Babysitter

"Deep breaths. Just" she took her own advice before finishing her encouragement "deep breaths. Okay? You can do this anak!" she said.

She seems like she needs the encouragement more than I do.

I'm not that particularly nervous, to be honest.

I mean, if they are Japanese. Good, great. Amazing! And if not, its not like I'm babysitting for that sole reason. I'm a babysitter because I care.

"Ma, I'm just babysitting please" I said trying to calm her down.

I have full control over myself. Hopefully.

Oh Holy Spirit guide me.

"Leave a good impression!", Shizuku shouted from the living room.

I should leave. Immediately.

"It would really help you in the long run. Like I know, its not your main goal or whatever, BUT.. " she raised one finger for diction. Taking a bite from her churro. ".. knowing that this people might be Japanese. We shouldn't risk not building a good impression. Your appeal is our appeal too. So please, don't be a dummy and tame your weebu self." she finished, leaning fully on the hallway opening.

This feels fake.

I glanced at mama, her smile is crooked almost hesitant. I looked at Shizuku once more and I see it. In her eyes. In mama's face.

Their anxious and I can only guess why.

I took a final scan of both blondes. Remembering that I saw them talking without me after the call earlier.

"You think she's gonna be okay?" Shizuku to mama.

"She haven't seen them but they're kind. I just hope she wouldn' t react badly or hope that they'll understand" Mama whispered.

"Ma, Shizuku, I'm just babysitting. There is nothing that's going to go wrong." I repeated, for the 2nd time today, ever so slowly if only for them to understand what it meant.

Except if there's a burglar. Only then would I break my promise.

Yes, its been awhile since my last babysitting but its not like this is my first time either for them to be this agitated.

And I sense something more from their worried gaze towards me. I can feel it but could never pin it down.

"Okay, I'll leave now. Lock the doors behind me once I'm out. Oh and bleached head" I stopped turning my head to look at her frowning face which immediately morf into annoyance. "Save some, don't hog all of them" I said nodding at the churo on her hand. I turned on my heels to take the remaining steps to the yard.

"You made them! You can just make new ones, selfish old hag" she hissed. Mama made her dislike known.

"You better pay me then" I said.

I almost tripped over mama's flower bush as I'm trying to get a better vision on their exchange. So, I stopped trying and divert my attention to our yard. I admire the work done. We can really put things together. Funny how I would never have thought this would be possible 5 ye-

"Take care Ate.", Mama said, waving goodbye as well. I'm thankful for her intervention.

I looked at mama and waved her goodbye as I locked the gates. I glanced over to her shoulders where I believed Shizuku was but to my utter joy, she's not. However, the pleasure was short lived. Leave it to Shizuku to make things interesting. Taking advantage to our almost empty neighbourhood. She bid her farewell, twerking her non existed butt in the air standing on our terrace. I didn't even noticed when she climbed there. "I'm blessing you! You're welcome biatch"

Blessing has a lot of definition in my family.

I smiled at mama and flipped Shizuku my provocative pinky finger.

I proceed to take genuine steps towards my destination. It would easily take me 15 minutes to walk, depending on my motive.

Speaking of motives, I felt like doing one of them. Actually, this is an everyday thing, so it was never a task. It's more of a necessity.

I stopped on my tracks to admire them, raising my head to witness their idle twinkling. Subtle as they are now, they still shine the brightest for me. Just like how I see them in his eyes. The orange tint of the sky made them seem more alive. More real. More like him.

I felt an all too familiar pinch on my chest. And I need to get off of this.

I took a deep breath and decided to focus my mind on the almost freezing breeze of the approaching night.

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I am now currently in front of a gate, looking down at my wrist watch.

It took me 18 minutes to walk here. I still have 22 mins. to spare. So, I figured to stopped by at someone.

I rang the doorbell. Just then a small brown-haired kid opened the door. The moment his brown eyes landed on mine, they widened and his worry less smile came to view-showing me the gap on his teeth.

I missed this kid.

