brownies

i made a tray of fudge brownies today. while i was cutting it into squares, a particular young boy came to mind. i do not know his name... all i can remember was how he looked that day, eleven years ago.

it was a saturday. R's dad and i were in megamall to do some shopping but before we did, we decided to have a bite at the basement fastfood area first. as we were coming out, i saw the brownie store and thought of buying some for our son R who stayed behind.

waiting for my change, a young boy of about 10 or 11 stood right next to me, eyeing the brownies on display at the glass counter. he was counting the coins in his hands -- he had, i think a total of PhP1.75, in 25-centavo coins. i glanced at him and noticed the bulky backpack he was carrying. he was wearing tight-fitting jeans, a tee shirt underneath a checkered short-sleeved polo shirt which is much too small for his already small frame.

as the brownie girl was handing my change and receipt, the young boy signaled to her that he wanted a brownie. he was holding up a 25-centavo coin. i walked ahead.

after a few steps, i looked back and watched the boy at the counter, his arms still holding out the coin, i presume. the brownie girl was shaking her head. i told R's dad to stop for a moment and i turned back. touching the young boy on the shoulder, i asked what brownie flavors he wanted -- he selected two. i told the brownie girl that i am paying for it and could she please wrap them for the boy.

as soon the brownie girl handed him the package, he started walking away while tearing the plastic open. then he started eating. i looked at the brownie girl -- she was looking at me, smiling. i smiled back.

as we were walking towards the supermarket, i thought about the boy. i did not even see his face.