As usual, at OUBC I always order the raisin cream buns from Barcook Bakery. They're freaking awesome, you've got to try them. There's always a queue in the already quite crowded "alley" at the basement of OUBC in front of Barcook. So I bought 3 raisin cream, 1 mash potato bun and 1 bo luo bun. Anyway, I headed back to school cos my car was parked there and intended to go home. Then I passed by this grandfatherly cleaner I always see at the School of Business. But today he was walking towards Pink Orchard, which is a boutique shop at the basement concourse at SMU. When I walked pass him, my heart kinda stopped because I knew at that moment I'm supposed to give him one of my raisin cream buns. I continued walking but then I stopped. He was already several meters behind me. There and then, I knew if I ignored this "instinct" of mine, I would regret forever!
So I went up to the uncle, and he was peering into the window of Pink Orchard that displayed the high-end handbags and purses. I called to him, "uncle" a few times, at first he didn't hear me but then he looked up at me and smiled and pointed to the purses in the window and said, "Piao liang ah! ba shi ba kuai!" Now that I look back at the incident, was he thinking about a daughter/granddaughter/niece? Anyway, I took out my raisin cream bun and gave it to him. At first he stared at me and then he said "xie xie". He kept pointing at the purse and commenting that it was $80. I laughed and said it's so expensive, better not buy.
I'm not sure what really came over me. There's something about this uncle that always tugs my heartstrings. As Abi once commented, when you look at him, you kind of feel the sadness and loneliness. If that's true, then I pray that my extremely small deed had helped chase away some of that today, even if it's for a while.
Awww... I totally know what you mean. I have a soft spot for elderly people who sell tissue paper packets in the hot sun =( My heart always aches to know that they have worked so hard all their life, and to still have to work when they are so old =( I always imagine how I would feel if I NEVER retired. It was nice of you to give him your raisin cream bun. I'm pretty sure he wanted to buy a nice bag as a gift for someone, and I hope if he eventually does, that someone will really appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, Fel!
ReplyDeleteOur country should have better welfare system!
Hey! Xin Jin also recently shared the gospel to some cleaner uncle in SMU man...Could be the same uncle man! LOLS! Can go check with her...Haha :D
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