Unexpected Tragedy: I Wish this was just a Dream.

There are lots of unexpected things that might come to us; it’s up to us how we can handle the so-called challenge(s) that God prepared for us.

Kon’nichiwa hivers! This is me again, @swtzyserrah; this blog is not as happy as you think. Actually, I’m hesitant to share this because I don’t want to invade anyone’s privacy, especially my aunt, but this blog may be helpful for you, especially when you’re a driver. I won’t tell you what exactly happened to respect their privacy. I hope that you can learn something from this blog.

It all happened on the evening of July 26, 2024. My auntie is worried about my cousin James because he’s supposed to be at their house at 5 p.m. because the end of their class hour is 4 p.m., but it depends on the schedule. You know, at college, there are lots of different schedules. It’s already six, and there’s no James. According to her, she has a gut feeling that something is off. She can’t explain herself because her heart is beating fast without any reason. Well, I understand my aunt when she says these words since I also experience this kind of feeling.

_{A screenshot from the messenger app}

My aunt called me, but I missed her call because I’m also busy making the cosplay costume for tomorrow’s big event. Our barangay is celebrating Nutrition Month and the BRIGADA PAGBASA Culmination on July 27, 2024, which is the day after the accident. The incident is a big shock to me.

_{My strawberry is not yet done.}

The cosplay costume that I’m making is a strawberry. I was busy cutting some cartolina when the nervous and worried face of my auntie entered my room. Of course, who wouldn’t be shocked by her full-of-sweat face? Before we asked what happened, she said that my cousin James got into an accident—he accidentally hit a 61-year-old lady. To my surprise, I unconsciously dropped the scissors in my hand. She asked me if I could go with her to the police station and also to the hospital since the lady that my cousin hit was already in the hospital. Of course, I said yes. And we go first to the police station, since my cousin is there.

_{On our way to the police station}

While we’re on our way to the police station, I can’t really escape the idea of what really happened—what’s the condition of my cousin and the lady there? I admit that I’m so paranoid when it comes to matters like this. Of course, who wouldn’t be? While on our way there, I prayed to God. I am hoping that the cause of the accident is not that big.

After a few minutes of driving, we arrived at the police station. My aunt asked the police personnel that were in the tent that evening where they put my cousin. After a short talk, the police personnel told us that my cousin was inside the interview room. When we entered the room, the first thing I saw was my cousin sitting in a monoblock chair, shaking. I could sense that he was scared. I felt empathy for my cousin. My aunt then handed my cousin a paper bag—inside the paper bag were water, rice, and fried chicken that my aunt bought in a crispy king. While my cousin was eating, my auntie and the police were busy talking. Actually, the police said it was both the lady’s and my cousin’s fault. That’s the last thing I heard from their conversation because I went out of the room to feel some fresh air.

_{Silence is peace}

I was walking to the mulitcab of my uncle when I noticed their basketball court. Since I’m alone there, I really enjoyed the silence. Hooo! I am hoping that everything will be alright. I was really enjoying the silence when I saw my uncle, Tita, and cousin were on my way. My aunt said that we would be going to the hospital to see the situation of the lady and for my cousin to be checked by the doctor.

What really happened

This is according to my cousin:

It was there midterm exam and he’s ready to go home , while on his way to there home there was a lady and his grandson who is planning to cross to another side of the lane to buy an ice cream for his grandson, since the place is dark she didn’t look for each side of the line before crossing in the line, she only look for her left side actually she didn’t notice that my cousin is coming because before my cousin there was a truck and the lady didn’t notice my cousins motorcycle, my Kuya stop his motorcycle to give them the way but the two didn’t cross the way, it gives my cousin a hint to start again the engine but the unexpected accident happen, the grandson of the lady run while holding the hand of his grandmother, actually the child don’t have any bruise because my cousin try his best not to hit the two but unexpectedly he hit the lady. So that’s the story, according to my cousin.

Hand sign—that was the only thing my cousin did wrong. Imagine when he gave the sign to the two after he stopped; they should’ve crossed the lane unexpectedly. In addition to that, the police said that the area is really prone to accidents.

Did you know what my cousin did to make me proud? Well, he didn’t leave the lady and her grandson in; he waited for the family of the lady and surrendered his wallet to them. Inside his wallet was his driver’s license, the paper of his motorcycle, and all his ID. The first words that he said, according to the husband of the lady, were “Pasayalu-a ko.” He didn’t leave, because he wait for the police to come, and willingly surrender himself to them. That’s the reason why the family of the lady said that my cousin is a good man.

Fast forward: we’re at the hospital. My aunt covered all the hospital expenses, especially the medication for the lady. She told me to buy the doctor’s prescription, and I agreed. After going to the pharmacy, I caught them talking, but I went straight to the nurse to give the medicine that was on the prescription.

The hand of my cousin needed an x-ray, so we waited for his turn since the nurse informed us that his schedule for his x-ray was 10:00 p.m. While waiting, I and my cousin have a short conversation. We’re not that close because my cousin is so extrovert, but I really do my best to talk to him.

This was our conversation:

Me: Kuya, Diba midterm man ron na week ninyo? Nya ig uli nimo mag tuon paka Paras exam ugma?

My Cousin: Murag ing ana nlng jid dai (then he smile)

It broke my heart. Imagine there are lots of drivers that passed through that area. Why he? He just went home to rest after taking his exam and to review for tomorrow’s exam. Well, right now I accept the fact that everything happens for a reason, and God created this situation to test if we can survive; of course we will. I’m overreacting, right? Even though my Kuya is just my cousin, I’m sorry, guys. My aunt’s family is really kind to me and to our relatives. They did much for us; that’s the reason why I really treat my aunt’s family as my real brothers and sisters.

Thank you for reading this far, and now you’re at the end of this blog. I hope that you learned something from it. Keep safe, everyone, and don’t forget to always pray.