Sunday morning. The streets of Marikina Heights are peaceful. Grandpa Delfin enjoys pedaling with his old mountain bike. He was wearing only a faded jersey, simple shorts, and a helmet that was also a bit old. At the age of seventy, it was his hobby to stay strong.

Biglang… VROOOOM!

A speeding yellow Mustang slammed into his bike lane.

SCREECH!

To avoid being overlooked, Grandpa Delfin was forced to turn to the right. He slammed into the gutter. Unexpectedly, the handle bar of his bike hung from the shiny bumper of the sports car. It had a long scratch.

The car stopped. A man in his mid-15s fell. Si Jiggs. Dressed in shades, branded clothes, and looking like a rich kid.

“Are you ready?” yelled Jiggs as he looked at the scratch of his car. “Are you blind?!” Look what you did to my car!”

Grandpa Delfin slowly stood up as he wiped the mud off his knees. “Come on, you’re going to get into the bike lane. I’m a little bit of a slacker.”

“Are you sure?” cried Jimmy, pointing to the old man. “Did you know that your job is more important than your job?” P.S. You have to pay for it! Give me your ID!”

“I don’t have any baggage, sir. “I’m just going to take a shower,” Grandpa Delfin replied calmly.

With Jiggs’s head so hot, he couldn’t hold back any longer.

THEN!

Jiggs let out a loud slap on Grandpa Delfin’s face. The older man’s lips were bleeding and he sat down on the pavement again.

“You don’t have to worry about it,” Jiggs said. “Beggar! Right down the road!”

People looked around. Some people want to help but are scared of Jiggs because he looks so influential.

“Call the police!” shouted Jiggs. “I’m going to put this old man in jail!” The sun will never shine on you!”

A short time later, two police patrols arrived. Four policemen with high-caliber guns quickly dismounted. They could see the chaos.

I was like Jiggs. “Ayan, buti nga sa’yo. Laget ka ngayon.”

Jiggs confronted the police. “Officer! Catch up with the old man! My car was stolen after it was stolen! I’m calling my lawyer!”

 

However, the police ignored him.

The team leader, Major Santos, passed him by. The police went straight to Grandpa Delfin who was wiping the blood from the lips with the back of his palm.

The police were stunned when they recognized the older man’s face.

They stopped at the same time, boots clicked, and straightened up.

BLESS YOU!

The four of them greeted each other with a standing ovation.

“GOOD MORNING, GENERAL!” sigaw ni Major Santos. “Sir! Are you okay, Sir? Anong nangyari?”

Jiggs was stunned. It was as if the world had stopped.

“G-General?” whispered Jiggs. He turned pale. Her knees began to tremble.

Grandpa Delfin stood up slowly. He shook hands with the police.

“And easy, Major,” Grandpa Delfin said in a low voice. The voice of the “poor old man” is gone. Now in front of them is General Delfin Borja, the former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces and known as one of the bravest military officers before retiring.

“Sir! “You’ve got to go to the hospital!” the Mayor said worriedly.

“It’s just a scratch,” replied the General. He looked sharply at Jiggs who was now paper-colored in fear.

“M-Major… “Do you know him?” asked Jiggs.

Humarap si Major Santos kay Jiggs nang may galit.

“Don’t you know what you’re talking about? He was the only one who was General Borja. The man who fought in Mindanao and defended the city while you were enjoying the aircon! He was the one who built the police station where we were assigned!”

Jiggs was almost stunned. He turned to Grandpa Delphine, who was about to kneel.

“S-Sir… General… Patawad po! Hindi ko po alam! Akala ko po ordinaryong… a-akala ko po…”

“Do you think I’m just an ordinary person, so you can insult me?” interrupted Grandpa Delfin.

The General approached Jiggs. It’s too close. Jiggs smelled the fear in his own body.

“Yes,” said the General gravely. “Whether you’re dealing with a garbage collector or a general, you should have the same respect. Money, money can be bought. However, the class is not in the brand of your car. It’s in the habit.”

Binalingan ni General Borja si Major Santos.

“Major, ayaw ko ng special treatment. Pero gusto kong pairalin ang batas. Reckless driving, Physical Injury, at Assault to a Person in Authority.”

“Yes, Sir!” sagot ng Major.

Jiggs was stabbed in front of a large crowd. The Mustang he was proud of had been vandalized and impounded.

As Jiggs was put into the police car, he cried and apologized. Grandpa Delfin was back on his old bike.

“Sir, we will take you away,” the police offered.

“Not at all,” smiled the General. “The government is running out of gas. I can do it. I’m just going to keep an eye out for the kings of the road.”

General Delfin left with only a pedal, but the respect of all who saw it reached to the heavens.