It's never too late

Chapter 1

Nasa kalagitnaan ako ng paglalakad ng may makita akong batang lalake.

"Mama? papa!!" sigaw ng batang lalaki, nilapitan ko naman sya.

"Hey," tsaka nya 'ko niyakap,

"Let's find your parents."

Sa paghahanap 'ko sa mommy at daddy nya, sigaw s'ya ng sigaw. Nang napagod naman ako na buhatin s'ya binaba ko s'ya, kaso umiyak kaya binuhat ko ulit.

Ilang minutong paglalakad, ginusto nya na bumaba, at sa agad na niyakap ang nakita n'yang lalaki.

"Papa!" sigaw ni baby sa nakabanga nya,

"Ziel!" banggit ng lalake.

"Parent?" tanong ko.

"Uncle suits on me." sabay buhat n'ya sa bata.

"kendrix xian tiroy" pag papakilala n'ya.

"ezikel"

"thank you for taking care of this child," tukoy n'ya sa bata.

"Hey, would you mind if you join us? dinner." tanong n'ya sa'kin, sinangayunan ko nalang 'yon.

Papasok na kami ng restaurant ng may tumawag sa phone ko, at tumingin sa'kin si drix.

 "I think that's important, answer it." nakatingin sa phone ko, tsaka ko sinagot 'yon call.

Shaznae Calling...

"Tell me your location, pagod na 'ko."

"I'll send you, bye."

"I'll hang up."

Shaznae is my friend whom I can't call Close Friend, It's just that, I don't have a choice.

Pumasok na ako ng restau at hindi naman ganon kadami ang nasa loob, nasa labas naman kami ng arcade kaya siguradong mas madami ang nasa loob.

"Gosh! I'm tired, abutan mo naman ako ng baso." first thing she said, so I give her.

"You study med---"

"I don't."

"I should've ask you."

"What?"

"There's a car accident infront this restaurant, you should---"

"Why don't you? As far as I know, you were the one who study Med. Graduated to be exact."

"I don't have experience. And, pilit ang pag kuha ko ng Med. Ikaw, pinilit mo mag Med."

"Why don't you call ambulance, then?"

"Why don't you just help them, they're dying! Besides, I have my med kit."

I excuse myself to them, knowing I kinda interrupt them. Quickly I run to the tree where the accident, Shaz bought me her med kit.

I did first aid thing, the last thing I do is to freaking call my father's hospital number.

"Uh. Ma'am, wala po---"

"Use any fucking car. There's a accident why aren't you doing anything? Should I report you?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

Good thing they arrive, using his van.

"Ma'am, sumabay na daw po kayo samin."

"Who said?"

"Sir Blake po, sisante daw po kami kung di ka po makakasabay samin."

"I'll text him, sasabay na ko kay Shaz."

First thing I knew, he'll scold me. He don't want me to meddle, especially if it's about med. His the worst.

Shaznae just keep on scolding me to, as if she isn't the one who want me to do it. Tinatakot n'ya pa ko na baka pag buhatan na ko ng kamay, he really hate how I wanted to study Med.

Ibinigay sa'kin ng nurse ang phone ng dalawang mag asawa na naaksidente kanina, luckily walang password.

I call the last number they called, but no one answered. I call the second one, it rings.

"Yes, tito?"

"Do you know the owner of this phone? They got to an accident. I'll send the address, please come quickly." I ended it.

I really want to laugh at this kind of moment, I'm waiting here to be scolded. Wala pa kasi si Daddy, ang sabi nasa operating room. Ang lalakeng naaksidente ay maayos na ang lagay, nasa isang kwarto nag papahinga.

Rinig ang mga yapak ng lalakeng tinititigan ang mga pinto sa hallway.

"Kendrix?"

"Ezikel?"

"Why are you here?"

"I got a call, my uncle is in accident."

"You're uncle is fine, he's in room. The girl, she's on operating room. I'm the one who called you, thru your uncle's phone." i explained.

"Are they--"

"Yes."

Huminga s'ya ng malalim at yumuko, tahimik na nag dadasal.

"She'll be fine, I'll claim it." just to cheer him up.

"Thank you. You help me twice, I'll treat you next time."

"You should see your uncle."

"I can't find his room."

Ended up with him. He ask me a lot about his uncle's condition, I can't answer them ina confident tone since I'm not graduated on med. He stop asking questions after someone calls him.

"Hello? I'm at hospital, I'll go. Don't tell her, please. My tita called. Bet, they ask. I'll be back, okay? I don't! Bro, I'm freaking loyal. Hell nah!! shut it! I'm on my way."

He looked at me.

"Are you student?" he asked me.

"No. And, I don't look like one."

"So, on mid 20's?"

"I'm 20."

"I'm 21. Anyways, I'll go. I have class to attend, take care of my Tito and Tita!" and then, he leave.

I was caught guard. He just knock after that boy left, he shouldn't leave me here. It's not like he's my biggest fear, I just don't like being scolded nor shouted.

"To my office."

At least Shaz manifest that it's just some calm advices, or I'm freaking dead. Dead inside.

"How many times do I have to tell you this, AC?" here he go again.

"Probably, when you know why?"

"Bastos ka ba talaga?"

"If answering to your question is unrespectable to you, I mean to."

"What?"

"I've always told you this, Dad. I'm done with you!"

"I'm also done with you, AC! You know how I hate when you try to meddle in this hospital. Try to act like an adult, learn to respect."

"As you should too. Try to respect my decisions, it's not always up to you. I'm acting adult now, but you act like I'm not aware of this things."

"Because you aren't---"

"Because you never care! That's the reality, Dad. You always want the best for you, and not the best for us."

"I am your Dad."

"And I am a FUCKING INDEPENDENT WOMAN. understood that? I'm the main on my own, stop ruining me, stop ruining our future. Better search up what's Kuya's hotel means."

"Stoo bringing your Brother!"

"Why can't I? There's always a reason behind those names, why would he named it if it wasn't meaningful? La Parallel."

I leave. I just probably hate him, just for this day. I hate him today, I hate you so much.