Country Roads

If you're a babysitter, do you know that part of not actually knowing what to do after the kid slept besides watching TV?

If yes, same.

But over the course of my babysitting journey I have learned to prepare. I pulled out a small pocket book, feeling its plastic cover on my fingers. You can say that this is my comfort book.

I opened it ever so gently and read the words of the most vulnerable page.

During those days, desperation clouded my judgement. Trying to recall the things that once made me happy. I never did. He was my strength, he gave me my everyday smiles. Then it was gone.

Laughters rang in my ears as the memory carries me to my past but I knew better than to let myself astray. Straining, my eyes hovered over and over on the word "frog".

This is my problem, I know I won't be able to regain my focus unless I do something else. That's when I started humming.

But like anything, it always brings me back to him.

~~~~

"Almost heaven, West Virgina"

"Blue ridge mountains,"

"Shenandoah river"

"Life is old there,"

"Older than the trees,"

"Younger than the mountains,"

"Growin' like a breeze,"

He taps his loafers on the wooden floor as he lul the baby girl in his arms. He smiles as he watch the baby's eyes flutter with sleep and sighed in contentment the moment they closed as an easy rhythm of breathing followed.

He shut his eyes for a moment and leaned his head on the wall behind our chair.

Why does he always look tired?

"What are you looking at?", he asked smiling at me. Almost teasingly if it wasn't for his sunken eyes and dark circle.

"A human" I replied.

He laughed "Where did you get your sarcasm? You're too young for that!"

I was gonna reply “Mom” but decided not to. It was for the best.

Instead, I asked after he calmed. "Why do you always sing that song?"

"Hindi naman palagi [It's not always] . Gusto ko lang siyang kantahin [I just want to sing it] . A lot of wonderful things came to me with this song." he said smiling brightly at me. I almost disregard his dark circles and forming wrinkles.

"Like what?" I urged.

I didn't know that his smile could be even brighter until it did. "Well, I met the woman that would accompany me for the rest of my life."

"That's a lot to you?", I asked, innocently. For a child, that's not much. Well, not yet.

He laughed ever so lowly as to not wake the baby, up. "Because she was everything." he said then gazing afar, reminiscing his youth with the person. Then a small smile came to his face, his gaze returning to the present. "And now," lumingon siya sa'kin. "I have you.."He used his index finger to lift my chin "and your little baby sister", he said turning his gaze to the little baby that was sleeping soundly in his arms, Ataska Shizuku Isabel Cruz.

"But the lyrics says 'Take me home, la la la'. Do you wanna go home?"

"La la la?” he laughed again. By then I figured I must be a clown.

“Anyways, I am home angel." he said sighing.

"What do you mean?"

"Being with you, your mama, and Shizuku. Is what I call home."

"Why?" I thought, do we look like bricks?

He looked at me with the softest gaze I have ever experience on me and a heart felt smile playing on his lips "I love you"

Even as a child the word love was the most precious word in the world. Thus, a smile came on my face because I know, there is nothing more genuine than the words of my father.

"Wanna sing the chorus with me, I'll teach the la la la part?" he snorted.

I nod my head eagerly disregarding his joy.

"Country road,"

"Take me home"

"To the place I belong"

"West Virgina"

"Mountain mama"

"Take me home"

~End~

"Country Road.." I love you too papa.

The pinch on my chest started to spread. Good thing something snapped me out of it. I jolt when I heard a garage opening.

They're here.

I immediately stood up, almost tripping on my own foot, fast-walking to the door. I reached my hand for the knob but then I heard a click. It was too late when I realize where its from.

DUG!

The impact sent me to the walls.

What the actual fork was that! It FREAKING hurt.

The sting immediately spread on every nerve on my face and head causing me to hiss everytime I try to open my eyes and move.

Nice catch Eliah.

"What was th-"someone's words were cut, probably from the sight of me.

"Who- wha- why-h-how?", they stutter, trying to comprehend whatever it is infront of them. Most probably, my butt. But do I care? No. "D-did I?", the voice asked.

Did I expect them to apologize and attend to me right away? No. Am I disappointed that they are clueless of what they've done? Yes.

Just as I thought of that, series of apologies was heard from the person. The voice kept rambling apologies after apologies that I was too in pained to comprehend or even care. I was about to stand when I wobble, clutching my face as it throbes.

A hand held my arms. I will myself not to flinch at the sudden contact. I can feel the guilt slipping through whatever cloth he is on, I am not about to add on that. Not to Yuri. I tried to stand using the wall this time as my support.

Due to the pain I did not realize the voice was foreign. That voice is not own by any of the Stevenson.

Not Yuri.

Not Yuri.

A cold shiver run down my spine at the realization. I quickly snapped my eyes open as my jab coming suite. I hit air and my body started free falling. With my vision still hasty I tried to see some weapon I can use. But before I could hit the floor, what was once cold now, warm and gentle hands took hold of my arm, stopping my fall.

