Chapter 4 : While Darling's Away, I'll Hold the Fort

"Time for my side of the story to unfold... from my perspective, as Sylvia.

I tried to offer Alex some advice, but it was short-lived, as his mom intervened, "This is a formal event, Sylvia, please restrain yourself. We're on live TV, look at all the reporters.”

As she spoke, I noticed Priscilla making a beeline for Alex, her eyes shining with an unsettling intensity. She looked like a crazed fan, and I knew I had to act fast.

Not on my watch! I swiftly pulled Priscilla away, despite her towering over me (I'm only 5'4" while she's 5’9").

"Oi, what's all this, then, Sil?!" Priscilla protested as I dragged her off.

Alex nodded in gratitude, and I gave him a stern look. "Darling... remember to keep your wits about you, got it?”

As the other students started staring at Alex, he seemed embarrassed and said to me, "See ya... I'll be back next month, okay? Hold the fort for me…"

That smile of his melted my heart, but Priscilla just wouldn't quit. "Crikey, sweetheart! Don't leave me out!”

I rolled my eyes. Alex remained calm, unfazed by Priscilla's antics. "Yeah... you too... try to hold things together with Sil, okay…"

Priscilla's buddy hug was like a trap, her arms locking around me with a hint of possessiveness. "No worries, mate, I've got little Sil's back…"

Her voice dripped with sweetness, but her gaze held a hint of rivalry.

As Alex hugged his mom and started to connect with his dad, I could hear his dad offering words of wisdom. "I know you can handle it, but never forget to pray, got it?”

Alex smiled and replied, "Yeah... got it, dad... Assalamualaikum, see you, mom…"

He kissed his mom's hand and departed, looking back at us with a smile. Mariam and Amin were tearful, and Hana clung to me, her eyes welling up.

"Big sis... big brother is leaving again... hope he'll be back soon…"

I comforted Hana with a smile, and she smiled back, her adorable face a perfect doll-like visage. "Yeah... if he doesn't, I'll go get him, okay?”

"Yeah, I'll follow you, big sis!!" Hana exclaimed, her smile radiant as she latched onto my arm, her grip tightening as if she wanted to be glued to my side. I knew she was super close to Natalie, but with Alex away, I was determined to be her guardian angel.

As Alex vanished into the departure gate, he turned back and locked eyes with me, his lips curling into a subtle smile. I could almost hear his whisper: "Gonna miss ya…"

My face detonated into a deep blush, as if a firework had exploded in my head, leaving me dazed and flustered. Hana, still clinging to my arm, gazed up at me with an innocent grin, oblivious to the secret message that had just left me breathless.

Alex's dad approached me with a warm smile and said, "Hana's really taken a liking to you, I'm glad to see that. And with you around, I'm sure Alex's mom feels more at ease, knowing someone's looking out for her too.”

I nodded, trying to play it cool, but my voice betrayed me, "It's okay, dad..." Ugh, why did I say that?! But to my surprise, he didn't react negatively, instead, he offered an encouraging nod.

"Yep, I know... that's why you need to be here, okay? See ya, I've got work to attend to with Brother Usman. Still need to settle some things in KL," he explained, his busy schedule evident.

Alex's mom chimed in, "And if you have time, please visit Alex for me, okay?" Her eyes sparkled with a mix of sadness and hope.

Alex's dad smiled, his expression a testament to the positive changes since Alex resolved their family issues. "Okay, got it.”

Just then, Uncle Usman chimed in, his voice teasing, "Looks like Sylvia here is already part of the family! I'm not worried about your future daughter-in-law taking care of everyone." My face flushed with embarrassment as everyone's eyes turned to me.

As we returned home, Alex's mom entrusted me with the care of Tama, Hana, and Sam, citing another urgent office call. I nodded, and we settled in for a study session.

Hana snuggled up beside Steward, who was patiently guiding her through her books. Tama and I delved into tomorrow's class material, when she suddenly switched to Lun Bawang, saying, "Alex is always traveling, isn't he?”

