Maven of the Strings

Chapter Thirteen

Then he asked me more, "Anyway, how you and my daughter became friends?" He asked again. But the mother said,

"Let's eat. Foods are prepared." The mother inviting us on dinner.

The question and answer portion continue at the dine table, "Mutual friend of Nicole." Answering Starchild's dad question.

"Ow. They're best friend since childhood." The two girls keep listening. "Let's continue that on the table. Let's eat."

And we all went to their dining table, having a dinner for five. I give my presents too. The liempo I brought on town. This night will be great.

The dinner was totally reserve because that time, I only know that it's Starchild's birthday. I haven't know that's it is like a surprised for me. I am really surprised.

"What? Is it your 21st birthday?" I was very surprised asking on Starchild. I greet her gladly, "Happy birthday to you. I can buy giftif both of you tell me earlier that it is your birthday."

"Surprise for you." Nicole said laughing while eating relienong tilapia.

"Thank you, Arkin." Starchild's charming reply.

While we are eating, we continue on asking and answering but still, Starchild's name didn't reveal until I asked,

"Sir, what's your daughter's real name?" Asking to know her name. Hoping to be revealed!

Nicolette and Starchild look to me, a look with warn. Geez.

"Don't tell to her, uncle." Nicolette stealing the moment.

"Dad, don't tell him. I know we had done with this. Don't tell him." Starchild too. What?

Her dad smiles at me, "I'm sorry son . . ."

And they look mad at me on what I've ask but then, I smile. I'm hoping someday, she will reveal it to me.

"My daughter and Nicole commands me don't tell so, sorry son. Hehehe."

So I changed the topic while restraining disappointment, "Sir, why do your daughter doesn't available on day-time?" I asked. Smiling while eating. Then both each other give themselves a hard look. Is there's wrong on my question? And a moment of silence occupy the area.

Then her mother answered my question, "We just wanted her to have a good skin tone. Sunlight will be harm on her."

"Oh. I see." Then I answer with a smile. Knowing that the truth behind the good skin of Starchild is because she doesn't reveal herself under the sun. That's a good idea for caring skin.

Then we eat. Enjoying the moment. There's a question to be answered and not. But if not, I wouldn't force to know, I respect. That's how I care of my friend's secretion and privacy.

I told them the event one other night. Where Starchild perform a Sungha Jung's Canon Rock, neat and good to hear. Then the father was proud on her saying,

"I'm the one who teach her to play guitar but now in an instant, she perform well than me."

After I heard this, I'm so much proud of her. Nicolette therefore laugh in how Starchild's father word delivering. He clap also after knowing his daughter's did more nights ago. Then afterward, when the meal near to finish. Mother asked,

"Arkin, why you call her Starchild?" I thought she asked madly for naming her daughter like that but not,

I answer with respect, "I just call her like that, maam. She didn't tell her my name." I look on her and continue on my sentence, "I call her like that because she's always going out every night. At the brilliant of the stars, I see her face. A sort of that." I speak like in poetry. Starchild wanted to smile but she resist it telling,

"Thank you for the meal." Grooming herself after eating.

Her dad said gladly, "Ow, I am the husband of Starmom!" And we all laugh after we realize the joke. Starchild's starmom?

Then something she has saw on me, "I thought you born like aristocrat, why you ain't use fork?" Then I smile. Answering her amusing and interesting question,

"I'm not comfortable using fork, since childhood. My dad told me to use as proper and livelihood style but I don't care. I will do my own track of eating meal. I am me." This what makes them amaze about me, I won't use fork.

That night makes me more bonded on Starchild's family. Her parent tell me their name but Starchild not. Even the family name, she keep it very confidential. I don't know why she do that, but I hope someday she tells me this. I still hope, it's just the beginning of the ladder of friendship. Then after that, we go out on the terrace fill with some plants. Then it's about winter, the winter wind was so cold.

Starchild went to her room while me and Nicolette waiting outside. Nicolette entertaining me.

"How's the dinner?" She asked after she done helping the family on the dishes.

"I'm happy to have dinner with you, with her and Starchild's family." I reply and dazzle her with a smile.

Then it's about Starchild brought her Lumanog personal guitar.

And that very night as it ends almost 1 o'clock of the early morning, it end ups more on sharing and playing guitar who made me amazed Starchild. She's almost a string expert. I can't believe that there's a woman like her that can perform such hard chords but it took very easy on her as she use her gentle and talented hands. And her voice! Her voice is very charming as a Soul Singer. From Ukulele Girl to Starchild. Maybe now on, I will call her String Expert. Hm. Not good for a girl. What should I call her?

Yes, another term of expert is, maven. I must call her Maven! Maven of the Strings.