How Are You?

_{photo by D koi}

Whenever I'm about to text someone for the first time that day, I always ask the how are you question or what's up, which is then followed by that person saying they're fine, or me saying I'm fine, if they were the ones who asked me the question first.

Well today, I had asked someone that question, not online but face to face, and when they had given the "I'm fine" response as usual, I had decided to not accept it and really really ask them how they were doing, and the response I got was emotional.

Earlier today, while I was seated upstairs, I had seen this guy who also is an occupant of my hostel, just seated outside, one hand under his chin while he was lost in thoughts. I had watched it for probably about five minutes, and for that five minutes, he didn't move, just sat down there, deeply lost in whatever it was he was thinking about.

So I had walked over to him and asked him what's up? Of course he had said nothing that he was fine but I had refused to go, instead I had brought my chair closer to his and I had asked him with a calm, reassuring voice, the type that just let's you know that this person isn't just asking just because they like to gossip, but because they really do care.

And that was when he had taken his time to tell me about all he was going through. For personal reasons I won't be going into details about what he said but one thing I got to realize is that there are people really suffering that are just trying to keep it all inside and put up a fake smile on their face.

I've always known about that, but having to hear it from someone having a first hand experience from it all just gives this kind of feeling that makes you feel like you're just hearing about it for the first time in your life.

Majority of his problem was financially related but it had gotten so bad that he wasn't looking for money to do any other thing but just eat. I had helped with the little I had but then I knew that the little I had given to him would only sustain him for a couple of hours before he goes hungry again and then he's back to square one.

And what's even more sad is how expensive everything has gotten in this country. I remember the other day I was telling my friend that the worse form of being broke is when you and all of your friends are broke at the same time, because you guys won't have anyone to run to for help. And that was exactly what was happening at that moment because I didn't even have enough for myself either.

Anyways, in as much as there really isn't much to give, I feel sometimes it is good to open up to someone you feel really cares about you and tell them about what you're going through, because although they might not have at that moment, they might have later.. And most times, your problem might not even be a financial one, you might need an advise on something eating you up inside and maybe that guy or lady next to you might have the perfect advise to solving that problem.

You never know, until you give it a try.