• It was late afternoon when I arrived at home.I was planning to have a chitchat at Aling Maring’s store. Tambay after school as they call it. “ Can I have a stick of Winston Aling Maring?” ,is one of my usual words.

    I learned to smoke not because of my peers.It’s a stress reliever for me ,I guess.Problems just popped out from nowhere,chasing me until I feel like giving up.Smoking then became my answer.It feels good when smoke puffs from my nose.

    I was about to finish puffing my cigarette when I heard a man yelling . “Balut! Balut!” Its sounds funny to me because of his Visayan accent . “ Balot!” I shouted,pointing at the man .He looks thin and haggard and was around 50 or 55 I guess . He was a typical probinsyano .I was nearly laughing when I heard him say “How mini boss?”. “Just give me one.” I replied . He smiled and handed me one. I felt an instant connection by what he did.He reminds me of my father.It’s been 5 years since he died because of car.He was hit by a rushing car and the driver just run away leaving my father dying on the street.

    “You remind me of someone.” The man said. I was shocked.I was thinking the same way too! “What’s your name Manong?”,words just slipped out of my mouth . “ Just call me Erning. I jas kim hir in Manila last mant. You know , you reminds me op him.” “Who?” I asked with my awakened curiosity. “ My son,who’s around your age.You both have the same past time,” then he paused. “ Smoking,” then he grinned . I don’t know what to say .Before I could barely do so,he continued speaking. “You know, I told my son that if ever I have to leave this world, he must promise me to quit smoking.” I was dumbfounded. The only thing that I could do is to stare at the man as he disappears on my sight.

    The next day,it’s a typical afternoon again for smoking.After lighting the cigarette ,I sat down on one of the blocks near the store ,waiting for the balut vendor to come That man catch my attention.He seems to be a loving father.How I wish my father was still alive.

    The sky is already dark but the vendor is not yet arriving.So,I thought that he just passed to our subdivision yesterday.Aling Maring’s voice rattled my ears when she called me and asked.. “ Who are you waiting for?Your jowa?” “No , I was just waiting for the balut vendor to come.” I replied. “Ah! You mean Erning? Don’t bother to wait for him.He wont pass tonight,or maybe I say ,never.” I was confused Why? Why can’t the man come tonight?Before I can ask another question to myself,the fat lady continued.
    “Poor Erning got hit by a rushing carlast night.Just a few blocks away from here.How pity of that man.You know?He manage to went here in Manila to try his luck to get money.I heard his son needs a chemotherapy,his only son is suffering from lung cancer.Poor man,his body will remain here in manila since his family cant afford to come here or the other way around.Poor man.”

    I feel weak.I feel like I’m sweating allover.Now I know.Unconciously,I already dropped the cigarette.Just like the smoke in the cigarette,the man vanished in the air.For love.For his son.