The ride home was tormenting, as expected during late evenings especially now that the rainy season has begun. Or maybe it was just my ultra-sensitive skin which made me prone to chills at the slightest drop of temperature, that I shivered under my denim jeans and plain shirt. My flip-flops offered little protection to my icy feet, and it would be at least half an hour before I'd get my freezing ass off the bus.The wind was whipping at my face. The situation prompted a rare wish that I have a car of my own, with heater. And with ardent longing, I thought of my bed and heavy blankets plus a cup of hot chocolate.
That may be the case, but I did not curse under my breath anymore nor I condemned myself for not having foresight to bring a jacket.(At least, not loudly.)If anything, it made me smile, because of what and whom the scenario made me recall.
My friends would tell you right away that I was more likely reminiscing that night with Jacket Guy (how I wish I had his name to promptly address him), and if you met him, you'd know why I tend to act like a silly teenager at the mention of that encounter.
It happened almost two years ago when I was in my last year in University, on a January Tuesday...Stressed due to a homework I had to finish that day, come 9PM I felt like I would meet death when the temp dropped to probably 15 degrees and at I was still an hour away from home. This was the time some ice melted somewhere, so it was uncharacteristically cold even for January, and my thoughts were alarmingly of frostbite, ice,and frozen body parts.
It was a bit of comfort that I was going home with my aunt; I did not have to be cold all by myself and I had someone I could bug about my sentiments.I mean, I was wearing my black slacks and long-sleeved top and many passengers had less parts of them covered but no one looked half as cold as I felt. How abnormal could I get?Even before the jeepney pulled out of the terminal, overacting as it might sound, I honestly thought I'd die pronto. I belatedly (and shamefully) realized that everybody in the jeepney was made aware of my 'delicate constitution' because of my loud mouth and non-stop complaints to my aunt.
Thirty minutes into the trip (with my jaw tired) I did my best to sleep it through.In my resigned torment I imagined writing a story with a situation similar to the one I was being in. (Writing has always been a great way to escape.Ha!) Except my heroine would have a handsome prince to her rescue, one I was not obviously getting. I mean, this was the 21st century. Enough said.
Or maybe Fate was trying to prove me wrong.Because just as I was thinking of a handsome prince coming to my heroine's rescue, a guy just across where my aunt was sitting called my attention, simply shrugged out of his jacket and handed it to me! And my,didn't he look princely indeed! Maybe it was over the top but what the heck, my jaw must have dropped at the unexpected gesture, which I thought was only for yellowed romance paperbacks I was obsessed with when I was still in high school.
My first thought was, 'Was he serious? He doesn't know me!'. It was a bit dark inside the jeep, so I did my best to make out his features (not that I hadn't been looking at him haha, but just making sure). Maybe he was a schoolmate or an old classmate. I just by default didn't assume a complete stranger would just do what he did. I'd been blessed me with people who, in my time of need, had shown me overwhelming generosity and compassion; it's just that what this gentleman had done for me was something waaaay beyond my expectations from a flesh-and-blood, 21st century male. It's another surprise factor that he didn't look like those repulsive, bestial creatures (no elaboration warranted) that I seemed to normally attract like a 100-year old curse.
His face did not look even remotely familiar, if my frozen brain's judgment were to be believed. He looked around my age (or maybe a year or two older) and the only thing I recalled about him was his fair skin that was a contrast to his dark eyes.And the dark brown jacket I had put on, of course, which later Tita said smelled of probably Ross perfume.
My aunt asked me under her breath if I knew him.and when I weakly told her, 'No', I could have sworn she disowned me. But I swear that I didn't just disrobe men of their jackets! I was only too cold to refuse his offer. Undeniably, I wanted to make small talks, and maybe even ask for his name, but that would require me to speak a bit louder to be heard because of our distance. it's just that I could not risk opening my mouth because I am more likely to embarrass myself in the process.My aunt is within earshot, and I would never hear the end of it for like ten billion years if I said something inappropriate (translated: ANYTHING AT ALL).
So all I was able to say was 'Thank You So Much' when I returned his jacket before climbing down the jeepney. Nothing more than words of gratitude was warranted, I thought, though my mind was screaming chaotic chain of thoughts. But I could tell you that the warmth of his kindness really got into me. Where oh where in this vast universe did his type usually hang out?
Many of my friends asked if I saw him again but sadly, I did not, even if I looked and watched for him just for the heck of it. The thing is....If I learned something from that night, it is to believe that there are many good people out there. Altruism, after all, still exists, and yes, miracles happen! Not all men are pigs that should die so monkeys could take over. I was fortunate to have proven that a gentleman of the olden times still existed, and it would be harsh to think that all men were jerks who deserved to be pushed into a lion's den. I just have to pay his kindness forward.
And maybe our paths were not meant to cross more than once, I have been thinking for almost two years now.But what more could I ask? I was given a rare reason to smile a little on cold, cold, nights. :)
