Symphonic Waves (Ciudad de Escalante #6)

Phase 38

"Hey, are you going home?" tanong ni Sylvan sa kalagitnaan nang pagpapackup. Natapos din ang unang araw ng aming project. Medyo nakakapagod pero ayos lang. It's all worth it. A lot of kids learned a lot.

"Not yet. Pero kayo, pwede na," sabi ko habang nililista ang mga naiwang materials na pwede pang magamit sa susunod at mga pagkain na pwedeng pamigay bago matapos ang araw. Sayang, baka masira.

"Okay, babalik ako. I'll drive you home," aniya kaya tumango ako. "But someone wants to say hello first," he added, which made me stop writing. Dahan-dahan akong lumingon sa kanya at napasinghap nang mapansin ang bata na katabi niya.

"This is Sylvester, my brother," pagpapakilala niya kaya kusang umarko ang labi ko nang makita na siya ng malapitan.

They are brothers, after all. The youngest among them looks after him. May pagka-Sylverius, pero mas nararamdaman ko ang pagkakaparehas nila ni Sylvan. I think he's around seven years old.

"Come on, say hello, Ves," Sylvan whispered.

"Hi..."

When he spoke, my smile widened.

"I'm Cerestine," I said, and I bent a bit to reach his eyes. Their eyes are also the same. Their eyes are greyish, expressive, and rimmed with black and long lashes.

"I know, Kuya Sylvan already told me," sabi niya kaya napatingin ako kay Sylvan na ngumisi lang. Wait, he already introduced me to him?

"Did you enjoy it? "How was the activity earlier?" pangungumusta ko dahil akala ko kanina, aalis na siya pagkatapos ng mga activity sa Science tent, pero sumali pa rin siya sa ibang mga subjects nang sumapit ang hapon.

"Fun!" He exclaimed cutely, "Kuya Martin is so good!"

"Next time, I want you as my teacher," he continued, which made me laugh. Ako? Bakit ako? My churchmate, Martin, is already good in science and history.

"Why?" I asked between my chuckles.

"I want to learn how to paint..."

"Really?" I mouthed it in awe.

"Yes! And you're very pretty up close," sambit pa niya kaya mas lumakas ang tawa ko. Siblings, after all. They have the same eyes.

"No wonder why..." Sylvester said, glaring at his brother. Sylvan only raised his eyebrows at him.

"No wonder what?" kuryoso kong tanong kaya bumalik ang tingin niya sa akin.

"You're Kuya Sylvan's favorite among them all!"

My lips parted. I don't know how to respond to that.

"You're the prettiest! If you don't want him, I can take his place—"

"Hey..." Agad pinutol ni Sylvan ang sinasabi ng kapatid.

"We should go home," deklara niya at saktong pagkasabi, humikab si Sylvester. Inaantok na at siguradong pagod sa mga ginawa maghapon.

"You should take a rest when you get home, okay? Thank you for coming today," I whispered softly and smiled at him. Nginitian niya ako pabalik at tumango.

"I will. Goodbye, Ate Ceres!" he uttered before hugging me. I hugged him back. Sumulyap ako kay Sylvan na tahimik lang na nanonood sa aming dalawa.

"Bye, take care, and see you again," bulong ko nang kumawala na sa yakap. Humagikgik lamang ang bata at kinawayan ako para makapagpaalam na.

Then, after the sweet farewells, nilapitan kami ng kanyang nanny at bodyguard para isakay na siya sa kotse at doon magpalit ng damit. Akala ko maging si Sylvan ay susunod sa kanila ngunit nanatili siya sa tabi ko.