Bye, Tutoy...

My little friend, Arthur, or Tutoy as we fondly call him, just died this week. Don’t know exactly what happened with him but I was told that he got sick. His mother thought it was just a simple flu that will just go away, but it did not.

Tutoy is one of those who call me “Kuya Willie!” as I walk by the streets when I go home. Dati, takot pa siya sa akin. Kunwari hahabulin ko siya then he would run without his slippers on... until I earned his trust. Dati, hindi pa niya ma-pronounce yung name ko. He would just imitate the way other kids say my name. He would shout, “L-Li.” Then, he’ll smile, yung matamis na smile. I always see him smiling.

I buy candies for him kapag alam kong nasa kalsada siya. I even invite him to our house to eat and play with Pete. Kapag bibili ako ng “binatog”, pupunta siya sa tabi or likod ko, alam ko gusto niyang manghingi nung pagkain na iyon. Kapag binigyan or binilhan ko siya, he would smile and ran back to their house.

I miss his smile and the way he calls my name. Bye for now, dear Tutoy...