Together but Separate

Chapter 23: Deep Longing

Kate Rojas

I was so tired these last few days because of work, so I spent my day off sleeping. I slept for more than ten hours, which was very unusual of me.

I decided to wake up when it was about time for me to leave. I took a shower and got dressed. I checked my phone and wondered when I did not get any messages or missed calls from Nicko. Usually, he would not let a day passed by without texting or calling me.

I put my phone inside my purse. I sighed deeply because I missed him so much. I had not seen him for more than a month now. But I knew I would see him soon because he promised to come home for Christmas.

When I was ready to leave, I went downstairs then to my car. Nicko's parents invited me for dinner since they knew it was my day off. They arrived three days ago from Italy. Tito Niccolo's therapy was done and holidays were coming, so they decided to come home. I volunteered to pick them up in the airport, which made them so happy, so they invited me for dinner to thank me even though I told them already that they did not have to do that. But, they kept insisting for me to come. I agreed because I missed them, and I would like to spend time with them and get to know them more.

Half an hour later, we arrived in front of their house. Kuya Cris parked the car in the driveway then I went out. I smiled seeing how nice their house looked like at night. The lightings they placed outside made the house looked so gorgeous at night.

Nicko's parents' house here in the Philippines was already huge and beautiful, but their house in Italy was way bigger and nicer. Italian mansions were really well designed and built.

I stood in front of the front door to rang the doorbell but someone already opened the door. A maid welcomed me with a smile.

"Good evening po, Ma'am Kate! Pasok po kayo. Excited na po sila sa pagdating ninyo."

Napangiti ako sa kanya. "Thank you. Excited na rin akong makasama sila ngayong gabi. And nice to see you again," sabi ko sa kanya na kinalaki ng ngiti niya.

Pumasok na ako sa loob ng napakaganda nilang bahay. Unang makikita pagpasok ng bahay nila ay ang living room kung saan sila tumatanggap ng mga bisita. They called it their welcoming area. Wala sila rito kaya naglakad pa ako at dumaan sa hallway para pumunta sa isa pang living room nila na nasa loob masyado ng bahay. That living room was more for family and close friends that's why they called it their family living room.

Tama nga ako. Nandito sila sa family living room. Napatingin sila sa akin pagdating ko. Tita Jasmine quickly came to me and gave me a kiss on both cheeks.

"Good evening, tita."

"It is indeed a good evening because you are here, hija. I have a feeling that this will be a good night, especially for you."

She smiled widely and turned to Tito Niccolo. He smiled at me and grabbed his cane to get up. I met him halfway para hindi siya mapagod sa paglakad. I gave him a kiss on his cheek and said, "Hi, tito."

"I am so delighted to see you again. You know we always like seeing our beautiful daughter-in-law," he said that made me feel touched. "But there is one more thing that will make me even happier."

"What is it, tito?"

He frowned and replied, "When you stop calling me 'tito' and start calling me 'dad' instead."

Nagulat ako sa narinig. My heart skipped a beat. May kakaibang dala ang sinabi ni tito sa puso ko. It was indescribable that's why it left me speechless.

"Niccolo is right, hija. You should start calling us mom and dad because you are our son's wife. So, that made you our daughter."

Napabaling ako kay Tita Jasmine nung sinabi niya 'yon. I smiled at her with tears building up in my eyes.