"ELIAH!!" he ran and took a leap to my arms, after he unlocked the gate, which I happily obliged.

Oof, he got heavier.

"Oh my, oh my, I can't believe you're here! Mom, dad? They're going out right? Right?", he said with pure giddiness, kicking his dangling legs.

I laughed at his excitement. "To be honest bud, I don't know either. I had to babysit the kid next door and I'm a tad bit early. So I figured visiting, I just had to see you. Look at you! You lost a baby tooth! What a man!" I reciprocate his energy, and stir the topic only to lessen his disappointment. And it worked.

His ongoing frown quickly turned to a gapping grin. "Yeah, I know right! I mean, yeah, it hurt but I got over it. It was a piece of cake" he exaggerated, crossing his arms. He proceeds to tell me how his tooth came out. Just as he was telling me how he felt something moving under his pillow hours after he put his tooth their, a woman's voice called, interrupting his story which did not please the child.

"Liam?" Marie Stones popped her head out of the front door, scanning over the yard till she saw us.

I waved at her "Hi Marie!"

"Mommy, I was telling Eliah about the toothfairy the other day! You interrupted me." Liam whinned ever so lowly as his mother was approaching.

"Were you? Well, you can continue" she said giving me her warm smile before turning to Liam. Waiting.

The kid turned bright red from the attention "Nevermind" he said hugging my neck, embarrassed.

How adorable.

"Liam, you are not light. Get off of Eliah, now." she reprimanded. "Give room so I can hug her."

When Liam heard the last statement he immediately slid off me to obey his mother.

Marie thanked her son, ruffling his hair. They look so alike it's almost scary. From their chestnut brown hair, their huge brown eyes, even down to the nose especially his smile, its so Marie.

After a second, she told him to go help his dad for dinner before she turned to me, spreading her arms for a hug. "How are you Eliah?"

"Doing pretty well" I said receiving her warmth. It feels good to hug her again.

"I guess you'll be making another friend." she said, letting go.

"Yup. Seems so." I said, trying not to voice out my nerves. This never happened.

She laughed, "I can still remember you back then.” she started. Scanning my face “Despite being 16, you knew a lot about children. But then again, your father seems to have taught you well, taking care of your younger sister. You were so small, you're always with him. Clinging. Smiling. The hem of his shirt ends up ruffled from you holding on." she laughed, her eyes looking faraway despite them being on me. She sighed "I wish he could see you now"

I met Marie, way before she had Liam. She was one of many witnesses of my childhood that I wished lasted longer.

Its so easy. How they mention him like he's, he's been long gone. All of them, seem to move on. Too fast.

"Yeah, I wish he could" I swallowed the bitter ammend.

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I've been trying to shake off my nerves for minutes now. I'm starting to think I'm anxious about another matter besides my job.

I took my final deep preparatory breath before placing my index finger on the doorbell. Five seconds till seven.

In 5......4......3......2......1......

Dingdong.

The seconds seems like hours waiting for a sound to reciprocate the bell.

The door opened and I saw a woman's head popped out. She immediately jogged down the yard to meet me. She opened the gate and I was greeted with the brightest smile I've ever seen.

Wow, they're white.

Considering I've seen Liam's, that's saying a lot. Its not her smile more like her eyes. They are full of..

Delight? Too much delight.

She hugged tightly but enough for me to still breathe. I didn't miss the huge sigh she let off. It took awhile before I retured the gesture. Hesitantly.

Probably something really good happened beforehand.

It was a long warm hug. Like a hug you give to a long lost family. Which obviously am not. However, I feel her longingness seeping through her. Its making me sad somehow.

She pulled back smiling softly "So you must be Eliah. I can already tell Christie will love you!" she said scanning my face. Then proceed to scan my whole body while holding my arms.

Is she making sure I'm real? When her face finally faced mine once more, she smiled so gently, I thought I'm seeing my grandmother. The way she smiled everytime she sees me after a year.

"Hello, Mrs. Stevenson.." I squeaked. I cleared my throat after asking, "You're Mrs. Stevenson right?", I asked out of confusion.

