{photo credit to owner}
Dear Little Boy,
I bet you've forgotten about me but I can never forget you. My heart will not allow me to.
Two weeks ago, I met you in a jeepney during my morning ride home. As we pass through Mindanao Avenue, my head was down while I read the climax of Inheritance. Suddenly, there's these tiny hands that got into my line of sight. Hands not much different from my daughter Mila, except it's black with dirt. You handed me a small envelop, expecting that I'll give it back with some change.
You got my attention and I forgot about my fantasy world. I was stunned by how tiny you are. The jeep was moving too fast and you can barely stand up. I can't help but stare at you. I looked in your eyes and I can see your pain and sadness. Maybe it's been hours since your last proper meal. I bet you are cold without a shirt nor slippers under your feet. You got this badly infected wound on your forehead that flies are attracted to. That must have been from a bad fall. As I looked more deeply, I felt your innocence too. I don't think you know what begging is. For you, it's your way of life. Maybe it's a game for you, this is how you play. Maybe this is your normal. But honey, it's not.
It hadn't been a minute when all of a sudden, there's a voice shouting at you to jump off the moving vehicle. I had to look and it's from another kid. A boy not older than 6. He was so mad at you because you would not move. As I looked away from him, he suddenly yanked you and ready to jump off. NO! I would not let him. You will get hurt. I fear the worst. Sorry if I hurt you when I held on your other arm to pulled you back to me. I may have shouted back. I think I told that older boy to just jumped off himself and leave you to me. During this struggle, you were just stoic. I was crying. It took a few moments and loud shouts from other passengers before the driver decided to slow down and stop. Then you let go of my arms and went with him. I hope you didn't so he would not have gotten the chance to hit you on your head. I saw that too as we drove away and I had to leave you.
Little Boy, I badly wanted to hug you and take you home with me right that moment. If no one will care for you, I will. Mila would love to have you as her Kuya. We can adopt you. My parents and sisters will help take care of you too. But I was too afraid. I did not have the right to take you away. Maybe that older boy was your Kuya. Maybe you have parents waiting for you. If you we're part of a syndicate, they might do very bad things to you, to us.
I should had been braver though. I should have fought for you. Sorry I hesitated. I tried to go back to the same place to look for you. Even now as I pass the same place everyday, I wish I could see you alone and you could come with me. I know you are better off with us and we can hide you if needed. We can make everything legal and we can be your real parents. Than you will know what real love is. You can play and be happy and you will know how to be a kid.
Even if we do not see each other again, know that someone cares for you. I pray that you will have a good life. Maybe another braver good soul will give you the life you deserve. And if not, I wish you will keep your innocence and grow up with a good heart. Your life is hard now but do not let it define your future and what type of man you will be. Please tell the older boy with you that I'm also sorry for what I said. I know he's also young and he should not be in the situation you are now. I will never wish him ill. I pray that he will be with you to protect you and never hurt you again.
My dear, you will always be a reminder for me that I am a parent and I am responsible for my daughter. I promise you I will do my best to be to bring up Mila to be a good person. I want to give my daughter a better world to live in. And I want to leave the world with better person to care for it.
Little boy, stay strong and grow up to be the best person you can be! The best is yet to come.
