Somewhere around the world, there was a train station and a young boy.
He was waiting for his train to come. Surely, the waiting span was tedious and tiring as well. It was hot and humid on that day. It aggravated him even more. He never did fond of being outside. Now his urge for the train to come was on the verge of exploding. He sighed and rubbed his chest with his palm.
Patience.
Patience.
Patience.
Eruptions halted, and the chaos in his heart was put at bay.
Somewhere around the world, there was a train station and a young boy. An inward legged student now came into picture. He was disabled.
Due to his condition, it did make sense of his crippled white shirt and black pants. His breath was rapid, and his eyes were searching for something. He looked right and left, front and back but his search seemed was to no avail. So the young boy asked, " Mr. student, what are you searching for? ".
“The train.”
“It’ll come shortly”, he replied.
And so the train came. The young boy swiftly went inside the train. Mr Student on the other hand, could only move one foot at a time.
The first whistle blew. Mr Student didn’t enter. Then, the second whistle blew. The train would proceed on the railway anytime now. But Mr Student still didn’t enter. To be precise, he could not bring himself to do so. His legs were limiting his movement.
Everyone looked at him from the train window. No one bothered to stand up and threw a helping hand. They were "occupied" and "busy". All they could afford to was to keep on looking. Besides, it was the cheapest of their expense; they lose none.
“Take my hand, and get in” Young boy offered his help. The train was crowded with people, but only a single person willing to help Mr Student. Indeed, a miracle of the century. And so the young boy and Mr Student get into the train and proceed with their journey. Both of them stood near to each other in the train. Feeling indebted (maybe), Mr Student chatted with the young boy, about many things; the world, the stars, studies and themselves included.
For several times, Mr Student opened and closed his wallet. Every time he opened his wallet,
he looked down with frustration on his face. Maybe he was expecting a magic could occur, for maybe who knows, on the 100th occasion his wallet opened, a stack of money would appear.
Repeated frustrations, over and over again. Clearly, the young boy that stood beside him noticed with what happened. “Is there anything wrong with your wallet”, he asked. He did not reply immediately. Instead, Mr.Student looked to his eyes. Deep inside, the young boy could sense the turbulence of feeling that Mr. Student had. Mr.Student was in a crossroad; to tell or not to. Let alone to a stranger that he just met.
"Can I borrow your money? I have an interview after this. I need to take a taxi to get there. All I have left is just this”, he took out a single blue note and couple of cents from his wallet. The young boy was shocked. Those would not take him anywhere in the city. In fact, that would not last him for a day there. The city is a capitalistic arena, where you may brawl all you want but the ones with money will prevail. The young boy could not help but to feel pity on him. It was sad and heart-warming at the same time. A disabled student, brave his way to the city though he knew his luck might not be there? What a strong man he is, he thought to himself.
“Next stop: KL. Next stop: KL”
The young boy immediately hands out 30 quid to the Mr.Student as soon as they got out from the train. He was overwhelmed with relief and gratitude. Mr.Student thanked him as earnest as he could. That was the best that he could do from now, for he had nothing to repay him.
“Here’s another twenty. Make sure you buy something to fill your stomach”, the young boy said while handing another few quid to him. How noble this young boy can be? He had already received money from him, now he got another? Oh, I am forever indebted to him!
“Please! Give me your phone number. The least that I could do is to call you when I have money to pay.”
“No. Don’t. If we’ll meet one day, pay me then. If not, just consider this as your luck.” The young boy held his shoulder while explaining. Mr.Student was on the verge of tears, but he held it back. Slowly, he cracked a smile. May God repay him, he said to himself.
They part ways, but the memory would forever carved in their hearts. The young boy felt good about it. He felt as if a huge burden had been lifted from his shoulder. Suddenly, his mother’s number appeared on the phone. The young boy (with the excitement pace that he had from the wonderful experience just now) told his mother everything; from top till bottom.
“Why DID you do that? You just wasted 50 quid of yours!”
THE END
-This is my first attempt writing an English fiction. Let us reflect on how our society is turning into a society of reciprocity; I give so I can gain. Can it never be changed into a society of giving but expecting none to gain?
Do read and ponder.
- Mohd Fahmi Maslan
