It was that night in September when Kim ran to her Kuya Michael's room. She found us sitting on the sofa, playing Kuya Michael's new video game.
"Jeremy," She called. "Nood tayo ng tv. Dali!"
Hindi namin siya pinansin. I thought she's just jealous because I'm spending the night in her kuya's room and not with her.
"Jeremy!"
"Kim, nag-sleep over siya so we can finish this game. He didn't come for you, okay?" Kuya Michael scolded her.
"But Kuya, he needs to watch tv. Tito Jeric and Tita Mai are in the hospital. It was in the news just now."
I let go of the game console; and without a word, I ran out of the room and went to the living room. The TV's tuned in to a news program. They're showing footages of a car accident scene.
My eyes widened. The car's in wreck but I know. My heart knows. But I wished I was wrong. It was my dad's car. The car he rides when he's driving me to school. The car he rides when he's driving me and mommy to the mall. It's his car.
"Jeric Teng and wife seriously hurt in a car accident." The headline just confirmed it.
Lumapit sa akin si nana, Kim's grandmother. "Your Tito Jeron called. He'll pick you up. He's on his way." Then she hugged me. "Don't worry. Everything will be fine."
I glanced at the TV. I wish I never left home. I wish I stayed with them. Things would not have happened if I was with them.
...
I'm standing beside the guard near our school gate waiting for Tito Jeron to pick me up. For three days, he's been my dad, my acting dad. He said he'll be my dad as long as dad is in the hospital. I'm okay with that. I love Tito Jeron. He's cool. We get along well. And unlike my titas who treats me like I'm still 2, he treats me like I'm just a few years younger than him.
"How was school, young man?" He asked when I got up to his car.
"It's cool."
"Do you want to eat first before we go to the hospital?"
"No. I'd like to see mommy and daddy."
"Okay. Buckle up."
I did what I was told. And it made me miss dad. If he was here, he'd do it for me. And we'll argue about eating.
"Nah. Let's eat first. Pagagalitan ako ng mommy mo pag hindi kita pinakain." He'll say.
I miss dad.
Soon we arrived at the hospital. Unlike the past three days, the place is not crowded anymore. No more media. No more reporters. Just sick people. Just visitors.
