As we got into the cab, the look on the driver’s face just gave it all. There was an air of sadness and quietness, and his face…it was blank…
…and so we rolled and passed EDSA….seeing: EDSA’s hustle and bustle with cars, trucks and buses all trying to squeeze in around you, honking and tailgating…but the driver managed to squeeze us out of the tangled mess just in the nick of time…
As we got closer to the U-Turn Slot by Mcdonald’s Quezon Ave., the driver answered his mobile phone and spoke quietly. But of course, we heard what he said…and as he spoke, I was able to put the story together…I felt this huge pain in my chest, and my excitement to go to our destination suddenly faded…my heart was beating so fast…
I wanted to cry as I listened…but then he cried…I could hear him sobbing and his face, as I saw it on the rear-view mirror, was that of a heartbroken old man…
As we passed around the Quezon City Memorial Circle, I noticed him taking some folded money out of the cigarette box, it was just a small amount…I really had to ask him…I just had to because the pain inside me was excruciating. He didn’t have enough money to pay for the bills in the hospital, because he only had a few trips. His two children got into an accident the night before, one survived, the other didn’t make it…
He said, “mahirap talaga kung wala kang pambayad sa ospital…” (it’s really hard if you don’t have money to pay the hospital)
I felt so helpless, because we didn’t have enough money to spare him, so I just prayed to myself that God would help him with his pain and grief…that someone would help him…It’s Christmas Time and we’re all supposed to be happy…I prayed hard for him in those few minutes as tears rolled down my face…
Our trip was P80 in total, we could only spare him a few extra, so we gave him P200. I just patted his shoulder as I was stepping out and told him that everything will be alright…He looked at me, and a tiny smile filled his saddened face…
At least when I got out of the cab, I felt relieved that the little extra was a big difference…
That short trip did strike me in the most deepest sense – it was a little reality check, a reminder of the truths about life…
Soon after that, we were able to buy the car that we've always wanted...
When you share your blessings to others, they too will share you their blessings...
How sad his life was. But thanks to you for praying to other people like him.
ReplyDeleteThough you forgotten something there, still you did great at that time.
Yes it is sad, but I am thankful knowing that his life will go on..
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. It really feels good when you have touched someone's life in the most unusual way...
Cheers to you! ;)