“Kuya konting barya lang po” (“Brother could you give us some money”), said a voice from my back as I was trying to shoot sunset at Baywalk.
“Ano sabi mo?” (“what did you say?”), I asked without even looking.
“konting barya lang po pambili ng pagkain. Di pa po kami kumakain eh” (“just a little money so we can buy food, me and my sister haven’t eaten lunch yet.”)
I looked over and saw two girls staring at me. When I saw the younger one, I immediately wanted to take a photo of her. She had a very sweet countenance tho’ she was a bit shy and didn’t speak a word.
I immediately took this shot because I wanted to capture her look during that time.
“Ok tara, punta tayo dun at iti-treat ko kayo.” (“ok let’s go to that restaurant and I’ll treat you lunch) -even tho’ it was almost dinner time.
“Iti-treat mo kami kuya?” (“you’re going to treat us brother?”), as if they didn’t hear me well.
“oo ba.” (“yes I will”.)
I asked them to order the food they wanted and paid for them immediately.
When they were about to eat, I bade them goodbye.
“hindi mo kami kukunan ng litrato habang kumakain?” (“are you not going to take a photo of us eating?”) the older one asked. Probably they thought I treated them so I can take their photos.
“hindi na. di na kailangan” (“No. No need to”), I smiled and went back to shooting sunset.
Deep inside I really wanted to take photos of them eating.
But I am slowly learning that in some situations, I don’t have to…
Some moments are better left to be experienced.
