STRINGS (UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 3

"She's pretty, Tito." Kency suddenly mumbled as they watched Billy and the kids walked out of the room. "I like her." She added before looking at Lukas who didn't know what to respond.

Should he say, he likes her too? Lukas thought but, in the end, he only smiled and gestured for his niece to go to their table already.

The next day, they met at the same restaurant and ate breakfast before starting the day. As promised, Lukas and Kency joined Billy and the twins in horseback riding. The kids had their own horses since the twins were used to riding one. They have been doing it since they were little so they already knew how to do the basics. Lukas however assisted Kency who happened to ride a horse for the first time only. She was a little scared at first, but she surprisingly overcame it and learnt to love it after a while.

"Tito, let's do it again sometimes. I love it here!"

Luka smiled, putting a spoonful of food on Kency's plate. They just finished strolling around the area and since it was already lunch time, they decided to stop by at a small cafe to have something to eat.

"You should come with us next time, Kency. Para mas masaya." Red suggested. He must have seen Lukas put a food on Kency's plate because he also did it for Billy. "You should eat more, Ma." He said as if he's a grown up man attending to his daughter. But he's not. And it's the other way around.

Lukas saw it all. He couldn't helped but smile at the sweet gesture of the young boy towards his mother. No wonder he liked the boy the first time he saw him.

"I am eating a lot, anak. Thank you. Alam mo kung sino 'yong dapat kumain ng marami?" Billy grinned. "It's you three." She put a slice of chicken on the plate of the kids. "Kumain ng marami at masustansya para—"

"Maging malusog at masaya!" The twins finished.

All of them shared a good laugh because of that.

"Tito Lukas should eat more also, right Tita Billy?"

Lukas looked up to Kency with his eyes almost bulging out.

"Well..." Billy giggled. "Of course! Para maging malusog at masaya ang tito Lukas mo.." she winked at him before placing a chicken on his plate too.

Kency was the happiest of course. But the twins felt the opposite. They hated it when they see their mother being attentive and sweet to someone else, let alone a man who isn't their father.

And Lukas had to pretend to be oblivious about the stare he was getting from the two boys in front of him because they're so adorable. Especially when their expressions changes every time Billy turned to them.

It was like that until the dessert was served. The chocolate icecream definitely did a good job at diverting the kids attention, giving Lukas and Billy time to talk.

"So, Kency.." Billy started and Lukas knew already what's next.

"My younger sister's daughter." He answered. "She's our family's sunshine. At madalas napagkakamalang anak ko. Especially that we're always together."

"Kung hindi mo nga siya pinakilalang pamankin mo, I'd suspect she's your daughter as well. You are so.." Billy glanced at Kency before looking back at Lukas. "Alike."

Lukas chuckled. They actually does.

"If you don't mind me asking. Nasaan ang tatay nila?"

"Nasa manila. I know you may have an idea." Billy smiled a little. "Things aren't working out that well. We've tried. I've tried. Only god knows pero gano'n talaga."

"I'm sorry."

"Anong sorry? Bakit?" Billy giggled, looking away from him. "Kasalanan mo ba?" She was kidding of course. And Lukas stifled a laugh. He found her very amusing.