The sole of my left shoe left its body today. I lifted my left and whoops! It felt lighter than it ever was. (I was actually already feeling off when I left the house. But I dismissed it and just thought I am just not used to this pair as I haven’t worn them for a long time now.)
I looked at my right shoe and it definitely showed it was already thinking the same thing.
Gladly, I was already near the market. There are two shoe repair shops nearby — but today’s heat made them farther.
I walked holding the left sole. Did people see me and wonder? I have no idea and I was definitely living in my own world. I treaded carefully, hoping the right one hangs on. Luckily, it did.
The first shop couldn’t accommodate my urgency. I was hoping to get the shoes the same day or at least the same hour because I had plans where I was supposed to be. Splitting itself wasn’t in my BINGO card today. My list was to walk to the church, pray, light up candles, resurrect the flames of other candles, and walk home.
I continued walking and turned left at the corner. Boss, I said to the man at the end of the steps who was repairing a shoe.
He looked up at me then to my left hand. He saw the sole. He immediately put down the article he was holding, stretched his upper torso to his left to reach for something. He was reaching for a pair of green slippers which he suddenly shoved at me without saying anything.
I took off my pair. I wore the pair he handed. (Here’s the thing: Thea sucks at wearing slippers outside. She doesn’t know how to walk properly with them. But does it even matter now?)
Sir already had the sole in his hands. With his point finger, he carefully smudged the glue to it and to the bottom of the damaged shoe. He said, Balikan niyo na lang po. Mga isang oras. (Just return for it, Ma’am. After an hour.)
His workmate on the next two or three steps asked, Tatahiin na rin po ba? (Should we also sew it, Ma’am?) I agreed.
We haven’t even discussed how much. But they were already working on it. Besides, I didn’t care. I needed the shoe fixed. I needed to go to church. But I didn’t expect I would need to wait for it for an hour. Well, Thea, the glue has to dry and to stick.
Paano po itong tsinelas? Pwede ko po bang hiramin? Pupunta lang po akong OLA. (How about this pair of slippers, Sir? Can I borrow it? I just have to go to OLA.)
No hesitations. Without a beat. Sir just nodded.
I was there, already thinking I would need to buy a pair of slippers somewhere or just wait for my shoes to be done, standing under the heat (or stay in the 7Eleven nearby). But he trusted I’ll be back with the pair of slippers and the payment for his labor. (I already asked on this part how much it would be. It was very cheap: PHP150.00.)
Did I mention the slippers were my size?!
These are the people who don’t earn much. Who try to make ends meet daily. Mga taong lumalaban ng patas. And always and always, they are indeed one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. Despite being total strangers.
At the moment Sir shoved me the pair of slippers without saying anything, as if I was a guest in their humble abode, kindness didn’t feel strange anymore. It was as if it’s something so easy to do even without knowing the person you’re giving it to. Something free to give without expecting anything in return.
Sir at the far side of the photo sewing the sole of my shoe while one of his workmates fixes another customer's shoe. Taken upon my return.
I know some people may say, Thea, of course he did that because you’re their customer.
Nuh-uh. That’s not a description to give with Sir’s quick actions earlier.
It was something small but it was a kindness that sticks with you forever. A kindness that’s easy to replicate. A kindness you want for yourself to do over and over for others.
I aim to remember to be that kind. Just like them.
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