The Journey Series

My name is Filipiniana Collins, 18 years old and I’m a Fil-Am. My mom and dad met through the now Jurassic, Friendster and eventually, fell in love and my dad gets obsessed with everything Filipino so there goes my name. I was nicknamed Fipa, I chose to go home to the Philippines to fulfill my dreams of getting into my dream University where my ultimate crush is currently studying and part of a basketball varsity team. I’m quite tall for my age and for me, I just look like an ordinary, teenaged girl but when I came here to the Philippines a few months ago, my relatives are always convincing me to audition as a model which I don’t have interest in. I prefer sports more than wearing the trendiest clothes. I have a cousin named Belle and we were born the same year, she's my best friend and we don't hold any secrets from each other. Chapter 1 Riiiinggggggg!!!! There goes my nice dream as the blast of my alarm clock wakes me in my deep slumber and I could smell my Nana’s fried rice and longganisa. I get out of bed and started getting ready for my first day of class at the University. I’m so pumped about my first day. I’ve been looking forward to it for months already. I’m really thankful to be a daughter of two cool individuals who are willing to support all my craziness. My parents, Nana, and my cousin-best friend are my anchor. I went out of my room and see my Nana with a warm smile on her face. Aggghhhh! Who doesn’t love being taking care of by your grandmother? “My apo, come over here and eat your breakfast before going to school.” “Thank you, my Nana, Mahal kita!” As soon as I finished my authentic Pinoy breakfast, I went out to our garage and opened my zoomie’s door. Well, if there’s another weird thing that I need to tell you….my car has a name. I started having an interest in cars and sports since I was in grade school and I never stopped. Instead of having a grand 18th birthday, I asked my parents to just get me a car, so there I have it. I turn my radio on and play the 00’s playlist on my Spotify. I’m an old soul when it comes to music. Don’t get me wrong but I really love listening to the '90s and '00s ‘coz they have the coolest songs and music that are all timeless. As I was singing my heart out and ready to drive away my cousin, Belle opens the passenger door and hop in the car. “Girl, let’s go! I’m so freaking excited for our first day.” “Okay, buckled up buttercup!” and then we go to our school. Belle and I have different major, I chose Hotel and Tourism management while she enrolled in a business major, my cousin dreams to be a Corporate lawyer someday while me, I love traveling and I think this major suits me well. I entered my classroom which was on the second floor of our college’s building and there I saw some familiar faces that I’ve seen during the orientation. Some give me a warm smile and hello while some are busy taking selcas and listening to music. I’m not the type of person who will start a conversation but if someone would really start a conversation to me, I will gladly talk to that person. I occupied the first seat on the second row and started to take put my notebook and pen on my desk. Well, that ends the first day of my university life. It is quite different from what I used to in New York but I loved it. I had a great time. I went to our school’s cafeteria and wait for Belle. As I sat on one of the vacant tables some group of people catches my attention and then there he is sitting next to his friend, my ultimate crush, showing his perfect white teeth while laughing at some jokes his friend mentioned. I quickly divert my eyes into another direction as I can hear my heart pumping so wild. Like, hey be still my heart. Relax…he doesn’t even know you. “Fipa!’, my loud cousin shouted that almost echoed in the whole cafeteria. “OMG! Belle! You and your loud mouth! The whole cafeteria almost heard you. Are you effing kidding me??!!” “Chill, Fips! It was really intentional to catch your UC’s attention.” This ball of energy cousin of mine is really something, her height is incomparable with the amount of sassiness that she possesses. I hurriedly get up from my seat and take my milk tea with me to escape the attention this good cousin of mine has caused. And then all of a sudden, I bumped into something hard and when I looked back…. It was him… Keith Fischer, my ultimate crush and my Day Care playmate in New York but I’m not sure if he would really remember me because we just spent like 1 month together before his dad got assigned here in the Philippines, and eventually, they decided to move as a family. “Are you the Fipa that I knew way back? I mean I’m so sorry to ask you this, by the way, my name is Keith… Keith Fischer.”  As he offers his hand to me to have a handshake. I was still in shock and speechless to comprehend what is really going on, Belle nudged my elbow to wake me up from my sort of shock. “Oh! Keith! Is that you, yes, it’s me Fipa, and it’s like there are other girls who would have this kind of name, huh?!” “It’s nice to meet you here Keith!” “Same here Fipa, what a small world!”     “OMG!”, I can’t believe what you just did Belle, but I’m quite thankful though! So, because of that, I’ll treat you to a Samgyupsal meal for tonight. “Ekkkkkkk! You’re the best, my dear cousin!”   Well if I love sports and cars. Belle loves anything about Korean culture or should I say obsessed. Her fangirling is to the highest level to the point of her learning Hangul just to completely you know, understand all the songs and K-dramas she’s so obsessed with. We are actually planning to travel this Fall in Korea to watch her favorite group live and visit some iconic K-drama scenes. Watching dramas really depends on my mood but most of the time I watch Supercar Blondie where I drool over those fancy high-speed cars and dreamed of owning one someday.   A week has passed since my first encounter with Keith and I haven’t seen him since. It’s not that I’m looking for him but you know it’s nice to see someone who could effortlessly brighten up your day. It’s been quite a week since some of our schedules are not yet fixed and I like my subject this morning. One of my professors is on sick leave today and I have a lot of time to kill so I decided to go to the library to finish some of my homework and to read some. As I parked Zoomie in the designated parking lot for my college, I quickly grab my stuff and started walking to my building. Today, my subject is Psychology, I’m no nerd or anything but I’m pretty much interested in psychology as well. I was busy sending a quick message to my BFF and as I looked in front of me, there is here is. In his mighty height and smiling at me. Fips!, he called me which made me cringe a little. It sounded as if he’s calling his dog or cat. Anyways, I gave him the sweetest smile (maybe I looked awkward, I don’t know and I don’t care). “Hello, Keith! Nice bumpin’ into you again”, “Do you have class in our building?” “Err well actually yes, I have Psych, I have to take some Freshie’s subjects because of some issues with my schedules before. “Really? I have Psych as well; it was my first period for today in Room 226”. “Wow! That’s good to know, at least I have someone familiar in class.” I was like, be still my effin’ heart or he might hear you’re acting so crazy. “Well, what are you waiting for, come ‘n let’s get going or we’ll be late! “Hey, Fips can I ask something?” he asked using those puppy eyes I can’t resists. “Sure! Fire away! What is it?” I asked him as we continue to climb the stairs. “Ahmmm can I have your number or can you add me on your sss messenger at least?”. He shyly asked. Holy crap!!!! He wanted to get my number, he wanted to communicate with me. Am.. I… dreaming...??  l really wanted to ask him to pinch my cheeks to check if this wasn’t a dream. “Hey! You’re quiet, I mean it’s fine Fips if you’re not comfortable giving me your number. “No! No! It wasn’t like that you know” “okay gimme your phone and let me save it for you. He handed over his phone and I quickly tapped my numbers on his phone. “There you have it, just send me a message or a missed call so that I could save yours,” I told him and we started taking our seat in our class which seems so short with him sitting beside me. I can't wait to tell Belle about what happened today. I’m still in awe and I really need someone to give a reality check on me. The bell rang and we all stood up to go to our next class. I say bye to Keith since he’ll be going back in his own college building. As I get in my next period, I receive a message from him. Hey, Fips.It’s me. Thank you so much for making Psych somewhat enjoyable. - Keith Well, there it is again, my effin’ heart beating non-stop because of one simple text message from him. I am totally doomed! At night as I lay in my bed, I can’t help but recall what happened this morning. Well, don’t judge me, folks. I’ve been taking care of this feeling for ages and he’s one of the reasons that I decided to study here since I watched him play on TV. Of course, the very first reason is to spend a lot of time with my Nana since I know she’s getting really old and the oldie doesn’t want to stay with us in New York saying she can’t bear the weather.     There is a program in our school today. The student organization and the management have prepared an acquaintance party for all of the students for us to get to know each other. For me, I don’t like this kind of stuff but well, Belle is pretty much excited that she forced me to shop for our outfit three days ago. The only thing that could pull me through on this is that I’ll be able to talk to Keith. He sent me a message telling me that we should hang out together with their group. I’m wearing simple, tight jeans, boots and a tunic kind of blouse which I don’t have any idea about if, Belle didn’t tell me. For me, it’s just a blouse and shirt, but shoot me some questions about cars and sports and I am totally in the game. We went to the salon before going to the party since I can’t really put make-up on myself which I really need to work out soon since it is really needed in my major. As we enter the venue, I noticed that Keith and his groups are waiting for us in the booth. “Wow! You look stunning Fips, I don’t have any idea that you would look totally different if