Promise To A Stardust

Kabanata 5

Kabanata 5

SIRIUS, the brightest star in the night sky.

"What a beautiful name, baby," I muttered, mesmerized and amazed. The sweet boy smiled brightly, wrapping his arms around my nape tighter.

"That's your nephew." I stopped and looked at Dad. He was smiling, his eyes gentle as he stared at us.

"Really?" I muttered, my heart warm and softening. Inilayo ko ng bahagya si Sirius para mas matitigan siya.

"He has beautiful eyes," I commended.

"He got his father's eyes," ani dad na lumapit. He reached for the kid's cheek for a caress.

The kid beamed more, his eyes shining beautifully like emeralds.

Just like Caspian's. I never thought I'd see such wonderful eyes for the second time in a short period.

"What happened?" tanong ko bago naupo sa sofa. Kumalong sa 'kin si Sirius, humahagikhik.

"His mother, your cousin, died during childbirth."

I sighed, hinaplos ko ang namumulang pisngi nito at matamis na ngumiti. "Hi, baby..."

"His father?" I glanced at Dad.

"Well..." My father shook his head with a sad smile. "He died too, in a car accident. He was mourning for his wife's death. Drunk."

My shoulders fell, feeling bad and sad at the lovely kid who had lost his parents at a young age. He looked so innocent, his eyes full of life and hope–not knowing what fate did to him. Sa tuwing magkakatinginan kami'y nagliliwanag ang mata niya, malaki ang ngiti.

"That cousin, do I know her?"

Dad swallowed. "No." He looked away. "Medyo malapit sa amin ng Mom mo ang pinsan mong iyon kaya no'ng naospital siya ay ako ang pumunta."

"Hindi na siya nabigyan ng pangalan, 'nak." He breathed shakily, his eyes on him. "Then you were at coma that time..."

"How old is he, Dad?"

"Turning five now." Tumitig siya. "When you're in coma, I was in despair, missing you badly so I named him after your favorite star."

"Sirius," I repeated, the name music to my ears.

Sirius...

Hindi ko maalis ang titig sa bata, sa magaganda niyang berdeng mata, sa mahabang pilikmata, matangos na ilong, at itim na itim na buhok. His lips were pouty and reddish, sa puti niya'y kitang-kita ang pula sa pisngi.

What a handsome kid. I hope he won't become a heartbreaker when he grows up.

"Ikaw ang nag-alaga sa kanya?" baling ko sa ama. "I haven't seen him since I woke up, magdadalawang-taon na akong gising."

"I kept him under your grandma's care. Kaso nga lang ay nawala na ang lola mo kaya ako na ngayon.

"Aww." My lips protruded when I realized the kid has been watching me closely. I leaned in to kiss his cheek. "You're a quiet little boy."

"He's not much of a talker,"

"Quiet?" The little boy asked.

"Yes. Come on, speak to me," I encouraged him. Ilang minuto ko pa lang siyang nakakasama pero ang gaan-gaan na ng loob ko sa kanya.

"Mimi?" I was surprised when he called me that. He reached for my cheek.

I chuckled, inabot ko ang kamay nito sa pisngi ko at dinala sa labi ko.