She laughed and I blushed, embarassed. "Yes, I am dear and there's no need to be formal. Call me Kris", she said reaching her hand to me.

"Nice to meet you, Kris", I said laughing a bit shaking her hand.

That could be a name of a Japanese. Who knows.

We walked inside the house. It was simple and neat. When I said neat, like really neat, you can actually tell they just moved. Few pieces of furnitures speck the empty rooms and boxes. A lot of boxes.

"We still haven't find the time to settle things up. My apologies but please, make yourself at home."

"It's cool Kris."I replied with a shrug.

Now that the lights are better I can actually see Kris clearly. Her jet black hair shines in the lit room. Her dark upturned brown eyes kept glancing back at me, and every time, she spreads her thin pink lips for a smile.

Very Asian.

I judged out of my instinct. I'm half Filipino and the other half is German.

Kris is still young, let's say 29. She and Marie might be around the same age.

"Uh..Eliah I forgot to tell you something very important. I didn't remember telling you on the phone." she said slowly as if preparing herself on the process.

We stopped, "Yeah?"

She pursed her lips and took a breath, "My daughter, Christie..." she trailed, gesturing towards what I believe is the living room. I followed her and I saw a child with her cinammon curly hair down, almost hiding her face. "...She's deaf".

Oh.

This will definitely be my first time. Measured steps were taken as I come close and closer, trying not to startle the child. She's currently watching something on the television. When I'm beside her, I tilt my head for her to notice me again, doing my best not to surprise her.

I met her beautiful amber eyes as she met my blue ones. For a moment they widened but I guess my method worked. She didn't gape or anything, she only made a calm glance towards her mother.

'She's your babysitter' Kris signed.

So they are using ASL. That kind of bum me out. I thought they'll be using Japanese Sign Language.

Christie then averted her gaze on me, nodding to acknowledge my presence. She held the small notebook laced on her neck as she started to flick the pages. When she found the words she was looking, she flipped the book for me to read.

It read 'Hi, I'm Christie'

I held my hands up, 'Hi Christie, My name's Eliah nice to meet you', I signed. I almost messed up her name there. Not to mention I was about to sign kiss you instead of meet you. My ASL are rusted.

Her eyes widened from my reply despite my rusted communication skills.

I wasn't bothered when Kris told me that her daughter was deaf rather, I was thrilled to meet someone like Nishimiya.

"You know how to sign, Eliah?", Kris asked in pure delight.

"A bit", sabi ko hesitantly. I don't want them to assume anything. I have no relatives that are deaf or mute nor do I know one. I can’t exploint myself when they start asking. Sometimes, I can't stop myself from saying too much and we can't risk that. Not now.

I can tell that Kris wasn't convince but she just bob her head nonetheless "What a beautiful coincidence. Not everyone knows how to sign but here we are, with a babysitter that knows. Lucky." sabi niya giving a me small smile. "I'm sorry again I failed to tell you about my daughter."

"It's fine Kris. Kids are kids no matter what" I turned to Christie and smiled at her. She was staring up at me wide eyed but I'm pretty sure that's because she was trying understand the conversation. I need to remind myself I had to sign to keep her up with the situation from now on. I smiled timidly at Kris which she returned so genuinely. Her smile seems to hides a lot of meaning. Her gaze on me are soft. Too soft but its not I'm uncomfortable either. We stayed like that for 5 minutes. It felt like it's five minutes. I was the one who broke the silence. "And because Christie has a neckbook, so still we can communicate, somehow. " I said a bit awkwardly.

She giggled, "Neckbook?" she giggled even more "It is much more efficient than calling it necklace notebook. Still clever aren't ya"

Still?

She probably just slipped. She had a bit of an accent on her so I guess english is not her first language.

"Just making it easier" I shrugged. Maybe because it's the fact they called me lazy. You know what they say, lazy people finds an easier and faster way to get the work done.

But I rather call it Energy Conservation. It's classy.

