Lilies and Lullabies

VII. Found you

Days passed, the Christmas and New Year passed like a fast phase. I got a chance to rest, but the fact that it was too fast and you'll just realize that the school is already starting. I'm not complaining, I can manage my time. I decided to resign already in the shop, however Sir Daze told me that I can go back anytime. For now, I wanna focus on my training since we have commercial flights where we have to observe on-site, and also to learn how to work with it. Life stays the same. Like calm waves, but still unpredictable. You don't know when big waves will occur to make you stumble and drown again, but fortunately… After anything else, I always have my positive sign.

Stranger named Silas:

Rest now, Miko. I'll bring you chuckie tomorrow.

Emi:

( :

Stranger named Silas:

I made a song, I'll vm it to you. Listen to that before you sleep. Take a deep breath, it'll be okay. ( :

He really sent his voice message, and it calms me. My breathing became lighter and my trembling hands calmed down. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes while listening to his voice until I fell asleep. The next morning, it seems okay. I washed my face before heading to our kitchen, and there I saw the one who calmed me down last night after breaking down. Mirae was sitting beside him while he was trying to braid my sister's hair. 

“Hi, ate!” bati ni Mirae sa akin kaya napalingon din sa akin si Silas. 

He greeted me with his usual smile. “Good morning!” 

Ngumiti ako pabalik sa dalawa bago hanapin si Mama. Mirae told me that she's still cooking and she doesn't want us to help her because she wants to cook for us, especially for our ‘visitor’. Silas gave me a chuckie and I gladly accept that, I guess no coffee for this morning. Silas and Sir Daze celebrated New Year here since their dad is not around, I tried to invite them since tatlo lang din naman kami, why not celebrate it with those people who helped me, right?

Silas and Mama are undeniably close, he also wins my sister's heart. Seeing Mirae getting comfortable with him gives me peace, at least she's experiencing how to have an older brother with him. Silas is a really good man, he's just 22 but he's so good at making decisions, he's responsible. He just needs some direction and support, he's thriving. 

“Tita, hiramin ko muna mga prinsesa mo, ah!” paalam ni Silas kay Mama habang pasan si Mirae. 

He asked Mama's permission if he could go out with me and Mirae, and as I expected, Mama let us without thinking twice. Hinayaan kong magdesisyon si Silas para sa araw na ‘to, my sister's enjoying his company so I let him drive until we reached our destination. I thought we'd go to the park but I guess we're not. Dumiretso kami at saka lang siya huminto nang makarating kami sa isang mini amusement park. Mirae couldn't hide her happiness because it's her first time. Just like her, it's my first too.

I can only see amusement parks on television or in magazines but never with my naked eye. My eyes glittered in tears— it's not because of sadness, but because it reminded me of the things I've experienced with my father. Mirae and I should experience love and care from him, but all he did was to hurt me… 

I felt Silas’ hand slipping on mine and carefully caressed it. He smiled at me and that made me feel at ease. His smile really resembles the sea: it's calming. 

“Let's go?” he asked, I nodded. 

Nasa gitna namin si Mirae habang nag-iikot kami. The kid doesn't know where to go first because she's too excited to try everything. Mabuti na lang at sinabi ni Silas na sa carousel na lang muna kami dahil maging ako ay naninibago. No wonder that this kind of place is considered as the happiest place, it has something that can make you forget the reality. Sumakay kaming tatlo sa carousel, Mirae keeps on giggling while talking to her Kuya Dane. My heart fluttered with the sight of them, Mirae is distant to men, gaya ko… but when she met Liam and Silas, she was this happy. Liam, Mira, and Silas became her ally— her older siblings. And I'm so thankful for that.