A pair of photo-journalists share a handrail: “They say this used to be one of the busiest places in the World.”

“Here? No way, I find that hard to believe. I’m not falling for that again.” 

“It’s true, I read an article last week, I’ve seen photos. Standing room only! If that!” 

“What happened? They poisoned everyone?” He laughs.  

The other man looks around, his eyes scanning the train: “Keep your voice down! Are you stupid!?” 

Then in a hushed tone:

“We’re not meant to talk about it…”

At least once a week, the old man would hop on the tram at precisely 3:15pm. The same time that he used to see her on the tram going the opposite way. He has a plan, you see. Once he sees her again, he will get off this tram at the next stop, hail a taxi and catch up to her tram. Then he will get on, find her at her seat and introduce himself. 

The beginning of the most beautiful love story of his life, the man says to himself. 

The same thing he has been telling himself this for the past ten years. 

• Photo taken in Hong Kong 2020 on 35mm (Kodak Ultramax 400)
  

I didn’t think we would meet,

But I wanted to know more,

Everything. 

I never feel this way

Ever. 

It gave me hope,

It was a special time.

But we never did get to meet. 

Did we?