It was a bit of a dry day. Of course, around these parts of the globe, feeling dry in every part of the body would be normal, more or less. Cities in the Philippines have been known to be…dense, making the already intense heat even warmer. And I am no stranger to that, but of course, this didn't mean I had become completely immune by it either.

The climate wasn't any different at the bus station. Despite it being a big open space with a roof on top of us, the buses made the place feel more cramped than it really was. That, and the running engines of any of the vehicles in the area made the air less natural; I ended up coughing up a storm when I practically inhaled the smoke of a car passing by me as I got there.

Normally, I'd take a jeep or a taxi, but my line of work called for a temporary out-of-town stay somewhere farther away. How we got there wasn't any of the company's concern though. Guess there isn't much use to complain, like they'd ever listen to their employees.

Had everything ready: luggage, ticket, money. I was good to go. All I had to do was wait in line. The really, really long line...

Though I had a sure seat inside, seeing how many people were in front of me was pretty degrading. Didn't help that every passenger had their own sets of bags and suitcases, with a whole lot of them standing by and blocking the doors while the employees put their stuff in the bottom compartment. I guess they were just making sure they didn't take the term "Just throw 'em inside" too literally.

It was annoying as hell still. It looked like I wasn't the only one upset over this. Whispered scowls and silent curses were being muttered under the breaths of the people standing in line.

But...

That wasn't the only thing I heard...

Out of nowhere, I could hear the smooth and enticing notes of a saxophone. The way the melody was done and how it just seemed to flow perfectly into my ears made me see that whoever was playing wasn't just some amateur.

Looking around, I soon saw the tall man playing the instrument beside the bus itself. How he got there without me noticing, I had no idea. But hey, wasn't complaining.

Strange how security wasn't doing anything, but I guess he wasn't really causing trouble. If anything, he was balancing out the negativity.

A saxophone would always be something that I truly loved to hear, though I couldn't play one myself. The amazing notes this mysterious man played somewhat made me forget how slow everything was going during those frustrating set of minutes.

I couldn't recognize what song he was playing, it transitioned between a slow and smooth pace to a fast and active chorus. Soothing to the ears while making my heart race with excitement!

Just who was this guy? Street performers weren't common, and if there were any, the but station would be the last place you'd see one. He didn't look much like a foreigner, but he still gave me the impression that he didn't live here. He wore a red jacket and pair of jeans, pitch black sunglasses covering his eyes. With the shining Sax in his hands, I didn't think he'd be someone with low funds either.

I found myself snapping my fingers and tapping my foot to the music. It wasn't often I'd get to hear a live jazz performance. Wasn't long until I noticed the fedora on the floor beside him. He really went all traditional with his street performing it would seem.

From where I was, I could clearly see that it was completely empty. And when I did, I was pretty pissed. Out of all the folks who passed by him for the past thirty minutes, not one of them gave a single coin. I mean, come on! Even if you're not a fan of the genre, he at least deserved some sort of payment for his performance!

Before I knew it, I was in front of the line. A grumpy employee began to load my bags inside the bottom compartment. While he did, I took out a hundred peso bill out of my wallet and walked towards the saxophone player.

As if on cue, the song he was playing finished when I got close. I gave him a warm smile before dropping the bull in the hat. He smiled too, showing off a good set of white teeth.

"Thanks for the show man, it was freaking awesome!" I told him. He simply shrugged and nodded, not saying a word. I didn't really have time to chat with him though, so I gave him another quick thank you and headed inside the bus.

I was seated right next to the window, parallel to the side of the doors. Getting comfy in my seat-as much as I could at least-I gazed outside the glass pane beside me. Immediately, I saw the familiar figure of the Saxophone Player. He was looking at me, the wide grin still on his face.

I waved at him, and he waved back.

The bus soon rattled to life as the engine started. And suddenly...the guy took off his shades, revealing two blue eyes that stared directly at me. An odd, odd look on his face that me very uneasy.

He looked like he was...laughing. All to himself, almost like he saw something funny I wasn't seeing. The bus started moving not long after, and I couldn't help but keep my eyes locked with his. He didn't move, he just turned his head as we sped away, eventually coming out of sight.

I fidgeted back in my seat. What the hell was he laughing about?

...

It took about an hour and a half before I got off. Dropping my feet onto the sidewalk, I faintly saw the top floors of the hotel the company wanted us to check in. It was only a few streets away.

Even with luggage, I could walk my way there without too many problems. Time would be an issue though, making me debate the thought of hitching another ride as I took out my bags from the bottom compartment.

But...

All my thoughts were drowned out.

After hearing the familiar song of a saxophone...

A cold sweat slid down my neck, whether it was because of the heat or because of what I heard was beyond me. I frantically looked everywhere, finding whoever it was playing the song, and silently hoping and praying that it wasn't...

There.

There he was.

The crossbridge overpass behind me, running from one side of the highway to the other, packed with pedestrians moving back and forth, up and down its stairs. Among them, I saw him. The same guy, the saxophone player.

Despite all the noise around us, I could hear him play very clearly, as if I was listening to his own personal radio frequency.

I stood there, desperately trying to figure out how a man can outrun a bus that sped through, with no traffic, several miles. My brain kept telling itself that it was possible in some form or fashion. But just seeing him there made it harder and harder for me to believe what I was seeing in front me.

I kept staring at him, and though his shades were on, it felt like he knew I was there.

His song ended once again, and when it did, he turned his head towards me. The way he slowly smiled into a wide grin chilled me to the bone.

He waved at me. I didn't dare wave back...

The bus beside me started its engine, soon beginning to depart. My eyes were still stuck to the saxophone player above. He stopped waving, then shook his head in disapproval.

It felt like he was mocking someone, I didn't know if it was either me or someone else. He outstretched his arm and pointed somewhere in front of him.

I turned to look, but only saw the bus I was previous on waiting for a stoplight to change.

I turned back...and he was gone.

I looked for him everywhere, on the overpass and below it. He simply was not there! He vanished out of sight, without a single hint of his presence leaving a trace.

An alarm from my wristwatch began to beep, and it didn't take long before I remembered why I had gone there in the first place. Turning back to where I was headed, I started walking down the busy sidewalks, confused and frightened thoughts intermingling with certain plans for the day.

I came to a full stop yet again...

Hearing the loud CRASH!! that left my ears ringing.

Screams were heard all over the streets, as many people ran away, others, taking out their phones to either call for authorities or record the disaster that was happening in front of them.

In front of me...

In front of me was the bus I had taken earlier, toppled over and most of it crushed after colliding with an oncoming truck, and eventually hitting a telephone pole…