It was a crowded holiday afternoon at the mall. No one would notice me with this dense of people if not because of Cecille…
…
It should be a perfect afternoon for me. My Mama, as she has promised me a long long time ago, took me to the mall. Mama is a missionary pediatrician. According to my pocket dictionary, a missionary is one who is devoted to and engaged in missions and a pediatrician is a doctor who specializes on children’s health. My Mama is always involved in medical missions and charity works. She travels a lot. Mama is really a busy woman.
I am proud of my mother, but because of her work she doesn’t have enough time for her own child. Now you know how I dreamed of this time. Mama took a day leave from her work just for me.
Actually, I have planned the whole afternoon with Mama. First, Mama would buy me a new polo shirt and a pair of shoes. Then, we will eat at my favorite fast food chain. I will have fried chicken, fries and spaghetti and Mama will have her favorite chicken fillet burger. After that, we will watch a movie together. I heard that the third movie of “The Chronicles of Narnia” is now showing in the cinemas.
But then…
About five minutes after we arrived at the mall, (I haven’t even finished our agenda at the mall) we have met a tall thin lady with a fragile-looking little girl. Mama greeted the lady for she knew her and Mama introduced me to the lady.
The lady, named Ms. Luna, is a director of a small orphanage for handicapped children. She and Mama have known each other because Mama held a medical mission in their orphanage. They chatted and I haven’t paid attention to them. All I want to do now is to proceed to the department store.
My attention was directed to the girl beside the lady. She was looking at the floor, never moving. It was so queer. Then, I realized that she was not really looking at the floor. She is blind. How can she look at something while in fact she was blind?
Mama called my attention. “Ned, can you wait for in the play area of the mall? There’s an emergency in Ms. Luna’s orphanage. I would be gone for an hour. I want you to take Cecille here. I’ll be back, Baby. I promised.”
There’s nothing I can do. Besides from being just a child, I was very shocked then. Mama and Ms. Luna left me and the little blind girl, named Cecille.
…
I was angry at Mama—angrier to Ms. Luna for snatching my Mama. I was left with a blind girl. They expect me to play with a blind girl?! Sheez!
At first, I forgot that Cecille is blind. I proceeded walking, expecting that she will follow. By the time I remember about her, I was about three meters away from her.
I came back for her. She was not crying. She doesn’t have any idea that I left her.
“Cecille?”
“What is it?” Her voice was innocent.
“Grab my arm. We will go to the playground.” I really felt weird. It is my first time to talk to a blind person. She was not looking for me but groped and grabbed my arm.
“I really don’t play,” she muttered.
“That’s not a problem. I don’t have any plans of playing too.” I was really pissed of about the destruction of my perfect time.
I maintained my normal pace, dragging Cecille. She walks so slow and cautious. What’s the matter with this girl?! I kept on pampering that irritated feeling. But Cecille never complained—she just kept her silence.
We are halfway to the play area when Cecille stumbled. It was embarrassing for me. Why does Mama left this impaired girl with me?! I said to my self.
I extended my arm for her. Then, I felt a drop of water in my arm. It was a tear. Cecille was crying. I was stunned. She cried without sound—a very frail impaired girl crying in front of me.
I helped her stand. This time I walked slowly and cautiously guiding Cecille. Also by this time, I notice everyone we passed-by was staring at us. It was not embarrassing at all.
We arrived at the playground. I found a space in a corner where we can sit. I helped her sit and I sat beside her.
“Thank you!” Cecille smiled facing my arm.
“You’re welcome.” I answered, overwhelmed.
We sat there. I asked Cecille questions I always want to ask to blind people. She answered it sincerely.
…
An hour passed, my Mama and Ms. Luna turned up. Finally, it’s time to continue my perfect afternoon. I hugged Mama and told her something.
“Mama, can we take Cecille with us during our strolling here?”
“Can we?” Mama asked Ms. Luna. The lady nodded. Yes was the answer.
We strolled at the mall. We went to the department store, bought stuffs for me and Cecille, eat at my favorite fast food, shared food with Cecille and then went home. All the time I was Cecille’s guide. Her arms were around my arm and we walk slowly and cautiously. It was indeed a perfect time for me.
Next time… I will play with Cecille.
*first posted on Facebook
No comments:
Post a Comment