The man walked along the aisle with a sense of purpose. Judging by the crease on his face, he must be around, if not exactly, 60 years of age. He made his way toward the line of seats at the back, swaying a little despite the rather smooth drive along the road.
He stopped short in front of the bus conductor. "Magkano hanggang Puregold?" he asked in a pleasant voice.
"Bente otso," the conductor replied. He made to punch his digital ticket printer when the man gestured to the breast pocket of his orange, shabby shirt.
"Senior ako," the man said brightly. He took out his Senior Citizen Card from his breast pocket and showed it to the conductor.
"Bente kwatro na lang po," was the conductor's simple reply.
The man smiled a bit wider. "Hindi ba pwedeng bente na lang? Senior naman ako eh." He took out his card again and flashed it for anyone who cared to see.
The conductor dud not bulge. He calmly explained the transport fee discount system and, after a few push backs, the man conceded. He handed his twenty-peso bill to the conductor and scoured for coins from his side pockets.
As the man finally took his seat, I began to ponder over that kind of behavior I just witnessed. It's sad how people tend to abuse the little privilege they have. We should only get what we should, what we deserve, what is realistic, what is fair.
Too bad for the orange-shirted man, equity does not recognize a Senior Citizen card.
exactly! yan ang hirap sating mga pinoy eh abusado tapos pag hindi napagbigyan tayo pa galit. tsk tsk!
ReplyDeletetayo kasi guilty din naman ako dito sa ibang paraan o bagay. ewan ko di ko masyado pansin pero ayoko lang maging hollier-than-thou type of person. hehe!