A test of compassion

After a hair trim today, I took the back alley path home.
A auntie scared me by appearing infront of me asking for help.

She looked quite sick to me, already half crying,very skinny and she was crooked.
I mean her body was slanted to the left,as if something heavy is weighing down her shoulders.
She was wearing this oversized grey T but I have no doubt that she is indeed very skinny. It would be mere skin over bones if she took off her shirt, which would be an unpleasant sight too.

I was kinda scared cos' it was dark and not many people were around. (except those playing at the JC, but too a lil far from me.)

So this auntie asked me for some money cos' she was having asthma and all she had was an empty bottle of medication in her hands.
Initially I told her I have no money cos' it might be some con afterall.
I didnt quite like people who "begged" for money to say that if I really wanna help her, I would have a way.
But again she really sound very sick and asthmatic and looked so poor thing to me.

So I told her that all I left was only $6 bucks with me cos' I just went for a haircut.
(I just withdrew $20 after lunch and now I break with ZERO)
I gave her the $6 and asked her where she lives and why she's here.
She told me she lived somewhere between AMK and Bishan and she was here to look for some friend (purpose unknown) but her friend wasnt around, if not she wouldnt be "begging" for help.

Initially I think she did ask if I could loan abit more but I told her that's all I have.
I asked if I could bring her for a seat so she might feel better, but she rejected and walked off. (without thank you? =/ )

I didn't feel 'pain' parting with my only $6 left.
Anothe 6 bucks could have mean I went for a better salon for cut or a lunch tomorrow, with drinks throw in and even still have some leftover to buy a candy or so.
But I guess she needs it more, no doubt it couldnt help her to buy her med in time?
That I feel bad about it. If I have ten bucks left, I would still give her all I have.

True is that she may still be a con for compassion, easy targets on kind faces like me. (HAHAHA!)
But I just think that even if she is really a con, she really seems in need of money anyway. (And I know $6 won't help much...)

I am not the type that give money to street performers, performing handicapped along the street...though I always wish I would do it to avoid that guilt riding on my back.
I am not the type that would donate to every would-you-like-to-donate persons on the streets on the time.
I am not even the type that would call in the hot line for every charity shows cos' the amount to donate just seem bigger all the time and I felt donation should be of own free will. Ok I tried calling in once using mobile but strangly it wont engage anyhow.

But I often fell trap to those asking for lil' aid on the street. It's not the first time. Several times are those that lost their transport medians and needed a lil amount to get home. $2 bucks is all they got from me.
And today is just another example on how I fall short to these seemly poor souls.

Just as I walked off, I just murmured this, "God, have mercy on that poor lady."
I dont know if its ever the right thing to say but I said it anyway.

No mattter what...I just hope that the auntie wouldnt have to go asking for money soon.