A Hand To Hold

I was studying for my upcoming midterm exam tonight. But there's a thing that keep on bugging me off for weeks. I feel such a weight on my shoulder, and I need to let it out. I need to share it with you guys, so that we can learn.

This thing keeps on coming back to me, and somehow I feel slightly guilty about it.

It was weeks ago, when I was on the bus, on my way from Putrajaya to KL Central. The bus was packed as usual, but I was lucky to get a seat near the window.

When the bus was about to move, I saw old Malay man trying to stop the bus by knocking his stick on the door, a blind old man. He was struggling, trying to climb up the bus with his hand full with his plastic bags. No one was trying to help, they just stared. I wanted to help him, but instead I just watched him from far. He managed to get in the bus by himself. I saw his face and he was smiling, and thanked the driver.

Somewhere deep down inside of me, I wanted to offer him my seat. Unfortunately I was stucked and the bus was too packed. So I just watched him again, praying that there will be someone with big heart to give up the seat and give it to the old man. But no, nothing happened as the man was invincible.

Suddenly, one Indonesian guy wearing faded t-shirt with messy hair and torn jeans stood up, reached for the man hand and offered his seat to the old man. I was shocked. I felt like someone just slapped me in my face, so hard. I was ashamed. How our own people don’t give a shit about the old man, but the Indonesian guy did? What are we? Are we human? And I was asking myself again and again, am I a selfish person? Do I care about others who are less fortunate?

Somehow, I think there are still people who care. I remember there was a day I went out with my friend. We were walking from KL Central to Kuala Lumpur Monorail Station. When we were about to cross the road, my friend touched my hand and he whispered in my ear, “Yan, I think you should help her cross the road”. He was pointing to blind woman next to me, trying to cross the road. I was speechless and surprised. I never helped any blind people crossing a road before. But yes, I did help her. I’m so glad I was.

I was amused by him and the Indonesian guy actually, such a nice person they are. The world will be a better place to live if there are more people like them. I never thought of doing it before, but I will now. I will give up my seat to disabled people and I will help blind people crossing the road.

Maybe you should too.