Jomar(Jonah Leigh Ramos) February 26, 2010 — it was just as if it was a normal day.

I strode my way home. But of course I can’t do the activity while walking under the heat of the sun at nine o’clock of the morning… I have to take a ride. Today has been the second day of the Fourth Achievement Test, and tomorrow will be the third and the last. Nothing unusual has occurred this day so far: no classmates again as company. Each day, I go home myself only.

My way routed to Pritil, I rode on board a jeepney destined to the place. Just as I was entering the vehicle and going straight forward behind the driver’s seat to pay my fare, so as not to worry about fees later, I noticed a boy, maybe younger than me, sitting beside the jeepney’s entry. What there is to notice is that the boy is filthy all over — like one who is found wandering the streets.

I sat across the unfilled space behind the driver’s seat as I waited for my change. When finally I got it, I made my way to sit on the other side of the entry, where on my front is the filthy boy — only the two of us as the passengers for the mean time. That place where I sat positioned face to face with the street child didn’t bother me since I sit always next the vehicle door’s entrance. I was thinking of what to say, perhaps, a conversation with the young stranger.

In the midst of question-making, the boy softly and shyly called me by the name ‘Ate’ and requested some small value of money, “…for food,” he said, showing an eating action. If only I had some unmoved food in my bag, I would give him that, but I only have a pen and a scratch in my back pack. “Wait for a minute,” I said, taking out from my pocket my wallet. I searched for a ten-peso coin and after, stretched my hand to lend the round metal on the boy’s palm. “That’s for food only, alright?” I told him with a smile. The boy nodded and quickly fixed his eyes on the ground.

“What’s your name?” I asked, that I may make known to him that I’m a friend. “Jomar,” he responded. I repeated his name, expecting a correction, but I spoke his name just right. Silence fell after my query. Both of us gazed upon the sceneries outside the jeepney. Then, like we’ve been somewhat acquainted, he talked to me with confidence and I replied to him with all due respect. When he told me it was his birthday that day, I congratulated him for his special occasion. He thanked me warmly — a nice thing found rare nowadays.

As bits of time passed by, he managed to show me his smiles. And with his every smile, I feel my heart fall in awe — they make his face brightly glow. I came to ask his age — (maybe he’s ten, or eleven I guess), but I was shocked to discover he was a year older than me. “Fourteen?” I repeated, and he nodded for confirmation.

It was traffic still; no other seatmates for long. I looked at him… maybe this is an opportunity to share the Word, but I thought it all over and over, as if waiting for the right time to open up the concept to him. I have been dreaming long, to share the story of the one God who lives, with other passengers of whatever vehicle I ride on. Never done that before. And right now, I’m thinking of doing it.

But I kept quiet and leaned back. People are now coming in. Jomar and I didn’t talk along the route to our destination. I just sat back, feeling a bit disappointed with myself for not sharing Christ to this new friend of mine. I listened to him as he sang a song. I’m not familiar with it, but I think it is a love song.

As I come nearer and nearer to my home, I think of some phrases of encouragement I can tell this comrade. (Bye, God be with you), right.
“Para!” I called on, and stepped my way out the jeepney. “Bye,” Jomar bidded. “Bye…” I bidded him back and turned to look at him and smiled. He smiled that smile again. I didn’t manage to say, “God be with you”, because the driver was in hurry. But whatever, I stood at the sidewalk, maybe for some time, to watch the vehicle continue its journey. There, was Jomar, who watched me stand in my place. I waved and he waved back.
No sooner did my feet move again, making their path directed home.

Remembering freshly, I thought of the time he talked with me of the burned scar on his face, and how I told him I never really talk much inside the jeepneys I ride on, even when there are classmates or friends to talk with. Again, I was reminded of his smiles…

That camaraderie is among the unforgettable friendships I have had.

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