7:30 AM. The roads are busy. People are on their way, having their own destinations. And here I am caught in the middle of a traffic jam. Both hands in the steering wheel, waiting for the car before me to move. A feeling of rush came over me as I look at my watch.
There was a heavy car collision ahead and the road that I was supposed to take was blocked. I saw a "DETOUR" sign that points to a longer and rougher road that will cause me delay.
As the cars slowly moved, a sound caught my ears. "Wang! Wang! Wang!" My heart beats fast and a nostalgic feeling came over me. My eyes were locked to the boy crying in the middle of the highway. There were blood all over him as he seek for help, calling for his father as he look at the crashed cars in front of him. Looking at the boy, I remembered the day when I lost everything that I had. The day that marked the detour of my life.
I had everything - complete family, friends, money and everything that a 15-year-old boy could ever ask. But I never appreciated everything that I had, until I lost it.
It was the day of my high school graduation. Being the only child, every milestone of my life is a big achievement for my parents. Regardless the performance that I had in school, all the troubles that I put myself into, every call from the guidance counselor that they have received, still for my parents, it was a day of celebration. We were about to leave and celebrate when I received a call from my classmate inviting me to come and celebrate together with them. I excitedly told my parents that I should go. Despite the disappointment in their faces, they let me go. I remembered the last words that my father told me before I went out. For me it was just simple words, not knowing that it would be the last words that I'll hear from him, saying "There are two roads in life: SHOULD and MUST. Each time we get to choose and whatever the outcome maybe, you are the one responsible for the roads you take."
Later that night, as I was having fun with my friends, I received a call from my father's number. My heart began to beat fast and I was having a strange feeling. I took the call and tears slowly dripped down of my face. The person from the other line told me that my parents were involved in a car collision just a few blocks away from my friend's house. My heart totally broke as I read the messages from my father saying that they are coming to fetch me and we will be going somewhere to celebrate together.
I hurriedly went to the area where the accident happened. I cried in the middle of the road, calling for my mother and father as I looked at the crashed car in front of me.
"BEEEEEEP!" The deafening sound that calls me back to reality. However, the last words that I had with my father echoed in my head. "There are two roads in life: SHOULD and MUST. Each time we get to choose and whatever the outcome maybe, you are the one responsible for the roads you take."
I took the detour, the road that I must take. Even if how long or how rough it may be, I know that it would lead me to where I want to be.