you had make-up on but don’t get me wrong, I like it that you don’t put much make-up on everyday but well today, you just totally look different and gorgeous!” Keith blabbered as I just watched him talking and some of the things, he was saying don’t even sink in my frozen brain yet. Belle woke me up in my own world when she murmured, F, I think I’m going to faint. Look who’s with Keith! “Pinch me F, tell me this wasn’t a dream! Holy crap! Do you remember the guy that I’ve been telling you about in my department, the exchange student? Why is he here with Keith? I mean they all look like an idol group.” She told me in a fast-forward manner that only I could understand. “Thanks, Keith you look great as well. By the way, do you still remember my cousin Belle?” I asked him. “Of course, I do! Hi Belle!  ‘sup? He asked casually. “Hi Keith, I’m good, thank you!” “BTW, I want you guys to meet my friend Henry, he’s an exchange student from South Korea, we’ve known each other in middle school, I was once an exchange student in Seoul.” Belle looked at me with excitement and I can hear her screaming in my head. Seriously, this cousin of mine is so easy to read and I wouldn’t trade our friendship for anything else. “Hi, Henry! Nice to meet you! I smiled at him and extend my hand to shake. This is my cousin, Belle” “Annyeonghaseyo!, I’m Belle, it was a pleasure to meet you!”. “Wow! I ‘m impressed! Hello Fipa and Belle. Nice to meet you, ladies! It was so nice to finally have some friends to talk with her, it made me feel at home”. He said in a very cute Korean accent. Our group stays all together at one table and I had the chance to talk longer with Keith and we all ended up planning a weekend trip to the south- Tagaytay. I've never been in that place since forever and I'm quite excited to see what it looked like today. I can't wait to taste the authentic buko pie in that town.   Belle and I managed to go home around 3 and like I've predicted Nana is already up. I don't get how old people really could wake up so early. The weekend comes and I was busy doing my laundry when Keith's name suddenly appears on my screen and he is freaking video calling me. I had no time to fix myself or anything since well I just pulled all my clothes out of the dryer. "Hey!" I said. "HI, Fips! Are you busy?! Oh, don't tell I could tell by just looking at your background" Holy effin’ crap!!! I wish I could end this video call and hide for the rest of my life! Behind me, folks are all my underwear are hanging!   "OMG!!!! I'm so sorry, I'm doing my laundry today, and well, sorry for that view a while ago! I told him while a ran out of breath for running outside our laundry area.  I went to our little space near our laundry area wherein there is a big swing and I sat there while Keith is amusingly watching me.  I'm trying to look not so affected by what he saw earlier. “Really Fips, no worries, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. I could still remember your Disney underwear during our Kindergarten Days in the Tate”. “OMG! Keith! How dare you! I’m pretty sure I could also remember your Mr. Bean boxers back then and whenever you need to pee, you’ll show it to Mrs. Higgins! Anyways, why did you call Keith?” I asked because I am too conscious right now that I don’t even have a powder on my face and I just did a messy bun on my hair. “I just want to confirm out Tagaytay getaway. I could borrow my mom’s van so that you don’t need to bring your car with you.” “Wow! That’s so nice of you Keith, I would really appreciate that, and plus the fact that my car consumes a lot of gasoline, that would be a relief for me and I can take a nap on our way!” I got excited and carried away and I just stopped when I saw Keith just literally staring at me and there goes my heartbeat that would make my fitness watch go cray-cray! My alarm ring at 4 A.M. and I excitedly get out of my bed to get ready for our weekend travel. I have to wake-up Belle since this girl is not a morning person. She’s nocturnal and hyper until the wee hours in the morning and she could really sleep until noon if no one will bother to wake her ass up.  “Sleeping beauty! Time to wake-up! Your Oppa will be here soon.” I teasingly told her and just like that she get out of my bed so fast and went straight to my bathroom! “OMG! I haven’t seen this day comin’, Belle! This is a new record of waking you up so fast! Is there something that I need to know?” “Stop teasing me Fips!!! Why don’t you focus on getting ready for your precious Keith!” she said while in the shower and she just created a record in her entire existence. We arrived at Sonya’s and have a nice breakfast. Their food is to die for and I am pretty sure I’ll take Mom and Dad here when they visit me. “Earth to Fips, may I know who are you thinking that made you smile like that?” he asked sounding a little jealous or maybe I am just overreacting. “Nah! I was just thinking I would bring my parents here when they visit me this November.” I told him as if I need to explain. “Wow! That’s a relief Fips! Thanks for your explanation and then he went to excuse himself and told me he just needs to go and look for Henry.