The five peso coin

(image from google images)

Scent from the flowers, cold breeze of the wind, leaves falling from the trees, and a sun hiding behind the clouds. I can still remember that emblematic moment when my new journey started. It was a journey that I never predicted before, nor imagined in my dreams. A journey that cured the blindness I didn't think I had. It made me see the little things which seemed obscure to the eyes but essential in its very own way. The one, which touches my heart, deeply.

28th of May, at the end of summer vacation, as I strolled down across the street on my way home, I noticed a little girl crying under a light post which was nearby to a food stand. She was shabby, small, skinny, dressed in a filthy tiny shirt filled with holes, no slippers, nor any foot wear that can protect her little feet from the ground. She was alone, in pain, in hunger. I witnessed how the merchant raised her voice just before the deprived young one in front of her customers. The little girl desperately besought for some food over and over but the hot-tempered lady didn't spare her some, instead, she insulted her and shoved her away.

The clients on the side had chosen not to mingle with the child, snubbed her, and then continued to enjoy their savory foods greedily. An agony was felt abruptly deep within my heart upon watching the dejected look of a stranded kid. How could they do this to her? No sympathy, no feel of guilt, or pity. I gazed at her for a while. I walked towards her while holding my pocket. How much did I have with me? Nothing was found except for a five peso coin. Ashamed, thinking if it can be a help to her, still, I offered it to her and told her to wait for me 'till I come back. She didn't say anything; just a pure smile on her face was the latter thing I saw.

Minutes later, the girl was nowhere to be found. Nothing of her trace was left. She must be gone by now, I thought to myself. A little patience may not be in her vocabulary, I guessed. I turned back, about to leave, but a misfortune had been approaching a few distance away from me. Loud noises were heard: screams of passersby, shrieks from the tires. All came from a similar direction. There I saw the little kid I was looking for, standing like a statuette. Will someone come to save her, rescue her? I presumed no. Poor little kid. But that very instant, my feet acquired its own life. It rapidly ran towards the girl. With that, I didn't know what happened then. All I could see was dark. Is this a delusion? Or a nightmare?