Echoes on the Rails : A Train Ride Back to Yesterday

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the city transformed into a canvas of shadows and light. The air was alive with blaring horns and the rhythmic pulse of cars, each one a vessel in the big orchestra of urban life. People moved with a sudden urgency their footsteps quickened as the sky began to fade into twilight. At the heart of this chaos stood the LRT station, a place where lives intersected in fleeting moments. An unspoken line formed, a silent acknowledgment of the shared journey ahead. Everyone is eager to get on the train as if getting home would magically relieve all of their exhaustion from the day's schoolwork and workload. In that moment, amidst the chaos and noise there was beauty, a shared human experience of commuting and seeing different people with different lives. It was a strange moment of sonder. The distant rumble of the approaching LRT was heard, a sound that grew louder resonating like a heartbeat through the station. It was a call to action, a signal that the moment of stillness was about to give way to the familiar chaos of boarding. As the train drew near, anticipation electrified the atmosphere. The air crackled with energy and the crowd shifted, readying themselves for the survival battle of entering the transportation. Finally, I settled into my seat gazing out the window at the blurred landscape rushing by. Across the passenger's seat are a group of high school girls. They are filled with laughter. Their youthful energy was obvious as they talked about academics, weekend plans and current trends. I couldn't help but smile at them yet watching them brought back memories of my own high school years, vivid and bittersweet. I knew the ride ahead would be lengthy so I put my earbuds in and hit play on my shuffled Spotify playlist. The first song played “ Hey Dorothea, Do you ever stop and think about me ?” the lyrics said, it was Dorothea by Taylor Swift.

At that moment, the universe seemed to conspire with my heart. The haunting melody wrapped around me like a warm embrace. The intro begins, each note a delicate thread weaving me back to a time filled with happiness. Nostalgia washed over me, a tide of memories rose unbidden yet welcomed. I found myself transported back to the sun-drenched days of high school where friendship was a vibrant tapestry woven from shared secrets and whispered dreams. I could hear the echoes of our laughter and feel the sun's warmth on our skin as we lay on the grass in my friend's backyard having a small picnic while fantasizing about our futures yet to come. Moments flashed before my eyes, the delight of receiving homemade gifts on birthdays, the excitement of Friday sleepovers, the nervousness before exams and the laughter that resonated throughout the schoolyard. Each memory was a vivid and alive brush stroke on the canvas of my youth reminding me of the bonds that had shaped me. I remembered the excitement of strolling down our school hallways, the joy of meeting my friends each day in the classroom as if we never saw each other yesterday and the competition preparations after class that never tired us out. The heartfelt letters exchanged on Valentine's Day every year, the unexpected karaoke sessions and the humorous dances on a random day. My girls who I can call to as my one call away. At that moment I wish we could be highschool students again eating our lunch together and having silly chitchats about our crushes and ranting about nonstop academic works. Making props for our theater plays while some of us cook our beloved spicy pancit canton and drink 3n1 coffee late into the night. The childish arguments that resulted into an entertaining open forum and how we spend each of our free nights with our twenty peso budget hanging out at our favorite 7/11 store.

As the song swelled, I closed my eyes allowing the music to carry me deeper into the past. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of longing. An unspoken friendship breakup feels like losing a part of myself. I know it was natural but a part of me died on that day. It’s a quiet ache, a reminder of the connection that once brought me joy now brings me grief. Even though we may drift apart, the memories linger and a piece of my heart will always hold space for what we shared. Life had taken us all in different directions and while I cherished the memories. I also felt the weight of time that had passed. If I had chosen to stayed and nurture our bond, would our friendship stood the test of time ? Would our paths still intertwine if I had committed to keeping our friendship alive ? Would we still share laughter and dreams? The questions lingered into the back of my mind but I realized that those friendships through distance had left a mark on my heart. I felt like I was a mosaic of every person I love, I carry their pieces with me. They taught me the value of connection, the importance of laughter and the beauty of shared moments. It just hurts how I miss my Dorothea's, their smile, their presence, their voices, their laughter's and their warm embrace. I know people come and go but deep inside I truly miss them. As the train approached my destination, I took one last glance at those high school girls. They were a reminder of the joy and simplicity of youth, a fleeting glimpse into a world I once inhabited. I smiled, feeling grateful for the memories and the friendships that had shaped my journey. Stepping off the train, I carried with me not just the echoes of laughter but also a renewed appreciation for the bonds we form in our youth. Life may lead us down different paths but those connections like the train tracks remain, guiding us back to where it all began.