Falling for Her Shadows

CHAPTER 19

HINDI na nagulat ni Nylah nang mapagbuksan niya ng pinto si Ashriel isang umaga. It was weekends. Sunday. Tuwing ganitong araw ay hindi siya nagbubukas ng coffee shop. Well, it’s a rest day para naman makapagpahinga ang utak at katawan niya.

Tinaasan ni Nylah ng kilay ni Ashriel. “Ang aga mo naman, Mr. Rios.”

Ngumiti si Ashriel saka itinaas ang hawak na brown na paper bag. Naamoy pa ni Nylah ang mabangong aroma ng pagkain na nanggagaling rito. “I brought breakfast.”

Tipid na ngumiti si Nylah sa niluwagan ang pagkakabukas ng pinto. “Pasok ka.”

Lumawak naman ang ngiti ni Ashriel at pumasok sa loob ng apartment.

“Si Evron?” tanong ni Ashriel.

“Natutulog pa. Mamaya pa magigising ‘yon.” Tugon ni Nylah habang pabalik ito ng kusina.

Napatango si Ashriel at sumunod kay Nylah. He took a deep breath as he closed his eyes. Nylah’s house can really calm him, but not to the point of being calm. There was still uneasiness within him because of his nightmare last night.

Ashriel looked at Nylah. Nasa harapan ito ng stove at nagluluto.

Sinulyapan ni Nylah ang binata nang maramdaman niya ang titig nito. “Bakit?” tanong niya saka ipinokus ang atensiyon sa niluluto.

She heard Ashriel’s deep sigh. “Ang lalim naman ng buntong-hininga mo, Mr. Rios. Halatang may malalim kang pinagdadaanan.”

Umiling si Ashriel. “Hindi naman masasabing pinagdadaanan. I just had a nightmare last night.”

Napatango si Nylah. Nightmare. Yeah, indeed. She has, too. Being a mercenary, it was normal for her to have nightmares. Mas lalo na noong namatay ang mga magulang niya. Pero nang medyo lumayo siya sa buhay na nakagisnan niya, medyo tumigil naman ang bangungot na nararanasan niya. Hindi man tuluyang tumigil pero hindi na ito katulad noon na madalas.

“Everyone has one,” Nylah said quietly.

Ashriel looked at Nylah. “What do you mean?” he asked. Inilabas niya ang mga biniling pagkain mula sa paper bag at inilagay ito sa lamesa.

Humarap si Nylah kay Ashriel. “Nightmares depend on what we did or happened,” she said.

Natigilan si Ashriel at biglang napatitig kay Nylah. Biglang pumasok sa isipan niya ang gabing ‘yon kaya mabilis siyang nag-iwas ng tingin. He let out a sigh. “I need coffee too calm,” he said.

Itinuro naman ni Nylah ang lalagyan ng kape. “I can’t make one for you right now.”

“It’s okay. Ako na ang magtitimpla.” Ani Ashriel.

Pinagmasdan ni Nylah ang binata. Halatang balisa ito at may nakikita siyang pag-aalala sa mata nito. And Ashriel just mentions about nightmares. His uneasiness maybe related to his nightmare. Pero wala naman siyang karapatan na magtanong tungkol sa panaginip nito. Asking Ashriel might do harm to him.

At isa pa hindi naman niya alam kung ano ang karanasan nito na dahilan kung bakit ito binabangungot.

But deep inside, she could feel her heart aching to see Ashriel in this state. Marahil ay hindi naging maganda ang karanasan ni Ashriel kaya ito nagkakaganito ngayon. She had been trained to read people’s emotions and understand their thoughts since she was a child. So, she knew that Ashriel was in an uneasy state.

Nang matapos magtimpla si Ashriel ng kape, humigop siya pero bumabalik pa rin sa isipan niya ang napanaginipan niya. Kung ano kasi ang laman ng panaginip niya ay ganun din ang nangyari nang gabing ‘yon.

“Are you okay?” Nylah asked. Her voice laced with concern. Nilapitan niya si Ashriel saka itinuro ang pawis nito sa nuo. “You’re sweating.”

Ashriel closed his eyes. Medyo umatras siya palayo kay Nylah dahil iba ang epekto ng dalaga sa kaniya. His dream and Nylah’s face were flashing in his mind right now. Suddenly, he was imagining kissing Nylah. Tumuon tuloy ang mata niya sa labi ni Nylah. He wanted to grab and kiss her right now, but he restrained himself. Nasa tamang pag-iisip pa naman siya upang mag-isip ng maayos.

‘Pervert!’ Ashriel scolded himself.

“Mr. Rios?”

“I’m fine.” Ashriel cleared his throat and set down his cup.

Magsasalita sana si Nylah pero narinig niya ang boses ni Evron. “Momma, I heard someone,” pumasok si Evron sa kusina. “Tito Ash!” Masaya nitong saad.

Agad namang humarap si Ashriel sa pinaggalingan ng boses ng bata at ngumit. “Hey, Kiddo.” Bati niya saka binuhat na lamang si Evron.

Sa pagkakita ni Ashriel kay Evron, nawala sa isipan niya tungkol sa napanaginipan niya kagabi. His attention was now focused on Evron.

Habang naghahain naman si Nylah sa lamesa, napatigin siya kay Ashriel at Evron. The two of them laughed over something.

Para silang mag-ama. Wika ni Nylah sa kaniyang isipan. Then she tilted her head. Ano bang pinag-iisip ko?

