I HAVE THIS LONG-LOST FRIEND OF MINE, a classmate AND A TRUE FRIEND. After more than ten years of losing touch with him, I have been able to see him again. That was during our batch reunion.
Reji as we would call
him was one of the brightest in our class since our elementary grades. He was
also one of the nicest and the friendliest boy among us. Until he was blown
away by the sad and harsh realities that ceaselessly courted him even to this very
day.
I actually arrived late
in our class gathering. While I was exchanging greetings and pleasantries with
my long-lost closest friends and classmates, somebody whispered and asked me to
greet Reji over the other side of the table. Obviously, he was turning his back
from us. I asked him if he could still recognize me. He nodded calling me with
my name. At the back of my head, I was telling myself had not a classmate told
me who he is I would not be able to recognize him. I also asked myself with a
resounding echo, is this the nice boy whom we and I used to know.
I knew everyone of us
there has similar questions. Every one of us feels so disappointed of seeing
Reji again. You see, the young playful boy whom we look up to because of his
intelligence that promises him a better future has suddenly turned into a nightmare
before us. His appearance alone that seemed so innocent then is now darkened
with nicotine and probably even dried up with drugs. His clean-cut image then
was now erased with his longer hair and unshaven face. He has absolutely
changed in looks.
We would remember Reji
as a multi-faceted young boy. He could easily turn himself from a real good boy
into a real asshole. But remarkably, he is naturally intelligent and talented.
He could top quizzes and exams. He could express his ideas reasonably enough.
He could even compose songs in a moment while beating our teacher’s table. He
was simply incredible and extraordinary. Yet, he was always the pity to most of
us his classmates.
At nine, he was
orphaned. After which, he moved in and out to different relatives` houses doing
odd household chores so he could continue with his education. At ten, he was
separated from his siblings. At thirteen, his estranged stepfather took him to
Olongapo only to be exposed to the evils lurking in the darkest streets of the
city. There, he befriended the tambays and the addicts just so he could eat the
pulutan to satisfy his rambling stomach. He has to bear the heat and the rain
to find odd jobs for money. His big dreams flew away. The name of his life`s
game became, survival.
I ask now myself, is
Reji a wasted youth? Or does he deserve to be called one? Is he a wasted
talent? Maybe. But who are to be blamed? Or is blaming anybody would heal his
brokenness and put his hopes and dreams back to life?
There are so many Reji
on our midst. They are maybe a friend, a neighbor, a classmate, or a voiceless
creature in the wilderness. They are realities in a very unreal world. They are
human beings in inhumane circumstances. (
