Unbooked Heart

Eli's POV They say you never forget your first day in the big city, but what they don't tell you is how quickly it can feel like you're drowning in it. It was my first day in Manila, and I was both excited and terrified. Excited because I was finally starting a new chapter in my life—leaving behind the quiet streets of San Isidro, a small town where everyone knew everyone, to live in the bustling heart of the city. Terrified, because, well, who wouldn't be? This was a huge change for me. A huge leap. I was currently standing in front of the door to my new apartment, which was a far cry from the little house I grew up in. Mom, Lourdes, was busy arranging the bags and boxes they brought, while Marco, my younger brother, was fiddling with his phone, looking less than impressed with the fact that he had to accompany me here. "Laylay, are you staying here now?" Marco complained, his voice full of that characteristic whine only a younger sibling could pull off. He slouched over his phone, his innocent face peering up at me as if I had done something criminal. "Isn't it lonely to live alone? What if you get sick? Who's going to take care of you?" I could see the concern in his big brown eyes, the way his brows furrowed slightly as if he were trying to imagine what my life would be like without them around. I smiled at him, trying to reassure him the best I could. "Don't worry, little guy, Laylay will be fine. I've been on my own for a while now, remember?" I ruffled his hair, the way I always had when he was younger, but now it felt strange to do it when he was growing taller than me. "You always say that, but it's different now. You're in Manila!" Marco said, his voice slightly higher with the mix of worry and disbelief. "What if you get lost or something? Or... what if you get homesick? What if you miss the food? The people?" I chuckled at his concerns. "I'll get used to it, Coco. And besides, I can always visit home when I feel like it." I wasn't as sure as I sounded, but I didn't want him to see how much I was actually doubting myself. Marco gave me a skeptical look but didn't push any further. Instead, he shifted his focus back to his phone, a little too preoccupied with his game to carry on the conversation. But I could see the lingering worry on his face, the kind of worry only a younger sibling could have for an older sibling. I understood him, though. I was the first one to leave home for something this big, and it was scary for all of us. I turned to look at my mom, Lourdes, who was still organizing the few things left scattered around my apartment. She had been quiet up until now, but I could feel her eyes on me. Her eyes softened when they met mine, and I could tell that, despite her calm demeanor, she was struggling with the same emotions I was. "Are you sure you'll be okay here?" Mom asked, her voice surprisingly gentle, her usual protective tone giving way to a more vulnerable one. Her hands paused midair, as if she were afraid to finish arranging things, afraid of what might come next. I smiled at her, trying to convey both confidence and reassurance. "I'm fine, Ma. Just feeling a little overwhelmed. But I'll be okay." I wasn't lying, exactly. But I wasn't entirely sure either. This new chapter in my life was bigger than anything I had prepared for. I didn't know if I was ready, but I was going to have to be. She gave me a long, lingering look, the kind mothers give when they want to memorize everything about their child before they let go. She had always been my biggest cheerleader, the one who believed in me when no one else did. She had always pushed me to follow my dreams, even when it meant leaving behind the comfort of our small town, San Isidro. "I'm just... I'm just going to miss you, Eli," she said softly, the words catching in her throat. Her gaze was steady, but I could tell she was holding back tears. "Don't forget to call us every day, okay? And don't skip meals. Also, your dad... update him—" "Ma, please," I cut in gently, my own throat tightening. I didn't want to have that conversation right now. It wasn't that I didn't appreciate her concern, but talking about Dad always brought up a mix of emotions I wasn't ready to confront. "I know. I'll call. Every day, I promise." She let out a small breath, a mix of relief and reluctance, and smiled at me, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I just want you to be happy, Eli. Don't forget that, okay?" "I won't forget, Ma. I won't," I assured her, my voice a little thicker than I intended. She nodded, though I could see the sadness lingering in her expression. After helping me arrange a few more things, she took one last look around the apartment. It wasn't much—a small bed tucked into the corner, a dining table with two chairs, and a kitchenette that I wasn't sure how to use just yet. The walls were bare, the only decoration being a couple of postcards and a clock I had brought with me from home. It wasn't anything extravagant, but it was mine now. "It's small, but it's cozy," Mom said with a small nod. "You'll make it work, Eli." She paused for a moment, as if considering something. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to call. You can always ask us to send you stuff." "Okay, Ma, I'll be fine," I said, trying to ease her mind. I wasn't sure if I was convincing her, but I knew I had to be strong for both of us. I had to take this step, no matter how terrifying it was. "I'll see you next weekend, okay?" She gave me a tight hug, pressing her cheek to mine, and kissed my forehead. "Take care, ha? Don't forget to eat, rest, and... do your laundry!" she added with a half-laugh, trying to lighten the mood. "I won't forget," I reassured her, grinning despite the ache in my chest. "I'll make sure I don't get behind on that." Mom gave a soft laugh and gave Marco a brief hug before turning back to me. "Be safe, Eli. You're always welcome to come home whenever you feel like it, alright?" "I know, Ma. Thanks," I said, giving them both a quick wave. As they left, I stood in the doorway for a few seconds, watching them disappear down the hallway. The apartment felt a little emptier now, the silence heavier. After they left, I stood in the middle of the apartment, still unsure of where to start. My mind was racing with thoughts of school, making friends, and surviving the hustle and bustle of Manila. I had wanted this for so long—I had worked hard to get into my dream university. But now that I was finally