The Accident (CHAPTER 5)

The Accident

Written by Adrianne Aguilar

"There are no mere accidents in life. It is just what you called destiny"

~*~

“Mickey?” it was Nina who’s on the door. “I was calling you over your phone.” The doctor said to his nephew.

“Oh sorry tita… I turned it into silent mode on my way here.” As Michael explained to Nina.

“So shall we have some dinner?” as the doctor invited his nephew Mickey.

“Hmmm… Okay… I am a bit starving…” and his stomach growled.

“Well you are indeed hungry…” Nina agreed to Mickey’s statement.

Michael Sy was all smiles leaving David Castillejos’ room. They both bid their farewell to Dave and they went into this fancy restaurant just thirty minutes away from the hospital.

While in the middle of their sumptuous dinner, Dr. Ricafuente suddenly asked her nephew a question.

“It seems to me that you do visit the hospital that often.” And he gave Mickey this curious look.

Michael suddenly became quiet, and he looked as if he was caught off guard. He really doesn’t know how to answer that seemingly bizarre question.

“Anyways, just eat your dinner. Don’t you worry about my silly question…” as Nina said to his nephew.

The evening went well, they had some dessert, and at about nine in the evening they already went home.

~*~

It’s an early Sunday morning when Michael Sy left his home, even his “kasambahays” didn’t know on when or where he went. Only the security guard who opened the gates for him knew that he left at about five in the morning. It’s his usual routine, mostly a week before the basketball season starts. A time for him to sort things out, on what he should focus and prioritize on. A time for him to have a peace of mind. Mickey usually visits this deserted beach somewhere in Northern Luzon. There he usually takes some pictures as he admires the beauty and tranquility of the place. He’s your typical “nature lover”, he loves climbing trees, playing with the sand, trekking along the rocky road side. All he needs is a gallon of water, some snacks and some classical music of Mozart, Chopin or perhaps Vivaldi.

“I remember this spot. This is where…” as he remembered the same place on where he sketched a portrait of Anika. A place that he shared with the one he once loved and there they had made love. But just like the sands on the sea, that love was just washed away by some murky waters.

But that same murky water had just uncovered something, something radiant, rather vibrant. It was a pair of colorful seashells.

Mickey decided to pick it up, and he then kept it on his pocket, after taking some interesting shots, he had some snacks and he decided to run off the place.

Later that afternoon, he just found himself inside David’s room. He just held his hand and put that same seashell the he picked up on the beach. He kept the other one in his pocket.

“I’ve brought you the beach…” as Mickey whispered on the patient’s ear. He was at least expecting for a response, maybe a shift of the finger, or a head movement perhaps. Michael patiently waited, and waited and waited. Maybe it took him about thirty minutes and he just suddenly shifted his attention to another thing. He then saw the corkboard of letters. He decided to check it out again if there are new letters or notes on which he didn’t read yet. As he scavenges on some letters, this white envelope had somehow again caught his attention. As if telling him that he should read it, but at the back of his mind also tells him that he should not. 

But in the end his curiosity had won over him.

Mickey carefully unwrap the envelope and slowly opened the letter. It was dated June 21.

“This was the day of the accident?” as he concluded, and he continued on reading the letter.

Dave,

I know for a fact that these past few months were very difficult for both of us. The endless fights and quarrels, the never-ending jealousy, then we’ll just make up after a fight. Then we’ll fight again…

I’m getting tired, I’m fed up. I’m moving out of our place.

I know that both of us are trying to at least patch things up. But I guess the more that we do this kind of set up, the more that we do end up hurting each other… I am not saying that the past four years of our relationship is one hell of a ride, but just lately… Oh heck… Nevermind…

I am moving into a friend’s pad. I’ll be quitting the company and I will find a new one, so that you’ll have at least some peace of mind. I’ll just pick up my things maybe next month. See you again soon…

Your jerk boyfriend este ex-boyfriend pala, just like what you said days ago,

Drew…

PS. Please don’t bother on contacting me. I would not answer your call this time.

Mickey was in awe. His jaw dropped. He realized that on that same night he and David were dumped by the people that they treasure. Michael’s mind was everywhere, he couldn’t think well… He couldn’t stand that a person could actually do that to David.

And from nowhere he had heard a knock.

“May I come in?” it was from a familiar voice. It was from David’s boss/friend, Allen Marciano.

“Yes… Please come in…” as Michael invited him inside.

Allen noticed that Mickey had already read the letter but he just acted as if he didn’t saw it.

But Mickey can’t stand that fact so he then asked him a question. “David has a boyfriend?” his tone of questioning sounded that he was disgusted, but he was disgusted by the fact that this guy just left David behind. On the other hand Allen just decided to at least compose himself so that he could answer Michael’s query.

“Yes, he did. He was actually his ex-boyfriend…” as Allen started.

And so Allen told to Mickey the detailed story about David and his ex, Drew. That it was almost like a fairytale love story, they both met each other when they were in college, by that time they decided to live with each other as housemates. Then they went into the same company. There Drew started to fool around. Well actually he would just flirt with someone once in a while. On the other hand David was the martyr type. He would just ask him about his other adventures, cries a bit and just walks away without confronting Drew. But lately it was too much for David to bear, when he caught his man with another guy in their own place. At first David was mad about it but in the end it came into the point that he begged Drew to stay.

“I really feel sorry for my friend… He was just a hopeless romantic person who wants to be loved…” Allen was teary eyed by this point.

“And the letter just came out of nowhere… David tried to look for him and then…” Allen was not finished with his statement.

“…and then it all happened…” as Mickey continued.

