Within the Walls

Chapter 2

~2019 - Tuesday - Tondo, Manila~

My peaceful slumber was disturbed with an annoying ringing of my phone. I push myself up on the bed, using my hands as support. Groggily, I look around beside my mattress for my phone. I blink a couple of times trying to see the blurry room without my glasses. I felt for the handheld that was obnoxiously ringing and once I got a feel to it, I pressed the vibrant green button and placed it upon my ear.

“Who is this?” I yawned.

“Sorry to wake you, it’s Felix.”

“Oh!” I crawled from my mattress and tried to find my glasses.

“So, I said to the manager that we’ll be switching schedules permanently now, you’ll be in the afternoon.”

“Oh, sure sure, wait, how’s your mom holding up?” I asked as I felt the lens of my glasses just next to the dresser, briskly placing the glasses on my nose bridge.

“She’s…,” Felix went silent, “I’m with her right now, my dad just left for work.”

I didn’t utter a word and there was still unnerving silence between us.

“So, yeah, just wanted to let you know, bye now.” He ended the call.

I stood up from the floor and placed my phone on top of the dresser, next to the Polaroid camera that gleamed from the morning sun. I grabbed the camera and head downstairs, and heard loud sizzling from the kitchen. I raced to the dining room and two plates were set up, one for me, and one for mom. Her plate situated in front of mine, as my father was supposed to be at the head. I stared at the empty chair of the dining room as the familiar scent of cooked food averted my gaze.

“Breakfast’s ready!” My mom shouted as she walked through the kitchen’s doorway.

I sat myself across her as she placed the plates down. It was fried eggs, dried fish, and a bowl of garlic rice. My mouth watered and my eyes widened from the merry sight of my favorite food. It may not seem much, but these were delicious, especially when mom’s cooking. Mom sat down in front of me, grabbing the bowl of fried rice as I took a spoonful. I placed two eggs and three dried fish on my plate and started to chow down. I had this habit of mixing food together so I placed some rice on my spoon, then a piece of an egg, then the fish. I shoved it in my mouth and savored the flavor of the dish. I moaned in delight which uttered a small laugh from mom. I continued to eat until my plate was clean.

I looked at my watch and I still have an hour left before I go to school. I grabbed my plate and placed it on the sink to which mom offered to clean up.

“Go get ready for school.” She smiled at me as I head to the living room and grabbed my bag near the door, placing it on the light green couch. I head to bathroom and took a quick shower, noticing that I slept through what I wore last night.

After the cold shower that made me scream once the freezing temperature hit my skin, I felt refreshed. In front of the mirror, a towel wrapped on my body as I dried my hair, I grabbed the comb and untangled the loose ends, dragging my head along with it. I looked at myself in the mirror and didn’t see much because of this vision of mine. I cursed at myself for forgetting that I had to wear glasses. I stepped out of the bathroom and ran to my bedroom. Sifting through the drawers of the dresser, I yanked a loose white shirt and washed jeans to keep myself as cool as possible in this humid morning. I scurried to the living room and grabbed my bag, along with my glasses that was mysteriously on top of my bag. Reaching down as I head to the door for my shoes stacked along the others. Rummaging through the countless shoes of varying forms until I found my slip-on checkered shoes. I checked my watch and I had 30 minutes left. I stood up and opened the door.

“Wait!” my mom shouted as she hurries to my direction, “you forgot the camera.” She presents to me the Polaroid camera that sat on her palm.

I grabbed it and waved my free hand goodbye to her. With her smile being the last thing I saw as I closed the door. My footsteps echoed throughout the empty hallway, trudging with a backpack and a camera in hand. The walk to the school was only seven minutes so I let my mind ponder on how I’m gonna do the assignment. Since I was out of the graveyard shift, I thought of taking pictures during the night. I remembered how my father would bring me there and went night came, these beautiful lights would just illuminate the old streets. It’s like history never left the place. Smiling at the thought, I walked through my usual route, passing by the convenience store where I work. To which, I saw Felix manning the cash register. Surprisingly, he saw me and waved his hands and flashed a white smile. I smiled back and waved at him, with my camera hand, and proceeded to my school.

It’s only been a week since I was here. My classmates, luckily, where friendly. They lent me notes during the times I slept in class, and every time they did, I would blush and be embarrassed from the fact I kept dozing off. As I neared the school gates, I reminisced the first time I went here, with my parents cheering me on as I stepped into the campus to take an entrance exam. I can see the joy in their eyes that time, it was a bright image that flashed in my mind from time to time. It motivated me to try my best in school everyday. But, ever since father disappeared, it was like the light weakened, a fatherless and almost empty household was the home I would go back to. Sleepless nights of self-loathing, thinking I was the reason he left. I sighed and went inside, shaking the thoughts that kept me up at night.

As I reached the classroom, I looked at my watch and I still had 10 minutes left. Almost all the seats were filled, some seated at the arm rest, while others on the actual seat. The class was filled chatter and people talking, while I traipsed to my seat. I placed my bag next to my chair, and the camera on the desk, musing at the fact why the camera doesn’t have a bag or something. I shrugged the question in my head and examined the camera. Holding the camera up and turning it sideways. I didn’t know much about cameras but I know this red button is used to take pictures. Curious, I tested it out. Removing my glasses, I bring the viewfinder to my eyes, looking through the busy classroom from the camera’s eyes. I bring my index finger to the button.

“Good morning class!”

The door swung open and the towering voice of our teacher disrupted my testing. I brought down the camera and placed it back on the desk, scouring at my bag to find my glasses.