here, it felt overwhelming. This city was nothing like the sleepy streets of San Isidro. The noise, the constant movement—it was all a lot to process. Back home, everyone knew my name, my family, my story. Here, I was just another face in a crowd, trying to figure it all out. I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "Okay, Eli. You can do this," I muttered to myself, trying to shake off the feeling of doubt creeping in. "You've got this." But as the day passed, the reality of being on my own settled in. I had always wanted this independence, but now that it was here, it didn't seem as glamorous as I had imagined. The apartment was quiet, and though I tried to convince myself I was okay, there were moments when I missed the noise of my family, the familiar smells of my mom's cooking, and the comfort of knowing someone was always just a few steps away. But no one could do this for me. I had to prove to myself that I could handle it. And I would—no matter how hard it seemed. Because this was my new chapter, and it was up to me to write it The next day was my first day at the university, and I couldn't help but feel a little nervous. I had been dreaming about this day for years, and now that it had finally arrived, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was about to walk into something big. I stood in front of the full-length mirror, adjusting my uniform, making sure everything was in place. I wanted to look professional, especially since I was about to study Hospitality Management. First impressions mattered, after all. I grabbed my bag, took one last look at my apartment, and headed out. I had already mapped the route to school the night before, and thankfully, my apartment was just a short walk from the university. Still, I couldn't shake off the feeling of being an outsider. I didn't know anyone here, and I wasn't sure if I was ready to put myself out there. But I had to. I needed to. When I arrived at the university, it was as if a different world had opened up before me. The campus was massive, with buildings and people everywhere. Students were rushing between classes, groups were huddled together talking, and there was an energy in the air that was both intimidating and exciting. I took a deep breath, adjusting my bag, and walking toward the main building. As I walked across the campus, I couldn't help but notice how different everything felt. People were dressed in all kinds of outfits—some were wearing uniforms, some in casual clothes. Some of the students had that air of confidence, like they had been here for years, while others seemed just as nervous as I felt. I walked into the main building, my heart pounding as I made my way to my assigned classroom. I glanced at the map on my phone again to make sure I was headed in the right direction. The halls were filled with students talking in groups, some laughing, some serious. I felt like a tiny fish in a big pond. I stepped into the classroom and was greeted by a sea of unfamiliar faces. I hesitated for a moment, wondering where to sit. The seats were already filling up fast, but there was one empty chair in the middle of the room. I took a deep breath and walked toward it. As I settled into my seat, I tried to calm my nerves. I was here for a reason. I was going to make this work. I had to. "Hey, is this seat taken?" A voice broke through my thoughts. I turned to see a guy standing beside me, holding a stack of notebooks and looking at me expectantly. He had messy black hair, and his smile was almost too charming to be real. He had a vibe of someone who was too cool for school, but at the same time, there was something warm about him. I blinked, caught off guard. "Uh, no. Go ahead." The guy sat down, placing his things on the desk. "Thanks," he said with a grin. "I'm Basti, by the way." I quickly glanced at him, a little hesitant to engage. "Eli." "Eli?" Basti repeated, his eyes lighting up as if he recognized the name. "I haven't seen you around before. Did you just transfer?" I nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. "Yeah, just moved here from San Isidro. Been here in the city for like a week." Basti grinned wider. "Ah, from the province! Must be a big change, huh? Manila's a whole different world." I chuckled nervously. "You could say that. Everything's... a lot busier here." Basti nodded. "I get that. But don't worry. You'll get used to it. Plus, you're in the right place. Hospitality Management. We're really good at adjusting. You're gonna fit in perfectly." I sighed. "I hope so. This is a big leap for me to explore new things." Basti leaned back in his chair, giving me a relaxed look. "Hey, it's a small world. I'm sure you'll do great. You'll meet a lot of people in this course, and trust me, it's a good one. We get to do cool stuff. You'll learn a lot. But, you know, it's not all work and no play." I raised an eyebrow. "Play?" Basti grinned. "Yeah, you know. Parties, school events, the usual. It's not just about learning the ropes of hospitality, it's about enjoying the experience." I wasn't sure if I was convinced, but something about Basti's carefree attitude made me feel a little less anxious. Maybe I could do this. Maybe it wasn't as scary as I thought. I might not have the full confidence yet, but with people like Basti around, maybe I could start finding my place here. The professor walked into the room, and the conversation stopped. I shifted in my seat, trying to focus on what was about to happen. But in the back of my mind, I couldn't shake the feeling that my first day in Manila had already taken an unexpected turn. Basti had a way of making things seem less overwhelming. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all. As the days passed, I slowly began to adjust to life in Manila. The city, though fast-paced and chaotic, started to feel a little more familiar. I walked through the crowded streets with less anxiety, the noise of jeepneys honking and vendors calling out to customers becoming background noise I could tune out. My first week of classes was a blur of names, faces, and lectures. And while I still felt like a bit of a stranger in a sea of more experienced students, the pressure slowly eased as I got more comfortable with the routines It wasn't the city that was overwhelming—it was the change, the leap I had to take to become the person I was meant to be. And as I continued to navigate this new chapter, I realized that the only thing I had to fear was not giving it my all.