THE VACANT SEAT
LODIVINA DANTING AGUILAR
Almost fifteen years had passed but how can I forget this very kind innocent boy in my heart…
It was January 5 when one of my pupil had a terrible headache. I felt that it was really painful… he was crying in pain. I calmed him down as I applied first aid and said everything would be Ok.
“Do you want to go home?” I asked. He simply nodded and smiled at me. Then I looked for someone who could accompany him home. It happened that he had a cousin in grade four and I told his cousin to tell to Brentt’s mother that she should bring him to the doctor.
The following day, looking at Brentt’s vacant seat in front he was not there so I thought he was not feeling well yet.
“Where is Brentt?” I blurted, asking no one in particular. “Ma’am his mother took him in the hospital”, someone answered. “Let’s hope that he will be fine soon”, I said.
In the afternoon, his aunt came rushing in the school approaching our classroom and told me that Brentt was in a bad condition and underwent different kinds of medical tests including CT scan. I cried when I heard the bad news. I even told his aunt that I am going to visit him after class. Silence filled the room when my class heard what happen.
“Let’s pray for Brentt’s fast recovery”, I managed to say then I just found myself crying. Sobs could be heard everywhere as my pupils and I prayed fervently in our classhome as a family.
Heading to the hospital after class, I met my co-teacher then told me that Brentt was gone! My tongue-tied, shed in tears and say nothing… we just hugged in tears. She really knew how much I loved my pupils.
That was January 7, five days before my birthday and I lost one of my precious… treasured child. My memory mode switched automatically. Memories I had with Brentt. His happy disposition in life… his helping hands… his thoughtfulness… I thought as the year started, it would be another happy year for me but it was not. How can my pupils forget my birthday it was already programmed in their minds. “Ma’am your birthday is getting near”, Brentt said giggling. “Yes and I’m not getting any younger!” I answered him back smiling.
“I’m going to give you chocolates, Ma’am on your birthday”, he said thoughtfully. “Really! How nice of you, my dear!” I exclaimed. That was our last conversation. Death had snatched Brentt from us. As I entered the house and paid respect to Brentt’s wake, looked at him in the coffin as if he was just in a deep sleep.
“Brentt, my dear child, I could not forget you. You’re such a nice thoughtful boy”, I choked, I can’t held it not to cry… but tears started to flow.
The family tried to hide the pain. I approached his parents, his Dad who just came back from abroad the very first day his son died. I talked with them about Brentt.
According to his mother, the doctors found out based on his CT scan that there was brain infection that seriously damaged Brentt’s brain. That was the caused of his death. Brentt’s Mom even showed me the CT scan results. It was really a lost to all of us. “Bye, Brentt. You’re with Jesus now.” I whispered during the interment. “Your memories will always linger in our hearts though you left us with an empty seat.” New Year is just around the corner. Everyt ime the year starts, it always reminds me of my precious child who was in heaven now with Jesus Christ.
Brentt Camaya was my former grade five pupil in Cansinala Elementary School, Apalit, Pampanga
— oOo— The author is Teacher III at Masamat Elementary School, Mexico South District