Act 1: A First for Everything
Eli was ecstatic. It was finally happening—he was embarking on his first solo journey to a different country. Fukuoka, Japan awaited him, and he was filled with a sense of adventure and anticipation. This trip might even shape the course of his life.
Coming from a middle-class family, international travel had been a distant dream for Eli. Due to his younger siblings' age and potential difficulties with long flights and jet lag, they had never ventured beyond national flights. However, Eli's determination and passion for exploration led him to this moment.
Before heading to the airport, Eli decided to grab a quick bite at his favorite fast food restaurant, PinoyBites. He ordered a hamburger with small fries and a cup of iced tea for takeout. While waiting for his order, he went to the money exchange with all the required documents, as he needed the currency when he got there. He also made sure that he had a bit of Philippine money with him, just in case. Satisfied with his preparations, Eli returned to PinoyBites, collected his takeout, and found an unoccupied seat.
As he began enjoying his meal, an announcement broke the restaurant's calm atmosphere. "Good afternoon, everyone. This is an announcement for Flight 5J922 to Fukuoka, Japan. Regular boarding has begun. Please proceed to Terminal 3, Gate…" Eli missed the gate number in the announcement. Determined not to miss his flight, he approached one of the guards and politely asked for directions. Grateful for the guard's assistance, Eli thanked him and quickly made his way to the gate. He reached it with only twenty minutes to spare before departure, feeling relieved as he boarded the aircraft.
Finally settled in his seat, Eli let out a sigh of relief. Pulling out a book, he began immersing himself in its pages, embracing the tranquility of the moment. After a few minutes, fatigue overcame him, and he drifted into a deep sleep.
During his slumber, Eli found himself immersed in a dream.
He was seated in a parked car, situated high up in the mountains. Gazing out the window to his left, Eli was greeted by a breathtaking sight—an awe-inspiring view of the mountains, bathed in the soft glow of a crescent moon. It was a moment of pure serenity. Turning his gaze to the right, however, the steering wheel was on the right side, unlike what he was accustomed to. Observing his surroundings, he noticed the car was a vivid shade of blue. The engine's sound, idling, felt oddly familiar yet elusive.
He then spotted an older man in his forties, seemingly carrying a container of tofu. Beside him stood a young man in his early twenties. Though puzzled by their presence, Eli's dream gradually faded, and he slowly awoke to the sound of an announcement.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Fukuoka Airport. Local time is 19:35, and the temperature is 19 degrees Celsius."
With a mix of excitement and curiosity, Eli prepared to disembark the aircraft, ready to embark on his Japanese adventure and discover what wonders awaited him in this fascinating country. The dream lingered in his mind, leaving him with a sense of intrigue. As he stepped off the plane, Eli couldn't help but wonder if this dream held any significance for his journey ahead.
Hello there. The schedule for this story will be every 2-3 weeks, as (even though it's summer in my area) I need to spend my summer vacation doing other things.
Please leave a review or a rating. This will help me write even faster and I really appreciate it.
I'll see you in the next chapter!