Thursday - March 10 - HIS PROMISE

He woke up late on Thursday morning. In his rush for work, he didn't realize that he did not see the child in front of his gate. The image of the child he saw last night didn't come in his mind, not until lunch break.

The child is now an orphan, he thought. His father was dead, but he must continue to live. I cannot touch him or even get very close to him because of this fucking allergy. Dammit! That was the time he thought of the orphanage.

I will make a call tonight, he promised to himself, for the sake of the child. I will make them pick the child, give him decent clothes and feed him. I will double up my donation just to ensure his health and welfare. Yes, that's it. He will have a bright future, and I, myself, am going to be the one who will ensure it. I promise.

He went back to work right after his break. And when the night came, he was too tired he forgot his promise. The next day would be Friday, which means a lot of deadlines were going to meet before this weekdays ends.

That night, at 11:09, he was still finalizing his weekly report of the progress and status of the company. He was suddenly interrupted by his wife, Mellissa.

"Can you tell me who's that bastard of yours living outside our gate?", she asked.

He was just silent. The sound of his working keyboard dominated the silence in the room. About 8 seconds passed. She was waiting.

"Who?" his reply, clearly occupied and not listening to her.

"Nothing. Just turn off the light when you're done" she said, then went to bed murmuring.

He said nothing. At quarter after one, he was done. He was very tired he immediately collapsed to bed. He didn't bother turning off the light, and he forgot to do the phone call.

Friday - March 11 - THE USUAL DAY

He woke up late every Friday morning. He was on the rush again he did not eat his breakfast.

In his work, it was indeed a busy day, as usual every Friday. Overtime was never new.

He went home late that day and very tired that he immediately went to bed without taking dinner. He slept like dead that night, just like any other Friday nights. The poor child never crossed his mind that day. The name of the child was still forgotten by his busy mind.

Saturday - March 12 - ...THE NAME FRED

He woke up early this morning at exactly 5:33. He felt feverish, so he went to kitchen for an early breakfast. Heavy rain was pouring outside. He heard a cry outside. That's when he remembered the child. That's when he remembered his silent promise to himself for him. That's when he realized he did not notice him yesterday, and the day before. And now it was raining. The poor child was undoubtedly wet and felt cold now. No, I can't go out, he thought. The rain is contaminated. I can't risk my health. I have a work to do, and family to feed.

The cry of the innocent child outside was heartbreaking.

It was not until quarter past twelve that the child crossed the street and slowly walked to the open yard of Mrs. Mercy Ramness and sat right under the overhang of the roof. He was already soaked and still crying.

This night had come and he just made the call to the orphanage. They promised to pick the child tomorrow at 6 A.M. sharp. He was relieved by this and made a silent prayer for the child.

He thanked God for his life. He thanked Him that he never experienced what that poor child was now experiencing outside. He thanked Him for his beautiful wife and his intelligent children. He thanked Him for his good life. For all the blessings and all.

Then he asked Him to help the poor child. He asked Him to bless more the orphanage so they may able to help more children in need. He thanked Him for sending the orphanage as help to the poor boy. Then he closed his prayer.

After his prayer, he peered outside his window. He saw the child, heard the cursed words of Mrs. Ramness, and when he laid in his bed, he suddenly remembered the child's name.

The child's name is Fred. He is Fred, and nothing else.

A moment later, his wife finally finished her shower and they made love before going to sleep. With a relief and satisfaction, he closed his eyes. Then a dreamless sleep came. The rain still kept on pouring outside.