I nodded, concerned. "Yes, and it worries me. He's not one to share his emotions or feelings... always keeps to himself.”

Tama's gaze pierced mine. "Sylvia, do you love him? Or is it something else?”

I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. "It's more like a connection…"

Tama's eyes sparkled mischievously. "So, if I kissed Hazlan, we'd have a connection, right?" I could almost see Hazlan's face turning beet red at the thought!

I chuckled, trying to clarify. "Well, kissing isn't something you just give away... there are other ways to share connections.”

Tama grinned. "My dad likes Hazlan; he thinks he's a good person, even if he's a bit weak physically." I smiled, remembering Hazlan's introverted nature.

"Let's focus on math, shall we? You're struggling with it, right?" I teased, trying to steer the conversation back on track.

I pulled out my trusty algebra notes, including my glasses and began explaining the concept of ratios to Tama. She listened intently, her brow furrowed in concentration.

"Okay, so if we have a ratio of 2:3, and we want to find the value of x, we can set up an equation like this..." I scribbled on a piece of paper, trying to make it as clear as possible.

Tama nodded, but her eyes still looked puzzled. "I don't get it, Sylvia. Why do we need to multiply both sides by 3?”

I took a deep breath and tried a different approach. "Think of it like a recipe, Tama. If you need 2 cups of flour for every 3 cups of sugar, and you want to make a bigger batch, you need to multiply both ingredients by the same amount, right?”

Tama's face lit up slightly, but she still looked unsure. "I guess so... but what about the variables?”

I smiled patiently. "Variables are like mystery ingredients in our recipe. We need to solve for them to figure out the exact amount we need.”

Tama nodded, and I could see the gears turning in her head. "Okay, let me try…"

With my guidance, Tama worked through a few practice problems, her confidence growing with each correct answer. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she exclaimed, "I get it now! It's like a puzzle, and we need to find the missing piece!”

I beamed with pride. "Exactly, Tama! You're a natural!”

As we high-fived and celebrated her breakthrough, I realized that teaching Tama wasn't just about algebra and ratios – it was about helping her believe in herself.

Hana pounced on me, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Sylvia, help! Steward's explanation is like a foreign language... can you please decipher it for me?”

I chuckled, "What's got you stumped, Hana?”

She plopped down beside me, waving her worksheet like a distress flag. "Data and graphs... it's like trying to read hieroglyphics!”

I smiled sympathetically. "Okay, let's break it down. Imagine we're collecting data on our favorite snacks…"

Hana's eyes widened. "Snacks? Now we're talking!”

"...and we want to show how many of each snack we have. A graph is like a picture that helps us see the data more clearly.”

Hana's face lit up. "Oh, like a snack chart!”

I laughed. "Exactly! And the best part? No complicated math required... just simple counting and drawing.”

With a few quick sketches and examples, Hana's confusion transformed into understanding. "Aha! I get it now!”

With a triumphant whoop, Hana pumped her fist in the air, as if she'd just won a math Olympiad – and in a way, she had!

As the clock struck midnight, I donned my apron cape and soared into the kitchen, whipping up a trio of treats to satiate our growling tummies: rich hot chocolate, crunchy carrot slices bathed in creamy mayonnaise, and a sprinkle of cozy magic!

Just as I was about to pour the hot chocolate, Sam appeared out of nowhere, clinging to my leg like a koala on a eucalyptus tree. “biii…!” he pleaded, his big brown eyes melting my heart. I scooped him up, balancing him on my hip while juggling the drinks.

As I worked my multitasking magic, I couldn't help but think of Alex's mom, who managed to keep this household running smoothly solo. I felt a surge of admiration for her superhero-level parenting skills.

Just then, Hana dropped a bombshell: "Usually, big brother Alex makes us food because mom's always busy with work..." Her voice trailed off, and she slumped down, looking like a deflated balloon.

Steward, sensing her distress, tried to rally her with some reading encouragement. But Hana was having none of it – she suddenly flipped upside down, busting out some impressive acrobatics moves. I couldn't help but think of Mariam's spirited personality rubbing off on her.

