The Rainbow After the Rain

by Cristell Mae Geron

They said that the best view comes after the hardest climb. I’ve been through the highest mountain, I’ve reached the peak of it and I am sure that it was tough but why can’t I still see the beauty of life? 

It’s already five in the afternoon when the mass ended. It was a gloomy day so stayed for few more minutes in the Cathedral. It was a perfect scenario to blame him. I was never really this kind of person. I was not a guilty of hating everybody most especially that he is God but I’ve already reached my limitation. He has exceeded the patience I have been holding for a long time. You can’t blame me. I’ve been fighting for so long and yet I haven’t receiving any in return. Why is life so unfair? There is no justice when you don’t have money, power and authority. Everything is in chaos. I hate it. I am done with this. I’m done helping myself to be good enough for anybody. 

“If this will be the last time you see me kneeling on your church, remember it is not my fault. It was never my fault.” It was the last words I said to him. I don’t know what have gotten into me. I cannot control my emotions. All I am looking for was a person to blame for everything that is happening to me. And he is the only person who hears my frustration. Why does it feel that he betrayed me now? Did he forget me already? Did God already neglect this unfortunate child who was constantly asks him for help? Never mind.

          I am Jack, living in this lonely world for 24 years and an orphan. I was a photographer for almost five years. I capture everything that gives me warmth and I am expecting that one day, a famous photographer named Andre Istvan will notice my photos and arts. Every photographer knows how good and famous he is. He is such an inspiration. Once a month I am sending a letter to him with the photos I captured hoping that one day he’ll give me a chance to work with him. Aiming high isn’t a bad thing. 

            Photography gives me life. I love to capture everything that catches my attention. For me, it is once in a lifetime moment that needs a memory to look at. I love photography not until they rejected the best shot I gave to them. I was hoping that in that day all of my hard works will pay off. I am expecting to reach the top but I lost my chance to a newbie who happened to be our Mayor’s daughter. Sure her works are good but mine was better. And I am worked for it for almost a year and yet they neglect it? How could them!

            I am excited. This is the day that I’ve been waiting for. I finally got the chance to be famous in our field. I am so near to the achievements that I am longing for a long time. We held an auction for every photos we captured and I am a hundred and one percent sure that my photos and arts will be displayed on it. On my best suit I went at the hall and confidently smile at the guests. I have never been this sure in my entire life. I got inside the hall and boom! I instantly regretted the entering that hell. I saw no sign of the photos I submitted. I felt ashamed and disappointed at the same time. I’ve been through a lot to take those photos but it went all blank because this happened. And the burden went up when I saw that most of the guests are politicians. This is all insane!

          I was devastated. I realized that some people are after money. Some are using others to get on top. And some are just like me, a nobody. I resigned in an instant after receiving that embarrassment. I was not born to be deceived by anybody.

Here I am now, living my life in hunger and stress. Questioning where is the reward of hard works that I’ve exerted. Life is too cruel for a person with nothing to offer. That’s a given fact. Anything in this world requires money and power.

            On my way home I saw an amusing yet sad scenario that made me capture the whole image. It was a child maybe around seven years old with SAMPAGUITA on his hands. He seems so happy every time a person buys his flowers. I came closer to him and didn’t expect this coming. It was an unbearable feeling of loneliness I felt when I realized that he has hydrocephalus. I went near to him and ask him, 

           “Hi! What is your name young child?” I ask.

           “I’m Harry, Mister.” He replied.

           “How are you?” I keep on talking.

           “I am perfectly fine mister! How about you?” he enthusiastically said. Now I wonder, how does some people stay positive even if there is so much of pain already.

           

            We keep on talking and he mention that when he was five his parents left him on the church here in Cathedral. So he did not go anywhere because he is hoping that one day, his parents will realize that they love him and come back. Also, he will embrace them really tight never mentioning the cruelty he received from them. He is still innocent of the happenings in the world. Poor child, a victim of brutal and inhumane mind and irresponsibility. Somehow, I can relate to Harry’s situation. I was an orphan at early age and lived alone. That’s another story.

            It’s getting late in the evening so I ask him to come with me because I will let him sleep in my apartment because it’s getting colder outside. He hesitated at first because of the hope that maybe his parents will come so I assure him. I told him that we will come back here tomorrow morning and with that he came with me. 

            I felt contentment in life when I heard of his situation. I felt inspired also. People are always complaining of what they had and never realize that there’s someone out there who literally had nothing. We should always be thankful of what we have, it is God’s plan. And fate will bring you into where you really belong. 

After that, I ask for his forgiveness for blaming him of what happened and thanking Harry for being an instrument for me to realize everything.

          Day after, I received a letter from Hungary and it is from Andre Istvan!

         “ A pleasant day to you Jack. I already received the photos you sent! You’re such a good photographer. I love the images you captured also the quality. I saw the hidden meaning of every photos and its felt so satisfying in my heart. Now, if really want to work with me, please send me your best shot. It must be the best you’ve ever got. With that I’ll consider your request. Thank you and have a good day ahead!”

            I can’t explain the joy and happiness I am feeling. I’m speechless. I look at Harry who is peacefully sleeping at my… our bed. He is indeed and angel sent from above. Thank you, Lord!