As I was clearing up some files from my old laptop, I suddenly came across a document file of an english project I had back from high school about nine years ago and thought about reading it. Here it goes:

           “When will my reflection show who I am inside..”, the main character from the movie I was watching ended up her lovely song. It was already midnight and I have difficulty getting into sleep. I was alone in the dark living room staring blankly at the television in front of me. I could not comprehend anymore what I was watching and my eyes were blinded by the bright lights coming from the screen. It was “Mulan” that I was watching, one of my favorite movies. A story of a girl who was known to give dishonor to her family but later will turn out to be well-known person all over China. A good example of a person from being a ‘nobody’ to being a ‘somebody’. It was our topic in English class and I need to recall the movie to be able to relate myself in our discussion on how to become a somebody someday.

             I am starting to get sleepy and my eyes were tired of the blinding light. For a while, I rested my eyes by staring into the darkness. And then, slowly, I closed my eyes. I felt a bit relaxed. When I opened my eyes, I saw myself in the middle of a huge crowd. “How were you able to come up with the cure, Prof?” I was in the middle of a conference with all great scientists waiting for my answer. “Research and hard work, spending all my time in the laboratory.” I said confidently, with a big smile on my face. “Well done!” the head of the doctors exclaimed and shook hands with me. “Thank you, sir, for the opportunity you gave to publicly announce my new discovery.” I said as the crowd gave me a loud applause. Minutes later and everyone was gone. Some went home, others went back to work. And I, alone at the middle of the hall, stood still. Imagining the recognition I have received a while ago. “I can’t believe I have come this far.” I whispered to myself, then moved out of the empty room. As I was walking, people smiled and greeted me warmly. “Good morning, Ma’am.” And I replied with a sweet smile. After a long walk through the corridors, I headed towards the laboratory. There I spent my time discovering new breakthroughs in science. I was never tired of conducting tests.

             Lunch break came and I was invited by my co-workers to have lunch with them. On a fancy restaurant, I saw a familiar face on the table beside ours. She stared at me, I stared back at her. “Is that Shiela?” I uttered silently, unaware of the conversation happening at our table. The woman approached me and said, “Aileen, it’s been several years since we last met. I heard your success.” “Thank you. And how are you?” I replied. “I’m doing great, travelling to different parts of the world. I’m here to meet our classmate Maridelle. She has been famous for all her art works. Have you heard about it?” “Yes. And I have seen one of her works at the Museum.” I said. It was fun being able to chat with your friends and I felt I was more fulfilled than before. We parted ways as I left and went back to my laboratory.

             Exhausted from work, I opened the television for entertainment. There I saw another familiar face. It was Krychelle, promoting her fast growing business. She has grown a successful business woman. “Maybe she’s already negotiating with foreign investors.” I said with happiness for my friend’s success. Then, I continued with my experiments.

             Hours had passed and I grew tired. I thought my tests were going well when all of a sudden, I miscalculated something and a minor explosion happened. A fire started and burned a portion of my lab. “Help! Help!” I shouted. In the middle of the disaster, no one came and I was left alone inside the smoked room. I shouted once again with more power. Then, I heard a voice. “Wake up! Wake up! You’re only dreaming. I got confused and when I opened my eyes, my mother was in front of me asking me what was going on. “Huh? N-no, Nothing.” I told her. She left me staring blankly in the middle of the cold air. It was already morning and I have slept and left the movie still playing last night. Luckily I wasn’t scolded for being irresponsible. When I glanced at the clock hanging in the wall I was shocked to see that classes will start in less than an hour. I jumped out of the sofa where I have slept and acted quickly to prepare myself for school.

             “Now I value life and studies more than I value it before.” I said as I was walking towards our classroom.

             When I entered the room, it was still the same. My classmates were still doing their habitual actions. All were noisy and everything’s a mess. Then our English teacher, Ms. Marieta entered the class. “Good morning people.” “Good morning, Ma’am.” We answered. “I want you to write a story about what will happen to you 20 years from now.” I was puzzled. And at the same time felt excited about it. “I guess I already knew what to do.” I smirked then proceeded in writing my story.

(end)

After reading, I could not help but think how I was able to write this piece and how unbelievably relevant it is to my current situation. I am currently faced with bumps and rocky roads in my life now but this writing made me realize that this is really what I want. Back then and until now, nothing has changed. My path maybe blurred and foggy but my dreams are crystal clear. Someday, in someway, may it be within those 20 years from the time I wrote this or more, this writing will no longer be a prediction from the sixteen year old me, but rather my reality.