"Its okay, I'm not a burgler. I-I don't mean to harm you"

Now that his voice became clear, I felt no reason to be alarmed. But I can't be too trusting, I have a child in my care.

The sting in my face is still there, blood behind my skin. He is not moving and I don't hear anyone beside him. Slowly, I opened my eyes which cause me to hiss and close them again.

“Oh gosh, your face we need ice for your face.”

Then I remembered the reason why I'm here.

Kris' brother.

"I'm really really really sorry. My sister told me to open the door in case you were asleep" A hand held my hand that was covering my face, slowly taking them off.

"Ah" he remarked.

I know I look horrible just give me ice.

"Is it really thet bed?" I tried saying from the sting everytime my face's muscles flexed.

"Uh..Ahm..You should see it for yourself", he calmly said.

He opened up my palm and a cold metal met my skin. Cellphone? I realized what he wants me to do. Slowly, I opened my eyes. Now that I have calmed, I can feel every sting my nerves make.

His camera was on and I saw a freaking tomato. Red. That's it. Just freaking red.

Now, I see a pig.

"Here.." I said returning his phone. "Thanks" I said a but to heavy.

He was silent. Fork.

"I was thanking you sincerely", I said immediately to compensate, but its too quick for the pain. This sucks. "There's no sarcasm in it, really"

"I know" he said calmly. His aura is familiar. Too familiar and without a thought, I looked up in his eyes hoping to see someone in particular.

However, they are entirely different eyes but its too deep. Pained. Like his.

"I'm really really sorry, though" he quickly shift the topic. I guess my reaction were transparent.

I tried taking a deep breath, finding my composure once again. Why did I think I will see him? I tried remember where the conversation was and I scoffed "You do realize I was at fault too, right?".

He smiled and I almost cried. It feels welcoming. The twinkles in his dark brown eyes were evident even with glasses. They were so warm. Warm enough to make me want to stay, caging me in.

Stars..

"Kiyan!" Kris whispering loudly snapped us back to wherever we were from. Both me and 'Kiyan' snapped our head to Kris whom was struggling to get in. Obviously. She popped her head, searching for the said boy. When her eyes landed on Kiyan "Anata no baggu!" again she whispered loudly.

Anata no baggu...Your bags.

Kiyan moved the bags just enough to walk in through. When Kris' was satisfied she shifted her solid gaze on my corner. The wrinkle in her forehead, smoothen and her eyes, worries. "What happened?" now her voice was loud. She tried touching my face but I was too slow not to flinch.

"I got her knock down with the door" Kiyan replied.

Kris took a double take by blinking. She turned to Kiyan ever so slowly

"Unintentionally" I felt obliged to add. It was not entirely his fault anyways.

Kris took a step back to take a moment to comprehend the situation. She shift her eyes between me, the door and Kiyan. "Oh. Because you were both on the other side of the door.” she said slowly for her to let those words sink in. "Oh, you were both going to open the door when Kiyan here" she said pointing at Kiyan "win over it and opened it first and Eliah here" she said slowly pointing at my direction, "got hit by the door."

Me and Kiyan shared a look. The fact that even his brother is weirded out is concerning.

She laughed. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry" Kris said in between laughs. Patuloy pa rin siya sa pagtawa. "It's just," she said finding her breath. "What a way to meet someone!" she then continue to laugh.

Bigla siyang tumigil. Then she face palmed her face. "Baka" she whispered to herself.

Excuse me?

Did she just call herself idiot?

Kris is weird. In a nice way.

I like it.

I like her.

"Why don't we put some ice on it, shall we?" she said. She did not wait for my response and gently lead me. "I should have prioritize you first." she lowly said.

"Kris, it doesn't hurt that much" I said. I am not entirely lying.

I am not trying to make anyone guilty. Please, that's the last thing I want. "Kris, really, I'm fine." I don't think she heard me. She let me sit on the couch and left for the hallway. Just before the anxiety kicks in, she returns back with an ice bag.

She gently pressed the cold bag on my face and I did not stopped the sighed from the cool relaxing sensation of the cold ice.

Wow. I sound like a commercial.

We fell into a comfortable silence.

I smile at Kris to let her know I'm okay. I was afraid she would half smile but thankfully she gave me a good one.

Then I remembered something.

This is my chance.

"Uhm, Kris. Can I ask you something?" I started.

"Sure. What is it?" she said smiling.

"You see, earlier on the phone call I heard you on the background talking to someone and also just now with Kiyan.."

She smiled, already knowing where this will go. "Oh you mean my language?" she still asked.

I nod.

"Were you worried? Because I can assure it was just family related dialogues"

Here it comes.

"No, I understood them?" why dahek did I asked.

"Nihonggo?"

CONFIRM

I nod.

"How?"

It's now or never, Eliah.

"I'm an otaku?" Again, really?