A Help with Guilt

by Justine R. Puertollano

         The sun slowly set at the west of the city. The deafening sound of the bell gives a signal to the vendors that they should be ready. The numerous footsteps started to be heard all over the place. The sweet-scented smell of ilang-ilang and sampaguita, carried along by the cool breeze help people to become at ease. However, some people are in a hurry, wiping the beads of sweat on their foreheads.

         The Cathedral is a place which shows that Filipinos are God centered people at the same time it pictures out the state of poverty in our county. There are people who solely depend in selling beside the place. There are children who are not able to get a good education because they are forced to work to help their parents to make a living. There are children who were left behind by their parents. They are those poor little children who were abandoned. 

          Among those children, one of them is the boy named Harry. He is a seven-year-old boy who is in a pitiable condition. He has a hydrocephalus that burdens him for a long time now. As people pass by to him, he always sees the disparaging look of them as if they condemn him. It is not new to him but he feels like the world is so unfair that they are trying to blame him for something that he never wanted to be. He wishes that he could be one of those children who live happily with their parents. He is at this deep thought when he heard the loud crowd so he came back to his senses. 

          He tries to reach out the people, pleading them to buy the sampaguita on his hands. Even in his difficult situation, he is grateful that there people who has a good heart. Some people buy three or more sampaguita but others just ignore him. Not long enough, a few people were only left on the place. Harry is keenly observing the people when his eyes laid on the family taking pictures. Their photographer is a short man who must be new to the place because he never saw him before. There seems to be a commotion because the woman, whom he assumes to be the mother, is yelling at the photographer. The man takes three more shots before saying goodbye. 

         On the other hand, Jack a twenty-four-year-old photographer is very upset. The woman kept complaining that he was not able to take a good picture of them. She told him that he will not become a famous photographer because he can’t find a good angle. Despite of that, he was able to hold his fury and apologize. He took three more pictures of them before finally saying goodbye. It is true that he is not a famous photographer but this is the first time that someone complained to him which really disappoints him. He decided to work here after resigning from his work because he really wanted to become a well-known photographer through his own perseverance. Her mother always tells him to aim for something else aside from e being a photographer but he always ignores her. In fact, he made a list of the things that he needs to do in order to achieve his dream. His thoughts started to overcome his positivity so he decided to get up and go for a walk.

      

          He is taking pictures while studying the place when suddenly, his camera focus on a group of boys who are mocking another child. He was surprised for a moment seeing the poor condition of the child they are bullying. The boy burst in tears, he is not able to do anything to depend himself to them. He can’t stand hearing the heartbreaking words they throw on him. His heart melts and before he knew it he is walking toward them. It seems like the kids notice that he is going on their way so they hurriedly leave the boy crying. He handed his handkerchief to the boy and wait for him to calm down. When he seems to feel better, he introduced himself and he learned that the boy’s name is Harry. There is a moment of silence between them. Jack breaks the deafening silence and cheer up the boy. He asked Harry where his parents are, he did not answer immediately. He seems to be hesitant at first, thinking if he is going to answer or not. In the end, the boy speaks up. Tears started to roll down his face again. Jack learned that Harry was left by his parents almost a year ago. Before then, his parents quarrel everyday because of his condition until one morning he just found himself at the gate of the church. He cried at first but those tears did not bring him back to his parents. He became used to it, he learned how to live among other people whom he never known. Jack suddenly feels ashamed of himself. He only thinks about how he can achieve his dream and there is this child who is striving so hard in order to survive. He’s lost for words in a moment. He feels so sorry for Harry and he feels mad at his parents. Why did they left him well in fact he needed them the most? He tries to lighten up the atmosphere. He diverts his attention to his camera and shows him pictures he has taken. Harry felt amused with the pictures and soon the atmosphere changed. They watched the sunset holding the same hope they have for tomorrow. An hour had past when Jack bids goodbye to Harry. He promised him that he will visit him often. 

         When Jack arrived home, he reviews the picture that he has taken today. He saw the picture of the scene earlier when the kids bullied Harry. He doesn’t know that he had taken picture of them. He thinks for a while and an idea came up to his mind. His ambitious mindset is on again. If he’s going to post the picture of Harry with the pitiful caption with it, many people will like it. In that way, people will take interest on his pictures and in return, Harry may receive help from other people. He is indecisive at first but afterwards, he gets his laptop and continues to do so. He waited for a moment and not long after he posted the picture many people sympathize with Harry. He turns his laptop of, a smile forms in his lips but there’s guilt in his heart. At that night, he could hardly sleep.