Falling for Her Shadows

CHAPTER 16

AFTER Nylah prepared Evron’s early dinner, she prepared herself for the blind date. She stood in front of the mirror, trying to smooth the slight wrinkle on her blouse. Pinili niya ang simpleng kasuotan, a cream-colored ¾ sleeve top tucked into high-waisted blue jeans, paired with soft brown wedges that added just enough height. Nakalugay rin ang mahaba niyang buhok.

Nang makalabas siya ng kwarto, nasa sala si Evron at nanonood ng educational show. Agad namang ngumiti ang bata nang makita ang ina. “You’re so pretty, Momma.”

Nylah chuckled. “Thank you, baby.”

Evron sat cross-legged on the sofa. “Momma, will you be back before I sleep?”

Tinignan naman ni Nylah ang suot na wrist watch. “Oo naman, baby. Don’t worry, nandito na ako bago ka pa makatulog.” Hinalikan niya si Evron sa nuo nito.

Ngumiti si Evron saka muling itinuon ang atensiyon sa TV.

Three slow knocks sounded at the door.

“Come in,” wika ni Nylah sa walang emosyong boses.

Bumukas ang pinto at bahagyang yumukod si Rita. “Boss.” Pumasok ito.

Tumaas ang sulok ng labi ni Nylah. “You look like an ordinary girl,” she said. Far from the girl who can kill in just a matter of seconds.

Rita smiled. “I have to,” she said as she glanced at Evron.

“Maiwan ko na kayong dalawa.” Sabi ni Nylah saka lumabas ng apartment. Nang makalabas siya ng apartment, nagpadala siya ng mensahe kay Kael.

‘Make sure the Young Master is safe.’

‘Copy, Chief.’ Kael replied.

Inilagay ni Nylah ang cellphone sa loob ng sling bag saka pumara ng taxi. Nagpahatid siya sa address ng restaurant na ipinadala ni Tita Isabella.

Nang makarating siya doon, nagtaka pa siya. The restaurant glowed softly under the amber lights, the kind of warm, intimate setting meant for hushed laughter and shared glances. But tonight, the restaurant was empty. It was too quiet. The only sound inside the restaurant was the faint hum of jazz being played.

Pumasok si Nylah sa loob at iginiya siya ng waiter na siyang sumalubong sa kaniya.

Walang tao sa loob maliban sa isang tao na nakaupo malapit sa may binata, and a single candle flickering between two glasses of water.

Kumunot ang nuo ni Nylah. Pamilyar kasi sa kaniya ang likod ng lalaki. Seeing no one was around, she already assumed that man was her blind date.

Then the man turned at the sound of her heels, and that unmistakable calm, self-assured smile curved on his lips.

Bahagyang lumaki ang mata ni Nylah nang makita ang lalaki. “Mr. Rios?”

“Hi,” Ashriel greeted.

“Anong ginagawa mo rito—?” biglang napatigil si Nylah. “Don’t tell me…”

Tumayo si Ashriel. “I’m waiting for you.”

Nylah’s jaw dropped a little. She looked around, disbelief dawning on her face. “Tita Isabela’s son, is you?”

At ngayon niya lang napansin ang pagkakapareho ng mata ng dalawa.

Lumawak naman ang ngiti ni Ashriel. “Guilty.”

Nylah pressed a hand to her forehead as she fought a laugh. “I walked right into your mother’s setup.”

“Parang ayaw mo akong ka-blind date, ah,” sabi ni Ashriel, not offended. Then he picked up the small bouquet of white tulips wrapped neatly in brown paper and handed it to Nylah. “For you.”

Nylah blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Then she accepted the small bouquet with a sheepish smile. “Thanks, I guess.”

Napakamot naman ng batok ni Ashriel. He gestured toward the seat across from him.

Nylah sat down, resting the bouquet beside her. “You knew, didn’t you? That it was me?”

Sumandal si Ashriel sa kinauupuan habang pilit na pinipigilan ang kaniyang ngiti. “Maybe.”

“Mr. Rios.”

Natawa si Ashriel ng mahina. “Okay, fine. I knew, but Mom didn’t know that I knew you,” he said. “I didn’t tell her, lest she will only nag me to tell everything that happened.”

Napailing na lamang si Nylah. “This is awkward,” she said.

“You actually show up.”

Nylah shrugged. “I promised Tita Isabella.” Aniya saka uminom ng tubig.

“Why did you agree?” Ashriel asked. “Wala akong ibang ibig sabihin, gusto ko lang malaman.”

“Hindi ko rin alam.” Umiling si Nylah.

The water appeared, then, handing them menus. As Nylah skimmed through the options, she could still feel his gaze—steady, unreadable yet somehow gentle.

“So…” Nylah began after the waiter had left. “You do this often? Go on blind dates your mom arranges?”

Mahinang napabuntong hininga si Ashriel. “Not really,” he answered. “I usually run for my life. But sometimes I can’t say no to my mother.”

Ngumiti si Nylah. “May nakabihag sa puso mo?” tanong niya na may nanunudyong ngiti sa labi.

Ashriel narrowed his gaze at Nylah. “Bakit parang tinutudyo mo pa ako?”

“Just answer me.”

Umiling si Ashriel. “Wala.” Aniya. Then he added, “maliban ngayon.” Sabi niya habang nakatingin kay Nylah.