“Hmmm… I am sorry… I didn’t mean to offend you…” as David’s boss told his apologies.

“That jerk…” and Michael crumpled the letter.

“Hey Mickey calm down…” Allen comforted him.

And he was composed after some minutes… “I am sorry, Sorry if I am somehow carried away…”.

“Are you sure that you are okay?”  as the worried Allen told him.

“Yeah, don’t worry. I am just a bit distracted… Hey, can you excuse me… I needed to go…” Mickey told Allen.

And the ace basketball jock hurriedly left the hospital.

He then drove on the way to his school. It was about night time when he arrive ADLU’s basketball court.

Michael diverted himself by playing balls. He was fired up that night. He just threw every basketball and didn’t miss any shots. And from somewhere came this familiar defiant voice.

“Mukhang lagi mo na lang akong inuunahan…” it was from his bitter rival Joshua “Jech-jech” Prado. He was also there to have his own private practice.

“I have no time for this Jechs… I might punch you again on your face…” said the mad-man Michael Sy.

“Oh really? Mr. Nice guy?” he mockingly replied to Mickey, “Let’s just put it this way. Let’s play this game… You and me, One on one… Who ever loses deserves that punch…” as Mr. Black sheep told Mr. Nice guy.

Mickey didn’t have any second thoughts with Joshua’s offer, “I really wanted to kick someone’s ass right now…”

Jech-jech then pulled out a coin from his pocket.

“Heads…” Michael Sy said.

“Heads it is… Suck my head dumb-ass” scornfully Joshua told Michael.

“Well since it’s my choice on who would start the game monkey boy. Then I guess… You should start the game…” and Mickey threw the ball to his opponent. “I’ll crush you even if it is in your advantage…” as 

Michael insultingly challenged Mr. Prado.

By that time both of them were ablaze.

“10 points loser…” said Prado, and the game instantaneously started.

Jechs sprints the court as rapid as he could. He was about to make his first shot when Mickey then blocks his offense, made a rebound and managed to make a steal… Michael had the first point advantage.

“Well, well, well…” as Michael teased Prado while he dribbles and jerks with the ball.

Prado then couldn’t stand that, takes the ball from Mickey’s possession and made his first shot.

“Well I guess your victory didn’t last for a minute…” as Prado makes fun of Michael.

“Damn you Prado…” as Michael shouted as he took the ball from the other.

The game was so intense at the same time fiery as they both reached the nine point mark. By that time both of them were very tired.

“Now we’ll see who the real ace player of this team…” Prado ferociously told Michael.

At that point the conversation between the two intensified.

“I just don’t get you Jechs… What’s with the ace player thing?” as Mickey Sy asks his opponent while guarding the ball.

“You stole it from me…” Mr. Prado answered. He was distracted by that time and Michael had the chance to steal the ball and he started again on dribbling it.

“What? I didn’t steal anything from you. I just wanted to play ball. I don’t really care about any titles.” As Mr. Nice guy explains himself.

“You stole Anika from me…” Jech-jech again replied. By that time Mickey was the one who got distracted and the ball slipped from his hands.

“Dude, na kanino ba si Anika ngayon? And besides I think I am already getting over her.” Sincerely Mickey told Prado.

Joshua can’t believe on what Mickey had just said. “Owws… Okay ka lang?” said Jechs with skepticism on his face.

“Dude, I am sanely fine…” Michael answered, and he continued, “Honestly, before I entered this school, I wanted to be like you. Not as an ace basketball player, but I wanted to be a very good basketball player just like you Jechs…” genuinely Michael Sy told Joshua Prado.

Jech-jech was in awe when he heard that from Michael, he was caught off guard and the ball was stolen from him. Everything was so quick that he didn’t had the chance to catch up with his opponent. Mickey sealed the deal. He made his last shot. He won the game.

Mr. Prado was still in awe. His face was still blank with what Mickey had just said. The latter then approached Mr. Black sheep.

“Nice game Jechs… So I guess I should get the punch?” as Michael gave Joshua a hand-shake.

Joshua was even confused at that very moment, “But I thought whoever looses gets the punch?” he asked while question marks were flying on his head.

“Hmmm… Let’s just say that this time I deserve that punch…” and Michael positioned himself so that Joshua could make his move.

“Come on Prado, don’t be a pussy…” as Mickey jokingly provokes Jechs.

At full force Mr. Jech-jech Prado punched Michael Sy on his face. It was so hard that Prado then stumbled.

“That was tough…” as Mr. Sy felt the sting on his face, “So I guess we’re quits…”

“Quits?” Joshua was wondering on why Mickey told him this.

“I did punch you the last time right? So I guess we are now even… I told you I deserve that punch…” and he smiled at Jech jech and he assisted him to stand up.

Now Joshua Prado gets it. Mickey was likeable, in the sense that he’s a low key guy. Humble, no prententions, walang yabang. That is what appeals him to people. On that particular moment he realized that Michael didn’t stole anything from him. He just deprived himself of being a good person.

“And by the way Jechs… Anika is a nice girl, please don’t trash-talk anything about her… Salamat ulit… It was a nice game… Let’s crush the championships!” and Michael Sy walked away.

And then Prado intentionally threw the ball on Mickey’s head.

“What was that for Prado?” he got agitated.

Then Jech-jech smiled in return, “Nice game Sy… See you on the hard court on Friday…” Prado said in a relaxed manner.

It was about ten at night when both of them left the ADLU basketball court.

~*~

NEXT CHAPTER:
The Accident - CHAPTER 6
http://boykissesbydane.blogspot.com/2012/02/accident-chapter-6.html