"Uh..." Hana's voice was barely above a whisper, her usual spark dimmed. I wondered what was behind her sudden downturn...

As I cradled Sam in my arms, his eyelids fluttered closed, and he let out a gentle "booo..." - his special nickname for Alex. Then, in a soft whisper, he murmured "bii...", his way of saying my name. My heart swelled with affection.

In this serene moment, I felt a deep connection to this place and the people in it. It was as if we'd all migrated to Italy, leaving our worries behind. This house had become my home, and Alex, Hana, Sam, and the others had become my family. The attachment was strong, despite our short time together.

As we savored the refreshments, I reminded them, "Time for bed soon, okay?" Hana smiled sweetly, "Got it, big sis..." while Tama nodded in agreement.

I chuckled, remembering Steward's aversion to sweet treats, and offered him Chinese tea instead. But before he could take a sip, Hana playfully shoved a carrot slice into his mouth, making him blush.

"Hey! I can handle it..." Steward protested, his face growing redder by the second.

Hana's eyes sparkled with mischief, "You hate it?”

Steward's blush deepened, "Uh...no...but...let me eat it myself…"

I smiled, enjoying the lighthearted moment, "Alright, alright...time for bed, everyone!"

"Okay..." they chimed in unison, their voices fading into the night as they drifted off to sleep.

In this peaceful scene, I felt grateful for this makeshift family and the love we shared.

As I finished tidying up the dining table, Alex's mom arrived, a warm smile on her face. "Sorry about the mess, did you all have dinner?”

I reassured her, "Yeah, don't worry about it, Mother." She appreciated the affectionate term, her eyes sparkling with gratitude.

"Thanks, Sylvia... I couldn't have done it without you. Since you arrived, the house has been filled with laughter and life. Even Alex has softened, talking to his dad more often..." Her voice trailed off, hinting at a deeper conversation.

My curiosity piqued, I sat down beside her, wondering what was on her mind. "Sylvia, there's something I want to discuss..." she began, her tone serious.

My heart skipped a beat as I awaited her words. "The truth is... I love Natalie dearly, but I have a special place in my heart for you, Sylvia. You possess something unique, something that's changed Alex in ways I never thought possible. Even he sees it... Natalie will always be the one I trust, but you, Sylvia, have brought out a new side of Alex. If he were to choose you, I'd give my blessing…"

I was taken aback, overwhelmed by her words. "Mother... this is the best moment of my life," I confessed, my voice trembling. "When I first met Alex, I knew he was someone special. He's larger than life, and he's changed me in ways I never thought possible. He saved me from my complicated past, giving me the freedom to choose my own path..."

Mother's smile faltered, replaced by a somber expression, her eyes clouding with a deep sadness. "Sylvia, if anything happens to me... please, I beg of you... be there for them, for Hana and Sam. They've grown attached to you, and I know I can trust you... You have a heart of light, just like Frederica…"

The mention of Frederica caught me off guard; Alex had spoken of her before, but never his mom. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I processed her words.

"Mother, I've always wondered... why did you accept me and Steward so easily? You took us in without hesitation, and I've been curious about that for a while now…"

She paused, collecting her thoughts before responding, her smile tinged with sorrow.

"When I look at you, Sylvia, I see myself... struggling, fighting, surviving... trying to make things right. That's what I saw in you when we met. Alex was a hermit back then, but you... you had an aura about you, a sense of purpose. You never seemed to take advantage of us; instead, you cherished us more than your own family... That's why I chose you for Vatican City, to keep you and Steward safe…"

In that moment, I understood the depth of her pain and the weight of her decision. Her eyes revealed a story of struggle and sacrifice, and I knew that my own mother still posed a threat to me.

"Mother..." I whispered, my voice trembling as I grasped her arm. "Even if Alex didn't choose me, I'll still be here for this family... no matter what. My love for Alex, Hana, and Sam goes beyond words, beyond boundaries... it's a bond that can't be broken.”

As I spoke, Mother's eyes welled up with tears, and she sobbed, "Oh, Sylvia... you're the daughter I never had..." She enveloped me in a warm embrace, and I felt my own tears prick at the corners of my eyes.

