As I thought those things, I looked into the mirror, where I observed the boy continuing to cry. I can't explain it, but in an inexplicable way, I seemed to see my former self in the person of this child.
A child who dedicated his entire youth to working to earn money.
Wasting his youth and not enjoying being a child with others.
Tired, hungry, rained on, baked in the sun, abused by the Spaniards, and endangered by the rebels.
It's sickening. It's so difficult.
I don't want to remember those days. That's why I don't want my children to experience being like me.
But because of him, all the feelings I wanted to forget are coming back. Maybe that's why I'm angry now.
Why does a child who is not yet of age have to work? Why were we born poor?
Is what's happening right?
It's not this kid's fault that he was born poor, but he needs to work and strive to survive.
Hmm... Yes, that's right.
Just like me back then...
But no matter how angry I get or how crazy I think, no one can answer my questions. We live as poor citizens, and we have no choice but to continue working to survive.
The world needs balance; there are rich and poor. There are abundant and barren.
There are those at the top and those at the bottom.
That's the world.
We're just unlucky, kid, that we ended up at the very bottom.
I let go of his head and just sighed.
"Don't worry, you'll earn it back. The important thing is you're alive and you still have a chance to earn," Kardo told the young man.
Those were the only words I could say. I don't know why I was supposed to be scolding him right now, but maybe it was because I really didn't know what to say at that moment, or maybe those were the words I used to say to myself back then to soothe and calm myself down.
~ End of Point of View ~
The interior of the truck was silent for a few moments as Kardo continued to drive. At that time, Kardo took his bag and handed it to Erik.
He told him to take a packet of bread from the bag and eat it.
Erik immediately refused. The young man knew Kardo needed the food because, just like him, everyone was being frugal so they could bring something home to their families.
"Stop being difficult, just take it."
The boy wondered why Kardo was insisting that he accept it. Was he pitying his situation, or did he need to pay Kardo for it?
"Just accept it. The moment you don't accept it, I will continue to feel guilty," Kardo said.
Erik was even more puzzled by this, since Kardo had nothing to do with what happened to him during the attack last night.
Erik's stomach suddenly growled, and he clutched it. He remembered that he hadn't managed to eat last night, so even though he doubted Kardo's intentions for offering the free bread, he had no choice but to take it from the bag and eat it.
Kardo sighed when he saw Erik eating the bread. In his haste to eat, the boy suddenly choked, so Kardo quickly handed him some water to drink.
"Slow down, Carrot Boy. Don't rush eating; no one is going to snatch that from you," Kardo said.
Erik gasped at the water bottle and quickly drank to clear the food stuck in his throat. After he drank, the vitality returned to his face, and he smiled.
"Thank you very much, Kuya Kardo," he replied, smiling at him.
"You don't need to thank me, you'll pay for it," Kardo suddenly said.
The young man was shocked, his eyes wide at what he heard. He panicked and said he didn't have a single coin left.
"Ugh, my head suddenly hurts," Erik groaned, holding his head.
But Kardo immediately took it back, saying he was just kidding. He laughed while continuing to drive and teased Erik about his look and reaction when money was mentioned.
"The pain you feel doubles when money is being discussed."
Erik didn't know why the usually grumpy Kardo had suddenly become kind and was now laughing with him, but even so, he was grateful to him, not just for the bread but for giving him the encouragement earlier to start over and regain his earnings.
"But someday, I'll pay you back triple what you gave me, Kuya Kardo, although it might take a while," Erik said.
"Triple? When will that be?" he asked.
"Yes, when I get rich," Erik answered straightforwardly.
Kardo suddenly laughed and touched Erik's head, messing up his hair.
"Well, if that's the case, I'll count on it. Just make sure I'm still alive by then," he joked.
Erik winced at what Kardo was doing to his head because of the wound he sustained. They continued to talk and laugh as they drove towards the next market.
In the middle of their conversation at that time, Kardo suddenly apologized to him.
"I'm sorry, kid. I didn't expect that to happen," Kardo said seriously.
Kardo's serious tone greatly surprised Erik. He just assumed it was for touching his head even though he knew he had a wound.
Kardo knew he had no fault or reason to worry about Erik's attack, but he continued to feel guilty for not helping Erik when he had the chance.
He realized he had been selfish and put himself first, which was why this happened to the boy. More than anyone, he knew the difficulty of being a vegetable vendor at a young age, and he knew the feeling of having no one help you in the midst of hardship.
Like his experience back then when others showed no concern during his struggles, the same seemed to be happening now to the young man beside him.
Thus, he was determined in his mind that to the best of his ability, he would help the young man Erik and treat him like his own son.
~ End of Chapter ~
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