Days, weeks, then months went by, my conversation with Nico became more frequent. Often times, we chatted till dawn. That just happens, when it's the weekend. He still looked after me as a student. He doesn't want my studies to be affected by the late night talks. I could still see the pain in his eyes. I knew that what his wife did to him, left a mark in his heart. But still, I was happy seeing him slowly taking a step forward.
"I fiked for divorce." He said, in a very deep voice. Ny eyes glanced at his, as I opened a page from the book I was reading.
"Oh, so, how did Kayla reacted?"
"She didn't agree to it."
"WHAT?"
"SHHHHH---" students looked my way.
"Why?? I mean, she cheated on you and she had the nerve to refuse the divorce?" I whispered to Nico enough for him to hear.
"She said that she won't do it again. But this time, I'm not gonna fall for her begging."
"You should! 3 times is enough Nico." He laughed a little while looking at my reaction.
"Thank you for being angry again, for my sake." I blushed, but tried to compose myself.
"It's been 3 months since then, but I can still see how affected you are Nico. You haven't been able to take care of yourself. You're not even how you used to look before. The first time I saw you during the entrance exam."
"You think so? I thought the beard looks good on me."
"No way, you look old with a beard."
"But I am old."
"No no no no, you aren't that old. You just stopped caring for yourself."
"Then, how should I take care of myself?" He teasingly waited for my response. I just smirked, stood up, and returned the books to the shelves. Nico followed, and we went out of the library together.
These days, I've been hearing rumors regarding my sudden closeness with Nico. When we started talking with each other, it was only through phone, sometimes we talked at school, but only for school related things. But now, he started talking to me more often. And insisted in just calling him Nico even at school. I only called him by his name when we're alone. Some students' even called our for me, asking what's the real score between me and Nico. I just told them that Nico and I were just friends. That he helped me one time when I was struggling with a panic attack. And that's how we started talking. Some accepted my reasonings, but others doubt it. Other professors even tried to intergere with my closeness with Nico saying, he's a married man. That he needed time to move on and let go of any lingering feelings that he may still have for his wife. I'm like, huh? Am I even flirting with him? We're just talking, as friends. I always made sure that our closeness wouldn't be misunderstood. But, oh well, people believed what they want to believe in.
Among those people, Leon became so distant. When he knew that I started talking with Nico, he slowly distant himself from me.
"Leon, have you done your homework for Calculus?" I asked as I sat on my seat. Injust arrived at school.
"Yes, I did it at home." He briefly replied.
"That's new, you're doing your homework now huh." I teasingly laughed at him.
"I do my homework, I just forget sometimes." He seemed annoyed.
"Oh really? Then why you I even need to let you borrow my homeworks."
"Don't worry, from now on, I won't be needing your help." He stood up and went outside our classroom.
I just sat there confused. He never reacted that way before. What's been going on in that brain of his. I brushed what happend off and waited for the class to start. He came back before the class started. During lunch break, I asked what he wanted to eat. But I got ignored.
"Hey, Leon, what's happening with you?"
"---------" he just glanced my way briefly, then got back to choosing his lunch.
"Leon, why do you keep ignoring me? Was it because of what I said earlier this morning?"
"Nyx, just stop. I'm not in the mood for this kind of talk."
"Really?"
"Yes, so please don't bother me." He went away deliberately, I didn't follow him. I respected his decision. I told myself, that maybe he's been through something he can't open up to me yet. I sat away from where he was. Not too long, Nico appeared with his linch and sat beside me. Some students also shared the table with us. Lunch was lively, full of certain topics that they wanted to know about the Nico. He answered everything thrown his way with a smile.
The weekend came, I received a text from him asking if I'm available. I replied that I was.
"Would you like to come over my house?" With that message, I felt a sudden thrill of excitement, like there's butterflies in my stomach.
"You need to pick me up at home. My family's here."
"Alright, I'll be there in an hour." I jumped to my bed, face on the pillow, and made a silent scream. My heart fluttered, I could hear my own heartbeat. I ran down the stairs and looked for my mom.
"Mama! Mama!"
"Hey! What's the fuss all about?" Xavier asked in annoyance.
"Where's mama?"
"She's in the garden."
"Thanks!" I headed towards the garden, and saw her tending to her plants.
"Mama!"
"I can hear you Nyx, you don't have to yell."
