Chapter 28: Cebu City

It was already 1:15 p.m. as the bus pulled into the North Bus Terminal in Cebu City, near SM City Mabolo. Reese blinked groggily, surprised that he had slept through the entire journey. Stepping off the bus, Reese was greeted by the bustling atmosphere of the terminal, with vendors selling snacks and commuters rushing to catch their rides. He glanced around, taking in the sights and sounds of the city.

After checking his surroundings to ensure he was in the right place, Reese took out his phone to let his parents know he had arrived safely. With a few taps, he composed a quick message: "Just arrived at SM City Mabolo. Everything's good on my end. I'll keep you updated." With a reassuring smile, Reese hit send and tucked his phone back into his pocket.

Navigating the bustling streets of Cebu City, Reese made his way towards SM City Mabolo. The cacophony of traffic and chatter filled the air as he walked, his eyes darting from one landmark to another, ensuring he stayed on the right path. As Reese entered SM City Mabolo, he was greeted by the familiar sight of shoppers bustling about, their arms laden with bags from various stores. The cool air conditioning provided a welcome relief from the heat outside, and Reese took a moment to adjust to the bustling atmosphere.

As Reese strolled through the bustling halls of SM City, his stomach grumbled loudly, reminding him that he hadn't eaten lunch yet. Glancing around, he scanned the various food options available, his eyes lighting up when he spotted the familiar red and yellow signage of Jollibee. With a smile, Reese made his way towards the iconic fast-food chain.

Reese stepped into Jollibee and joined the line, the mouthwatering aroma of fried chicken growing stronger as he approached the counter. When it was his turn to order, he quickly decided on a value meal to fill his empty stomach.

"I'll have the chickenjoy with rice and gravy, please," Reese said to the cashier, handing over his payment.

As he waited for his order, Reese took out his phone and opened a browser to search for boarding houses for rent in the area. He scrolled through listings, comparing prices and locations, looking for an affordable yet decent place to stay for the night.

"Hmm, this one looks promising," Reese murmured to himself, tapping on a listing that seemed to fit his criteria.

After placing his order and receiving his meal, Reese found a quiet corner to sit and eat. Between bites of crispy chicken, he continued to browse through rental listings, jotting down notes on potential places to check out later.

"I'll have to make some calls and arrange viewings," Reese thought, making mental plans for the afternoon. "But first, I need to finish eating."

As Reese finished his meal at Jollibee, he lingered for a moment, savoring the last bite of his chickenjoy, before setting off to explore SM City. Taking his time, Reese wandered through the aisles, browsing through racks of clothes and shelves stocked with gadgets. He paused every now and then to admire a particularly eye-catching display or to try on a pair of shoes that caught his fancy.

After satisfying his curiosity with a leisurely stroll through the mall, Reese checked his watch and realized it was time to check out the first boarding house on his list in Talamban. He made his way out of the mall and into the bustling streets beyond.

Reese hailed a passing taxi and quickly got in, instructing the driver to take him to Talamban, near USC. As they made their way through the streets of Cebu City, Reese couldn't help but reminisce about the bustling streets of Cebu City from his younger days. "It's amazing how much the city has changed," he mused aloud, glancing out the window at the sea of vehicles inching their way through the traffic. "I remember when these roads used to be much quieter." 

The taxi driver, a middle-aged man with a friendly demeanor, chuckled in agreement. "Oh, tell me about it," he replied with a nostalgic smile. "Back in the day, you could zip through these streets without a care in the world. But now, it's like a never-ending sea of cars."

"Yeah, things sure have changed," Reese agreed, nodding thoughtfully. 

The driver nodded in understanding. "Indeed, it is," he said with a hint of resignation in his voice. "But hey, at least it gives us more time to appreciate the scenery, right?"

Reese couldn't help but smile at the driver's optimistic outlook. "You're absolutely right," he replied warmly. "There's always a silver lining if you know where to look." 

As the taxi pulled up near USC Talamban, Reese breathed a sigh of relief. Stepping out onto the sidewalk, he took a moment to appreciate the unfamiliar sights and sounds of the university campus. With a grateful smile, Reese thanked and paid the taxi driver for the ride before turning his attention to the task at hand. Pulling out his phone, he quickly dialed the number of the boarding house owner, eager to arrange a meeting to view the property. 

