One glance, Big Impact
From a glance, to a simple smile that turns into friendship and simple acts of kindness can light up someone's world. It was scorching hot and my hands were pinkish and burning as the coldness of my favorite drink slowly ran down my insides. I was sitting on a bench at 7/11 Slurpee day with Katrina. I kept my eyes closed while enjoying every moment of the heavenly taste of my favorite Cherry Bomb flavored drink. I abruptly opened my eyes due to a sudden brain freeze and when my eyes accidentally passed by the other bench, I was stunned when a young boy was looking at me with his mouth opened.
The young boy noticed me looking, so he looked the other way. I did not concern myself about it and just continued drinking. Suddenly, There was a growling sound coming from my stomach, so Katrina teased me that there's a bear inside being noisy and told me that she would buy food for me… Yes, generous right? But I declined her request, for I didn't want her to cover my expenses. Then she responded, “Okay if that’s what you want, no free meals from the goddess, Baby .” She smirked at me and I just threw an annoyed face and rolled my eyes at her. While I was looking for my wallet, Katrina found her lunch box with leftovers so she got the brown paper from the packaging of my Slurpee, and stood to throw it in a bin. When I found my wallet I waited for her to arrive at our place but then while looking in her direction, I saw the young boy again - he was begging for some food to certain customers and passersby saying “Ate pahingi po ng pagkain…” yet no one noticed him, I witnessed a scene where his hand accidentally touch an upper class man’s arm while going out from his car and the young boy got a mouthful from him “ You...Filthy little thing! Don’t touch me! How muddy!” the young boy nodded sadly. I Wanted to punch the man badly but I don't want to make the situation worse. As the man went inside the store, the boy just sat on the dirty floor and wiped his tears. Then told himself “Okay lang yun, may masarap na pagkain sa basurahan...” He then stood and checked the bin. His eyes went wide when he saw Katrina’s leftover and exclaimed “may paaagkaeeeenn!” When Katrina arrived and sat beside me telling me to go buy food, I didn't move an inch and eyes settled on the young boy who was called by two little children “ Kuya Romyyy! ” Finally I know his name! - was the thing in my mind. Katrina was holding the sleeves of my uniform to get my attention, but I ignored her. The young boy named Romy was about to open the brown bag but it was spilled by a passerby who did not apologize and he did not feel anything at all but it made him shocked when the food that was on the road got crushed by a car! I got up immediately from my seat and I just shouted “ Wait moko, saglit lang yung mga bata!” left Katrina confused.
‘Rooomyyy!' I shouted. But he didn't look and his siblings hid by his side while I was getting near. I gave a pat on Romy’s back and looked at the two children beside him, telling them “Okay lang yun, tara punta tayo sa table namin…” Romy followed me sadly and guided his siblings. When we reached our table… I saw Katrina’s smiling face and she made the children sit down and cleaned our table with a table napkin and alcohol. I was not planning to give them money but give them food instead since I was about to eat too and also to make sure that the kids have something to eat. “ I’m gonna buy some food so that we have something to eat,Kat.” I said. But I don't have enough money to buy food for 4 but someone bothered my thoughts. Katrina held my arm and said “Let’s split the bill in half,dear.” I just smiled and got her wallet, she really knows how to read me. Carrying the food and drinks that I bought and some little snacks, I was by the glass door and saw them chatting happily. I got out from the store and put all our wallets in our bag. Katrina said “ here comes the food!” I smiled and told them “ I bought some 5 Giniling Tipid Meals, some biscuits and slurpee - the good thing is that when I ordered 4 slurpee only the cashier asked me “Why only 4? Lima keyo ‘di ba? Wala ka?” I shyly smiled and told him that I'm short of money then the cashier insisted to buy one for me “ Ililibre kita, nakakatuwa at inspiring ang ginawa mo, isa kang huwarang bata!” I grinned and they all looked so amazed and excited on what they heard when katrina translated what i’ve said to the kids! It’s time to eat But before that Katrina took some alcohol and sprayed some on the children’s hands and mine as well. We then distribute the meals, drinks and snacks are divided for the children. “ Etoh po si Mae at Mar, kayo po anong pangalan ninyo po?”
Saka... salamat po wala po kasi kaming pera pambili ng pagkain sumakabilang buhay na po kase si papa si mamang naman po may sakit ngaayon, sobrang bait niyo po, maraming salamat po” Katrina and I released a smile on our faces. I looked at her and she nodded, she was like telling me it's a green signal that I should respond. “ Salamat din, kahit wala kayong sapat na makain sa araw araw, pipiliin niyo pa ring maging mabuting tao, nang sa gayon ay lalaki kayong matulungin.Magsikap na matulungan ang mga magulang at maging isang responsableng tao.” I smiled and added “ Ako si Cassandra heto namang katabi ko ay si Katrina, masaya kaming makilala kayo Romy, Mar at Mae!” All of us smiled and continued eating but then Romy’s smile faded and shockingly looked at a brown haired girl younger than him, walking by to find food in the bin. The young boy stood ,let the girl sit beside him on our table and gave some food to the young girl named Marie, the young girl was shyly paraded forward by a beaming Romy! We really enjoyed ourselves and got along together.
The day has gone beautifully, and the sight of the beaming faces of Katrina and the children are stuck in my head. We all got along together and even made new friends! Kindness connects us. To show kindness is to reach out . To receive kindness is to accept and connect. Do not lose sight of the fact that simple acts of kindness and caring for others creates an endless ripple effect that comes back to you.