"So the things is, Nico will be coming over to pick me up." She put down the little shovek she was holding, took off her gloves, and looked at me.
"Nico? The professor?"
"Yes, he's asking if we could hang out."
"Nyx, tell me, what's this about?" She crossed her arms, raised an eyebrow, questiong what I even meant without having to ask in details.
"Mama, we're just friends."
"Alright, time for a meeting." She gently pushed me inside the house, and called everyone to gather at the living room. Xavier was already there.
"Xavier, call you papa and Xanayah here. We need to talk about something."
"Oooh, seems like someone's in for the scolding." He grinned at the thought I'm getting scolded. He called for them and together, we're in the living room.
"Mama, what's this about?" Xanayah asked while rubbing her eyes. She often slept late these days because of work.
"Yeah, Honey, what's this all about?"
"Mama, did Nyx do something?" Xavier asked but still with that annoying grin of his.
"Nyx, tell them who's coming."
"Ahmmm, so, Nico asked me to hang ot with him. And I told him to pick me up here." Their eyes widened.
"My daughter, this Nico is your professor right?" My father asked nearly choked at his coffee.
"Yes papa."
"You and him hanging out?"
"Yes papa."
"And with that age?"
"Papa!"
"Nyx, what's the real deal between the two of you? I don't want my daughter getting played at." He looked serious. Xanayah and Xavier, just listened, while my mother attentively waited for my answer.
"Papa, we're just friends. We talked about life, and he helped me with school."
"You're brother and sister can talk with you about life and school too."
"They're always busy, you and mama are busy too."
"Nyx, if you reach out to us, we will stop everything and talk with you." My father's concern was understandable.
"Nyx, darling, be honest with us. We won't judge you, we just want you to be safe." My mother hugged me.
"Alright, I'll be honest. I like the professor." I closed my eyes as I took all courage I have to say that.
"See, I told you. Nyx likes her professor." Xanayah blurted out.
"Hey what? You guys knew all along?" I'm a bit confused at the situation.
"Well, she did say something about you having a crush on a professor." Xavier, not even surprised by what I said.
"Xanayah, you traitor." I exclaimed.
"Nyx, don't blame Xanayah, it's better that we knew what's going on that keeping it hidden from us. We're done pretending that your mother and I didn't know anything about what Nathan did." The three of us looked at each other, eyes talking, like who spilled the beans?
"The three of you have some explaining to do. Your father, when he knew about it, rushed towards Nathan's home. Good things I was there. I am furious too, but I can't let your papa do something reckless." My mother's eyes, I could see tears forming. She's just holding it back.
"I'm sorry mother, for hiding it from you and papa." I hugged her lightly, then her tears found freedom to fall.
"How'd you know papa?" Xavier asked.
"We heard it, when you guys were talking on how to deal with Nyx's panic attacks. My heart break's at the thought you're suffering from such trauma without us knowing it."
"I'm sorry papa." I hugged both my parents tightly.
"We won't force you to tell us every detail. Xanayah can tell us that part. But I want you to know sweetie, your mom and I are always here for you. Your sister and brother are as well. So, if you can, please don't hide anything from us okay? We just want you safe."
"Yes papa, mama, Xavier, and Xanayah. I won't hide anything at all."
"Good, I'm glad." My mother smiled ever so sweetly.
"So back to Nico, what's the real score between you two." Xavier asked.
"Like I said, we're just friends, but I'm starting to like him."
"What is he like?" Ny father asked. Seemed like the boys in the family were hyped up. Asking questions one after another.
"You know, since he's coming here, why don't you ask him yourselves." Mother interrupted. Which gave me a sense of relief.
"Good call mama, let's wait for him then." Xavier smirked. I definitely knew what's on his mind.
Not too long, Nico's car parked in front of my home. Xavier didn't let me get up to meet him, but instead, he and father welcomed him by the door. Nico smiles at them and greeted him politely. In my head, they must have thought Nico was that old because if his beard. But to my surprise, my father's arm was in Nico's shoulder. What even surprised me was, Nico himself. He's so handsome. He tidied himself up, no more beards, and dressed up. He's back to how he was when I first met him.
"Good morning Mrs. Blake. I bought some food on my way. Here it is." Nico handed over the food he bought.
"Oh you don't have to. But since it's here, I should say my thanks instead. Thank you." My mother took the food, and went to the kitchen.
