It was last year when I attended our professional organization’s convention that was held in Iloilo City, Philippines. I didn’t initially plan to travel to a different place except for Iloilo City. But when my sister knew that I will be attending our convention, she convinced me to go along with them in Bacolod City as they were also celebrating their anniversary there. I hesitated at first because I don’t want to be a third wheeler. But then, I got persuaded that having a side trip to Bacolod City is a good idea since it will only take 2 hours riding a fast craft from one province to the other.
I went on solo travel via bus from Cebu to Bacolod. The travel went smooth and I got to enjoy every destination that we visited. But I started to be worried when I thought that my money might not be enough on my whole day trip.
While I was on Bacolod, I keep on checking my online bank account to see if the petty cash reimbursement was already deposited on my account.
I used to shoulder urgent site expenses out of my pocket when we are out of petty cash. Before I traveled to Bacolod, I already requested for a petty cash replenishment so that I’ll also get the reimbursement of the expenses that I shouldered. So, I was confident that my money will be enough during my whole travel.
But when our travel to Bacolod was about to end, I started to get worried because 3 days have already passed, yet the reimbursement was still not deposited on my account. So I followed-up with our Finance staff and I got relieved when she said that the check is already processed and they will deposit it to my account immediately. Knowing about my problem, my sister offered to lend me some money. But because I believed that I’ll get my reimbursement and I also know that they only have few extra money and that they might need it, I kindly refused.
We parted ways with my sister and her husband on the 3rd day of our Bacolod trip. They went back to Cebu and I went to Iloilo for my convention. Again, I was on solo travel and was alone during the rest of my days in Iloilo City.
I was waiting for the reimbursement the whole time I was there. And when I got anxious, I called the Finance staff again. But her answer got me more anxious.
“I’m very sorry, ma’am. We forgot to deposit your check. We will deposit it now.” To where I responded, “How many days will it take for the check to be cleared? Is it 1 or 3 days?” I got frustrated when she confirmed that I’ll be able to get the reimbursement after 3 days of clearing. I'll be going back to Cebu after 2 days so I was hopeless.
Since I can’t do anything to get the funds immediately, I don’t have a choice but to have a tight budget while I’m still traveling. On my last day in Iloilo, I only managed to eat for only one meal. I then regret refusing my sister’s offer to lend me some money. Since my fare in going back to Cebu is lacking, I tried to ask for help from my boyfriend. He was in Manila at that time and was also traveling. His funds are only enough for his travel so I only asked for a small amount. I also didn’t bother to ask help from anyone aside from my boyfriend because I’m not used to asking help from anyone. I laughed at my situation and felt pity for myself at the same time.
I was counting every peso left in my wallet while I was browsing on the internet to find out how much I am going to spend for my fare in going back to Cebu. I also browsed for different options so that I can choose which route is less expensive. Then I decided to ride an 8-hour bus ride which is less expensive, and it also came out that my money would be enough if those fares that were posted on the internet are correct.
Below are what I’m going to ride in going back to Cebu:
- Jeepney from Pension House to Iloilo Port
- Fast Craft from Iloilo Port to Bacolod Port
- Tricycle from Bacolod Port to Silay Bus Terminal
- Bus from Silay Bus Terminal to Cebu North Bus Terminal via Ro-Ro
- 2 Jeepney rides from Cebu North Bus Terminal to our house
I was nervous the whole time while riding on the bus. When my bus and Ro-Ro fare was collected, I found out that I only have 6 pesos left in my pocket, which means that I’ll only be able to reach Cebu North Bus Terminal.
I was anxious and I kept on praying that God will send an angel to save me. I was in deep thought when my bus seatmate initiated a conversation with me. He is an old man around 50 years old. He asked for some information regarding how much is the bus fare, Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off ship) fare, etc. I answered kindly even though I was thinking of so many things at that time.
We temporarily parted ways when we got out of the bus to ride on the Ro-Ro ship. While I was on the ship, I was thinking of telling my problem to that old man and ask for his help. I also felt that he is kind. But I only thought of executing that desperate plan if and only he will initiate another conversation with me again. One thing I don’t like about myself is that I don’t know how to ask for help and initiate a conversation with strangers.
After a few hours, we went back to our bus seats after the ship has landed. We were silent the whole time when we got on the bus. I thought that we might not have another conversation anymore. So what I thought is to just sleep and prepare to walk going to our home for more or less 10 kilometers when we reach North Bus Terminal.
When I woke up, we only have 1 hour left before reaching our destination. And that’s when the old man started talking to me again. I didn’t immediately ask for his help as he started to share his story with me. I was listening to him carefully and asked questions to keep the conversation going.
According to him, he went to Cebu to ride another Ro-Ro ship going to another province which is Tacloban. He wanted to get his 3 children that her wife took away from her. I was moved when he said that he was working on the farm when her ex-wife secretly went to their house to take his children.
While listening to him, his eyes started to get wet, yet I noticed that he tried to hold her tears from falling. He successfully held his tears, but I didn’t. I want to hug the old man, but I tried not to be carried away by my emotions. I temporarily forgot about my problem when he asked me where I have been. So I also shared my story and finally had the courage to ask for his help.
“I know that this is so shameful, but can I ask 20 pesos from you? I am out of money and I can’t go back to our home,” I humbly said.
“It’s ok. Why didn’t you say earlier?”
He handed me 80 pesos and I tried to return the 60 pesos, but he refused. He told me to just get it. I wanted to cry and hug the old man as he was the angel that was sent to save me. When we reached the terminal, I accompanied him to the next bus that he must ride and when he’s settled, I bid goodbye and thanked him with all my heart. I also prayed that he would safely reach his destination and would see his children again.
I haven’t got the chance to get a photograph with him as I was clouded with worry on my whole bus ride. Yet, I would never forget his face and the kindness that he showed me.
This is my entry to @invisusmundi's contest. Read it here.
We are also inviting you to subscribe to Hive PH which is a community that supports Filipino authors worldwide. Don't forget to follow Hive PH trail on hive.vote as well. Chat and interact with our fellow Filipinos in our Hive PH discord channel