"Hello, this is Reese," he said when the call was answered. "I've arrived at USC Talamban, and I'm ready to check out the boarding house." 

On the other end of the line, the owner of the boarding house, Mr. Santos, sounded pleasantly surprised. "Ah, Reese! I've been expecting your call. I'll be there in a few minutes to show you around. Look out for a silver sedan parked near the entrance." 

True to his word, Mr. Santos arrived promptly, his warm smile putting Reese at ease. "Welcome, Reese," he greeted warmly, extending his hand in greeting. "I'm glad you made it safely." 

"Thank you, Mr. Santos," Reese replied gratefully, shaking his hand. "I'm excited to see the boarding house." 

Together, they made their way towards the boarding house, engaging in light conversation along the way. Reese found Mr. Santos to be friendly and approachable, and he felt reassured knowing that he would be in good hands. This was to be expected; who would want a dick of a landlord? Especially when you're looking to rent one of his rooms.

As they reached the boarding house, Mr. Santos unlocked the door and ushered Reese inside. Reese found himself in a cozy foyer adorned with mismatched furniture and framed photographs of past residents. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with the faint scent of home-cooked meals lingering in the air. However, as Reese ventured further into the boarding house, he quickly realized its limitations.

Each room, though spacious and well-lit, lacked the basic amenities of a kitchenette and private bathroom. Instead, they were furnished with a simple bed, a small desk, and a wardrobe, leaving little room for personalization or comfort. It was clear that the boarding house catered primarily to students seeking affordable accommodation, with shared facilities serving as a cost-saving measure.

Down the hall, Reese discovered the communal bathrooms—four in total—that the boarders were expected to share. Though clean and adequately maintained, Reese couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment at the inconvenience of having to wait his turn for a shower or use of the facilities.

Despite its shortcomings, Reese could see the appeal of the boarding house for students on a tight budget. Its central location, affordable rent, and communal atmosphere made it an attractive option for those seeking a sense of community and camaraderie.

However, as Reese contemplated his next breakthrough, a wave of apprehension washed over him. The prospect of another impurity in his body, coupled with the inconvenience of shared facilities, filled him with a sense of dread. He couldn't shake the nagging worry that his condition would only worsen the already challenging living situation, particularly if the odor became noticeable to his fellow boarders.

With a heavy heart, Reese realized that he would need to carefully consider his options and find a living arrangement that could accommodate his unique needs. Though the boarding house held a certain charm, its lack of privacy and amenities left much to be desired. Reese knew that he would have to prioritize comfort and convenience above all else, especially given the potential challenges that lay ahead. 

After carefully considering his options, Reese knew he had to politely decline Mr. Santos's offer to rent a room in the boarding house. With a sense of reluctance, Reese approached Mr. Santos, who was waiting patiently for his decision.

"Mr. Santos, I truly appreciate your hospitality and showing me around," Reese began, his tone sincere. "But after giving it some thought, I don't think this boarding house is the right fit for me."

Mr. Santos's expression fell slightly, but he maintained a polite demeanor. "I understand, Reese," he replied, though there was a hint of disappointment in his voice. "May I ask what aspects of the boarding house didn't meet your expectations?"

Reese hesitated for a moment, carefully choosing his words. "It's not that the boarding house isn't nice," he explained diplomatically. "It's just that I value having a bit more privacy and having my own space, especially when it comes to bathroom facilities."

Mr. Santos nodded understandingly. "I see," he said with a sympathetic smile. "Privacy is certainly important, especially in a shared living situation."

"Yes, exactly," Reese agreed, grateful that Mr. Santos seemed to understand his concerns. "I'm sure there are plenty of students who would find this boarding house perfect for their needs, but I think I'll continue my search for something that better suits mine."

Mr. Santos nodded in acceptance. "Of course, Reese. I appreciate your honesty," he said warmly. "If you ever change your mind or need assistance finding another accommodation, don't hesitate to reach out to me."

"Thank you, Mr. Santos," Reese said sincerely, relieved to have the conversation behind him. "I'll keep that in mind. And thank you again for your time and understanding."

With a final nod of farewell, Reese turned and made his way out of the boarding house, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. Reese checked his watch, which says 4:30 p.m. "I still have time." Reese comforted himself. Then Reese turned his attention to the next boarding house on his list, which was located in Guadalupe.