Random Act of Kindness

By Roy Jude Obedencio – Creative Staff Writer for Liz’s Filipino Desserts

Jack is another of those kids that live on the streets. Having run away from non-loving parents, he chose to live along with other people by the bay. He tries to make a living either by asking for alms or through cleaning car windows stuck at traffic. Even though kids of his age started to get involved in crime and other dishonest acts, he chose to live a clean life. Jack believes that God is watching him and everything will turn out ok in the end.

Oftentimes, he only eats once per day and that’s in the evening. He chooses to be alone and work alone because the only one he trusts is God. At a young age, he has this moral code that he will never try any of these vices and will live an honest life. This is why some of the kids avoid him and most elderly people have respect for him.

“This is only temporary. Everything will be alright.” Jack muttered to himself.

This is Jack’s mantra and his way of life. At a young age, he is already a mature thinker and believes that as long as he doesn’t give up, he will be able to get out of this situation.

But it is not every day that he has something to eat. Sometimes, he goes to sleep hungry. This particular day was the worst because he was not feeling well. Without any money for buying medicine, he stayed at his favorite corner; shivering in the cold. Jack was praying the Lord’s Prayer when he started to pass out. Before this happened though, he saw a silhouette of a man reaching out to him.

“Who are you? I am sorry I couldn’t talk. I need to rest.” Jack said weakly before passing out.

When Jack woke up, he was in a hospital undergoing treatment for the flu. His initial reaction was fear because he didn’t have the money to pay for hospital bills. He wanted to get out of the hospital to avoid paying but his conscience stopped him.

“I know I don’t have money for my bills but my conscience wouldn’t let me run away. What should I do?” Jack said to himself.

He was musing like this when a man dressed in a light brown leather jacket and another man in a lab coat went into the room. They appeared to be talking about him and his condition.

“You don’t have to worry, sir. It’s only the flu. He still needs to rest though.” The man in a lab coat remarked.

“That is great to hear. After all, it was raining outside when I saw him shivering under a makeshift roof.” The man in the leather jacket said.

“Right. He will be up and ready after a few days. In any case, I need to leave you now. I have to do my rounds.” The doctor said.

“Thank you. I’ll talk to the kid now.” The man said.

The doctor left the room and the man approached Jack. Jack is feeling mixed emotions at this very moment. He doesn’t know how or what to react to this man who appears to have saved his life.

“Good morning. How are you feeling?” The man asked Jack.

Jack just looked at the man and didn’t respond.

“Don’t be afraid. I am not a bad person. I was passing by the sidewalk where you’re sleeping and I saw you shivering in the cold. I couldn’t just leave you there and brought you here.” The man said.

“Th…Thank you, sir.” Jack muttered.

“Where are my manners? I haven’t even introduced myself. My name is Miguel. And you are?” Miguel asked.

“My… My name is Jack.” Jack answered.

“Jack. What a strong name. Anyway, where are your parents? Why are you alone on that sidewalk?” Miguel asked.

“I live alone. I ran away from my parents because they were always hurting me every time they went home after a whole night of drinking and gambling. They always lose at gambling and they vent it out on me.” Jack explained.

“I understand. But you’re too young to be on the streets. Don’t you want to study and have a place that you can call home?” Miguel asked.

“I am fine on my own. I would like to learn how to live without expecting someone to help me.” Jack said proudly.

“That is a great mindset but it will be strengthened further by going to school. Do you want that?” Jack asked.

“I want to go to school but I don’t have the means to do so.” Jack said.

“Do you also have a dream? What do you want to be when you grow up?” Miguel asked

“I want to be a doctor. I want to help cure people.” Jack said without thinking twice.

“That is a great dream. You wouldn’t achieve it by living in the streets. I’ll bring you to a place where you can study and have a home after you get out of the hospital.” Miguel declared.

“Thank you, sir. Why are you helping me though? I am a total stranger.” Jack asked.

“To be honest, I also don’t know. It just feels right. In any case, rest now. We’ll talk again.” Miguel said.

“Thank you again, Sir Miguel. I’ll rest for a bit.” Jack said.

After a few days of staying in the hospital, Jack was discharged and went with Miguel that he was talking about. It turned out that it was an orphanage run by a church. Miguel introduced the kid to the nuns and they gave him a warm welcome. The children at the orphanage were also happy because they have another “brother.” When it was time for Miguel to leave, he had a chat with Jack.

“So how is it? Do you like it here?” Miguel asked.

“Yes! It’s the first time that I saw kids my age that are not doing anything illegal.” Jack beamed.

“That’s great to hear. Well, I have to go now. I’ll visit you when I’m free. Oh, by the way, this is for you.” Miguel said while handing a paper bag to Jack with the words, “The Bibingka Maker” on the front.

“What’s this? It smells so good!” Jack said and then, “Wow, is this what they call bibingka? This is the first time that I will eat this food! Thank you so much!” Jack was all smiles while saying this.

Miguel smiled and said, “I’m sure that you’ll like it. After all, it’s the best in town! Well, I’m off. Take care of yourself, be good, and study hard.” Miguel said while standing up and walked towards the gate.

“Thank you! I promise that I will not fail you!” Jack declared.

Jack fulfilled his promise to Miguel. He studied hard while doing chores in the orphanage. A few years after, he graduated from grade school with honors and started high school. In high school, he continued to show brilliance in his studies and was a constant topnotcher in class.

All of this hard work was for the person who gave him a chance at life, Miguel. But after he said goodbye all those years ago, he never returned.

“Miguel, I hope you visit me so that I can show you my accomplishments. I will fulfill my promise and will never let you down.” Jack said silently while looking at the stars.

