On the following day, James was in his room and preparing his things as they will be leaving with Job to Bicol for studies.
'James! James!'
'Hurry up son! Are you not done packing your things up? An excited voice with a hint of little worries was on the face of Ruth, while she was calling James outside of his room.
I'm done in a minute, Mom! James replied inside.
Since James was born, this was the only time he would be away from his family.
That's why the worry on his mother's face has been evident these past few days as his imminent departure approaches.
She is a very hands-on mother that she takes care James personally despite having two house maids.
Upon reaching the age of five, she and her husband – Daniel, agrees to start training James on doing his own chores until he's teenager now.
Although James was being spoiled by his mother, he never put those rascal attitude in his mind… unlike other teenager at his age, James somewhat a little matured, he was trained to be an independent to do his own stuff… he just opted not to show it whenever his mother was around.
This attitude didn't pass unnoticed from his meticulous father's eye, he approves it and was even proud about the standpoint of his son.
After couple of years of these daily training regimen, James who is thirteen years old now, was very well thorough with those advices of his parents specially from his father teachings that it has already integrated to his daily routine…
He already knows to resolve issues with his critical thinking, aside from fixing his personal things by his own such as what clothes to wear in different occasions, gadgets and even his own finances like personal savings account in the bank. He also learned to interpret a few runic symbols as well as a little knowledge in ancient script reading technique from his father as part of his learning aid and basic martial self defense to hone his physical training exercise.
This attitude is common practice for middle class families in their place, this is to prepare their heir for a bigger responsibility in the future such as taking over their family business or property when the time of retirement of his parents.
As such, James is quite matured compared to other teenagers with his same age.
Meanwhile, after making sure that her son is ready, Ruth goes inside her room and close the door silently.
++++
On the other room, James took a while in packing his things, for the reason that he couldn't help but feel heavy in his chest as he will be separated from his parents.
Now that he thinks about it, the length of time he won't be able to be with his parents have sunk in, he's been having second thoughts, but because he and his parents agreed about it for a long time, James strengthened his resolve.
So, even though James was a little sad, he left his room, carrying his bags down the stairs to the living room while Job and his parents were supposing to be waiting for him downstairs, but, when he looks around, it was only his father and Job was waiting.
++++
Thud, thud, thud.
A sound of a rhythmic sound of footsteps awakens the conversation of Daniel and Job.
"Oh, there you are James, Job was been waiting for you!" Immediately Daniel looked to James which was walking down the stairs.
'Hi dad! I'm ready…' a black back-pack on his shoulder was being carried by James and another medium size traveling bag was on his hand.
'Hello sir Job.' James immediately greeted Job while descending.
'That's a big luggage son, looks like you will not be coming back with that. Will you?' Daniel gest his son with a playful wink.
Ha, ha, ha, ha... Daniel joke to lighten everyone's mood.
Ha, ha, ha, ha…
'Hi there James.' Job greeted back James.
'You can call me big brother if you want.'
'I will not decline the offer big brother Job, please call me small brother too.' James politely replied.
Although James is just thirteen years old, he stands five feet and seven inches already… anyone with keen senses will notice of his mature aura and there is something in him that you cannot describe. Even his appearance, someone will mistakenly think that he is older than his age.
Aside from being an intelligent kid, someone will immediately notice James's good looks, a cheek bones higher and the lower jaw more prominent, his symmetrical lips, long eyebrows, straight white teeth, black curly hair, smooth fair skin and an athletic body with light muscles developing that perfected his handsomeness…other people sometimes mistaken him as an actor in the movie.
'Big brother Job, what time are we going to leave?' Immediately James ask Job.
'As soon as your ready brother.' replied by Job to the young James.
'Great, thanks big brother, I'm ready. Shall we go now?'
"Dad, we have to go… where's Mom?" James asks Daniel. But his dad didn't able to answer his question. James was already calling Ruth.
"Mum!" James called his mom.
'Yes son, I'm just in here… just be careful, okay!' Ruth was in her room and a tiny sobbing is very obvious in her voice.
'Its okay son, you may go now.' Daniel said, whispering to his son…
'Your mom just doesn't want to see you leaving… that's why she stays in her room… I'll take care of your mom, okay!'
'You take care son. Call me when you arrive in your Ninong's place, okay!' Daniel patted the shoulder of his son. *Note – "Ninong" is local term of Godfather.
'Yes dad, I will. Bye dad!'
'Bye son!'
After Daniel hugs his son… He turned to Job a little later.
'Job, kindly hand this gift of mine to Titus.' Daniel hand over a small box to Job.
Upon receiving the small box, Job don't have any idea about the gift but he was certain that it was not an ordinary box… as an assistant of his master Titus, he had experienced seeing few extra ordinary things like the one that Daniel was handed to him.
He saw a complex carving on the lid of the box and recognize that it was a sealed rune.
"You can count on me sir… this will be received by master."! Then he vowed again to Daniel after he receives the small box.
And the two of them walked out the door to the garage where the car they would use for the trip was parked.
'Job, take care of my son for me, drive safe. Okay! send my regards to Titus too.'
"Yes sir!" Job replied politely to Daniel.
Daniel waved to the two goodbyes. 'Very well!'
*******