Together but Separate

Chapter 27: Curiosity

Kate R. Ferragni

For two days, Nicko and I were together at my workplace. He was really making up for the lost days. He would patiently wait for me to finish my job. He was also very helpful. He had a lot of insights he shared with me about strategies for managing a business. I must say that I learned a lot from him.

Not only that, I also learned many things about him. I felt like I knew him more now than before. Nicko was just consistent in showing his thoughtfulness and care to me. He was above and beyond in being a gentleman, too. Nicko was really a good man. He had been continuously proving to me that I married the right man. My employees really liked him because he was very respectful and friendly to them.

Today, he didn't go to work with me. He had to go back to his office to work, which I understood. I didn't want him to miss a lot of work because of me. With a huge company that he managed, for sure a lot of work has piled up and waiting for him. But he dropped me off at work this morning before he went to his office. He said he was going to pick me up too, but he texted me an hour ago that he could not make it, and he sincerely apologized to me. I told him not to worry about it.

Kuya Cris pulled over the car in front of me. He came to pick me up. The bodyguard immediately went to open the door for me.

"Salamat," I told him.

He nodded his head and said, "You're welcome, ma'am."

"Maam, dadaan pa po ba tayo sa bahay ninyo?" tanong ni kuya pagkapasok ko ng kotse at pagkasarado ng pinto.

Wednesday pala ngayon at tuwing ganitong araw ako bumibisita sa bahay.

Tumango ako. "Opo, Kuya Cris. Hindi ko pwedeng ma missed ito. Baka magtampo si nanay," sabi ko.

Nagmaneho na si Kuya Cris papunta sa bahay. Tuwing Wednesday kasi ako dumadalaw kay nanay at sa kapatid ko. Kahit nung hindi pa ako umalis ng bahay nung hindi pa ako kasal, lagi kaming nagdi-dinner magpamilya tuwing Wednesday. Iyan kasi ang ginagawa namin para sa alaala nina Tatay at ng kapatid kong lalake na si Karlo.

Espesyal kasi kina Nanay at Tatay ang Wednesday dahil iyan ang araw na kinasal sila at saktong ang anibersaryo nila ay natapat sa Wednesday na siyang araw na namatay si Tatay. Wednesday din ang araw na paborito ng kapatid kong si Karlo dahil iyan lang ang araw na sumu-sweldo siya sa pagbebenta ng isda sa palengke kaya masaya siya dahil makakabili siya ng hapunan para sa amin. Kaya kahit nawala na sila, ginagawa pa rin naming espesyal ang araw na iyan.

"Ate!" salubong sa akin ni Kaila. "Buti naman dumating ka na. Gutom na kasi ako. Ayaw ni Nanay ipagalaw ang pagkain dahil wala ka pa raw."

Natawa ako. Kahit hindi ako magsabi na pupunta ako, ina-assume na ni nanay na dadating ako kaya nagpapaluto siya lagi ng pagkain tuwing Wednesday. Maliban na lang kung alam niyang nasa ibang bansa ako o nasa malayong lugar. Kaya kapag nandito lang naman ako sa syudad, hindi ako pwedeng hindi dumalaw dahil nagtatampo siya lalo na kung wala akong valid reason.

"Oh, nandito na ako. Kumain ka na."

Nagmadaling pumunta si Kaila sa hapagkainan at nagsimula nang maglagay ng pagkain sa plato niya nung hinampas ni Nanay ang kamay niya.

"Ikaw para kang bata. Hindi pa nga tayo nagdadasal tapos kakain ka na."

"Si Nanay talaga. Pumayag naman si ate eh."

"Bakit ba kasi atat kang kumain? Hindi ka ba kumain sa trabaho mo? Saka alam mong gusto kong sabay-sabay tayong kumakain."

Napa-pout na lang si Kaila. Natawa ulit ako. Lumapit ako kay Nanay saka binigyan siya ng halik sa pisngi bago kami sabay na umupo sa hapag. Nagsimula na kaming magdasal para makakain na.