Sure, I'll let you know.
He leans back, exhaling as he stares at the last message from Nigel, contemplating. Maybe he will see Nigel again. And maybe it wouldn't hurt to have someone to talk to, someone who understands a little of what it's like to be looking for something or someone you can't quite grasp.
As he puts his phone down, Andrei can't shake the thought of Nigel's persistence. There's something there, something unspoken, as if Nigel is also searching for a connection, just like him.
Before going to sleep, Andrei finds himself mindlessly scrolling through his recent conversation with Nigel. His gaze lingers, drawn to the casual selfie Nigel sent earlier in the day. It's a simple shot, yet there's an effortless charm in the way Nigel smirks at the camera, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Andrei can't quite explain why he feels drawn to it, but he allows himself a moment to study the picture, noticing details he hadn't initially paid attention to, the rugged leather jacket, the relaxed yet confident pose, the tiny mole on the tip of his nose, and the way the evening light casts subtle shadows across his face, giving depth to his expression.
Lost in thought, he barely registers the sudden vibration of his phone, jolting him back to reality. A familiar name flashes across the screen: Wesley. Andrei blinks, shaking off the haze of his musings about Nigel as he steels himself to answer the FaceTime call.
As soon as he picks up, Wesley's grinning face fills the screen. "Hey, Andrei! You good? You seem… kinda out of it," Wesley notes, squinting as if he could read Andrei's thoughts through the screen.
Andrei forces a casual smile, brushing off his friend's observation. "Yeah, I'm fine, just a bit tired. Yesterday was a long day," he replies, trying to shake the lingering image of Nigel's smirk from his mind.
Wesley raises an eyebrow but doesn't push further. "If you say so, man. Anyway, you're going to want to hear this. I've got some news."
Andrei sits up, his curiosity piqued. "Oh? What's up?"
"Well," Wesley begins, clearly thrilled, "I posted something on this site that helps people reconnect with lost friends and family. You know, like a message board. I explained your whole situation—the search for Atlantis, everything." He leans closer to the camera, his excitement contagious. "And guess what? Someone replied. They might know someone who can help us dig deeper into this."
Andrei's eyes widen, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "Are you serious? Someone actually responded?"
Wesley nods, a grin spreading across his face. "Yeah, man! I thought it was a long shot, but apparently, this person has connections or knows people who might get us closer to real answers. They said they'd get back with more details soon."
A spark of hope lights up inside Andrei, a renewed sense of purpose he hasn't felt in days. He exchanges an eager look with Wesley, the screen between them momentarily disappearing as their shared anticipation fills the space.
"This is huge, Wes," Andrei says, his voice barely a whisper, as if afraid that saying it aloud might shatter the possibility. "I really thought I was at a dead end here."
Wesley's face softens, his grin turning into something more sincere. "We're just getting started, Andrei. Don't lose hope."
They talk a little longer, their excitement building as they speculate about what this new lead could mean. The possibilities stretch before them, tangible and thrilling, and for the first time in a while, Andrei feels like he's moving toward something real.
Eventually, though, the weight of the day settles back over him, and they agree to call it a night. After saying their goodbyes, Andrei sinks into his bed, his mind buzzing with anticipation. But before he drifts off, his thoughts circle back to Nigel, the unexpected presence who's slowly, but persistently, edging his way into Andrei's life.
With a quiet sigh, he glances one last time at Nigel's photo. He's caught between the pull of his mission and the strange warmth of connection, something he's almost forgotten how to embrace. As he sets his phone aside, Andrei feels something shift inside him. It's subtle, like the first hint of dawn breaking over a dark horizon.
His search for Atlantis isn't over yet. And now, unexpectedly, he has both an old friend and a new one by his side.