Filipino Facebook user Ady Sacol took time over the weekend to express his gratitude to a kind Malaysian boy that he met while both were waiting for their flight to Kuala Lumpur at Phuket International Airport.
Get your tissues ready, because it’s about to become very emosh up in here.
Ady wrote on his Facebook page that both gentlemen were at the boarding gate when he learned that 13-year-old Sean had gone to Phuket for a basketball competition, but had to return early because his grandfather passed away. Ady was worse for wear, sitting in a wheelchair, this a swollen, bruised and bloodied knee and foot.
Since both men were waiting with time before getting on the plane, Sean suddenly turned to Ady and asked him if he was hungry, and whether he wanted anything to eat. While Ady reached to get his wallet, Sean stopped him, and insisted on paying.
Upon returning, the flight gate had a sudden change (oh wait, did we mention it was an Air Asia flight?).
Sean promptly took Ady’s 15kg backpack (ok, sorry but we’re going to have to point out that cabin safety means you’re only allowed 7kg carry-on), and carried it from gate 4 to gate 14 – a 15-minute walk. Sean continued to accompany Ady to the aircraft, ensuring that he and his bag arrived safely to their seat.
When they landed at KLIA2, there was no wheelchair waiting.
For the record, Air Asia charges you RM60 (US$15) for wheelchair upon arrival, and they need at least 30 minutes to arrange it.
Having not known this when he left Phuket, Ady was forced to disembark with the bag himself. You can guess what happened:
“Sean with my 15KG backpack assisted me like his own brother or uncle or his best friend walking from the tube trying to carry me to the best of his ability until the airport buggy arrived.”
He then continued on, carrying the bag until the duo reached immigration, where they parted ways as both had different queues.
Thinking that this was where they would part ways, Ady thanked Sean, and expressed his gratitude.
However, young Sean was not done with his acts of kindness. He waited for Ady, giving him a cold juice, and helping him take his luggage from the carousel. He then waited with Ady until his “driver and house help arrived,” still insisting that he wanted to help Ady.
At this point, Ady declined, and wrote that they said their goodbyes. He also gave Sean Philippine money, saying:
“The money doesn’t have a value at all, it’s the message that is more precious and priceless. Keep it as a simple remembrance of our very short but memorable time together. This wasn’t a coincidence. You are my angel and I can’t thank you enough for your kindness and generosity. You are a treasure to your family and friends. I will always remember you for the rest of my life.”
Ady wrote that the experience was eye-opening, and reminded him how important human connections were in our everyday life, making the world an ultimately less scary place to be.
Sean – wow – just … wow. We’re at a loss for words for once here at Coconuts KL, and that never happens.
What a great kid you are, and how wonderful that you have been raised to be such a generous and considerate person. Individual acts of kindness like this do so much not just to affirm people’s belief in our country’s citizens, but in humanity itself. Keep on keeping on, kiddo.
