Together but Separate

Chapter 22: Sisters' Day

Kate Rojas

"Ang dami na nito, ate. Magbayad na tayo," sabi ni Kaila.

"Sa tingin mo kasya na ang mga ito?" tanong ko sa kapatid ko.

Nasa grocery store kami ng kapatid kong si Kaila. Nagpasama kasi ako sa kanya bumili ng mga lulutuin. Isa pa, I wanted to have a bonding time with her. Minsan na lang kasi kami lumalabas dahil busy sa trabaho.

Earlier, we went to get massage. After that, we had our nails done in our favorite shop. Ngayon, nasa grocery store na kami.

Tumango siya. "Sobra pa nga, ate. Sa dami ba naman ng mga nilagay mo sa cart."

I sighed. "Well, it will be the first time that Nicko and his parents are spending Christmas with us. I want to make it special for them kaya magluluto ako ng iba't-ibang mga pagkain, especially the Italian dishes that they like."

"Sabagay, kailangan madami silang pagpipilian. Hindi pa naman tayo sure kung anong mga pagkain ang hinahanda nila kapag may party," sabi niya. "Pero, ate, excited talaga ako nung narinig ko na sa bahay sila magpapasko. Sa daming lugar sa mundo na pwede silang mag-celebrate ng pasko, yung bahay talaga natin ang pinili nila. Nakakatuwa lang dahil parang tinuturing na talaga nila tayong pamilya."

Napangiti ako dahil sa sinabi ni Kaila. Tama siya. Nakakatuwa isipin na pinili nilang makasama ako at ang pamilya ko sa pasko.

"Excited din ako, Kaila. Gusto kong makita na magkakasama tayong lahat. But I feel a bit pressured, knowing that my in laws are coming. I want to make them feel welcome and special in our house."

"Sabi mo hindi naman maarte ang mga Ferragni kaya sure ako na ma a-appreciate nila ang kahit anong i-prepare mo, ate."

"Sana nga, Kaila."

I started pushing the cart papunta sa cashier para magbayad.

Kaila was walking next to me and suddenly asked, "Kailan uuwi si Kuya Nicko, ate?"

"Wala pang exact date, eh. Pero sabi niya ay uuwi siya before magpasko," I answered and sighed deeply. It had been almost a month since the last time I saw him. Even though we talked over the phone everyday, it was not enough. I wanted his actual presence.

"Ang lalim nun, ate, ha." Tumawa ang kapatid ko. "Nami-miss mo na si kuya, 'no? Halatang-halata kasi."

"Yeah. I miss him so much," I admitted.

Napangiti ang kapatid ko. "Mahal na mahal mo na nga siya, ate. Ang saya at ang blooming mo lately, eh. Nakakapanibago na makita kang in love pero natutuwa ako para sa 'yo dahil finally, nagmamahalan na kayo ni kuya."

"Thank you, Kaila. Masaya rin ako para sa amin. I never thought that this could happen to us. I never thought I would fall in love with him, and he would also feel the same way towards me."

Kaila leaned her head on my arm and encircled her hands on my arm as we walked. "Aww... Destiny, ate."

I smiled and nodded with that realization. Maybe that day when Nicko and I met was meant to be. It was meant to happen. Our motives were wrong and we sped up the process but I guessed we were meant to find each other that day. Tama nga ang sabi nila, we find true love in unexpected places and situations. That's what exactly happened to us.

Kaila and I paid the groceries then we went back to the car. The bodyguards helped us carry the bags and placed them in the trunk of the car.

We went to the restaurant next to eat lunch. This was our plan after grocery shopping.

When we reached the restaurant, the bodyguards opened the door for us. I was about to enter the restaurant when I noticed them following us, so I turned around to face them.