"Since you brought some food, why don't we share a meal together." My father, he was never like with Nathan. Seemed like Nico charmed my entire family. Even Xanayah couldn't believe that he was Nico. Because the first time she saw him, he was ragged and bearded. We went to the dining room together and had a meal. My family didn't question him anything at all. My father just talked about how I was growing up, which made me feel embarrassed. After the meal, we got back to the living room.
"Are you really sure you're full Nico?" Father asked.
"Yes Mr. Blake, I'm really full. Thank you." Nico replied with a smile on his face.
"Now that everyone have shared a meal and now are all full, maybe it's time to talk about something." My father's tone got serious. Nico sat up straight, knowing he'll be interrogated.
"Let me go first." Xavier raised his hand asking for father's permission.
"Then go ahead son."
"Nico, you're 34 now right?" He asked in a serious voice.
"Yes, I'm 34." Nico replied, meeting his gaze.
"You know, I'm 26 now, my sister Xanayah being the eldest is 29. Nyx? She's just 18 turning 19."
"I get what you meant by this, ahmm can I call you by your name?" He asked politely.
"Sure, you can call my by my name. And I think Xanayah would to." He looked at my sister, and she nodded in agreement.
"Then, Xavier, I know exactly what you meant by letting me know about your ages. I'm even older than the eldest one among you siblings. And I repsect that. Nyx and I are just friends." I felt a slight pain in my heart, after hearing he said "just friends".
"Friends won't act like this, coming over, meeting the parents."
"Xavier, I didn't meant just friends as the boundary between me and Nyx. That's how we are, for now." My eyes widened. Nico looked at me smiling.
"For now huh? What do you mean by that?" The ever protective brother mode activated. Xavier became more aggressive on his questions.
"Mr. Blake, Mrs. Blake, Xavier, Xanayah, I'm here not just someone who wants to be friends with Nyx. But I'm here before you, to let myself be known to all of you. I won't ask her out without your knowledge, I'll ask for your permissions first before asking her out. I'll stand before you door, everytime, to pick her up and return her safely. For now, I want to know her better, and won't rush things between us." Everyone felt his sincerity, especially me. My heart fluttered again, making me fall deeply with him.
"You're saying that, but don't get me wrong Nico, you're still in the midst of a divorce." Xavier stood up his ground, not letting a single information slip by.
"Yes , that's true."
"I don't want my sister to be jus a replacement."
"And I don't intend on making her one." Nico remained firm. Both of them met each others gaze and none backed out.
"So, you really do plan on courting her in the future?"
"Yes, I'll be blunt, just because I'm older doesn't mean I'll be taking advantage of her. I won't do that. And I will ask for your permissions first if I court her. For now, like what I've said, I want to know her better. I won't rush things, and will wait for her. Until she's allowed to date someone."
"Nico, we're not stopping Nyx from dating. She's free to do so. What we want is assurance that she's being taken care of and not being taken advantage of."
"I won't. I'm telling you all the truth." My eyes tears started forming, but I deliberately hold it back. My heart's so happy that it's about to burst.
"Now that we know your intentions, we will gladly open our doors for you." My father reached out his hand for a handshake. Nico accepted it ,then father pats his shoulder.
"Take care of my daughter."
"I will Mr. Blake."
That day was full of happiness, I am happy. We're supposed to hang out at his home, but he decided to stay at my home for the day. My family welcomed him. Nico felt at ease around them. We had fun just chatting. He even helped Xanayah on her work, where she got stucked. That made her so happy, and said she'll be able to sleep early now. Xavier's interaction eith Nico shifted from the protective brother to a little borther seeking the attention of his older brother. And father? He's already treating him like his own son. Mother happily watched everyone, she also treated him as her son. Everyone accepted Nico, despite the comcerns they had regarding the age gao between us. But now, they even warned him about my mischiefs, like I'm the cast away. Which made Nico laughed all day, without a single worry on his face.
"I hope you always stay happy like this, everyday. I'll make sure you're not going to suffer. I'll heal your heart, that Kayla had broken. I'll patch it up." I murmured to myself. Nico looked my way, with eyes that sparks brightly than ever. I met his gaze and smiled. Knowing, there's a chance of us being together in the future. And I'll hold unto that hope, with expecting heart.