While on the way to grab a subway burger near my house, a frail old man with a staff and a blue plastic bag waved at me from a bus stop.
I hesitated a bit and walked to him thinking he might need any help. Without saying a word, he just hand over the seemingly heavy plastic bag. I hesitated again and then decided to just take it while he then trying hard to stand up. I helped him and he just grab hold of my left wrist and we start walking.
I hesitated a bit and walked to him thinking he might need any help. Without saying a word, he just hand over the seemingly heavy plastic bag. I hesitated again and then decided to just take it while he then trying hard to stand up. I helped him and he just grab hold of my left wrist and we start walking.
Peeking at some newspapers inside the plastic bag, I guess he is of Malay ethnic, so I asked "Pakcik nak pergi mana?" (Where you wanna go uncle?) "Sembayang." (Praying) I finally knew he is heading to Hajjah Fatimah Mosque which is just next to my flat. As he is having some difficulties walking, the short distance path which took me only 30 seconds while I walk to work daily became a very long one. I get to know that he actually came from Woodland and he told me that the mosque was built in 1840.
Finally, we reached the door of the mosque and that's the first time I'm standing so close and looking at it. He signaled me to put down his plastic bag and then he held his hand forward. I hesitated for a second and shook his hand. After shaking my hand, he pointed his fingers toward his heart just as a Muslim always do. I take that to be a wordless thankfulness.
