Smile

Two friends and I were on a bus, about to alight, as we reached our destination. The last stop of the bus' journey had already been arrived at, and everyone should be disembarking. One fellow was left, sleeping in the corner. And one guy tapped him on the shoulder to awake him. Initially, I thought they were pals. They weren't. Both walked their separate ways after alighting. A stranger patted the other to signal the end of the line.

I was on the verge of the last step of the same bus, one foot forward, oblivious to the person in front of me. I was preparing myself to get off. My friend had already exited the public transport when I saw her extending her hand as if reaching for something or someone. That's when I realized an old lady was in front of me, trembling, maintaining her composure while gripping the pole by her right hand tightly. She was figuring out how to transfer to the other side without tumbling over. When she saw my friend's gestural offer, she wholeheartedly took it. She must have perceived it as manna from above because, until my friend was beyond her peripheral vision, she did not stop expressing gratitude.

Small acts of kindness. God working in mystical way. Trifle to some, enormous to the receiver of the deed. I remember a post on facebook by one of my friends. It said, "Smile, because you never know whose day you are brightening with it." And I nod in total agreement.