LOST IN JAPAN, Lindtsey Stacey Aubrey Sevilleja

6. Sevilleja

     "Look, Ninang, I got five stars right here!"

I looked down to see Sylas's book. May limang star nga na nasa tuktok at marami ring checks sa learning task niya. Mabuti naman at matalino ang batang ito. Hindi na sila mahihirapan.

"Wow, that's nice! You're writing na pala. You didn't tell Ninang about it." I replied, smiling softly as I went to ruffle her hair. 

He returned the smile with a squishy one. "You were busy daw sabi ni Mommy eh. I showed it to Tito Javi po! Mama said he'll be proud of me if he's here." He said, eyes sparkling with adoration.

"Yes, I'm sure he'll be proud," I confirmed. "Come up na here sa tabi ko, we're gonna eat na."

Sylas, the obedient that he is, climbed into the wooden chair na inuupuan ko. Miles and Aiah are already heading back to our table na dala dala ang mga pagkaing in-order nila. We decided to try this restaurant kasi Sylas requested for us to have a meal kasi his heart is happy raw na magkakasama ang favorite people in the world niya.

"Where's Staku?" Miles asked, noticing the absent girl. 

"I don't know. She wasn't here when I arrived." I shrugged.

I entered a few minutes ago lang kasi I charged my phone inside the car pa. When I arrived inside, I only found Sylas playing with his dinosaurs with no signs of Stacey around. 

"Angel, where's Tita Staku?" Aiah asked her son.

Sylas shrugged. "She went out po, Mommy. I think she's calling someone." He answered.

"Well, what do we have here?" Miles shifted. We followed where she was pointing at and it was Sylas's paper. "Perfect again, Sy? Wow."

"Yes, Mama! The teacher also said I'm very good po!" Sylas proudly smiled.

Miles grinned back. She reached out to pinch his cheeks since we were sitting across each other. "That's good. But do you want to transfer here kay Mama ba, bub? Ninang might get tired of cradling you." Miles asked her son in the softest voice ever.

"It's fine, Art. Huwag kang mag-alala." I said, waving her off. 

"Are you sure?" Aiah asked this time. "Magulong katabi 'yan."

"Yeah, yeah, it's fine. I missed this little guy naman, so, I'm just going to catch up with him." I assured her, giving her a small smile.

After a few minutes of waiting, I finally spotted Stacey walking back inside from the large balcony outside, where the view of the ocean can be seen. She was not looking at me, but instead at Ate Aiah who was already glaring at her. Parang pinapatay na niya ito sa isip niya.

"Kung saan saan ka pa nagpupunta. Gutom na nga 'yang pamangkin mo, pinaghintay mo pa." Reklamo ng nakakatanda sa kaniya.

Stacey rolled her eyes. "May tinawagan lang! Sorry naman." She said.

Her eyes scanned the small table that we were occupying, probably trying to find a seat. Unfortunately for us, maliit nga lang and the only available space was next to me and Sylas. Maliit pa nga iyon since Sylas is sitting down next to me.

I adjusted a bit before I lifted Sylas out of the seat para kandungin siya. That gave her enough space to occupy.

"Thanks," she muttered, sitting down.

"Tita Stacey! Look, oh!" Sylas energetically said, shoving his book in front of Stacey. The girl dramatically gasped. "I got perfect scores and five stars again!"

"Wow!" Stacey exclaimed.

Stacey excitedly placed her hand on Sylas's shoulder to congratulate him but she, instead, accidentally ended up gripping my hand, which was already there. I felt a jolt of surprise as her fingers touched mine.