If I could turn back the time

Short story by: Arnie Dela Mata

One day, a 8-year old girl named Risa felt on the ground after sliding at the playground. A 9-year old boy named Johnny helped her to stand. From that day, they became friends. Every 3pm, they played on that place; from slide to swing, to mary-go-round, to seesaw. They spent most of the time with each other, until Johnny wishes on the tree beside the swing, "This tree is witness of our true friendship, I hope that we will be friends forever."

The next day, they heard of reconstructing their street, even the playground will be pulverized. They have nothing to do, but to do nothing. They leave the next day, after taking them away forcefully by their parents. Johnny gave Risa his wrist watch, that is for him is a sign of a never ending friendship.

Ten years later, Johnny using his own car, tried to return to the place where the playground is, but he accidentally hit the dirty and mentally-illed woman crossing on the street. The woman rolled on the car's bumper, until the drops of blood fell. Johnny leave his car, and try to check the woman. In his first look, he noticed one familiar thing on the woman - his wrist watch.