Humanity

by Jocelyn Camilo

The church looks attractive especially when sunset begins. Every edge gives meaningful and creative messages. The saints shine on its way from outside and the silence gives peace of mind.

 Rung! Rung! Rung!  The bell rang. The last mass on that evening has ended. A crowd of people went out of the church at the same time the noise of street vendors begun.

“Balot! Penoy! Balot Penoy kayo dyan!” – Tatang said.

“Sampaguita! Murang mura na!” he added.

Tatang is the caretaker of the old church since he was 20 years old. He is a kind and generous person. He never sees being caretaker as a job but a gift of God. He never failed to do his job in a day. This is also the place where he got married to his one and only loved whose name is Aling Tenny but unfortunately she died with an unknown reason.

There are some gossips that Aling Tennny died because of “kulam” ( a form of magic, specifically natural magic that puts emphasis on on the innate power of the self and a secret knowledge of  Majica Baja or low magic yet Tatang never agreed with the idea or gossips..

Although Aling Tenny died early she got pregnant.

During her labour  Tatang was at the church. When Tatang came home he found Aling Tenny bloody and their son is gone.

Tatang remember his conversation with his wife years ago.

Until now, Tatang cannot recover of what happened to his son.

Tatang is now 72 years old and still don’t have any updates and news on his long lost son until Tatang died.

Harry: If I will die now or tomorrow, God! My Almighty God! I plead you! Please take care of me and give me the strength to overcome all the problems I may encounter wherever I am. I’m not as strong as I used before but I promise that I will worship you until the last breath of my life. (Kneeling inside the Cathedral) Please assure to me that the person next to my sit is the one that can help me to undergo for a surgery.

Jack: (Meditating) God! I’ve been through a lot of discrimination; my family never gives emotional support to me. They see me as nothing. Give me strength to carry on and overcome this darkest part of my life. I know I'm not as good as they want me to be. Give me the courage and intelligence to show to them that they were wrong of their judgements. In Jesus name, AMME

Harry: Ehemmm!

Jack: Amen

Harry: You look terrible sir!

Jack:  Yes?

Harry: Ahaha! I'm sorry to disturb you. My name is Harry. I used to pray in this church.

Jack:  Seriously? ahmmmmahh

Harry:  Harry sir!

Jack: Harry you’re a great. This church was nice and attractive. It suits my photography.

Harry: What is your name Sir?

Jack: Jack Mendeguarin, 24 years old.

Harry: I know it is our first meet up but I want to ask you a favor.

Jack: Huh??? Are you kidding me boy?

Harry: No, I'm not. Mr. Jack…. Uhh uhhmm (cough) I think you are the answer to my prayers. Please!!! I beg you!

Jack: What is it?

Tatang: Before I gone in this world, please promise that you will help me to undergo a surgery.

Jack: I’ll think of it.

 Jack went to his next destination. He needs to capture some one of kind photos that will catch the eye of the people. A photo with a deep message will be better.

Jack: This place was not interesting. I couldn’t see anything or anyone to capture here. Oh God! I'm so tired to prove myself. Jack! You can do this. (channeling his inner positivity).

After taking some photos, He remembers Harry.

Jack: That loner asking for my help? I better not think of him.

Three days later, Jack and his team went back to their work place located at Olongapo.

Mr. Xu: (Jack’s boss) We have another competitors and we need to go beyond their standards. I need to have new photos taken anywhere here in the Philippines. I will give you only one week to finish it all. Is that clear?

Jack: But Sir!  We had new photos here. You want to see some of them?

Mr. Xu: I did already. Are you complaining?

Jack: No sir! My point is

Mr. Xu:  I have my final decision. And because you’re contradicting me Jack. I am assigning you for this project.

Jack: huh? Sir !

Mr. Xu : Goodluck!

That day Jack was too nervous of where he should go to take photos and show it to Mr. Xu.

Jack: My boss is really out of his mind. Why he chose me? I know I want to prove something but not in this way. Uggh

After an hour of thinking of a nice place, he decided to go back on Harry’s place and offer him to be his model. When he arrived at the Cathedral he asked the boy cleaning the church.

Jack: May I know where is the child with hydrocephalous?

Boy: Harry?

Jack: yes. Where is he?

Boy: He is inside. Are you his relatives?

Jack: No. Thank you!

 Jack decided to go inside to offer a business with Harry.

Harry: Will you now going to help me? Mr. Jack?

Jack: Ofcourse! With one condition.

Harry: What is it Sir?

Jack: Be my model.

Harry: Sure Sir! (With a huge smile on his face)

Harry was really thankful that his wish was finally granted. He never expects that a stranger will help him. Although there are conditions but still Harry was feel so blessed. A day after Jack went at the church; He started to take some photos of Harry. He posted a photo of Harry on social media with a caption “idiot.”

 Three days later, the photo shoot was done. Harry was too excited that finally he will be normal. He waited for an hour but the Jack he was expecting never come.

Harry: I will never be normal anymore. I will just wait for my right time in heaven to look normal! (Crying)

One night, A call came from a charity that are willing to help Harry.

Jack:  Yes?

Charity Group: May I ask for Harry?

Jack:  That Idiot?

Charity Group: The boy with the Hydrocephalous condition.

Jack: Why help him? He is nothing in this world.

Charity Group: Never underestimate those disable person. They looks abnormal but they acts normal than you!

Jack realized what he made Harry feel that he broke his promise. Harry agrees with what he wants but he never acts humane with Harry.

Jack: I am so selfish. I don’t know how to treasure the things that given to me. I'm so stupid that I ignore a simple wish of a child.

Jack decided to go back to the Cathedral to say sorry for what he did to Harry. He realizes that he became unfair of what Harry deserves to have. When he came back at the cathedral he saw Father.

Jack: May I know where is Harry sir?

Father: Harry?

Jack: Yes Father, the child with a congenital hydrocephalous.

Father: I knew it. He died already

Jack: Wh hat?

Jack felt sorry that he never did something good for Harry. He abused the power given to him. He doesn’t know what to do but to cry with full of regrets.