Three months ago when my daughter and I went to the grocery we also bought 1 sack of rice. It was heavy but I was forced to purchase because we run out of rice. As we reached home we learned that the big male in the house was still in school, my husband is out of town and my second son was assigned in the province. It was a big problem to haul the sack into our house after, the ill-mannered taxi man dropped our baggage and start his taxi in full sped after he dropped the sack of rice, the groceries and received the fare.

Though our baggage are dropped five meters away from the gate we can’t live the rice and just watch it till my third son will come home because it was raining a little. The rain will soak the rice in two hours time. Luckily an old man who happens to be a frequent passer in our street had offered his help. So we brought the rice inside the house. This man is maybe on his late sixty. He then told me that his help is twenty five pesos. I just stared at him, smiled and say thank you. He then left and said (asala malaykum). It’s a Muslim words which means peace be with you. I am not selfish or an advantageous person but the reason that, I did not pay the old man because I was thinking that, he is joking. I was also insinuating that he might be insulted if I will hand him twenty five pesos.

This old man is clean. His looks, I can say that he had worked hard when young and save enough for his old age. It was my impression that turns out to be wrong because only last Friday, I learned that the payment he asked me was really meant. I saw this man carrying bags of groceries. I was behind them because I was going to the tailor. I was heading to the street they are passing. At the store his lady companion gave him twenty pesos after he puts down the things he carried.

It’s only a house away from the tailor’s house. I then asked the tailor who was that man and he said. Ah, that old man lives down the slope with his wife said the tailor. Then I learned that aside from his pension, he earns extra income from hauling things, and that his three children live afar from them. I go home with so much guilt. I should have paid the old man but how can I do that now, maybe he forgot already what I should owe him. I should have known it. I was too clueless about the situation. The thought that I disappoint an old man’s request really bothers me. I wish I will need his help again. Bad me, I should have attempted to give him the twenty five before I say thank you.

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