I staggered backward from the force that hit me straight on my jaw. Who in their right mind would expect a six-year-old kid to come running straight to their direction and decided that punching his Aunt would be the right thing to do instead of a hug? I touched my left cheek to check if there's any bruise, luckily the punch was not hard enough to put any damage on my skin. I took a glance at my very kind nephew and arched an eyebrow noticing that he kept a fair amount of distance between us. At least the kid knows his limit.
"So, Myckel," I started. "Did you enjoy punching me?"
The kid – Myckel – bit down his lower lip and started playing with his hands. A deep furrow formed between his brows. He seemed conflicted on whether he should tell me what's keeping him at bay or not.
On what seemed like quarter an hour, he heaved a sigh of frustration.
"No... I hate it." His voice was barely audible, as if he doesn't want me to hear the emotions bubbling to get out, but failed. I leaned forward struggling to hear his little voice; I hid a smile and waited for him to continue. "Y-you promised me Aunt Ana, didn't you remember? You told me that Santa will come on my birthday even if its summer and you will be the one to personally hand him to me as a gift." He mumbled, unable to meet my eyes.
I pursed my lips. Sometimes, I tend to forget that children are prone in overlapping reality and fantasy. In some instances, it includes myself.
"But," he carried on. "I don't care about him anymore because mommy told me that Santa was once a unicorn and, unicorns aren't real." He stopped playing his hands and pouted. "You didn't come."
Seeing this kid genuinely missed his good-for-nothing Aunt, made me wish I was stabbed by my nemesis instead. My mind was reeling with far-fetched answers that I think was reasonable for a kid like him; but even I was having a hard time believing it. I moved towards him while maintaining the same eye-level, although I doubt that he will be meeting mine anytime soon.
"I was...busy saving the world, kid." I said, trying to sound serious. With that statement, he finally looked at me with eyes piqued with interest as he deliberately tilted his head.
"Don't lie to me Aunt Ana. You don't have super powers. You're not superman."
An unladylike snort came out of my mouth. Figures. I inched closer to him so that I could have the chance to whisper in his ears. I need to earn the 'Good Aunt' reputation.
"No, Myckel. But guess what, I'll tell you a secret and you need to keep this save for your mom and dad, okay?" I didn't wait for him to answer. " I'm actually the real James Bond, like the girl version of him. No-one knows this but your mommy and daddy." I winked at him.
He gaped at me, eyes nearly going out of their socket. "Wow." He whispered, "That's...wicked."
I grinned and pinched both of his checks. "I know! Now go get your daddy, he's in the garage doing some voodoo on his car, again."
He rolled his eyes. "Huh, how am I not surprised? I'll be right back Aunt Ana." He dashed towards the direction of his dad. Chuckling, I lifted myself up and headed straight to the kitchen where Lisa would be.
The house was old but not in a manner that's ancient. It was a two-storey building with a wide front yard and a balcony located behind the house, facing the flower garden. It also has five bedrooms; two of which are located downstairs that served as a guest room. They made some renovations from the wallpapers to the furniture. Lisa got this from our grandmother; she always liked Lisa. Plus the fact that Lisa was the only grandchild that was always there for her, up to her very last breath. I was...away. I didn't know yet that I still have a blood relative until 10 years ago.