the last time he touched my hair for my monthly hot oil, i have already felt something. . . i dont know. i was not sure. but my extra sensory perception had all the answers when last early morn of December 5, Grace called me up and said, "Ma'am, si Tata . . !"

i heard it loud and clear, he died on a deadly crash going home that fateful eve ...

the moment, Grace told me that, i know it was real. but i never thought that soon. he stayed with us for nearly two years. and in the past two years, i have not receieved any bad report about him except that he seldom fix and comb his hair ...

... i never heard him complained nor murmur against our rules and regulations in the salon. i find him to be an honest, hard working hairrdresser, law abiding and always ready with his accomodating gestures . .

i knew he had never been into drugs, never been into wild parties with hard wines and rock and roll. he is the silent type, a homebody whose joy is doin his task day by day with all integrity and sincerity.

i have already felt this since the day we first met. that is why no matter what others say to release him because he is a Muslim, i cannot convince myself just because we differ in faith and religion...

what melted my heart was when his friends, staying with him told me how happy and proud he was with what he got because of his work at Mystic 5... for 2 years, he was able to put up his own dream house - a 4m x 5m m nipa hut with cemented floor.

i saw the real condition, i saw how hard he tried... no wonder why whenever i tell him to stay a little while everytime i drop by and check them after office hour, he is always in a hurry to go home.

twas all not because of anything else but because of his precious belonging made in honest toil. what made it more precious to him were the 3 young guys depending on him every ­­­day ends.
he got no family. he had been orphaned but he got the heart to rear 3 more under his care.

i cannot imagine how this 24 year old lad made it in the past 2 years... but the confession made by his angels revealed the kind of person he is... my only regret is, i have not came to see them within that week before it happened.

i only got a sigh when Grace said, "by the way Ma'am, we have fixed his hair at least one week before the accident . . . his wish to have a smooth and flawless hair was granted"

i know him to be one of a kind when we first met. but i discovered more when he left. . .
indeed, life can be sooo short. how we make it fulfilling lies on our hands...

. . . may His soul rest totally in peace!