---pill ala carte

We were eating at a fast food chain nearby our residence. It was quarter past 4 am, so I wasnt expecting much diners at that time. What I anticipated were I supposed harlots dressed up in skimpy skirts almost with lurking arse and tight sparkly tops showing their enhanced bosoms. They come in pairs or most of the time with their "bosses". We frequent this place most of the time at wee hours, and considering the location, this avenue is the cradle of flesh for sale,so the scene is not new. It’s December, so extra money is much needed. While we were enjoying the breakfast, what caught my attention was an old man around 60 something, sitting on a chair, fast asleep, his hands hanging low besides him. His mouth was gaped with saliva ready to fall anytime. He would move from time to time and take a little liberty to heave his moans. On his table was a noodle-soup cup and a glass of water half full. The eye catcher was the pill laid down on the cup, it was yellow and blue. I realized that he must have forgotten to down it, due to exaggerated intoxication and dozed off. His slippers were too small to occupy his swollen toes. Across his chair was a mercury drug plastic bag with gauzes, tissues and medical goodies as if it sat there like a passive companion . A number of teenagers sat beside his table parallel to us laughing and joking noisily but still he was asleep. We continued to eat our food, drank the coffee which I regretted ordering. My gaze shifted somewhere and I didnt notice how he was awakened so, I disguised my observation. He got the water gargled it and throw it on the cup which made me almost vomit.I imagined myself being served on the same cup where he spewed just right now. Thanks to the bitter taste of coffee for healing my nausea. He drank the pill though and left walking as if he has chains shackled in between his feet.

I felt dreary. My fear of getting old and enduring pain like that showed up again.I know that in time, all the sediments of my negligence to take care of my physical body will arise by the time I am senile and unable to take care of my self. My husband and I, share the same sentiments over that issue. I dont like the idea of strolling in the mall, on a wheelchair to guide me as I watch people walk cozily around me. I dont wanna be the man I just saw, acting unbecomingly to a place he doesnt own, and loitering at the wee hours of the night hammered. He could have been sleeping on his cot at home and drink coffee when the morning comes.My point is, as we grow old, we must be more responsible to ourselves and our kids are not suppose to take this dilemnas.Albeit, I dont mean to be parrying any obligations at any given point in time to my parents. Each of us are responsible in minding what we would become later. Probably,I’d find a nursing home, where I can pay someone fix things for me not because they are forced to, but because it’s their job.

Being old is like eating with a pill as an extra dessert. When your whole body has deteriorated to function like the normal ones, they extend your strength to endure more, unluckily. We vamoosed the place like there was a huge realization left hanging over me. The crowd we left were younger ones and with body really strong and beautiful, yet I wondered if they ever noticed the man and imagine themselves years from now, wearing the same shoes. Life as we travel is cumbersome to others, fun for some, for someone like me..it’s a yet to be known… One chocolate mousse with pill on the side please?…