A golden heart that is too good to be true!
Heba Hendawi
Once again, she knocked my door with a heavy heart and wet eyes. “It’s me and my voluntarily deeds again,” she said to me as soon as she saw my face. I know I have a friend who is always misunderstood for his kindness and self-denial. Looking at her, I realized that she was troubled and the trigger was from within herself. We spoke a lot before about her built in traits that people did not appreciate but rather manipulated for their own good.
She started telling me the whole story: I saw one device that I needed for a long time but was reluctant to buy because of its costly price on sale in one of the reputable sell and buy Facebook groups. The owner was asking a good price for a single-use item. It was really in a very good condition as the photos showed and I decided to buy it. I sent a message to the owner that I was interested and I am ready for pick up. It was a Thursday. Keep this in your mind for later reference. The lady on the other side, said that she was at work and it is an hour drive from her home while I live just beside where she works. She had to take a leave, drive back home to get the device then go back to work. Provided that the next following days were a weekend and no work so she would not be in the area.
As usual, I automatically put myself in her shoes and saw the hassle in leaving and driving two hours to go back and return. I just told her that I am not in a hurry and no need for all that trouble. I could wait for your next visit to the area on Sunday when she is back to her work. She was to bring the device with her. We agreed on that and everything was fine. She asked me to send her a message on Saturday to remind her and agree on the pickup location. I was happy and excited as I wanted this device for many times and was always reluctant to buy it new let alone used. To my surprise, that very day was full of advertisements for the same appliance. I ignored them all of course.
On Saturday, as per agreement, I contacted her to arrange all the details. I was shocked when she replied that she sold the device and she blocked me in cold blood! I started blaming myself as usual. My kindness was misunderstood for being a non-serious buyer. Was I wrong in not insisting that she brought it right away? Why did I care to make things easier for her by waiting for her next trip to work? Why do I care about people’s comfort more than I do to myself?! If I insisted on instant delivery, I would have had the bargain done. Who cares if she had to drive two hours to pick it up and bring it to me? She was the one who offered to sell and she had to take the hassle! Why did I care about a stranger that I didn’t know! Why didn’t she even tell me? Am I not even worth a message?
Read: Playing the joker card!
I listened to my friend fuming with anger. This is not the first time and it definitely won’t be the last time for her. She has this built in deep care for others. She always puts herself in any one’s shoes and acts accordingly. She wanted to save the seller the trouble so she was misunderstood for not being serious and the woman sold to someone else without even bothering to apologize or tell her. She cared about a stranger and the stranger did not even care to tell her that she declined the bargain and gave her a chance to look elsewhere.
I was before two extremely opposite attitudes; one that cared about others more than her own self and another who just thought of her own benefit and profit; one that respected her word and promise and another who broke her word with a stranger without any remorse. These two examples of people exist around us everywhere. The first suffers because of her kind heartedness and care and loses opportunities in life and is always at the back of the line while the other is self-centered and opportunistic no matter what it costs. Pit hole after another she does not learn and does not help but act according to her naturally driven characteristics. She acts with an open heart and self-denial. She assumes goodness in return and gives endlessly. She faces depression and disappointment. A golden heart that is too good to be true!
Published under the International Cooperation Protocol with Middle East Business | Life Magazine Abu Dhabi
________________
