The New me

The other officer came back with news that they had given consent for us to use the waiting area just in time when Mr. Benjamin Wei also came back.

"We'd like to ask first Mr. Wei about your child. What happened today? How come he was already out when it was still too early for school?"

"That.." Mr. Wei looked embarrassed as he lowered his head before responding. "I don't know officer, He-, they are currently living with their grandparents."

The officer's brow moved upon hearing his truthful answer.

"Then, can you give us the reason why?"

"Uh." He subconsciously turned his head to the middle-aged lady and then to Heather before saying, "My children are merely rebelling given my lack of time and attention to them. But sir, how is this related to his accident? Shouldn't your focus be on how it happened? My son is there still unconscious and severely injured. What happened to the dump truck driver or the taxi driver?" Mr. Wei asked in successions as he showed how frustrated he is.

"The driver of the truck was already questioned but the driver of the taxi hasn't because he was also badly injured." The officer replied shortly. "Mr. Wei we are only asking the events related prior to the accident to put together pictures of what happened."

"Questioned? Why he is only questioned!? He should be jailed for causing this accident!" Mr. Wei asked furiously with his voice loud and clear, his Redknapp nose flaring. His built was slightly bigger than the officer so it gave an oppressing force to the watcher's eyes.

The officer put both hands forward gesturing for him to calm down. "We mean to say that he was already down in our station and was already questioned. Unfortunately, we are still looking over the facts and can't detain him further. It was the taxi that hit him and not the other way around but because this involves life, we wanted to analyze the situation thoroughly. He had bailed out and we can only put him in jail if we found out that it was his doing." He reiterated the words slowly and calmly so that Mr. Wei can understand him despite being agitated.

He guided him to the chair and said,"Alright, just sit down first and calm down Mister. We'll need to ask your daughter too since they are not currently living with you."

The officer then came over to us as he started his questions to Heather.

"Miss Wei, according to your father, both of you and the victim were not living with him. May I know why? Also, what were you doing?"

I sat quietly beside Heather and gently held her hands as she began to speak. She started her story on the day they had lunch. A story I had heard from both of them.

She said that they were averse to their father's marriage and packed their things right after he formally introduced the lady to their household. She did not tell why. The lady in question is the one here today, Ms. Violet Mao. She said that she planned to stay with their maternal grandparents and asked Aster if she wanted to come with her. Her brother did not agree and said that he'll live with their paternal grandparents because it's near the Empire Avenue which is the place we had been. She stated that even though they were apart, they were in constant communication.

The night before the accident, Heather wanted to meet her brother and check his school status and he agreed to meet her tomorrow morning. Heather waited for him but after an hour of him not showing up and his phone's just ringing, she can't help but become worried. She called and asked several close mutual friends they have and finally called me. Then she continued her narration until the time she received a call from the hospital as her number was put into the victim's speed dial. With her mind in a mess, even when she wanted to run to the hospital her body won't move, her legs were a little weak and her eyes started to tear up and then she saw me coming. She then explained that given her circumstances that time, she wanted someone's support and coincidentally that was me.

The officer had a questioning look so I told him, "I am Heather's friend and I've heard of her brother before. I officially met him last summer vacation when we went to the beach and got to know each other. So now, I'm friends with both. When Heather called this morning I just felt that I needed to be here."

The officer nodded and put away his notebook down when the other policeman came and whispered something in his ear.

"We'll see you next time then. We were told that the team that was inspecting the car and the video footage had finished their investigation and we're going to meet them. If there's anything you need, please call me." He said as he politely gave out his card to Mr. Wei.

When the officers went out, Mr. Wei turned his attention to Heather yet did not voice out anything. To his side is the beautiful Ms. Violet as she gently pats his back. The young lady with them was quiet the entire time.

I can't help but to look into Heather and be reminded of how she described the mother and daughter pair. What I'm seeing now is a gentle temperament lady and her daughter seemed patient and not nosy. I can't help but think if what she felt was unfounded jealousy just because her father's affection was now in other's hands. Their father seems like a nice guy. All throughout the time, he was expressing his worries about his child. He truthfully admitted that his children don't like his decision but he never blamed them or anyone.

I remained there until lunch and went home when I thought its time. Aster was still in the recovery area and only next of kin were permitted to enter and view him through the glass window as medical personnel's continue to monitor him.

It was a depressing sight to have your loved ones suffer in their lives and their father must be feeling that too. He did not bawl nor cried but the weariness in his eyes was a sign of his love for his child.

This was what I fear. I had remained passive all this time and became selfish. I only wanted to be at peace and feel safe then eventually return to my real parent's side. They need me there. If I slowly integrate myself here then what will happen to the real me?