It was really jam by the time I finished mass it was 530pm. It took another 15 minutes for my ride to arrive and by the time I boarded my ride, it was 545pm. Traffic built up so I directed my driver to take the less traffic route. Jalan Gasing-UM PJ Gate-UM KL Gate-Jln Bukit Pantai.
I was really famish as I had fasted the whole day being Good Friday and it was about time I break for fast. Traffic was not helping since it was nearly 20 minutes and we only moved 2km. Total distance from the church to my office was 2.8km. When we were out of UM KL gate, I directed my uber driver to stop me at the nearby Malay shop restaurant which was about 500 m from my office. I had to break fast. Just as I stepped out of my uber car, it started to pour. It was 6.20pm. I waited for my food patiently.
I had ordered 2 drinks, one hot tea and one cold air sirap. I needed the sugar to kick start my brains. I ordered beef broth soup with rice. I waited patiently for my food. I was seated next to this Malay couple who was taking shelter from the rain. Their food arrived earlier. I eyed their food eagerly, hungrily. "Where is mine?", I thought impatiently as I grew hungrier.
Not too long after, my food arrived. I relished the hot soup. On a rainy day like this, nothing beats a hot broth of beef soup. I digged-in into my food, ate heartily yet consciously not wanting to appear too hungry. I finished in a few seconds. The rain still knocked on heavily. My next door table paid and left. I waited for the rain to stop so I could walk back to the office.
The rain stopped after an hour (720pm). I decided to make a go in the drizzle. I got up to the counter to pay my meal. Looking at my wallet, I only had RM10.00. A fiver and a few ones. I told myself, should it be insufficient, I was going to leave my ID card or something and return to the shop to pay after going to the nearest ATM near my office. Just as I asked for my bill at the counter, the man at the counter said my next door couple who were seated next to me already paid for my meal.
I was surprised. Really surprised as I do not know the Malay couple. Did I look too poor to afford a meal? I do not know. All I could muster was Thank you to the guy at the counter but I wish I could repay back the Malay couple.
While walking in the drizzle, I had so many questions running over my head. Maybe the Lord answered my prayers? Covered my inconvenience? I did not have to run to the nearest ATM and back to the shop to pay?
I do not know but I was thankful. I felt I was not deserving of His kindness. I felt it was a mistake. What have I done to deserve an unexpected free meal?
I said my thank you prayer for this unexpected blessing. It could have been a mistake, that the bill got mixed up since we were seated next to each other. Nevertheless, mistake or no mistake, I just had to share, Thank you for dying on the cross 2000 years ago and redeeming yourself for us sinners.
Your loving daughter,
Elena
