What if?

Chapter 64: Reflect

Nick

I was still trying to calm myself because of what Michael did to me. Suddenly Janice loudly shouted. I turned to look at her and she was breathing heavily. Michael and I then looked upfront and because of it, we were all able to see the reason why Janice reacted that way. It was only because there was an old woman walking with a walking cane. After seeing the old woman, my heart felt heavy and I had teary eyes at the same time because she was having a hard time already and some of the drivers are complaining because she is too slow. 

“s**t!” I cursed at myself. I opened the door hastily while Michael and Janice were talking with each other. I couldn’t even tell Janice that I would go and help the old woman. I was not able to bear all the people doing that to the old woman without even trying to consider her situation. 

I ran towards the old woman until I was able to come near her. “Let me help you.” I said as I grabbed her hand and placed it in my arm so I will be her guide in walking. I did not wait for her to say yes because I immediately grabbed her hand softly. 

The old woman tightened her hold on my arms. As we were walking I heard the old woman sigh. I think she really was tired of walking by herself. 

We walked faster than she was on her own. I also noticed that the people who kept complaining at first became quiet. 

“Thank you.” The old woman said as soon as we reached the bus stop which is the end of the pedestrian lane. 

I think that the woman started walking on the pedestrian lane when it was RED which means that the cars should stop so the pedestrians can walk. But the case might be that the old woman walked so slow that the time passed already for pedestrians to walk. 

I know that people are not all the same because we are meant to be different from each other so we have the chance to be unique. My heart ached because of the old woman’s situation but it doesn’t mean that I should be mad at the people that were shouting and mad at her while she was walking. The thing is, I am extremely sad to see her in that situation with no help from others. 

I understand other people since it is their choice to do whatever they want and it is beyond our control to tell other people to be kind. It is just that it is so sad to see. I hope that they were able to see what I did and try to reflect so they can do what I did in the future. 

They were quiet so maybe they just did. 

“It is okay. I am glad that I was able to help.” I said and smiled at the same time to lift herself up. “You are a kind boy. Your parents might be very happy to have you.” The old woman said to me. “Thanks.” I replied back to her.

I suddenly felt hot. I think that I was flattered by what she just said. “By the way, I have to go now. Be safe!” The old woman said and started to walk. “Wait!” I said as I quickly blocked her way.

“Huh?” The old woman replied in shock. May I know where you are going?” I asked the old man. Actually I just asked her this but whatever her answer will be, I will let her jump in our car and let our driver drive her to the destination that she ought to go. 

“I am going to the foundation.” The old woman replied. I wondered what the foundation was because I am not that familiar with such things. “It is a place where people with disabilities go since some parents have a hard time taking care of them. Some are even orphans.” The old woman said to me. 

“Really?” I asked to make sure because I already have something in my mind. Michael’s birthday is near and the plan that we talked about is about to come and here in front of me is a person from a foundation that wants to celebrate my brother’s birthday. “How come? Whaa!” I said to myself as I tried to master all my thoughts. 

“I am one of the people who are nursing the kids there.” The old woman said. I looked at her upside down but in a way that she will not find it disrespectful. “But she is old. She can’t even walk properly.” I said to myself. 

“Oh! Sorry, what was your name again?” I asked as I remember that I have not asked her name yet. 

“Linda. My name is Linda.” The old woman answered. So Linda is her name. “I see. My name is Nick Travera. Let us go this way. That is our car there. Let us hop in together and we will drive you there.” I said to Linda as I also pointed out a car that was now at the side of the road. Maybe because of waiting the driver just moved to the side where the car can stay without people complaining. 

“O--okay. Thank you.” Linda said while smiling widely. We both started walking towards where the car was. “By the way, may I ask your age?” I asked. “I am 85 years old.” Linda answered immediately. “What? I mean sorry. Why are you walking by yourself? You should have someone with you and why are you still working in the foundation?” I asked questions as soon as I heard her answers. I could not believe what I just heard from her. 

“Don’t worry, I can still take care of the kids. By the way I help there, I don’t work. They give me a place to live in the foundation, food to eat as well as happiness. The thing that I went outside is that because there is a mother of one of the kids in the foundation that I met. She asked to meet me because she wanted to ask how her child is doing. She left her child in the foundation when she was 1 year old because she didn't have enough money.” Linda explained to me the reason why she is outside. 

“What if she tries to help the foundation like you. Well the case if you have a family. It will be a bit difficult… I think.” I said to Linda. 

“I am single and have no family of my own. That is why I stayed in the foundation. The mother is the same, I actually offered her the thing that you just said. The mother said yes and will go to the foundation on Monday. That was what she told me.” Linda replied back to me. “That is a good thing. I think her child will be happy about it.” I said to Linda.

“I think so too. We don’t hide the truth to the kids in the foundation about their parents and so on. The child is already 6 years old. The child is a good boy.” Linda said while smiling widely. She can’t hide her smile from the people around her because it is so pure. 

“Yeah. Oh by the way, we are here.” I said to Linda and opened the door for her.

“Hi! She will come with us.” I said and let her sit in the front seat with the driver. “Thanks.” Linda said after I helped her get inside the car. “This is Janice and Michael, my brother.” I said to Linda as I pointed at them. “Hello!” Janice and Michael said at the same time with wide smiles. “Hi.” Linda said shortly, trying to look at them from the front. 

“Oh, whereto?” Janice looked and asked me as soon as I opened the door at the back. “Uhmm… Foundation.” I replied back. “What foundation?” Janice and the driver asked at the same time. “Oh sorry. It is the Barcelona Foundation.” Linda replied on my behalf because I didn’t know. 

“Ohh!!! I see.” Janice said. “Let me fasten your seatbelt.” The driver said to Linda and fastened her seatbelt for her. I smiled gently as I saw what the driver said. This is something that I want to see everyday. 

The driver started the car. I noticed that Michael was being quiet so I turned to look at him. He was just looking straight and serious. “What is wrong with him? A while ago he was cheerful to greet Linda and all of a sudden he looks like he doesn't want to talk?” I said to myself as soon as I noticed his behavior.