Together but Separate

Chapter 24: Some Changes

Kate R. Ferragni

Humiwalay ako ng yakap kay Nicko at tiningnan siya sa mga mata.

"Kailan ka dumating? Kakarating mo lang ba? Did you know that I am here?" sunod-sunod na tanong ko.

He chuckled and wiped the tears on my face before he answered, "I arrived this morning. I was on my way to our house when Mom called me. She didn't know I came home already. But when she mentioned that you are here, I decided to go straight here."

"Why didn't you tell me na darating ka ngayon?"

"I wanted to surprise you," he said then looked around his room. "I haven't slept here since we got married."

Medyo nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. Akala ko kasi ay dito siya minsan natutulog kapag hindi siya umuuwi sa bahay. Siguro nga ay lagi lang siyang out of town o nasa malayo kaya hindi siya umuuwi.

"Pasensya na kung nauna pa akong matulog sa 'yo rito sa kwarto mo. Sabi kasi ni Mommy ay okay lang daw sa 'yo na rito ako matutulog."

His eyes glittered. I wondered why. Was it because of something I have said?

"She was right. I don't mind you sleeping on my bed. In fact, I wished I came early. It would've been nice seeing you sleeping on my bed for the first time."

I should be glad that he didn't mind me using his bed. But a thought came in my mind that made me uncomfortable.

I stepped back and smiled a bit. "I think we should go downstairs. I have to cook. You must be hungry. And your parents, too."

I picked up the towel I dropped on the floor then placed it in the laundry basket. I combed my hair quickly then said, "Let's go?" His brows were furrowed like he was wondering about something, but he eventually nodded.

So, we stepped out of his room then went downstairs to the dining room.

I saw the maids bringing food on the table whilst my in-laws were sitting at the table. Nicko and I approached them, and their faces beamed when they saw us.

"I thought we had to eat breakfast without you guys because we thought you were going to take awhile since you had a lot to catch up," Mommy Jasmine teased.

My face turned red. This kind of conversation always makes me uncomfortable.

"Kate wanted to cook breakfast for us, but it looked like they already did."

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that. You don't have to cook for us all the time. Even though we like your cooking, we prefer if you don't work too hard and get tired. I want you to relax as you stay here."

"I love cooking for you and Dad, Mommy. I don't mind getting tired."

"Aww . . . You're so sweet, anak."

"She is indeed sweet," Dad agreed.

Nicko pulled a chair for me to seat. And when he sat down next to me, he said, "I think I missed a lot from being gone for a month." Then he faced me. "I didn't know you started calling them Mom and Dad."

Mommy Jasmine chuckled. "Isn't it nice? I love it when she calls me that! It feels so good in my ears."

"It makes me happy, too. I feel like I have a daughter," Daddy Niccolo said.

Nicko faced me smiling. "I love it, too."

I smiled at him, and he smiled wider. We were looking at each other like we agreed on something. I saw happiness in his eyes, and it made me feel happy inside also.