Everything Has Changed

XVIII

***

"Hello Migs? Anak nagka-ayos na ba kayo ni Pat-Pat?" Her voice sounded as excited as it could be. But she frowned as the voice on the other line didn't sound as her son's.

"Good evening po. Mommy po ba ito ng owner ng phone?"

"Ah, yes... Why? Who is this? Where's Migo?"

"Your son is at the hospital right now, ma'am. He got into a car accident po and he's currently being cured in the E.R."

•••••••

Migo saw his parents beside the hospital bed as soon as he opened his eyes. He held Aurora's hand upon seeing her cheeks with tears falling on them. "Ma.."

She wiped her tears and hugged her son immediately while sniffing.

"Ang sabi ng doktor may naka-kita lang daw sayo sa tabi ng daan. Yung kotse mo sira. Kung hindi ka pa daw pinilit nung nag dala sayo dito hindi ka pa daw magpapa-gamot." -said Mike. "What happened, Migs?"

Aurora looked around the room, searching for Patricia. Then looked back at Migo.

Migo shook his head. "She didn't show up, Ma."

"Bakit? Akala ko ba okay na kayo?"

He shrugged, weakly.

"So this is still about Patricia?" -asked his father. "Si Patricia na naman? Ano ba, Migo? How long are you planning to be crazy for her?"

He looked at him. So did Aurora.

"Hanggang matapos yang buhay mo? Don't get me wrong, anak, I like her. She's a very nice girl. Pero Migo naman, look what happened to you. Ano na sunod, mahulog ka sa bangin?"

"Mike.." -she tried to stop her husband.

"What? Don't tell me you're going to tolerate him." He chuckled bitterly. "Tigilan mo na yan, Migo Javier, sinasabi ko sayo. Nag mu-mukha ka nang--"

"Tanga?" -he finally spoke to him. "I don't care, Pa. Tanga na kung tanga. I love Patricia. I love her."

"You're still young, Migo. Madami pang iba dyan. Hindi ko alam kung bakit baliw na baliw ka dyan kay Pat-Pat. Buti nga galos lang yang inabot mo eh."

He let a deep sigh out. "I've made up my mind, Pa. I won't stop until I get Patricia back."

"No." -Mike said. "Hindi mo gagawin yan. Your mother and I won't let you to."

He looked at his mother, frowning.

She looked at her son too with a sad look on her face.

Then he looked at his father again. "Hindi na 'ko bata, Papa. Buhay ko 'to."

"Buhay mo na muntik nang mawala nang dahil lamang sa babae." He started to raise his voice. "Hindi ka na nga bata pero susundin mo pa rin ako, Migo. You'll do as I say because I'm still your father."

Migo looked away, his eyebrows meeting, obviously furious. But he chose not to say anything anymore.

Aurora stood up from the chair and gave her son's forehead a kiss. "Pahinga ka na muna, anak." -she whispered to him, making sure Mike wouldn't hear her. "Ako nang bahala kay Patricia." She patted his cheek gently.