This Leads Me to You

by Jamel O. Unday

            The golden sun is about to set when the mass for the day has ended. The enormous crowd begin to vacate the church’s vicinity while the cold breeze from Mt. Malarayat touches their souls behind their thick hoodies. The aroma of the native delicacies sold outside the church creates soothing smell that goes through their hungry stomachs. Harry panics as he has seen the huge crowd bursting out from the pillars of the church. He is holding a bunch of not so fresh Sampaguita flowers that he needs to sell and buy some food for his daily living. This young lad is seven years old, with a rare condition that is seldom found in any individual. Harry has hydrocephalus, a condition of the brain in which excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up within the ventricles (fluid-containing cavities) of the brain and may increase pressure within the head. (www.aans.org)

Despite his condition, he still manage to wear his precious smile while marketing his Sampaguita flowers to the church-goers. He is living alone as his parents left him in the sidewalk beside the old electric post near the church. Whenever he sees a complete family going to church, he feels pity for himself for he can’t have his own family. He keeps it in mind that someday, someone will help and want him to be part of their family. He is optimistic that when that moment comes, he is surely be happiest person in the world.

            Jack on the other hand, rushed to church as he is planning to take some photos that might help him become one of the famous photographers in the country. Capturing unique photos with different sorts of stories through his high resolution lenses depicted in his camera is a fulfilling part of his blooming career. A career that may lead him to fame and popularity. Though he may not be as tall as a basketball player, leaps high as a middle blocker of a volleyball team but this 4”9’ young man’s dream of becoming a professional photographer is as high as the mountain that is harder to climb. This medium built man is nurtured by his ever loving and supportive parents who have poured down to him the values, mercy, and compassion towards others. As he reaches the domes of the church, he starts capturing images that comes from different angles, different subjects but should contain different stories that will surely please his followers. As he is roaming his camera around the church, he is amazed as he is seeing a young boy who has a unique condition is selling Sampaguita. He follows the boy as he keeps on capturing photo. He is amused at how the boy survived due to his condition. He feels pity for him because it’s an agony for a child who is homeless and is having that condition to survive and fight for his life. He continuously pressed the capture button on his camera and as he is reviewing the photos, a genuine smile draws on to his face.

            Jack starts editing the captured photos, one by one the pictures are uploaded on his personal computer and scans for the best photos on the folder. As he keeps on scanning, he noticed the picture of the boy with hydrocephalus selling Sampaguita on the exit of the church. He feels so furious on the young man’s parents for they abandoned him and no one dares to help the poor boy who is badly needing medical attention. How poverty becomes a hindrance to ones future. He keeps on contemplating how unfair the world is because a sick young boy is doing a scholarly work, while others who is in great shape do nothing but just sit and wait for blessing. “This young man needs help”, he exclaims. The next day, he went straight to the cathedral and look for the Sampaguita boy. There, he sees the young lad doing his daily routine, he comes closer to the boy and interview him. Harry, the young boy narrates his life story to Jack whom listens to him attentively. Jack further understands how Harry sees life. How Harry does everything just to give himself a food to eat on the table. How the young boy feels pain whenever his head aches. How this young boy survived for seven years without anybody who helps him. He realizes that he can help Harry by means of giving people awareness on what is happening around by uploading Harry’s picture in social media that will give them the chance to reach-out to people like Harry. Before leaving Harry, Jack hand him food packs from a restaurant across the street and give him smile that make him respond as well. That night, he uploaded Harry’s picture on his social media account. To his surprise, Harry’s photo went viral, thousands of users shared and reacted on the photo, and some renders help through private message that made him feel shocked and delighted. He was out of words by that time because they appreciated Jack’s concern to Harry. That day, he rushed to the cathedral and give Harry a warm hug and thanks him for the opportunity to talk and share thoughts with him. Jack promised to fulfil one of his wishes very soon. 

            As the days passed, Harry is still on his daily routine selling and marketing Sampaguita flowers when he sees Jack standing in front of him with bags of goods and supplies, Harry hugs Jack tight as he draws smile on his face while his tears falling. “Last time I said that I will fulfil one of your wishes right? Harry you are going home with me now! You will be part of our family. I will help you get through this agony okay? I know I may never be the famous photographer you know, but I promise to capture every moment of our lives as family.  I am grateful that this cathedral leads me to you. This cathedral gives me a new part of our family and that is you Harry” Jack uttered.