Since childhood my legs have gone through a lot of wounds that ended up as “poklats” when they heal. Got too many of them kasi sobrang malikot ako ng bata pa ako. Back then, I like climbing trees (mango, coconut and aratiles). Laking probinsya kasi. When I was learning how to drive and balance a bike, I skinned my knees quite a number of times. My childhood friends and myself used to play “harangang-taga”, “moro-moro”, “taguan” and other physical games that I would end up with a bruise or with scratches either or both on my arms or legs.

Yesterday morning I got another “sugat” and I’m sure it will end up as another souvenir scar. Another poklat in the making. What happened?

My brother and I had an accident.

I was in the province for the weekend. This morning, I was supposed to go back to Makati. My brother was driving his motorcycle and I was riding behind him. We were heading to the bus terminal were I was supposed to get my ride back to the city. It was drizzling. He was driving quite fast. When we reached the hilly part of the road, there is this tricycle in front of us who were carrying bamboos and monoblock chairs tied behind his vehicle. He’s a bit slow maybe because of the load he’s carrying. Then as we are about to overtake him, he suddenly turned left WITHOUT any signal.

My brother immediately stepped on the break but it’s too late. We hit on the monoblock chairs, lost our balance and I fell off. My brother skidded along with his motorcycle. I was too shocked that I just remembered grasping on my DSLR. Hahaha! ‘Di na baleng magasgasan ang katawan ‘wag lang masira ang camera.

And then bystanders rushed towards us.

I immediately got up. I felt pain on my left arm and hip. I noticed the dirt in my shirt, arms and legs and then I saw my shin bleeding. I hate seeing blood pa naman. And then I remember checking my camera for damage. There’s a very minor scratch in the lens cover but nothing to worry about. The camera is still working perfectly.

I was a bit disoriented pa. Then I heard my brother asked the tricycle driver why he didn’t signaled before turning left. Found out later that his signal lights were broken.

I saw my brother with more scratches and wounds. Sunog yung isang leg nya ‘coz nadikit daw sa tambutso. Ano ba sa English ‘yon? I asked him if he’s ok but he is more concern about his favorite motorcycle – a Suzuki sniper which he customized.

We assessed the damage. On my brother’s motorcycle, the front mudguard is broken. The side part have scratches and the left side mirror fell off. Sa kanila, walang sira kahit isa at wala rin silang sugat.

We were advised by some bystanders to go to the baranggay hall since there is no policeman in sight. The barangay hall is just a few meters away.

The tricycle driver is very easy to talk to but he said he’s poor and could not afford my brother’s demand to replace the mudguard (it’s made of carbon fiber) and the side mirror.

Anyway, we ended up agreeing sharing the cost of repair for the damages in my brother’s motorcycle

But the highlight of the situation is the exchange of dialogue between me and this bitch who just suddenly appeared and gave her unsolicited opinion in my face.

Duster-wearing Bitch: Kasalanan n’yo yan kasi kayo yung nag-overtake.

After hearing that, nag accelerate ang dugo ko mula sa alak-alakan diretso sa bumbunan. But I tried to be as calm as possible.

Me: Nakita nyo ba po ba ang nangyari?

Duster-wearing Bitch: Oo, nag overtake kayo, dapat hindi kayo nag overtake! Kung hindi kayo nag overtake eh di walang aksidente!

Me: Marunong ho ba kayong mag drive?

Duster-wearing Bitch: Hinde. Bakit?

Me: Eh ‘di hindi nyo rin po alam ang traffic rules and regulations?

Duster-wearing Bitch: Eh, ano ngayon? Kayo pa rin ang may kasalanan.

Nagdilim na ang paningin ko and I can feel Bella Flores possessing my body.

Me: Puta ka! Kung hindi mo alam, tumahimik ka! We don’t need your stupid opinion. You have no business here. Ok?

Natigilan ang bruha.

I am dying to take this bitch’s picture using my DSLR but she’s a walkout queen din pala. Hayun, lumayas ang puta ng wala ng mai-sagot.

Anyway, matapos ang blotter sa baranggay hall and all, my brother was still able to drive me to the terminal. What a glorious Sunday.