Mike

He confessed to me several years after my eldest Ana was born that when he first saw me when he reported for work at the DAR, he was hoping I was not married yet. I remember that day clearly. I was at my desk swamped with work, we exchanged smiles. His face was familiar, and I placed him to be from college, in Baguio. I stood, and my second-trimester-bulging-belly faced him. He told me he was deeply disappointed to have seen me already pregnant. That was 'our story', which he repeatedly told everyone who listened. We all laughed about that each time, even when he told it about a dozen times already.

Fast forward to my assignment in the province far north, and we barely had a decent conversation. Our lives in between that day we smiled, and today, just passed. When he had his one among many of attacks, I went to see him in the hospital from my travel far north, headed home to La Union. He was in his hospital gown, in bed, watching tv, his little daughter playing about. He looked perfectly fine, and he offered a genuine smile when I entered his room as he did not expect me. We picked up from where we left, like no years between our friendship came in-between. I scolded him for, well, having a heart attack. I left with his unending 'thank you's', for taking the time to see him, that stuff. 

I saw him last year, I think, and I gave him the usual peck on the cheek, and asked how he was. He seemed bloated, but I did not mention that. He said he was ok, and of course I did not believe him. This morning, I learned of his passing at 49 years old. I was not really that surprised. I guess I was simply hopeful that he would live longer, mainly because I saw his daughter on that day of my hospital visit. Today is a sad day. I lost one of the few friends I could be myself with, and be appreciated simply as me. I can imagine his eyes with those curled lashes looking at me from above as I write this, maybe with that wide grin still on his face. 

I will miss you, Mike. I did not realize that until today. Rest in God's cradle of peace. Say hello to my folks for me.