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| Drafts of Life "Drafts of Life" is a series of journals or stories that I shall be sharing from time to time. Some of these would require much reflection to gain the insights or messages hidden within them. Of course, names will be changed, and the main character of the story will not always be me.
September
29, 2002 - "Arithmetic Innocence" As he was coming down a long downwards path, he came across a simple stall. The stand was a humble display of poverty and helplessness. Manning the place was a little girl, about the age of 7. Selling candies to passersby, she seemed like a trapped being. The man pitied the girl, and decided to buy a few. After all, he thought, a little present to his brothers and sisters wouldn't be so bad. The following conversation ensued: Man:
Magkano isa nito? *points to a certain piece on the rack* Girl:
Seventy-five ho isa. Man:
*checks his pockets for change, and finds that he has only 4 coins
to spare* Kuha ako ng apat. [The man, thinking that he had done the girl a favor, does not take the full value of his money, hence, letting the girl "keep the change"] Girl:
Dalawa pa ho. [Somewhat flustered, the man takes two more candies and goes on his own way.]
October
3, 2002 - "Respect Your Elders" Well, straight to the rest of the story, an old lady suddenly approached my table (which was for four, but I was alone then) and sat on one of the chairs. Without speaking a word, she just came and sat there. I just glanced at her and resumed eating my day's "prize". I just let her sit there, since there wouldn't be anything to lose. I don't think an elderly woman like her would suddenly run away with my stuff. Midway through my meal, she took out a small pack of nuts and began to eat what seemed like her dinner. Yeah, you heard me. Nuts. She just sat and ate a bunch of nuts while I was feasting on a poor, cooked chicken. I felt the urge to just slap myself then, but I figured that it's not my fault that she's eating what she's eating, and that I'm eating what I'm eating. Nothing wrong in helping though. It turned out that she was waiting for someone (who came just about the time I left the table). So much for that, I don't think I'll see her again. Now that's about it. You probably didn't see the point of the story, but then again, I guess you should experience it for yourself.
November
9, 2002 - "Angel's Chance" Just when I was trying to figure out how I'd get to the place, a friend of mine offered to give me a ride there. Even though is was generally near my house, I still needed someone to bring me there. You see, I'm too lazy (and busy, emphasis on that) to get my driver's license. Anyway, come the play's delivery day, my friend forgot to fetch me and instead went to the mall beside the theater and played computer games with some of my friends. So, I had to take a cab to get to the mall. I was pissed as hell, but then, I guess I couldn't stand being angry so I just let it pass. I eventually found my friend, and the rest of the gang soon after. As we went to the theater, I was able to see a lot of weird people. Weird, because I seem to recognize all of them but then they all weren't familiar to me. The venue was just fitting for the play - the seats and the lighting effects were great. The play itself was quite interesting, although slightly dragging at times. Time flew by fast for me, probably because I was somewhat excited to get to the dinner that was going to be held soon after the play. I remembered that I wasn't going to ride with my friends going to the dinner, since I was supposed to be fetch then by my brother. We planned to go to mass first, and from there, my dad would bring me to the restaurant. As I was waiting, an old man approached me and said in a rather youthful voice, "Um, excuse me, would you know how far [ location ] is from here?" I didn't really know where [ location ] was from the theater, so I shook my head slowly and told him that I didn't know where that place was. He looked about sadly and sighed. However, he rephrased his question and told himself, "(translated) My ride came from [ location ] and it's taking a long time. I was wondering if it would take more than an hour to for them to get here." Now that he defined the place better, I was able to give him an estimate on the time it would take for his transportation to get to him. I knew then, what he was getting at, but I decided to see for myself what he wanted. I remember that I was holding my cell phone that time, and it was obvious that he wanted to call the person that would pick him up. After a few stories about himself, he sheepishly asked, "Do
you have a cell phone?" "May
I borrow it? I'll pay you." (takes out his wallet and tries
to pull out some money) It was kind of funny, since he was really embarassed then. He wouldn't even dial the number himself. After making the call, he gratefully returned the phone and revealed his identity. He told me a few stories, and I found out that he was from Canada, that he was here in the Philippines to visit the stores he owned. "Check It Out", as the place was named. Making a pun, he asked me to check out his store. It sold garments, among other things, he said. He offered to give me a discount, so I just accepted it since I thought it would've been rude to decline (I don't think I'd be visiting soon though, I'm still somewhat busy). He continued to tell more about himself, and things were lost in the conversation. "Well, it was nice meeting you." He shook my hand and told me that as he was entering his friend's car. I felt good, for some reason. We didn't even ask for each other's names - we just talked as if we knew each other already. Funny, he even offered me a cigarette. That day really was different. I was able to get something unexpected just for helping this old man. He was even the one who approached me. It was on that day that I got a discount. It was also on that day that I was able to find a new friend, who I'll probably never see again.
Copyright 2004, Chase |
