My cats may be independent but they definitely know who to come to when they want something like food, water and some loving..
I don’t even bother to tell the kids to feed or water them. The cats just hiss at them. And every morning when I get up they will be waiting for me in the hall way outside my bedroom door and then follow me to the feed dish.
I found the same thing, I never thought my cats were completely independent. Maybe it’s a myth started eons ago by dogs, wanting more face time with humans. :)