“Let’s eat.” Aniya sa dalawa.

Humarap naman agad ang dalawa sa lamesa.

Bago pa man malagyan ni Nylah ng pagkain ang pinggan ni Evron, naunahan na siya ni Ashriel. Tinignan niya ang lalaki pero painosenteng ngumiti lang ito sa kaniya.

Nylah rolled her eyes and started eating. Hinayaan na lamang niya ang dalawa.

“Momma?”

“Hmm?”

“Momma, when will I start going to school?” tanong ni Evron.

“School?” Nylah repeated. “Gusto mo na ba?”

Tumango si Evron. “Yes, Momma. School sounds fun.”

Nylah looked at Ashriel. “Anong sinabi mo sa anak ko?” tanong niya habang naniningkit ang mata.

Ashriel raised his hands. “Wala akong sinabi.” Bumaling siya sa bata. “Right, Kiddo?”

Nagsubo si Evron ng hotdog bago tumango.

“See?” Ashriel looked at Nylah again. “Hindi nagsisinungaling ang bata.”

Nylah rolled her eyes.

“But I do have some good schools to recommend,” Ashriel said. “I’ll send you the list later.”

Tinignan ni Nylah ang anak. Though she knew that Evron was a smart kid, she wanted her son to live a normal life. Iyong klase ng normal na estudyante. “Alright. Thank you.”

Umiling si Ashriel. “Small things.”

Uminom si Nylah ng tubig saka tinignan si Evron. Mag-aapat na taong gulang na si Evron. Maybe it was really time for this little one to go to school.

Then Nylah’s eyes settled on Ashriel, who was talking happily with Evron. This man… has successfully conquered Evron.

THE NEXT DAY, in the guise of ordering coffee for the employees of the executive floor, Ashriel called Nylah to his office. Pero ang mga kape, si Sam na ang inutusan niyang kumuha para hindi na mahirapan pa si Nylah.

Nang makapasok si Nylah sa loob lobby, agad siyang nagtungo sa receptionist. The receptionist stood immediately upon recognizing her.

“Good morning, Miss Laurent. The President is expecting you.”

Ngumiti si Nylah at tumango. She adjusted the strap of her handbag as she looked down at the paper bag she was holding. Laman nito ang kape ni Ashriel.

Hindi niya alam kung ano ang mayroon sa lalaking ‘yon dahil siya ang gusto nitong magdala ng kape sa opisina nito.

Pumasok si Nylah sa elevator at makalipas lamang ng ilang minuto, nakarating na siya sa Rios Group executive floor.

Dumeretso siya sa opisina ni Ashriel.

Binati pa siya ni Sam at bahagyang yumuko ito sa kaniya.

Nylah just politely nodded and entered Ashriel’s office. The glass walls offered a view of the city skyline. Ashriel was by the window, sleeves rolled up, one hand in his pocket, and the other holding a folder. When he turned, that calm, faintly amused expression greeted her again.

Itinaas ni Nylah ang hawak na paper bag. “Your coffee.”

Ngumiti si Ashriel. He gestured toward the chair in front of his desk. “Sit.”

Umupo naman si Nylah. Ashriel placed the folder down in front of her and flipped it open—revealing a few brochures and printed pages neatly arranged in a file.

“These are schools,” he said. Kinuha niya ang kapeng dala ni Nylah, binuksan niya ito at humigop bago muling nagsalita. “Private ones. I made some calls this morning, and most of them have advanced reading programs. Your son was sharp. He deserved an environment that would challenge him."

Tinignan naman ni Nylah ang mga brochure. Kapagkuwan isang tanong ang nabuo sa kaniyang isipan. Nag-angat siya ng tingin sabay tanong ng, “Why are you doing this?” she asked.

Ngumiti si Ashriel. “I said it, I wanted to pursue you. Alam ko kahit na hindi mo sabihin hindi ka naniniwala sa akin. So, I wanted to prove it to you. I told you I like you. So, I have to consider the people you care about.”

Nylah was stunned by hearing Ashriel’s answer. “Seryoso ka talaga?”

Ashriel looked straight at Nylah’s eyes. “Maniwala ka man o hindi. I will prove it to you.”

Sandaling napatitig si Nylah sa mga laman ng folder bago niya ito isinara. Tumayo siya. “I’ll think about it,” she said.

Ashriel smiled. “That’s all I’m asking.”

Handa ng umalis si Nylah nang maalala niya ang bayad ng kape. Inilahad niya ang kamay kay Ashriel. “Bayad ng kape na inoder mo.”

Chuckling, Ashriel took out his wallet and pulled out some cash. “Magkano?” tanong niya pero nailabas na niya ang pera.

With Nylah’s sharp eyes, she saw how many bills Ashriel took out of his wallet. She showed her five fingers and smiled innocently.

Napailing na lamang si Ashriel. “You’re clearly exorting me now, Miss Laurent.” Aniya pero ibinigay niya pa rin ang five-thousand pesos.

Nagkibit lang naman ng balikat si Nylah saka tinaggap ang bayad.

“Tell Evron I’ll visit the coffee shop tomorrow. He wanted to learn chess.”

Tumango si Nylah. “Be careful because students beat the Master after they learned.”

“We’ll see.”

Umalis na si Nylah.

But Ashriel smelled the faint scent of perfume lingering in the room — Nylah’s perfume. For some reason, it was familiar to Ashriel’s senses. He stood there, staring at the door, a quiet frown forming as the ghost of a memory brushed against his mind.