"Honey!, it's almost time.", a man came to view, wiping his hands with a towel. Obviously he's Mr. Stevenson, seeing how he addressed Kris and also, the undeniable resemblance of him and her daughter.

"Already?", Kris said looking at her wrist watch.

Hinalikan ni Mr. Stevenson ang left temple ni Kris then he wrapped his arms around Kris' waist from the back. I had a flashing memory of the same view but the woman was blond and the man has the same dark brown hair just as I am. They smiled as they held each other's warmth. Warmth that I used to know all too well. They used to dance in the kitchen and living room too.

The air around me suddenly came colder as I remember what happened. The pinch this time was a bit severe. I have to gasp for air. Which I think ruined the mood.

Kris nudged her husband's stomach for attention. Mr. Stevenson slowly opened his eyes, and immediately stood straight at the sight of me.

Kris cleared her throat "Yuri this is Eliah.." Yuri reached his hand "Eliah this is my husband, Yuri" I shook Yuri's hand.

"Nice to meet you, Eliah", Yuri said

"Nice to meet you too, Mr. Stevenson" I said uncomfortable of calling him Yuri. Unlike with Kris.

"Please, call me Yuri", he said assuring me.

"Okay, Yuri" I said smiling.

“I better get ready” Yuri seems to be welcoming but only to a certain extent. Not like Kris. But there's nothing wrong with it of course. "Hon, it's almost time to head to the airport" Yuri reminded Kris, taking his keys while heading out.

Airport?

"Okay", she replied. She then noticed the confuse look I'm having. "Oh, I forgot to tell you this too didn't I. Me and Yuri are going to pick up my brother from the airport and Christie seems really tired from our flight this morning, so we decided to call you instead. And I guess that was the best decision." she then proceed to look at her daughter whose gaze are on the television.

Nilingon ko si Christie. "Leave Christie to me Kris.." sabi ko sa kanya.

"Thank you, Eliah"she said.

As sono as she said that. We heard honking from outside.

Kris once again turned to me "Uhm. Eliah if there's any problem you can call us, our number is at the fridge and help yourself with some food, okay?" she said while grabbing her purse from the center table. She hugged me from the side and went outside.

Christie seeing her mom leaving, followed. Me following suite. She stopped at the porch gazing on her parent in their orange Audi Q3. I stopped on my tracks taking the space on her left.

Kris leaned on her husband's spot to get a better look at us. 'Be good okay' Kris signed to her daughter. Yuri popped his head and signed 'Be back before you even know it. I love you'.

Christie held a rock n' roll hands up (I love you) for her parents. The moment they left, Christie was still staring at the gate they left on. This is the first time they left her in a foreign place, with someone she haven't known. For her situation, she's a bit calm than I expected.

I gently tapped her shoulder, “Shall we”. She simply nod and lead the way inside. I locked the door and went to the living room. Christie looked at me expectantly. Was she waiting for me? She then tap the seat beside her with her still stuby hands. I took the gesture and walk up to her, taking the spot she patted. I followed her gaze and that's when a noticed what she was watching.

Pokémon.

This was fun when I used to watch this all the time from childhood. However, its sad that I don't remember much of the episodes. I just remember how I used to shout the pokemon's name everytime the part, “Who's that pokemoonn?”, came. Good old days.

I didn't notice Christie was looking at me until she was literally leaning towards me. She's assessing my face. For what? A reaction?

Wait. Did she caught on?

I quickly plastered a smile while trying to remember what was the sign for "Do you need anything?"

But out of nowhere Christie pulled her hands and signed. 'You're a weeb'

No doubt, no hesitation, no pause. Nothing. Its like she knew for a fact.

Who the heck told her?

What's more surprising is I didn't even hesitate to nod in agreement. Her eyes widened. Wait, she wasn't expecting me to nod?

She kept repeating to spell “weeb” and I kept nodding to compensate. And I realized, I just exploit my not so secret anymore.

Sayonara first good impression.