She reminds us of the assignment that was due on Friday. Placing her bag on the desk and proceeded with a lesson as she protruded a marker from her handbag. I felt more awake right now, feeling full of energy to the point I can just jump around here. Thoughts raced my mind of just running across the ceiling and everyone just listening intently to the teacher.

“Josefina!” Her voice broke my daydreaming.

“Present!” I shouted instinctively that could almost break anyone’s eardrums.

“Such energy Ms. Ligaya.” She nodded and continued checking the class’ attendance.

I breath a sigh of relief, avoiding a consecutive day of humiliation. As she called the last person in our class, she shifted the question relating to our previous lesson.

“Now, what houses were prevalent during the Spanish Colonial Era?”

The class was quiet. Everyone looked at each other while a sudden light bulb appeared on top of my head, I knew the answer surprisingly. I raised my hand. She pointed the marker at me motioning me to stand up.

“Bahay na bato, stone houses” I stood up proudly, beaming with confidence.

“Very good Ms. Ligaya!” She had a delighted look on her face.

I sat back down and took in my five seconds of fame before I scurry back into my hole of shyness. The teacher continued with her lesson. Her gaze shifted from what she’s writing on the board, unto us as others take down notes. Feeling insecure, I decided to grab my notebook and wrote some of the important words that the teacher wrote.

Hours passed and classes were finished. The day passed just like that and the next thing I knew everyone were fixing their books, notebooks, and pens. I grabbed the camera on top of the untouched notebook that weren’t of use since we only had worksheets to do after our first teacher. Inserting my used notebook inside the bag, closing it and slinging it over my shoulder as I walked outside the campus.

I remembered that my shift was switched and I work in the afternoon now. Punching the air in my little triumph motion as I no longer have to sleep through class ever again. It’s not that we have no money, it’s just that I don’t have to ask for money when I buy stuff for myself. Especially now that father was gone. Walking to the convenience store, the urban sound of Manila filled my ears that somehow comforted me, the honking of horns and the belching of engines were music to my ears.

The door opened to the convenience store and Reynaldo was there once again. We said our greetings and proceeded to the staff room. I placed my bag and the camera inside the locker, exchanging goodbyes with Reynaldo as I changed my clothes. The mirror showed myself once again, the emotion from before subsiding, but only a sad sigh escaped from my lips as I walked to the cash register.

Night came and the lights inside the store escaped through the tall windows. Not long after, Felix walked into the store, a bag hung on his shoulder as he waved at me. I decided to change my clothes while we had small talk inside the staff room whilst I grabbed my bag and camera. We exchanged goodbyes and the noisy and busy street turned quiet. Camera in hand, I immediately made plans inside my head to go to Intramuros and take pictures.

Walking farther from the store, I hailed an incoming jeepney that had colorful designs and was heading to Intramuros. I launched myself into the vehicle and sat next to other passengers. Others were checking their phones, some staring at the railed windows, while I examined the camera I had in my hands.

“Bayad po!” (My payment!)

My senses turned to the man behind me with his hand outstretched holding out his fare. I reached for his hand as well and he placed it on my hand, as I yell the same to the next passenger. It struck me that I had to pay the fare as well. Sifting through my jean pockets, the loose change I had were exact for the fare. Stretching my hand and the woman in front of me immediately getting it and giving the payment to the driver in front.

“Intramuros!” The driver beckoned and it was my cue to go down.

I jumped down the step of the jeepney and was met with the towering gate entrance that was made of stone, filled with dark green moss clearly showing its age with time, with a bronze-plate with the word ‘Intramuros’. Walking inside, a large building of white and light brown overlooked the streets, with potted plants that lined its vicinity. It had this old design to it just like the lesson we discussed earlier, during the Spanish Colonial Era, buildings like these were popular. Trekking the lit streets from the vintage lamp posts emitting an orange glow, I admire the different buildings along with an elegant metal sign postage that displayed the history of some of the buildings.

I reached the vast plaza of Intramuros that had this classic feeling to it, the lamp posts scattered on the streets lined the green plaza. Walking to the middle, an array of benches were filled with couples or tourists, one side was a raised platform with a roof that housed a bookshelf. I looked around and smiled, admiring the history of the area that I had a liking to. Remembering the stories my father told when we went here. Then, the enormous Manila Cathedral made me look up in its entirety. Gazing upon the intricate architecture of the church, the stone carvings, as well as the lights that lined the church, popping itself from the night sky. I looked at the camera and at the church a few times, then deciding to take a picture.

Positioning the camera on my glasses, I pressed the viewfinder on top of my glasses, placing my index finger on the red button. Moving backwards a little to photograph the cathedral in its fullness. Then, I took I took a picture. A bright flash filled my field of vision. The whirring of the camera made me think it was already processing the photo so I can see it. 

~1890 - ??? - Intramuros, Manila~

Then, the photo came out in Polaroid fashion. It was still black, I fanned the photograph and noticed that there was something in front of me. I changed my gaze to the something. I blinked my eyes for a few times because I can’t believe this. I removed my glasses and scratched my eyes. I was inside a metal fence with vintage lamp posts at the corners.

“Qué estás haciendo ahí?” A commanding tone erupted.

I turned my body and saw a rifle being pointed at my head. My blood ran cold, and a trickle sweat dripped from my head. I felt a chill run down my spine as my eyes widened at the sight of the pointed gun. My breathing hitched as I slowly crouched down to place the camera and raise my hands. My mouth was dry and I can’t speak, several questions came into my mind as the gun was pointed at me.

What did I do? This wasn’t here before, and why is he speaking Spanish from what I presume.

Until a voice made the man lower his gun and turn his head to his left.