A kid came up to me this afternoon and asked if I was to ride a taxi ( so he could call one for me, and I would pay him 5 bucks for his calling services.) I said I wouldn't be needing his assistance. He then proceeded to beg for coins. The usual "sige na kuya... konting barya lang po." He then looked at me in the face and said, "diba ikaw yung nagsabing 'I'll give you next time?' ito na ho yun. Pahingi po ng barya." I really didn't have coins, and I really din't tell him I would give him "next time." He kept on bothering me. He followed me for a good 200 meters. I basically pleaded him to stop. "Sorry talaga. Wala akong barya Hindi ako yun. He then stopped in his tracks, and tears started to form in his eyes. This is a boy of 12 or so. He then looked staight at me and said, "Pasapak nalang kuya. Kahit isa lang. Kahit malipasan ng gutom. Pasapak lang." I was dumbfounded. This is the reality of desperation. He truly believed I had promised him some coins. He truly believed he would get them. He was truly disappointed. The threat was unimportant. He deserves more than promises of coins from apathetic passersby. He is my brother. He is my countryman. It was we that from the beginning introduced him into a world of lack. The only bits of hope he has, we strip from him. I deserve to be hit. I deserve to suffer for this injustice. We deserve nothing more that to suffer for injustice.
I looked at him, and remorse fell throughout my body. At that second, he was beyond me. He was higher than the tall proud atenean collegiate that stood before him. I, and the social class I so stauntly defended are left to experience these realities. He is my brother.
He never hit me. He simply walked away. I was left with a choice. We are left with a choice.
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