The Stranger That I Know

It was a perfect mid summer day and it is the last day of my final exam. Last night I counted the loose change I save everyday for the whole semester and bingo, I can take a vacation at the beach and stay there for three days, making me glad because I can wear my swimming gadgets again. My regular work-out at the gym keeps me in good shape fitted for my swimming spree. So this evening I’m set to go to the beach to take a break after the whole semester’s pressure.

Despite the hardships I encountered everyday by working part time and attending college, I still consider myself lucky, another semester is over, another achievement on my part, yet I can still afford to relax by doing my favorite sports.

My motive is to finish my education and the future would be a guarantee for success. I need to rise above the ordinary. I don’t want to regret later and whine and stand along the road of despair. Everyday I pray for guidance. One day, I realized that I am indeed above the ordinary by noticing a particular person in the midst of the sea of faces I encounter everyday. I usually pass him everyday on my way to school. He sits there watching the sun rise as if saying, “it’s a beautiful day”. Like me also thanking God for the new day.

When I go home on late evenings, the man in dirty clothes is still at that same spot. This time he is unfolding the “cartons” as his comfort for the night. I’m already having my dinner but I can’t forget him. I am lying of my soft bed and thinking how many people is like that old man. What touches me most is his smile whenever I look at him as if saying, “It’s a pleasant morning isn’t it?” I smile back but his eyes turn blank and stare as if looking at something from afar.

One time I attended a party. I can’t help but ask for a take home. The host profusely agreed. Three pieces of fried chicken and shanghai lumpia which I carefully wrapped after thanking the celebrator. I took a taxi and proceeded to the favorite spot of the stranger. I was greeted by the cartoons still unfolded and a few old newspapers as if telling me that they don’t have a companion tonight. I walked home wondering.

In the morning I went back to that man’s favorite spot and the baon is still with me. But the old man is not there to greet the rising sun.

After a week I learned that the old man was side swept by a car driven by drunk teenagers while he is scavenging the garbage for food. If I had been on time to hand him my gift probably I would still be seeing the old man wearing that smile to greet the passers by.

In our busy life, how many strangers catch our attention? How many of them touch our hearts and above all inspire us to go on, making us believe that we are above the ordinary? He is a stranger to me but I’ll be missing him – the lessons he taught me, the way he greeted the new day. The way he smiled. Each gesture saying “Life is simple and beautiful…”