But I don't think I need to worry. If Christie knew the word weeb and is watching Pokemon, she might as well be one. As if on cue, she smiled so widely. Her whole face brightens by the single gesture. She even have to stop herself but failed to do so. She was so pleased. And I was happy. This is the moment where the relationship of the babysitter and the child really starts.

She kept covering her mouth from me, as if to hide her joy. Like she was afraid if she did show how happy she is. Like she might loose something if she did. I knew that feeling all too well so I offered her what I can only think that would help. I tapped for her attention and opened my arms wide.

She knew what it meant but still asked with her eyes if I was certain. It didn't took me a second to nod and wrap her with my arms as she was coming for me too.

She was so small. So small to even think the way she's thinking. A child deserves to enjoy his/her childhood. To be happy to their hearts content. But Christie clearly has some other matters too.

We were both comfortable with the embrace that I didn't even notice the time. Until I felt my chest getting wet and the small body in my arms shaking. I immediately went cold when I realized Christie was crying. Oh no.

What's worse is that she was so quite the whole time. And I'm sure she's not mute. The world sometimes, is not as kind as an innocent child would think it is. I'm just sorry how Christie realized that at such a young age.

Who hurt such a young child?

She gently pushed herself to wipe her tears. I gently care her back and tucked her hair behind her ears. She straightened her back and took a subtle deep breath.

She faced me with a determine swollen eyes and red face.

She point her forefinger at me then to herself and formed both of her forefinger into hooks, chaining them.

I understood it immediately however aren't we already friends? I enthusiastically replied with “Of course”

.

And we found ourselves hugging again.

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"What!"

Me and Christie are playing jackstone and she's clearly beating me to it. It's her last stone and..

"Nooo!", I exasperate with my hands to somehow show Christie my frustration.

Then I remembered something.

No, it's not right to ask Christie about that. My conscience said.

I nod to myself. Someone tapped me, I saw Christie giving me a concerning look.

'I'm okay'. I signed with a smile.

Yeah. It's better to ask Kris. It was her that I heard speaking the language on the phone.

Christie yawned and I looked at my watch.

8: 32 pm.

I tapped Christie's shoulder 'Let's go sleep?', I signed, Christie nodded and lead the way to her room. We got up the stairs and turn left. We walked in a hallways then stopped at the 4th door. Christie opened the door and goes straight inside just to enter another one. I turned the lights on so I can follow her and I saw her brushing her teeth.

Tiningnan ko ang kwarto ni Christie. Like the living room, still spacious. Only a futton at the center and sunflower bag at its side. The left corner of the room is where all the boxes are neatly piled. As soon as Christie got out of the bathroom, she lay down on her futton. I covered her with her yellow pikachu blanket making her snuggle to its warmth. She smiled tiredly at me.

'You want me to stay with you?', I signed.

'No, I'm okay' she signed. Tatayo na sana ako when Christie held my hands gently 'Thank you big sis. Goodnight", she signed a tired smile plastered in her face but I know that it was sincere and deep.

I gave her a smile and bent down to kiss her forehead 'Goodnight' I signed at her. I got up and when I was at the doorframe I turned to Christie 'Lights off?' I signed.

She nodded and yawned closing those amber eyes to sleep, I turned the lights off and with a final glance to Christie, I slowly closed the door.

I saw the opposite side of the hallway and it was full of boxes as well. I hed down to return to the living room. Returning to where I was and decided to turn off the T.V.

Not everyone knows how to sign language. Kris words repeated in my head.

That sure is everything to Christie. Growing up being special will have Christie struggling to make friend. To be honest, I think she's pretty sturdy for her age. She even asked me how its like to have more than 1 friend. So, I'm guessing she only had one besides her parents. But Kris and Yuri made a good job raising this kid. I can see that Christie is loved, and I think for now, it's enough to make Christie happy.

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A/N: In sign language it's not necessary to include verbs (is, are and etc.) In other words grammar doesn't really matter. But for reading purposes, the complete thoughts were written.

P.S. Rock n Roll sign means 'I Love You'. .

JSL- Japanese Sign Language

ASL-American Sign Language