Bumilis bigla ang t***k ng puso ni Nylah kaya nag-iwas siya ng tingin. Hindi niya kayang makipatitigan kay Ashriel. Tumikhim siya. “Funny joke, Mr. Rios,” she said. Pilit niyang tumawa ng mahina.

“I’m not joking.” Seryosong sabi ni Ashriel.

Their food arrived. Doon na natuon ang atensiyon nilang dalawa.

Ashriel tried to lighten up the mood. And as Nylah spoke, he couldn’t help but stare at her — at her lips. Napalunok pa siya saka pilit na iniiwas ang tingin sa labi nito pero kahit anong gawin niya, napapatitig doon ang mata niya. Nylah had naturally pinkish lips, which made them alluring. And he wanted to claim those kissable lips.

Napainom na lamang siya ng tubig nang maramdaman ang panunuyo ng kaniyang lalamunan. If Nylah finds out what he thinks about her, she would definitely walk out.

“Grip yourself, Ashriel.” Bulong niya sa sarili.

“You okay, Mr. Rios?” Nylah asked.

Ashriel forced a smile. “I’m fine.”

Napansin ni Nylah ang pilit na ngiti ng binata pero hindi na niya sinabi.

Later, Ashriel found himself again, looking at Nylah. Bumaba ang tingin niya sa leeg nito — soft and delicate.

“Damn…” Ashriel muttered. Bakit ba ang pisikal na anyo ni Nylah ang pinapansin niya? Hindi na tuloy siya makakain.

“Are you really okay?” Natatawang tanong ni Nylah pero may halong concern ang boses nito.

Umiling si Ashriel. “I’m fine.” I actually wanted to kill you right now. He thought, looking at Nylah.

Nang matapos silang kumain, pumunta sila sa may balkonahe ng restaurant. Nasa second floor sila kaya nakikita nila ang mga dumadaang tao sa ibaba.

Sumandal si Nylah sa railing habang nakatukod naman doon si Ashriel.

“The night looks peaceful,” Ashriel said.

Nylah looked around. “No. It’s not peaceful at all, Mr. Rios. The more it is quiet, the more it is dangerous,” she said while smiling.

Napatango naman si Ashriel. “You’re right about that.” Tinignan niya si Nylah. “You looked like an ordinary woman, but I can feel it, you’re not ordinary.”

“Paano mo naman nasabi?”

Isang ngiti ang sumilay sa labi ni Ashriel. “Hindi ko rin alam pero ‘yon ang nararamdaman ko. Hindi ka ordinary, Nylah.”

“What a powerful word, Mr. Rios.” Wika ni Nylah. Tumingin siya sa malayo. “But I’m telling you, I’m an ordinary woman. A single mother running a coffee shop.”

Ashriel stared at Nylah. He smiled. “If you say so,” he said. “But tonight, I’m happy to have dinner with you.”

Nylah rolled her eyes. “Your mother made me come.”

“And you did come,” sabi ni Ashriel.

“Dahil siguro wala naman akong magawa.” Natatawang sabi ni Nylah.

Natawa na lang din si Ashriel kapagkuwan nagseryoso siya. Tinignan niya ng deretso ang dalaga. “Can I pursue you?”

Pakiramdam ni Nylah ay nabulunan siya ng sariling laway dahil sa sinabi ng binata. “A-ano…”

Naglakad si Ashriel palapit kay Nylah. Napaatras naman si Nylah pero na-corner siya siya ni Ashriel. He held into the railing, caging Nylah inside.

Sobrang bilis ng t***k ng puso ni Nylah at hindi siya makatingin ng deretso sa lalaki.

“Nylah… can I?” Ashriel asked again.

“I…” Hindi naman alam ni Nylah kung ano ba ang dapat niyang isagot.

Inilapit ni Ashriel ang mukha niya kay Nylah. Hinintay niyang itulak siya ng dalaga pero hindi ‘yon nangyari. And when their lips were about touch, Nylah tilted her head to the side.

Ashriel chuckled. “Don’t worry, without your consent, I won’t kiss you.”

Naningkit ang mata ni Nylah saka tinignan ang lalaki. “So, you’re teasing me.” Itinulak niya si Ashriel pero para siyang tumulak ng pader.

Where’s my strength? Nylah asked herself. Kung ibang tao lang ang kaharap niya baka tumilapon na ito palayo sa kaniya, but Ashriel was different.

“Go away,” wika ni Nylah.

Hinawakan ni Ashriel ang panga ng dalaga saka niya iniharap ang mukha nito sa kaniya. He smiled. “I will pursue you.”

Nylah rolled her eyes. “Are you kidding me? I have a son, Mr. Rios. I’m not a virgin anymore. Isa pa, President ka ng Rios Group. Kilala kayo sa buong mundo. People will talk about you behind your back when you pursue me. Sigurado naman ako na maraming naghahabol sa ‘yong babae.”

“Wala akong pakialam sa kaniya.” Seryosong sabi ni Nylah. “It was not other people’s turn to point out who I will pursue.”

Kumunot ang nuo ni Nylah. “You like me?” Deretsahan niyang tanong.

Lumawak ang ngiti ni Ashriel. “Yes. Sa tingin mo ba pupunta ako sa coffee shop mo tuwing hapon para lang makita ka?”

“You…”

Umayos ng tayo si Ashriel at hinawakan ang kamay ni Nylah. “Whether you agree or not, I will pursue you.” And with that, he kissed Nylah’s hand to seal his words.