Missing Melody (COMPLETED)

Missing 27: Seiji

SEIJI'S POV:

"Get whatever you want, I'll wait for you here." Tita Ninang's voice echoed in my mind as we ran into the store. All we could think about were the toys—aisles and aisles of them.

I eventually got separated from Shin, but Serin stayed by my side since we were heading to the same area. This mall was amazing; it had everything from robots to the dresses Serin loved.

"Hey, Serin, that's a lot of dresses you're holding. Are you sure you want to try them all on?" I asked, looking at her overflowing cart.

"Come on, Kuya. Tita Ninang and Papa said we can get whatever we want."

"But Tita Ninang also said we should be content with what we need, not just what we want. She said there are kids who don't have money for toys like us."

"I know, Kuya, but I'm just going to try them and then choose my favorite. You'll help me, right?"

I didn't argue. I just let her do her thing. It felt like an hour had passed while Serin was in the fitting room. Because I was waiting for her, I only picked out a basketball for myself. By the time we were ready, Tita Ninang and Shin were nowhere to be found.

"Aren't you done, Serin? Maybe Shin is looking for us," I said, feeling a bit uneasy.

"I'm done na po, Kuya. Where is Tita Ninang?" Serin stepped out, clutching the dresses she had picked. She was only five, but she acted like she was much older.

"I don't know, Serin. I think we're lost."

I grabbed my ball and we started pushing the cart, trying to find our way back to the entrance. But the mall was like a maze.

"Kuya, where is Tita Ninang?" Serin's voice trembled. She grabbed my arm as the crowd of people blurred past us.

"Sa tingin mo pupunta ba ang BlackHand dito?" I heard a passerby ask.

"Hindi sila maglalagay ng tarpaulin kung hindi," another replied.

Serin and I looked at each other. We both knew how much Tita Ninang and Serin loved that band.

"Can we go to the event hall? I want to see them, Kuya!" Serin begged.

"But we need to find Tita Ninang first."

"Please, Kuya! This is my only chance to meet them!"

I sighed. "Fine. Just this once, Serin. You're only five, for goodness' sake."

"Yey! Thank you, Kuya!" She kissed my cheek and pulled me toward the growing crowd. But before we could reach the hall, we bumped into someone.

The man was wearing a dark hoodie and a cap pulled low over his face.

"Tss. Look where you are going, Mister," I said, meeting his eyes.

"Gomenasai," the man muttered. My brow furrowed. I didn't understand the word. "I mean, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bump into you."

Tita Ninang told us not to talk to strangers, but he was the one who hit us. I held Serin's hand tighter and moved past him.

"Kuya, I'm scared na. I don't want to go to the concert anymore. Let's find Tita Ninang," Serin whispered.

I nodded, scanning the crowd. Minutes later, I spotted Tita Ninang's familiar figure in the distance. She was talking to an officer. I was about to yell her name when suddenly, a pair of strong arms grabbed me from behind.

"Hmmmnn... hmmnnn!" I tried to scream, but a hand clamped firmly over my mouth.

The man dragged me toward a side exit, away from where Tita Ninang was. I looked over and saw Serin already unconscious in the arms of another man. I struggled with everything I had, but then a white cloth was pressed against my nose. A sweet, chemical smell filled my lungs. The last thing I saw was Tita Ninang running toward us as we were shoved into a waiting van.