SAYING MY GOODBYE

"Nana, I will miss you," I said while hugging nana in the back. If I can only turn back the time, I would gladly rewind it so that I can stay here for long, but I can't run away from my problems forever.

Nana taught me to be strong and that we can't run from our problems forever, she said that running away will not cause us happiness.

"You can come back here again, Sweetie. Remember that you'll be always welcome here." I smiled at her words and placed my head on her shoulders.

"I don't what to go back Nana" I murmured at her.

"Remember what I said to you, Celestina" I nodded slowly as a response.

She sighed.

"I understand what your feeling, Celestina. But remember you need to understand your parents and learn to forgive them. I know that you will not be happy if you keep on running away" Her words are somehow convincing me to finally go back. To face my problem and that running away is not the only solution for it.

"I'll cook a special dinner for us later, Celestina."

"You really know that I can't say no to your cooking Nana, huh?" I said jokingly to her. We just laughed in unison as an answer to what I said.

"Nana, I'll just go in the living room" I mentioned to her.

I walked out of the kitchen and started walking to the living room. On my way, I roam my eyes in the direction in which I was heading. The picture frames that are hanged on the wall, the dim lights on the ceiling, and the big windows give me good scenery.

"Celestina, Are you really going back tomorrow?" I heard a voice at the end of the hallway. Looking at it, in there I saw Raphael leaning in the wall, standing up straight, cross arms.

I nodded and sadly smile at him. I saw him sighed at my answers. He opened his arms and welcome me for an embrace. I walk in his direction and hug him tightly.

"I'll miss you, Celestina" Raphael's words touched the bottom of my heart

"Same, Raphael" we let go of each other and proceeded to the living room. We started watching Netflix on the screen.

When the movie is near the end, a voice interrupted us.

"May I join you, guys" Uncle Rey's deep voice filled our ears.

I smiled at him and excitedly answer

"Of course, Uncle" I moved to my left so that uncle can seat beside us

We watched for about 3 hours until we got bored and starts to chat.

"Celestina, What did the cell says to her sister when she stepped on his foot?" Uncle said jokingly

"What is it, Uncle" I answered starting to laugh also because I can see Uncle's trying to stop laughing

"Mitosis" Then he suddenly laughed hard

"Uncle, that's corny," I said but at the same time laughing because of his Reaction.

I saw Raphael dying in laughter in my peripheral view and because of his reaction, I also died from laughing.

We are dying from laughing when Nana entered the living room.

"I guess you guys are having fun," Nana said at us, smiling.

"Hi, Darling" Uncle Rey said at Nana.

I saw Nana smiled at Uncle Rey's words. They've been married for almost 28 years and they're still sweet to each other.

"Darling, Raphael, and Celestina, the dinner is served already. Let's go to the kitchen" Nana announced at us.

We look at each other and I know that we are thinking about the same thing. The one that we planned earlier.

"One, Two, Three" I gestured.

"POWER HUGG!!!" We shouted so loud that Nana got shocked by it. We all stood up from where we are seated and hug Nana tightly.

I felt Nana hug us back as well. The moment is so engaging that it made me tear up a little bit.

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"Nana, this food is so good" I dramatically exclaimed.

The buttered shrimps are so delicious especially the buttered sauce and her roasted chicken is to die for.

"Mom, Celestina is overreacting" I laughed at what Raphael said.

Nana glared at Raphael that's why I laughed at him. I jokingly stuck my tongue out at Raphael and continued eating.

"Nana I have something for you guys" I announced at them after eating.

Raphael is the one cleaning the dishes for today. I go upstairs and bring down my other suitcase which is occupied by my gifts for them.

When I saw that everyone is already in the living room. I slowly opened the suitcase in front of them, showing the gifts that are inside.

"Nana, this is the gift that I brought for you" I take out the goods which I bought for them. There are chocolates, branded perfumes, and some clothes for them to use

"Uncle Rey, this is my gift for you" showing him the latest model of a Rolex watch

" This is for you, Raphael" I'm staring at him while handling him the latest model of an iPhone.

"And lastly my gifts for Nana" I'm giving her a limited-edition Gucci bag and a diamond cut ring.

"Celestina, I think this is too much. I can't accept this" Uncle Rey is giving me back the Watch that I gave him.

"It's ok Uncle." I'm showing my sweetest smile to him while talking. I know they are overwhelmed by my gifts but it's not a big deal to me. I'm the one who should be embarrassed because I'm the one who suddenly came into their family.

"S-Sweetie," My eyes shifted to Nana she is shuttering while talking to me, her eyes focused on the bag that I gave her.

"Nana, please accept it. This is my way of giving thanks to you guys" I'm looking at their faces one by one plastering a smile on my face

"Are you sure Celestina? Maybe you're pranking us" I laughed at Raphael's words. They all looked funny to me.

Their mouths were wide open and they looked at me as if I was going crazy and I did something unacceptable.

"I'm sure, Raphael. as long as you message me again when I return to my parents' house " I wiggled my eyebrows at him.

They are still stunned. I snapped my finger at their faces to make them conscious. It seems to work. They hugged and thank me for everything. It's a bit touching to me that I cried from that moment.

They made me appreciate my worth as a person and as a daughter. They are the example of a family that growing up I would love to have but never had. I'm also thankful for them for accepting me wholeheartedly and not treating me differently.

I sighed, I would never forget this day for the rest of my life. I found a family that can accept me truly. I found a brother whom I can lend to, A Nana who can do anything for me, and an Uncle who will always be with my side.