"Thanks," I said softly.
Niko still didn't answer, he just smiled a little and left. The next sweet thing Niko did was open the car door for me. It was such a simple thing, but somehow I was so happy.
What's wrong with me, why am I so embarrassed?
While in the car, Niko seemed to be concentrating on driving the car while occasionally humming. For some reason, I kept watching him, until I had to steal glances just to see him.
Arriving at Niko's house, I was warmly welcomed by his parents. Since Niko is the second of three children, her family looks a little smaller.
Niko's first brother is Nugi. Nugi is married and has a daughter who is still 5 years old.
Nugi himself is now living a successful and happy life with his small family. Working as a prosecutor with his wife who is a TV reporter at one of the private TV stations, makes Niko's parents very proud.
Meanwhile, Niko's younger brother, Noah, has just entered high school. Noah is a smart boy like his two older brothers. And, I was quite close to Niko's younger brother.
"How are your classes going? Is it going well?" asked Niko's father in the dining room.
"Thank God it's going well, no problems at all," Niko replied casually.
"You guys come here often, the house has been quiet since you got married. Noah is also rarely home because he's busy with his band," said Niko's mother.
"If she has free time, Nadia will definitely visit the house often, Mah. She's been doing a lot of work at college lately, so she hasn't been able to come home," I explained.
Niko's mother nodded slowly and stroked my hair gently. A mother's caress is very calming and peaceful. I liked it best when Niko's mother held my head, stroked my hair and hugged me lovingly. I was such a lucky child to have such a wonderful mother.
"When are you going to give us grandchildren and nieces and nephews for Noah?" Niko's papah asked, making me and Niko choke up in shock.
"Papah's being too upfront, they'll both be shocked!" laughed Noah, making me blush.
"There's nothing wrong with papah's question, right? You're already husband and wife, it's only natural for you to have children."
"Dad, we're still young!" exclaimed Niko suddenly.
"Just because you're young, it's good that you're already having a baby."
"We're still in college, it's a hassle to bring a child to campus," I replied quickly.
"Nadia has a point, Pah. Let them enjoy their youth and college years. Kids are easy, the important thing is that they graduate first and then talk about kids. After all, they've only been married for a year. So let's not rush things," said Niko's mother, who was immediately given a nod by me.
"Just imagine, Nadia's thesis defense is holding a baby, it's ridiculous!" laughed Noah, causing Niko to nudge his sister's hand.
"You noisy little kid!"
"I'm not a kid, I'm already a senior!"
"I'm already a senior, I'm proud!"
"I'm proud, this is my maturation period!" said Noah, who was not to be outdone.
"Little kids are still little kids, so go back to wearing diapers. You're still slobbering with your mommy, you're already an adult."
"No matter what you say, I'll never be spoiled again with my mom. Right, Mah?" asked Noah, seeking his mother's approval.
"Already, just met already fought again. When the house is quiet, you never fight anymore. When you're not around, you ask questions, when you meet, you fight," said Niko's mother, which made me chuckle.
"You little boy!" I said as I ruffled Noah's hair.
"I'm not a kid anymore, Sis!" he said with a grin.
After finishing dinner together, I helped Niko's mom wash the dishes and bring some snacks to the front porch. As for Niko, he was playing chess with his papah on the terrace, accompanied by Noah, who always made the house lively.
"Sis, would you rather enter science or social studies?" asked Noah to his brother who was busy playing chess with his father.
"What do you want to enter?"
"Which is better, Ipa or Ips?"
"They're both good, No. Don't make it a comparison of whether Ipa and Ips are good or not. All majors are equally good, the only difference is the learning material," said Niko's mother, answering her son's question.
"But, most of Noah's friends are taking science, Mah. They say it's prestigious to enter science, there are a lot of naughty kids. They say it's cooler to be in science."
"Tskckck, that's old gossip. Uh, let me tell you. Ipa and ips are equally difficult, Ipa has physics while Ips has geography. The level of difficulty is the same, science people may not be able to do geography. Conversely, Ips people may not be able to do physics. Don't be too prestigious for choosing something.
"If you are comfortable with your choice, why don't you just choose it? The important thing is to study properly and you are capable of the material," said Niko, who amazed me when I heard his explanation.
"What your brother said is true. Don't just because your two older siblings studied science, you should follow them too. If you're good at Ips, why not?" said papah.
"The proof is that Nugi went into science. Instead, he majored in law, which is an Ips major. Don't make the wrong choice, if you are suitable or capable in one of those choices. Yes, you should take it," my mother advised again.
"One thing for sure, don't follow other people. Just follow your heart and don't choose something out of compulsion. If it's out of compulsion, you won't be able to study properly," I said, to which Niko's parents nodded.
"It's okay, Noah wants to take Language. I want to be a writer," he said, making us all chuckle.
"Pe'a lo, shucks, why did you want to take Language, your question wasn't about Language," laughed Niko, which made him laugh out loud at his brother's ramblings.
"Intermezo time, sis. I've decided that I'll choose Ips. I want to be an auditor when I grow up. So, you all have to support Noah's decision, okay?"
Everyone nodded slowly and gave Noah two thumbs up.