Two sides of the world

by Billy Carandang
 

“Picture, picture on the cam what does contentment can do for them all?”

            It is strange that what the naked eyes can see is never enough to show the two sides of the world. The 1^st Sunday of January is about to end, an on-going mass is being celebrated. People are singing the worship songs. Birds are flying to the left and right of the Cathedral’s vicinity. The air is turning colder as the nightfall approaches. Light is slowly turning into darkness, bringing different feelings to the people who are witnessing the transition of day and night. Children seem to enjoy the nightfall, running around the entrance of the cathedral, chasing each other as they play team tag. Wearing a smile while running towards their playmates; showing no signs of problems on their faces. The place is made of different things; Tears, laughter, smiles, excitement and hope, things that can be captured using a single click, a click that can be performed by a young photographer wandering in the town trying to find his perfect subject.

The young photographer went to the Cathedral wearing a poker face, holding a quality camera, entering the gate of the Cathedral without showing a single emotion. A man whose personality is nowhere to be found, his presence is something that is cannot be explained. A person whose intention is not presented in the way he presents himself, he maybe a photographer since he is holding a camera, but he is looking for something, something that is beyond what the naked eyes can see. He dreams to be a well-known photographer someday, but not just a simple photographer, for his desire is to capture pictures that can speak for what it portrays.

He was amazed by the beauty of the Cathedral, taking picture of it from one side to another. He walked on the isle of the vendors and tried to observe how they pitch for more sales. He asked them for a picture and they smiled without any hesitation. Covered with the joy because of the hospitality being shown by the vendors, he bought some delicacies to serve as his souvenir in visiting the place. He took pictures of the children running around. He also chased them and asked questions about their personal life. It was so obvious that the young photographer is looking for something and not just for pictures; he looked up as he heard the bird sounds. He then captured the moment when the birds formed a succession as it flew in a group towards their next destination. He entered the Cathedral and felt that something is not right. The feeling of happiness that he felt outside the Cathedral has disappeared in a blink of an eye. He immediately felt the sadness as he set his first step towards the main entrance of the church.

“What is this feeling? I can feel sadness all over. It’s like I entered a wrong place, this place is supposed to be filled with happiness since I am in the place where God can be found.” He said to himself.

He saw people who are crying, begging for something that can satisfy their needs. He saw couple who are not in good terms, family who are attending the mass, incomplete.

He counts “1, 2, 3” then pushes the click button to capture a single picture.

“1, 2, 3 click*” as he captured crying moment of a worshiper.

“1, 2, 3 click*” as he captured the way how the couple broke each-others heart.

“1, 2…” he stopped.

He saw a child wearing a smile, a child whose appearance is totally different to all the people attending the mass, sitting on a wheel chair, doing actions that only a differently abled person will do. The child is sitting beside the huge door of Cathedral, facing the people who were passing by that time. He extends his right hand which holds the cup, begging for penny to survive the day.

*tik, tok* a sound of a penny being dropped in his cup, he then smiles to say thank you for every drop, a genuine smile which shows happiness, contentment and hope. The photographer took a picture of the child. He then decided to drop a penny and asked his name.

*tik, tok* the child smiled the moment he heard the penny sound.

“What is your name kid?” the photographer asked.

“*Nods” the child responded.

“What is your name kid?” the photographer humbly asked.

“Harry” the child responded.

“I will take a photo of you because you are different, not because of you having a big head but because you capture the heart of every individual like me who is looking for the meaning of the world.” * The child smiled*

“1, 2, 3 click” He captured a genuine smile coming from a child who cannot run, play, or explain himself. The photographer then told himself that now he understands the two side of the world.

Those who are ambitious will really experience pain and sadness, insecurities and longingness on more luxurious things. He recalled the feeling when he set his first step inside the cathedral and told himself that people are suffering not because of poverty itself. They are suffering because of the never ending wants to satisfy their ego. The photographer unknowingly said his words in sound. The reason for other people beside him to hear what he is thinking at that very moment. The mass has ended and people celebrated it by producing number of claps while saying hallelujah.

He walked out of the church and took pictures of people who are taking their way out. The weather turned colder and the surrounding was slowly filled with different moods.

He heard a clap coming from his back. It took his attention and took a look at his back. He saw a fine man wearing decent clothes and smiling while walking towards his place. The man stared at him and asked his name.

“What is your name young man?” the man asked.

 “My name is Jack” the photographer replied.

“I am Cezar. I own a magazine company named ABC and I want you to work with me.” The man stated.

John was filled with joy and excitement because he received an offer from a well-known magazine company but he asked “Why? I don’t understand, you don’t know who I am but you, without hesitation, had offered me a job under a prestigious company.”

“I heard everything earlier. I believe that you unconsciously utter those words after noticing that something is different between the child whom you had taken a picture and the attendees of the mass.”

John still can’t believe what the man is offering him. He is sweating despite of the cold weather delivered by the nightfall; till the man told him something that made him smile and clear his doubts.

“You who sees the positivity of this pessimist world deserves a bigger impact to the world of photography. Pictures that speak for the people who were in it are the best pictures that you can cater around the world.” The man stated.

Jack accepted the offer of Cezar and headed back to Harry.

“I will take another picture of you kid, this is to show the world that nothing, even poverty, can destroy a smile coming from a person who lives with contentment and hope that better days will come.” He said.

He went out of the cathedral full of hope and determination to show the world that a picture can make us realize everything, that being contented is not a sign of poverty but a key to a joyful life.

Jack went to different places to take pictures after being hired by the prestigious company. He continued to pursue his passion while making the world realize that poverty is not a hindrance to success.