(9 years later) (2015)
     
Walking along the dirt road, blue umbrella in hand, tiny raindrops collided on the umbrella's old material and exploded into a pearl-like afterthought of the young man under the black and greyish hue of the dimming afternoon. The man dressed in a full black and white suit covered by a grey overcoat winced and groaned at the unrelenting weather that hovered above him. He, after just passing the licensure exam for his degree in Clinical psychology was invited to join one of the most popular psychiatric hospitals in the country. Popular in terms of their recovery rate, but nothing always bathes in sunshine and rainbows.

The hospital, despite its popularity, housed fewer patients compared to others lesser to its prestige. He used to wonder why, but as he ascended the final mountain that would lead him to this hospital, he pondered if the location contributed to its low patient rate.
    
 The hospital was situated on top of a mountain, miles away from any form of civilization. Remembering the hurdle that he overcame hours ago, Dr. Zackary Salvador clicked his tongue and replayed the entire journey that led to where he was.
     
After riding the train, he met with his guide, rode a car, and was dropped off in front of a horse-drawn carriage. He wasn't a sensitive man, so he rode that vehicle without complaint, and after passing a full town, they were once again dropped off in front of an old rest house. That’s when his guide—while picking up their luggage— revealed that they have to reach the hospital by foot from there on, leaving Zackary dumbfounded.
     
After his musing, Dr. Zackary let out a desperate sigh. Well, who would want all that trouble when they can shove their patients in a nearby hospital, he thought to himself.
     
   Still, on the trail, he shrugged his body in hopes of reducing the pooling rivulets of rain that attached themselves to his coat. Luckily, he wore a waterproof one, for God knows the amount of anger he would have felt had he not, and the rain destroyed the only presentable suit he owned.
    
    “Mr. Salvador?” The question sounded like it came from a tiny and innocent mouth, but he knew better.
     
   The man that picked him up from the train station a few hours back, was a mountain, towering over 6'7 in height, his body muscular and powerful. The hands that carried his suitcases were big and rough. With his judging eyes, he saw unimaginable threats from the intimidating giant, a full contrast to his voice, which sounded innocent and angelic. If anyone had seen him during his descent from the train and was presented with the man, one would have found horror in his face and tremor on his body. But the reluctance he showed while handing his belongings hours back to the man, might be uncalled for. He is a psychiatrist, a licensed one at that. He should have known better. He should have assessed the man with serious scrutiny before he jumped to conclusions. Note to self, he thought, before sending the giant beside him a glance.
     
   "Mr. Salvador, if you want, my aunt's house is a few meters ahead. We can take a short break and have some hot beverage before we proceed to the hospital, " the man asked nervously. Zackary hummed and then gave him a warm smile, "I would love that," he replied. The giant answered with a wide smile, teeth and all. "Please lead the way," the doctor added. The man walked ahead of him, skipping with glee.
     
   After a few minutes of walking, they arrived in front of a Nippa hut house, sandwiched between two Molave trees with a front lawn blanketed with well-trimmed grass and wildflowers.
     
   "Well, here we are," the giant in front of the young doctor exclaimed. "It's not much but it's well-kept," he added as he threw a smile at him. Zackary smiled back then took long strides towards the house. The rain had not let up, and all he longed for at that moment was to rest his aching legs and get out of his wet coat. The umbrella hadn't given him justice from the downpour.
     
   Seconds later, the giant gave the hut's door a light knock, shocking Zackary in the process. Those large hands, he thought, couldn’t possibly have given such soft and light vigor, but they did.
     
   The door slowly opened and out came an old lady. She smiled, “Damien,” she murmured, in a soft old grandma tune as she gave the giant a quick hug.
     
   "Aunt, may we take shelter here for a while, it has been raining and I'm supposed to deliver this, Mr. Doctor here to the hospital, but I think he's tired." The last sentence, barely a whisper, hadn't escaped Zachary's ear. He furrowed his brows but gave a hearty smile to the old woman who was still standing behind the half-opened door. It took a while before she fully opened the wooden barricade and gestured for the two of them to come in. Zackary, sighing with relief, stepped inside without hesitation.
     
   The young doctor, finally seated on a wooden chair in front of a fireplace with a cup of steaming hot Choco in hand, gazed with serious scrutiny at the two souls seated adjacent to him. As a doctor, he was familiar with human genetics and noted the huge resemblance between the old woman and the humongous man. The man introduced the old lady as his aunt, but Zackary felt that the similarities in their features were too prominent, one would merit them to be mother and son. Though having a relative who had the same features as one another was quite common, he still felt like the two were not what they claimed to be. His train of thought was disrupted when Damien stood from his chair and beckoned for him to leave before night fell. Zackary left his chair and walked towards the two, carefully placed his cup on the table, and gave the old woman a warm smile. "The Choco tasted great madam," he said, before giving the old lady a quick bow. The old woman with her wrinkled face looked up at him and gave a nod.
     
   After a brief exchange of words between the old woman and her niece, Damien proceeded to the door and picked up the suitcases that he previously piled before it when they came inside, while Zackary too, moved to collect his coat and doctor's bag. Seconds later, Damien opened the door and stepped outside. "The rain has lit up," he exclaimed with glee as he looked back at Zackary.
     
   The doctor smiled and took a step towards the half-opened door, but a few footfalls before reaching it, the old woman who was trailing behind him tugged at his arm. He looked back and gave her a questioning look. "He is a good man, just a bit behind, " she said to him. It took a while for Zackary to comprehend that she was talking about his giant companion, and when he did, he smiled and patted the old woman's hand before taking back his arm. "I can tell," he answered, using the sweetest tone he could muster. "He will be up there with most of you, so do keep a good watch on him will ya?" the old woman added.
     
   There was uneasiness in her eyes and voice, and Zackary couldn't help but wonder why? It seems the giant was accustomed to the place and would not have been tasked to guide him, if he was inadequate, or if he lacked the respect or trust of those in charge of the hospital. He kept that thought to himself though and gave the woman a reassuring smile as he nodded.
    
   After leaving the hut, they silently continued their journey, walking through fallen branches and thick vegetation. The fauna that thrived on their path gave the doctor a sense of relief despite his aching foot. He was, after all, a nature lover. But despite that, the journey towards the famed hospital had proven to be more of a challenge than he first imagined, making him second guess whether accepting the job was a good idea.
     
   Keeping his head bent, carefully picking which spot to land his foot, he barely heard the small voice that said, We are almost there." He looked up, and finally, he saw it—the roof of a building. Judging from the view, he could tell it wouldn't be long before they reached the actual building itself, and for the first time since he started his journey, the young doctor felt his heart thump with excitement.

A few minutes later, after several huge trees and endless greenery, they finally arrived at a clearing. The freshly mowed lawn before him gave the young doctor a serene feeling. He smiled and allowed that happiness to encompass his countenance. There was never a time—if he truly thought about it—that he had felt that sort of happiness. It was beyond anything and as he took a step forward, he swore never to lose that feeling. He would kill to keep it that way.
     
   Not long after, Zackary found himself standing in front of a white building. There was nothing special about its exterior construction, except for the huge letterings, just above the seemingly metal-made door that showed, only in reason shall we find enlightenment.