01: The Start

Naiah's POV

I opened my eyes as I felt my head throb in pain. I realized, I accidentally hit my head at the chair in front of me when the bus stopped. Manila, I am going to continue my studies here as I decided to also reside here. I'm turning 22 this year, my last year from my course, BSBA Accountancy.

I glanced at the window beside me. I am near my destination. I closed my eyes to take a nap. I didn't mind the person who sat beside me but he was talking to someone, whoever it is, on his phone. He's distracting me!

"Keiko! What the heck! Get back here, now!" that was the only thing I heard before that person hung up. I wasn't intentionally eavesdropping, it's just that, he is at my side. It's not my fault that he is near me. I have proven my innocence.

Though my eyes are closed, I rolled my eyes on my mind. There was no one telling me it's my fault, what the hell am I thinking? I was startled when someone held my shoulder, "Miss, Miss!" I opened my eyes and tantalizing blue eyes met my dark brown eyes. I tilted my head when I heard his voice again.

"Miss, can we exchange seats?" he asked. I looked at my seat and his. I am sleepy to think properly, I just know, I nodded my head. And because of that, when I stood up, it was the time that the driver suddenly hit the bus's break. Ending? I hit my head at the window and slumped down on my seat. Take note, it wasn't fluffy, it was as hard as the window.

I heard a chuckle, turns out, it was the guy who asked me to exchange seats. Geez! Next time, I wouldn't ride this kind of bus. But then, I realized, I am out of money. Life is so cruel, right? I rolled my eyes as I stood up to switch seats with the guy. This time, I'm lucky that nothing happened. The guy sat on my seat without uttering his thanks. The nerve. I didn't have a chance to even sit at the seat comfortably when the bus stopped. It's already my destination. I heaved a sigh and gritted my teeth. I walked my ass out of the bus, without giving a last glance at that guy.

Automatically, I squinted my eyes as the sun rays hit it. I don't know where to go, this is the third time that I am here in Manila. That was my childhood memories if I may add. I am not that familiar here. Also, I am not an outgoing person, the place was really crowded and noisy. I hate it. I am not used to socializing with other people. That explains why I am this clueless about the new environment.

It took me several hours to roam around. I wished I can find an apartment for me to stay at least for me to have a rest from the long journey. It's okay even if the place is small, I wouldn't complain. I don't have that much money to rent or buy an apartment. The money that I have was for my studies. I need to save money. Besides, it's my last year. I don't have any relatives that I can call if I'm out of money, they were all dead for me. I don't need them, I don't need their pity.

While walking, I passed by a huge building. It says, SCA. SCA? What kind of company is that? Hmm? If I try to apply as a janitor, would they accept me? But I think they will not, I shooked my head. No, I can't, and never will. I need to wake up.

At last, I can rest. I did find a place for me to stay. The apartment was near the building, CDU. A dorm, the thing is, that dorm was only for the employees of the SCA building. Wah, so much for a luxurious place for them. Hayyss. Tomorrow, I'll find a school that has a scholarship.

***

I wore a white loose shirt and simple jeans. Today is the day for me to look for my school. The landlady gave me a magazine wherein schools were featured there. And one of the schools caught my attention. Coded University. That was the name of the school. It was intriguing. And it was like, there was a knot pulling me over into that school. I don't know why.

"Mr, a waiting shed would be fine, thank you," I said to the driver. That waiting shed was the opposite of the school. Coded University was curved and placed in front before the gates.

I went out of the vehicle. I glanced at my left and right to see if there were any vehicles on the run. I don't want to be a victim of a hit-and-run situation. Do you know that? I don't want to die with my internal organs were not in place. That is an injustice on my part. And I'll be thankful if there are people who'll manage my burial if things happened.

But wait a minute. Why did I go into that topic? I'll just have to make my way into the school, Geez! Perks of being, uh.....an overthinking person.

When I saw that there was none, I decided to walk my way. I was about to enter the gate when some guard prevented me. Uh, do I need to get in some process? Am I right? It was a scene when some guard blocked your way. Uh...

"Mr. Guard, is there a problem?" I asked, his eyebrows furrowed. Uh, wow!

"Uh, why are you blocking my way, Mr. Guard?" I asked with a lifted eyebrow. That was when he realized something.

"Eh, Ms. What did you ask me?"  he asked. My fist nearly landed on his face, a good thing I managed to stop my temper. I smiled at him.

"Nothing. Hmm, I am just asking why are you blocking the way?" I respectfully asked. Besides, he was older than me. Even though I only want to get through this process early, I need to lengthen my patience.

"I just want to help you with the gate, Ms." he, said and, opened the gate. I didn't take my eyes off of him. If I am closed with this guard, I can freely flick his forehead but he's not. I rolled my eyes and went inside the school. "Thank you, Mr. Guard" as an act of formality, I did mind the fact that he's older than me.

"How can I help you, ma'am?" asked a woman who passed by. Did I enter a hotel? Whoah,

"I'm looking for the registration for scholarships?" the nerve of me, tsk. I'm the one who's looking for a scholarship, and I have the guts to act this way? Hays, where did my proper manners go?

"Scholarship? Ah, I'll just lend you my map, sorry but I'm also new here. I have to go, hope you can find it" my jaw dropped as her words sink into my brain. What was that? GEez! What did she say? And it was like her words came into my mind, repeatedly.

Ah, I'll just lend you my map, sorry but I'm also new here.

Ah, I'll just lend you my map, sorry but I'm also new here.

Ah, I'll just lend you my map, sorry but I'm also new here.

I heaved a sigh. Okay, I need to stay calm. Keep your posture. I don't know if my whole face reflects how grumpy I am. Great!

Moving on is the key!

I heaved a sigh when finally, I reached my destination. I feel sticky, the weather is so hot. And it was in the middle of the day when I finally arrived at the registration. And you know what? I did some rounds until the lunched break, I'm hungry. It's Mr. guard's fault. He didn't tell me that, the registration was just a meter distance from the guard's house. I sighed, partly, it's also my fault. I didn't ask him.

"You look so stressed," said a girl after I handed her the form. I want to roll my eyes but, I don't want it to be stuck, I don't have any money for surgery. Kidding.

"Well, it's been a hard day for me" she smiled and finally took the papers from me. She better be, my hands were already tired from reaching the form to her hands and she'll just smile at me? Huh, the nerve of this girl. I just wanna slap her, hard. Kidding.

"We'll call you for the results. Maybe after 2 or 3 days? You still have time to prepare. Thank you and good luck" she said. I nodded and went out of the door.

When I went out, I nearly dropped on my knees when the door opened, with force. And because the door can only be opened in a push-way. Good thing I managed to lean on the wall to my right. My eyes widen a bit when I saw his expensive shoes, loose running pants, to his utterly expensive black sweatshirt. How did I know? Branded clothes, people. And because I once have those in my closet.

I lifted my head and see who it was when he cleared his throat. Guess I stared at his outfit for too long. "Can I come in, Miss?" he asked and motioned his hand to my back.

"Uh, of course. Here" I said and step aside. I nodded a bit and went outside. Miss? I think I heard that before. I've got a feeling that I heard that before. And his voice, it was familiar? I just can't remember when and where did I hear that kind of tone and voice.

Three steps away when I heard someone shout. The guy earlier at the door. That's his voice. And as if my head was hit by a hammer several times, I recalled where and when did I  his voice.

"Miss! I nearly forgot, here's your handkerchief. I kept it for a while just in case"

***