Oemor had gathered his things consisting of a big leather bag containing his clothing and a single bag containing some of his personal things. He checked the boxes of the rings if it were okay inside the small bag. He went to the front desk and signed the check-out logbook. As he started to move out he suddenly heard a loud screeching from the brakes of the passing car.
But he was scheduled to leave soonest, yet he remembered his promise to God just a few minutes ago so he thought this must be some situation God gave him to test his faith. He prayed silently for discernment.
Earlier that morning, the early morning church bell awakened Oemor from the excited night’s sleep. It was almost 4:00 o’clock in the morning and the pious Christian community of the City of Dailmore prepared for an early Sunday morning church rites.
He had packed his clothes and other things ready to depart for home in the morning. He had paid his lodging bills the other day and he needed to check out before 7:00 in the morning so that he won’t be charged for another day. He could not afford to pay another day’s stay in the lodging house because what was left of him was a little money for his meals. He already had a ship ticket for his trip home. But first he must honor the giver of his blessings. He had to attend the early mass at 5:00 in the morning then checkout from the house at 6:30 and the vessel will depart by 7:00 AM.
Oemor took a quick shower in a communal bathroom of the inn. Since the place was cheaper than what was budgeted for his accommodation he had to be patient with the cleanliness and the space. He felt the sting; the poor lighting; the rusty odor of the water; and more inconvenience. At home, although he was not rich, his place was much better because his wife was very particular with cleanliness. What was important for him then was not the comfort but his reputation to his family.
He sipped a cup of coffee in a small food stand in front of the house before proceeding to the church, which is some 100 meters from the boarding house. When he arrived there the place was about half-full of churchgoers. He sat on a seat near the center isle and before the rite begun he said a prayer of thanksgiving.
The whole rite was completed with Oemor’s heart centered on his gratefulness to the Lord. He renewed his vow of commitment to the Lord to be always humble and to continue to serve and love God and to serve and love his neighbors. He dedicated his trip back home to God and entrusted Him his entire life. When he emerged from the church, he felt lighter as if he has fulfilled a miracle upon himself. All worries had gone and he felt satisfied as he went back to his rented place.
As he approached his door in the lodging house he noticed a woman standing on the other side of the road. She looked like she was in her early forties, dressed in a familiar style. The silky cloth printed with floral designs sewed like a tube that fits the body and opens wide down the skirt reaching just below the knee. The bust part is covered with screen-like laces. It was typically Scallurian native dress she wore and her face is distinctive of a Scallurian. The black wavy hair, the rounded face the little nose, and the fair skin suggest she must have come from the same city he came.
As he approached to help the woman hit by the rushing car, few others came to help him
“It was so quick, I haven’t noticed the car who hit her,” the big fat man who helped told him with a trembling voice.
Another man volunteered his car.
“Let’s take her to the nearest infirmary.” He said as they carry the woman to the back seat of the car. Thinking he could miss his trip back home if he would come back later after helping the woman, Oemor decided to bring his luggage with him.
The nearest hospital was a 3 minute rush. The attendants were quick to respond to emergency and medical treatments were given to the woman.
Oemor thanked the others who help them. He felt the woman needed his attention not only because he is Scallurian but also she doesn’t have anybody else, he assumed.
The woman thanked him with tears in her eyes, after he was given treatment with some bruises in her right legs. She looked so sad and her eyes seemed it hadn’t gotten good sleep for several days.
She turned to face him and said, “Sir, I am sure you are from Scallur,” the woman’s voice seems trembling with little excitement.
“Yes, you are right. Just like you do, I guess.” He said with a smile.
But the excitement in the lady’s face was covered with sadness and tears flowed down her checks again.
Touched with the sight, Oemor became curious and sympathetic and begun to comfort the woman by rubbing his back. “What bothers you so much?” he asked.
There really was an insurmountable feeling of misery on the woman’s voice as she begun her story.
“I am from Hater, a mining village in Scallur,” she started, and looked at him in the eye to assure he must believe her.
“I know the place,” he confirmed as he signaled her to continue.
“My name is Assiram; I have two young daughters left at home. My husband died in a mining accident in Scallur 5 years ago. After his death, nothing was left of me but a little savings. I have no relatives and so I had to find a job to support my family.” She paused as she wiped the tears running down her check, and then continued.
“I met a work agency that offered me a job as jewelry worker in Dailmore. I was happy with the good opportunity so I accepted it but I had to pay some placement fee. My savings were not enough to fund the placement so I was forced to sign a contract stating I allow my agency to collect part of my salary as payment of the fee.”
He nodded as he watched her. “What happened to your daughters?” he asked.
“I was forced to leave them in the custody of the church in the City of Scallur and promised the nuns I would write and send them money for their needs. I promised to visit them once in a while and to come back after my two years of contract. But fate really plays my life. Instead of having the job as a jewelry factory worker I landed as a house helper in one of the rich families here in Dailmore. Worse, I had a very strict employer. The pay is much lower than was agreed with the agency.”
He sighed in sympathy.
“At first, I and other helpers in the house were free to go out of the mansion, but when the owner heard of some rumors that we will report to the police we were held like prisoners. We were treated like slaves and were no longer paid our salary. We were allowed to eat only two times daily. I could no longer communicate with my family in Scallur. Almost two years in the house, I became desperate that someone could help us. I attempted to escape but I was caught. The owner accused me of stealing jewelries so I was charged and found guilty by the courts despite my innocence. I was sentenced to 5 years in prison.”
“What a pity!” Oemor reacted with disbelief.
“I served my sentence with sad heart but I remained faithful to God and prayed someday my prayers would be answered. I wrote to my family back home but received no reply from them. I worked in livelihood programs inside the prison to make myself productive and save money for my personal needs. God heard my prayers when my sentence was cut short to two years.
I was released a week ago but I don’t have enough money to pay my trip back to Scallur. I tried to find job but no one accepted me because of my record on conviction of stealing.”
Assiram was sobbing when she ended the story saying, “Please sir if there’s something you can help so I can go home.”
Oemor’s heart was touched and he believed her story. He looked at her face and said, “I know how you felt, but I am deeply sorry. If only there is something I can do to help. You know, I am going back home today.”
“If you are going home to Scallur please help me find my daughters and tell them about me so they can find help to let me home,” she pleaded.
“Okay, I will do it!”
As he looked at his watch he noticed he has only 15 minutes left to catch the ship for his trip back home. He spent his time listening to the story of Assiram and helping her with the emergency.
Conscious with the time he finally decided to give one of the three boxes of the fortune ring to her. She told him how important they are for him but he has to give up one just to help.
“Look, this is all I can give. You can sell them in a jeweler at 80% its price but I know the amount would be enough to pay the medicine and the hospital.” His voice sounds sympathetic but with urgency. “I wish I could join you here but I am going home to Scalluria at 7:00 AM.” He continued.
The woman felt relieved and happy. She gazed at Oemor’s face as if he saw an angel. She could not say a word but her eyes expressed a deep message of gratefulness. “You are so kind sir. I know God will reward you.” With tears in her eyes she uttered.
Oemor excused himself from the woman and left her a smile. “We might see each other again in Scallur. God bless you.” Then he moved to call a taxi.
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