In that moment, I knew I'd do anything to protect this family, to keep them safe from harm. I'd give my life for them, without hesitation. The love we shared was pure, unconditional, and unbreakable.

As we hugged, the tears flowed freely, a testament to the depth of our emotions. We stood there, holding each other, a sense of belonging and acceptance washing over us. I knew I'd found my true family, and I'd cherish them forever.

As I drift off to sleep, I glance around the room, taking in the peaceful scene. Tama is sprawled on her bed, Hana snuggled up beside her, and Steward is resting serenely. My thoughts wander to Alex, and I find myself drawn to his bed, imagining him lying there, laptop open as he works on his journal.

My mind begins to wander, wondering what would happen if Steward and I weren't around. Would Alex be able to be himself? The thought sends a pang of concern through me, especially since he always returns late at night with faint bruises.

As I sit down, I feel something hard beneath me and discover a photo of Natalie. A twinge of envy surprises me, but then I see another picture - one of me. I wonder where it came from.

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes. Why am I crying? Alex is only gone for a month, not forever. But the memory of the 'Princess of the Night' flower he gave me lingers, a reminder that good things never last.

I realize, with a start, that I am crying because I love him. And that knowledge hurts. But I know I have to be strong.

Just then, my phone rings, shrill in the silence. I rub my eyes, take a deep breath, and answer.

"Hey, what are you doing? You'll get caught!" I exclaim, trying to sound stern.

"Umm... I'm in KL," Alex replies, his voice muffled. "I have to be at the Borneo Foundation office then tomorrow for the school report, so I'm stuck in this hostel. But the guys are going crazy about something, and my cousin is here with me…"

"Dumbass, what if they find out you have a phone? I told you not to be so reckless!" I scold, trying to hide a smile.

"Jeez, ouch! Anyway, I had this weird urge to call you," Alex says, sounding puzzled.

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. "Weird urge? You mean like a psychic connection or something?”

Alex chuckles. "Maybe? But seriously, I'm glad I called. So, did you wonder why I didn't call Natalie?”

I nod, curious. "Yeah, I did. She has no idea about your trip to MCKK, does she?”

Alex shrugs. "I just emailed her. Phone bills are crazy expensive! But I really wanted to talk to you. What's up?”

I smile, feeling a flutter in my chest. "Not much, just getting ready for school…"

But before I can continue, a voice interrupts our conversation.

"Hey, bro! Who's the lucky girl?”

Alex's cousin starts teasing him, and I can hear the commotion in the background.

"Hey, stop it! She's with me now!" Alex defends, his voice firm but embarrassed.

I can't help but laugh at the banter. "ALEX!!!! Listen to me!!" I scold, trying to sound stern but struggling to hide a smile.

"Right, sorry!!" Alex quickly apologizes, knowing he's in trouble.

I give him a mock-stern lecture, telling him to focus on the program and not get distracted... but deep down, I'm happy to be the one he wants to talk to.

"Anyway, get some sleep, okay? You've got a big day tomorrow. Don't look like a mess, and don't forget anything, got it?" I advise, trying to sound stern but caring.

Alex teases me back, "Jeez, you're already acting like my mom! Got it, I'll take care of myself, don't worry.”

I blush, feeling a flutter in my chest, and remind him, "I really love you, got it?!”

Suddenly, a loud commotion erupts from his end, with his friends cheering and jeering.

"WOOHOO! ALEX IS ALREADY HOOKED ON A GIRL!!”

"WHAT THE HECK, BRO?!”

A authoritative voice booms in the background, "QUIET DOWN, ALL OF YOU! BACK TO BED, NOW!”

Alex chuckles, "Yeah, thanks to you... thanks, see ya." He hangs up, leaving me with a warm, fuzzy feeling.

I slipped back into my bedroom, the silence enveloping me like a warm embrace. Tomorrow's school day stretched out before me like a blank canvas, waiting to be filled with the vibrant colors of friendship and possibility.