AESTHETIC MIND

An exemption

[Theo]

I was walking home pondering about what happened at the visit, Daniel's mother seems so distant and sad.

Maybe she doesn't want me to visit Daniel and talked about his condition. But why would she hate to talked about his kid's condition? Aren't mothers supposed to take care of their child's mental health?

This questions is out of my capacity to answer. I saw a 7/11 store across the street, an urge for a cold sweet treat suddenly popped in my mind.

I still have 50 pesos on my wallet so why not give in to my urge.

after a moment of waiting I got my ice cream. It looks so delicious that I settled at a corner outside the store.

Licking the ice cream and looking outside, it was a perfect solitude.

I wonder what kind of images Daniel see outside.

But can he really see? For starter, he's not able to recognize objects and faces but he's not aware of it.

Not aware of something that you have lost.

hmmm

I wonder if that is what's happening to me.

I wonder if I lost something as the fall happened when I was a kid. I was definitely, happier,  before the fall happened.

Happier, now I wonder what that is. If I can't tell what that is, how can I ever consider something that has been lost if I can't recognize it before I lost it.

Ahh

This questions once again.

I can't even answer it myself, and yet, I tried to help Daniel. Should I just contact Daddy Smite and ask for his help.

The ice cream is already melting in my hand

It is kind of hot today.

"Superhero? Ikaw iyong superhero 'di ba?" I heard someone said. I didn't look up since I am certainly not a superhero. After a while, a girl sat at the chair in front of me

"Naaalala mo ba ako?" She said smiling

"Yes. I remember you. But I don't know you"

She giggled and lick the ice cream she's holding. It's the same as mine "Oo nga pala. Ako nga pala si Hestia Morgan, ikaw?"

"Theodore Ramerez" She handed her hand for a handshake, I didn't know how to decline but she smile and close her hand.

"Madumi ba masyado?" Kumuha siya ng wet wipes at pinunasan ang kamay niya

"It's not your hand that's dirty. It's mine, it is sticky" I said and extended my hand that is covered by ice cream

"Well aren't you a cutie" She laugh once again and got plenty of wet wipes and starts wiping my hand. I thought I would feel icky like I usually do when other people touch me, surprisingly, I felt okay with her touching me.

"Ayan malinis na. Let's do that once again. Hello! I'm Hestia Morgan" She extended her hand again for a handshake

"I am Theodore Ramerez" This time we really did a handshake

We were silent for a few seconds. Once we finished our ice cream she handed me a wet wipes again to clean my hands

Bakit mukhang may problema ka? May bumabagabag ba sayo?"

I look at her, surprise. She might've noticed and she starts panicking "Hindi ako nakikitsismis ha! Curious lang ako haha yung unang pag kikita kase natin mukhang hindi ka timatablan ng stress eh"

I confide with her, I thought it is okay for asking an advise. We would probably never met again anyways.

"Dapat kase inuna mong kausapin iyong nanay niya. Nanay niya kase iyon, alam niya kung ano ang makakabuti sa anak niya kahit ano pa iyon. Sabi mo naman inaalagaan niya pa rin iyong anak niya hanggang ngayon hindi ba?"

I nod and she continue talking "Tayong mga bata pa mahihirapan talaga tayong intindihin ang mga matatanda na. You shouldn't interfere with their lives, pero kung gusto mo talagang tumulong you can ask a doctor with lots experience for help. Sabi mo pinag iisipan mong gawin 'yon di ba? Edi iyon ang gawin mo. Mas makikinig iyong nanay sa doctor na may degree kaysa sa iyo, yes you may be brilliant, pero bata ka pa naman"

She can be a good nurse someday, she do have a soothing way of talking.

She may be right. She might be right

"Pero natutuwa ako na gusto mo silang tulungan. Nagiging superhero ka na talaga"

"I am not a superhero because—" She cut me off saying "Because you don't have a cape?"

Her phone starts ringing, the person on the other line might be in a difficult situation since she stood up abruptly and start walking off

before she hailed a taxi she looked back at me and wave "Sana mag kita tayo ulit"

I open my phone and starts calling Daddy Smite "Theo! You called! Do you need something?"

"Can you help me with the case I'm looking into? The patient have prosopagnosia"

"Of course! Of course. Say, why don't you come here at the office at 3pm. Right after the surgery we'll talk about your case"

"Thank you Daddy Smite"

"You're welc—"

I drop the call and tidy the table

Hestia

I didn't even had the time to thank her. This is the first time, I wanted to see a stranger once again.