Years passed and Jack graduated as a valedictorian in high school. Because of his achievements, the nuns decided to enroll him in college. They asked him what course he will pursue. When he said that he wants to be a doctor, the nuns told him that he will have to help them because the tuition fees are too high. Jack said that he will work while studying.

He worked various jobs while studying. He became a janitor, fast food service crew, computer shop attendant, gasoline boy, and many more. He is really serious about becoming a doctor while waiting all this time for Miguel to show up.

“Why won’t he visit me? Did he forget about me? Well, I will not forget my promise to him. I will reach my dream.” Jack said while eating some of his favorite bibingka.

More years have passed and Jack finally graduated with honors. He is now a full-fledged doctor. While he is happy with his achievement; a street boy that was given a chance and is now a doctor, he is unhappy and felt kind of empty in a way.

He wanted Miguel to see him succeed. He wanted to thank him for the chance he gave to him. Even though they were only together for almost a week, he felt that Miguel was as close to a father that he never had.

“I’m not mad at him but he should’ve visited me even once. All of these achievements are for him; to make him proud.” Jack sadly said.

He was accepted to a prestigious hospital and began to live his dream of helping people. Every doctor and nurse liked him and his passion for curing ailments. After a few years, Jack was able to buy his own house and car.

He never forgot his roots. He stays at the orphanage once a week just to be sure that everyone is healthy. The people there can also count on him to go there if needed.

Even though he has a busy schedule, he makes it a point to volunteer in medical missions. He even visits the streets where he first lived in after running away from home. It is here that he felt close to Miguel who after all these years still didn’t visit. Jack also gives away freshly-cooked bibingka to the people living in the streets. Everyone loves The Bibingka Maker after all.

He tried to find Miguel by posting ads and asking through social media. Unfortunately, nothing came out of his search. Sometimes, he thinks he is losing hope that he will see Miguel again. He even started to believe that he forgot about him already.

All he wants is to thank Miguel for the chance and opportunity. This is part of the reason why helps people in the streets and does volunteer work. He reasons out that if he could not pay the person back for what he did, he would pay it forward to others.

Jack was always on-call. Even if he just got home and about to sleep, if the hospital calls for him, he would come. Because of this, he was not surprised when he received a phone call from one of their nurses.

“Doc Jack, I’m sorry for calling at this late hour but we need you here in the operating room.” The nurse said.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be there as fast as I can.” Jack said.

Jack arrived in the hospital in no time at all. He helped his fellow doctors in operating the patient. After two hours, the operation was completed and was a success. He went out of the operating room and started to go to the pantry to get some drinks.

On the way there, he spotted another patient being brought into the other operating room. He just got a glimpse of the person’s face and it was enough to make his heart race. Jack felt that he knows this person. He rushed to the operating room to check further.

“Doc Jack? Are you going to operate again? You just completed an operation.” A doctor said.

“Wait a moment, please. Let me see his face.” Jack said.

When he got a full look at the person’s face, he said, “Let me operate on him. Please. I can do it. I’m not tired. Please, let me do it.”

The other doctors were surprised by Jack’s request and one said, “If you’re that eager then, by all means, do it. But we will be here to assist you.”

The person had a heart attack and Jack did everything he could to save his life. He didn’t mind the fatigue that is already setting in. Whatever happens, he will save this man’s life.

The operation concluded after a few minutes. Jack and his colleagues were able to stabilize the patient. They transferred him to the ICU and to everyone’s surprise, Jack opted to stay and look over the patient.

Eight hours later, the patient woke up; unbelieving that he’s in a hospital.

“What am I doing here? Is this a hospital? The last thing I remember is that I was collecting scrap then I collapsed because of the sun’s heat. I don’t have money to pay for my bills. What should I do?” The man said to himself.

At this very moment, Jack stirred and woke up slowly. When he saw that the patient was already awake, he shook the cobwebs on his head and wept.

“Hey, why are you crying? I’m sorry I don’t have any money to pay for my bills. I’m just a garbage collector.” The man said.

“Don’t you remember me, Miguel? It’s you, Miguel, right?” Jack said while holding in tears.

“Yes, that’s my name. Why do you know me? Who are you? Who…” The man said then a sudden realization came to him, “Jack? Are you Jack?”

“Yes, it’s me. Why? Why haven’t you visited me? I was waiting for you so that I can show you that I fulfilled my promise. I had high honors in elementary, high school, and college. I achieved my dream and I haven’t had the chance to thank you.” Jack said while sobbing.

“I’m sorry, Jack. Lots of things happened to me and I couldn’t visit you anymore.” Miguel said.

“Help me understand. Why? What happened to you?” Jack asked.

“My business went bankrupt. My wife left me for another man who is rich and can provide for her capricious nature. I no longer have any family members and my house was taken by the bank because I couldn’t pay the mortgage. I lived in the streets for more than 15 years now.” Miguel slowly replied, close to tears.

“You should have visited me. Mother Superior would take you in and I would have helped you.” Jack said.

“No, I don’t deserve anything like that. I have done many things in the past that I regret. At least I know that I did one good thing, and that was saving you. Now, if my time is up here on Earth, I would welcome it.” Miguel said while crying.

“No, I won’t have it. I will save you no matter what. That is my promise to you.” Jack said with full determination.

Days become weeks. Miguel slowly recovered. Jack took care of him and treated him as his own father. Miguel was thankful that he had a “son” in Jack. When he fully recovered, Jack brought Miguel to his house and told him that he would live there for as long as he wants.

“Jack, thank you for saving me. I am not worth all this.” Miguel said.

“No, Miguel. You saved me in the past. Now, it’s my turn to save you.’ Jack said while handing over a bibingka to Miguel.

A good deed never goes unnoticed. Even if other people wouldn’t see it, the Lord will and He will provide solace to people who have hardships in life. Just like Jack and Miguel, if everyone would help one another, the world would be a better place to live in.