Hong Kong or Singapore?

The Capitol Commons

Not far from the military base was a village known as the place where old-money families lived - The Capitol Commons. The white van that carried Sunny and Aunt Mari navigated the hill inside the village until they finally reached home.

Uncle Tawi slid the white van's door open and extended a hand for the young miss.

"It's fine, Uncle Tawi. Thank you."

Sunny was a few steps away from the van when she did an about-turn to say something to the driver.

"Uncle Tawi, please use a different vehicle next time. You know how I hate riding in a van."

Uncle Tawi was about to explain the situation, but he didn't want to spoil the surprise. The reason was simple: he had to use the van so he could accommodate all of Sunny's friends and offer to drop them off along the way, thereby delaying Sunny's arrival at home. Left with no choice but to hold his tongue, he nodded his head, and the young miss left as soon as she saw his response.

Aunt Mari pushed the double mahogany wood front door open for Sunny, and they were welcomed by her twin sisters Jenna and Janna.

"Sunny!!!" The tres señoras hugged each other and formed a circle. They jumped and rotated until Sunny's elbow knocked off a stand-alone vase.

The commotion made their mother ran towards the receiving area of the house.

She gasped at the sight of her twin college daughters who were supposed to stay in campus out of the country. Wasn't it still the school term?

"You came hooooome?" Auntie Lala's shrill voice pierced through their eardrums. She walked in quick yet small graceful steps towards her three daughters and joined them in their circle time; they jumped and laughed as they wheeled, everybody in high delight at the surprise.

"So, that's why Uncle Tawi used the white van!" Sunny had an AHA! moment. She felt terrible for her cold treatment towards the old man. She made a mental note to say sorry the following day after he drops her off at their team's meeting place.

Aunt Mari returned with a broom and dustpan in hand. Auntie Lala tilted her head to the side, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "What's that for, Mari?"

Aunt Mari used her chin to point at the shattered vase on the marble flooring.

Auntie Lala let out an overly dramatic gasp.

"Omo omo omo! Stay away from the vase girls. There might be some evil spirit that had escaped from it."

She patted her children thrice each at their clothing and swatted an invisible spirit in the air.

It doesn't matter to Auntie Lala that it was actually a century-old porcelain vase that her father had excavated beside the tomb of an unnamed princess. Her daughters were complete tonight, and that's what matters the most.

The ruckus at the front of the house had reached the study room at the end of the hallway. Their necks craned toward the direction when they heard the door open. That particular door had its distinct sound.

"Daddyyy!!!" the girls screamed. Auntie Lala screamed too and ran faster than her daughters. Their father's arms were wide enough to receive all his girls. His triumphant smile was an understatement to the joy he felt at the presence of his girls.

"Omo omo omo! Get away from my husband, please!" Auntie Lala protested to her daughters. Why does she always have to compete with these ugly ducklings?

A tall man with a bald head cleared his throat and was the unfortunate one to have to break the family's reunion. "Ehem-ehem. Senator Travis, dinner is ready."

The Madam and young ladies of the Huang Household angrily stared at the poor butler, yet his face stayed the same: emotionless.

The Huang ladies dragged their feet to the formal dining room. The butler pulled out a chair for the head of the household, but before Senator Travis sat down, he clamped his hand on the butler's shoulder and said, "You don't have to call me senator in my own home. Travis. Travis sounds better."

After their meal, Auntie Lala pulled her daughters to the garden that overlooked the glistening lights of the capital. After a few minutes, Aunt Mari pushed a tea trolley loaded with tea and pastries.

A servant stood guard at the trolley with her life. Not a single fly dared to come near, or else it would meet its creator in an instant.

"Now tell me why my sweeties are here exactly? And why come home on a school day?" Aunt Lala probed her twin daughters.

"Oooh, we wanted to cheer Sunny on her qualis tomorrow, riiight?" The twins sent meaningful glances to each other before Sunny called them out.

"Why do I feel like you want to go shopping?" Sunny commented as she stuffed her mouth with her second macaroon.

Auntie Lala hit Sunny's hands. She didn't catch actually what her youngest daughter said. Her focus was on the second macaroon that Sunny ate. Her lips compressed lightly, and she said, "Easy on your sugar, sweetie. You have a competition to win."

Sunny did not heed her mother's warning. She grabbed another macaroon and opened her mouth as big as the macaroon and swallowed it whole.

She gave her mom a mini tongue out before she ran for her dear life.

"Omo omo omo, this child!" Auntie Lala stomped her feet and slammed her hand on the chair because of her daughter's silly antics.

When Sunny reached the stairs, Auntie Lala looked at her twins. Her eyes twinkled in excitement. A giddy smile formed on her face.

"Now, ladies... where should we go shopping this time? Hong Kong or Singapore?"

Edited by Swaning