ABSENCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER

NATHAN

When it was getting late, I then thought it would be wise to call Mr Nate and inform him about my absence but when I headed towards my phone, the battery was down.

"Mother, just a minute" I said as I stood up from the floor after she'd given her approval with a nod.

I went into my room to charge my phone . When it came up , I was shocked to see 14 missed calls from Mr Nate.

I hurriedly called him. He picked up after the first ring "Hey,where are you!!??" He shouted.

I moved my phone away from my ears " I'm sorry I couldn't tell you before hand sir, my phone was down"

"And where are you ?"

"My father's memorial. I don't think I can make it to work today , sir "

"And where is that ? I'll be there "

I was shocked. He was coming here but why ?" Sir , you don't need to -"

"Send me the location, now !!" Mr Nate shouted and I had no other choice but to oblige and sent it to him .

I left my phone to charge and rejoined Mother in the living room.

"Mother, my boss is coming over. Is that okay?"

Mother nodded her head and stared at father's picture. "Did you know ?Your father loved us very much "

I grumbled" Not that again Mother, please "

Mother broke down in tears "Don't hate your father. Let him go in peace . "

This was one reason I couldn't stand my mother. Nothing father ever did was wrong in eyes.

When he would beat her up , she would say it was her fault and she deserved it.

No one deserves to be beaten up like that especially by someone they claim to love and who loves them back.

I made a promise to myself when I was younger that I would never become like my father, never.

A knock on the door and I stood up to open it ; it was Mr Nate.

"Sir , what about work? You don't have to be here"

He looked up at me " I have to because I'm not here as your boss but as your friend"

I was startled and relieved at the same time " Friend?"

"Why ? You don't want us to be friends? Hey , then what did you mean when you said 'there's nothing wrong between friendship between a man and a man ' huh?"

I smiled despite myself"You are the one who said it doesn't make us close "

"Anyways today, I'm here as a friend.can I come in ?"

I nodded my head "Please do "

Friend. I thought.I'd never had a friend before.

I was always an outcast because of how poor I was back then in school that no one wanted to associate with me .

But now I had a friend. And one who came when I least expected.

I smiled . Mr Nate is sure full of surprises.

***

KATE

I walked into Nathan's house and went up to the living room to meet Nathan's Mother.

Nathan's mother stood up hurriedly and greeted me "Welcome, I didn't know you would be coming"

"I ought to " I replied smiling" Nathan and I are friends "

Nathan's mother appeared stunned as she turned her gaze to fix it on him .

Nathan looked away embarrassed "What? I can't have a friend?"

Nathan's mother shook her head and took me by the hand "This way, please"

When I stood Infront of Nathan's father picture, I bowed down three times.

This reminded me of my twin brother. He might have been the most annoying person in the world but I miss him .

Alot.

When the memorial was over , Nathan's Mother suggested I stayed to eat leaving Nathan and I alone at the dining table.

"Did everything go well at work?" Nathan asked.

"Yes, it did." I lied.

Nathan sighed in relief" That's good. I thought you would have a hard time "

I twitched my mouth in annoyance"Hey, go and assist your mother "

Nathan looked at me in shock "Haven't you heard? A guy is not supposed to be in the kitchen"

I laughed out loud "What? What sort of lame excuse is that?"

Nathan's Mother looked back at them and smiled. Nathan had never brought a friend home before and it's been long she'd seen him smile.

She looked forward and continued cutting some vegetables.

"Forget it , I'll go help her " I said and stood up an walked towards the kitchen to meet his Mother" Mother, is there anything I can do to help?"

His Mother shook her head" No, you should go back. It's almost ready"

I nodded my head and turned around to leave when she halted me "Hey"

I faced her "Yes?"

She stepped towards me a took my hands "Thank you for being friends with my boy"

I smiled and put my hands over hers "Thank you too for letting him work as my bodyguard" I looked at Nathan who was at the dinning table "Did you know ? He's really good in busniess."I turned back to face his Mother.

His mother smiled"Really?"

I nodded my head " Yes. It's my pleasure to be friends with him too "I raised my hands to her cheeks and wiped off her tears.

"Oh, I didn't know I was crying" His Mother said taken aback and suddenly wiped her face" You should go back in "

I nodded my head "Okay"

I went back to the dining table and ten minutes later , his Mother rejoined with the food.

"Thank you for the food " I said and we all digged in.

At this moment, it occurred to me that my family and I never sat around to eat like this.

Isn't it funny? That even those you think that have everything are still lacking something.

In this moment, I really understood what it felt like to be family.

When I get home, Father is probably going to get angry at me for leaving the office or something else if not that.

But for now , I was going to enjoy this moment.

We laughed as we ate. I might have given Nathan friendship, but he'd just given me something I never truly had.

He'd just given me family.

***

THANK YOU FOR READING SO FAR