Chapter Two

For Our Tomorrows

Chapter Two

For the past weeks, I kept receiving vintage photos in that certain drawer and I kept replying using my Instax collection. They disappear and another vintage photo had taken their place.

It feels weird honestly. Mr. Briones is a complete stranger whose face I never saw in the photos he sent yet I also knew him at the same time.

Yes, he is a man. He had mentioned it in his notes. He also mentioned that he runs his own photography studio somewhere in Escolta.

Another Saturday had finally kicked in and luckily I have no overtime work to do today. I opened the drawer and as usual there was another vintage photo.

It was a half-body photo of a man sitting down. His deep eyes were looking away from the camera and yet there was a small smile upon his features. He wore a newspaper boy hat. His hair reached until his shoulder but it was tied into a small ponytail.

He wore white button-down shirt with short-sleeves, suspenders, and a ribbon. He also wore vest.

He was leaned one arm on an armrest with a bouquet of daisies.

In all honestly, he was astonishingly good-looking. I bet he had charmed a lot of girls. Or maybe the reason he was posing with my favorite flower increased his charm.

"For my tomorrow,

Here is my appearance. I hope I did not disappoint.

Escolta, 1938

--Briones, A."

Do I send a photo of me also? I wonder. I checked my box of Instax shots and the only one left there is a shot of me. I was sipping on my iced coffee when my friend, Jules, snapped that photo.

Speaking of which, I'll be visiting her at the event she currently organized. I loved the way she herself. She can sport any hair color she want and can even paint! Not to mention, her paintings get into auctions.

She even invited me to do a mini-seminar about cosplay photography last year but I turned it down because I felt I wasn't good enough for such a thing.

I groaned. I haven't bought any new film recently. Curse it. Since he sent me a photo of himself, it's fair I do, right?

"Sorry. This is me, sipping iced caffeine.

--Ashita, 2018."

Then placed it just like that into the drawer. I checked my phone for time and it's already 10am! I better leave now! I want to have lunch with Jules before the event starts at 2PM!

---

Since the event Jules worked at is near Dela Rosa PNR station, I decided to take the PNR train since I arrived 30 minutes before the it arrives. Perfect. I won't get caught in the stupid cut-off since it's the weekend.

The train ride was smooth and a lot of people got off when the train reached Espanya station and Sta. Mesa. But there was also an influx of people who boarded in Sta. Mesa also.

Welp, the train I rode is bound until Mamatid station instead of the usual Alabang station.

When I reached Dela Rosa station, I started to walk while I munched on biscuits. I felt someone tap my shoulder and I turned to see an old woman with an outstretched palm.

I smiled at her and gave her the remaining pieces of my biscuits. "Here. It's not much but I can always buy myself another pack."

The old woman's eyes wrinkled with joy as she held the biscuits in her eyes, "It's rare to meet someone who does good deeds like you." Then she held my hands between hers. "How about I say a prayer for you as thanks? What's your name, child?"

"Ashita," I replied.

Despite feeling embarrassed, I obliged when she told me to close my eyes. She started whispering some things I can't understand. Then she spoke, "Ashita, I bless you with the ability to travel through time."

I felt her lean towards my ear, "Always ride the last train trip from Espanya to Sta. Mesa. If you wish to go back, take the last train from Sta. Mesa to the north. But you can only experience the travel ten times."

When I felt my hands drop, I opened my eyes and the old woman disappeared. How could she leave so fast? I was snapped out of my thoughts when a familiar voice called out to me.

"Ash!" I turned around and a familiar lady with cotton candy hair waved her hand at me. She wore a sleeveless peach turtleneck and black square pants.

I smiled, "Jules!"

Jules gave me a hug as she grinned, "I am so glad you came! You are so supportive that I could cry!"

"That's what are friends for, right?" I smiled back.

"I saw you while I was buying some water in the convenience store," She narrated. "You looked you were praying with an old beggar. I didn't know where she went because it was already my turn in the line. I hope the old lady didn't put a curse on you!"

I chuckled, "Don't worry. I'll be okay!"

But the words of the old lady kept echoing inside my head. I wonder what were the meaning behind her words.