45 minutes

Or more. That's the amount of time I was at the emergency parking lot at my mom's hospital waiting for her the other day. I was there at 7:08pm (we got told she'll get off from work at 7). Uhmmm...

So in those 45 minutes or more I've waited, I witnessed a multitude of life's little games of laughters and heartaches.

I kept pushing the different buttons of my car stereo. Would listen to some hiphop but would always go back to the classical station. There was a family parked at my right. I don't know what they were doing there, didn't seem they were waiting for anyone. Car problems?

There was also an ambulance that backed up the loading/unloading area. There was a patient in a stretcher.

Then that raging sound of a helicopter. It was too close. I realized it was landing on the hospital's helipad when some people started pointing at it. I lowered my car's windows. This guy parked opposite my car, hilarious, he even took photos/videos of it. For the kids at my right, it was a spectacle to see. The girl even rushed to get closer. The pilot didn't turn off the engine. When I saw him, I remembered my friend and his dreams of piloting a helicopter or a plane. It was pretty cool!

And then after for like 20 minutes? The helicopter went away. At around 735pm, I saw my grandma/godmother lola Mitzi come out of the exit. She's also a nurse in that hospital. She said they had many patients at it was really busy.

I was still there, waiting for my mom when suddenly a couple of cars came rushing. This particular galant parked in front of me was so fast I thought he was going to hit this person. They were all rushing. 2 men came down from the truck that parked behind me. Later, I saw the same 2 men go out of the emergency, one trying to console the crying other. This young kid who was driving the Galant also came out and was like panicking on the phone.

More cars came. I guess it was a bad family reunion. It could be that person from the ambulance.

When a long-haired guy finally arrived and met the Galant kid, the Galant kid just suddenly sat down and broke in tears. I felt bad I was like trespassing into some private moment but that was where I was parked. Looking at him, it felt like I was watching a drama series. I felt so sad for him.

Finally my mom came out. It felt weird. Here was one family suffering while my mom leaves the emergency room just as another day at work is finished.

I took one last look at Galant boy who was still outside. I hope he's better now.