Falling for Her Shadows

CHAPTER 11

PANAY ang tingin ni Evron sa pinto. Nakaupo siya sa maliit an mesa sa coffee shop na inilaan ng kaniyang Momma para sa kaniya at nasa harapan niya ang isang makapal na children’s book pero halps hindi niya ito nabubuklat. His small fingers only traced the colorful letter, eyes darting every now and then to the glass door that never opened for who he was waiting for.

It had been days since Ashriel last visited.

Napansin naman ni Nylah ang anak. While she was busy behind the counter, steaming milk and arranging pastries, she could feel her son’s restless energy. The way his shoulders would slump every time the door chimed only to reveal a stranger, not the tall man with sharp eyes and a quiet smile.

“Evron,” she said gently, wiping her hands on her apron as she approached him. “Anak, bakit hindi ka nagbabasa? You love that book.”

Evron pressed his lips together, then asked in his small but serious voice, “Momma, is he not coming back?”

Natigilan si Nylah. Kapagkuwan mahina siyang napabuga ng hangin saka umupo sa upuan na nasa tabi ni Evron. She brushed his hair away from his forehead.

“Sino ang hinahanap mo?” tanong niya sa malumanay na boses kahit alam na niya kung sino ang tinutukoy nito.

Evron glanced at the door again, then leaned close to whisper, “Tito Ashriel.”

Ngumiti si Nylah. “He’s a busy man, anak. Sometimes people can’t come when we want them to.”

“Pero, Momma, he promised,” Evron muttered, his brows furrowing. “He said he’ll come again.”

Mahinang napabuntong hininga si Nylah. Ashriel hadn’t come for days. Not since he witnessed what happened at the bar. Though she could know every detail once he asked Kael to see what happened to Ashriel, she didn’t want to.

Baka naging abala lamang ang lalaki. After all, Ashriel is the President of the Rios Group.

Nylah pulled Evron into her arms, hugging him close. “Maybe he will,” she murmured. Hinalikan niya ang tuktok ng ulo ni Evron. “But even if he doesn’t, you still have me. Always.”

Evron clung to his mother, but his gaze flicked toward the door, hopeful despite the silence that lingered.

The coffee shop door chimed.

Evron’s head instantly perked up, eyes bright with hope. Syempre, sinundan ni Nylah ng tingin ng anak, her heart skipping for a moment — only to falter when the figure that entered wasn’t Ashriel.

A well-dressed woman in her late fifties stepped inside, exuding grace and authority. Her pearl earring glimmered as she removed her sunglasses; her smile was soft but assessing. She looked around the coffee shop, and when her eyes landed on Nylah, she smiled.

“Good afternoon,” the woman greeted, her voice was smooth yet commanding.

Isang tipid na ngiti ang sumilay sa labi ni Nylah. “She must be a rich wife,” she muttered.

Rita was already in front of the new customer and guiding her to the counter.

Iniwan ni Nylah si Evron sa lamesa nito saka siya bumalik sa likod ng counter. “Good afternoon, Ma’am. Welcome po. What can I get you?”

“Anything that can suit an old lady like me,” the woman answered.

Hindi alam ni Nylah pero napangiti na lamang siya doon sa gumawa ng kape para rito.

Later, the woman watched the barista. Her head tilted, studying the barista more closely. Then she asked out of the blue. “Miss, are you still single?”

Caught off guard, Nylah blinked. “Yes, Ma’am?”

The woman waved her hand lightly. “What ‘Ma’am’? Just call me Tita Isabella.”

Napatango si Nylah, trying to hide her confusion. “Alright… Tita Isabella.” She suddenly felt awkward. “Just call me Nylah.”

Ngumiti si Isabella saka muling pinagmasdan si Nylah. There was something in this barista she couldn’t name. Napatango pa siya habang pinagmamasdan ito. Though this was the first time she met Nylah, she liked her already.

“Your coffee,” Nylah smiled as she pushed the cup of coffee she had made in front of Isabella.

A smile spread across the woman’s face, warm and approving. “You know what, hija? I like you already. I like your calm demeanor. You’re graceful, polite, and there’s something strong about you.”

Medyo nagtaka si Nylah sa sinasabi ng ginang. She just offered a small, polite smile, unsure where this was going. “Thank you po, Tita.”

Isabella took a sip of her coffee before speaking the most unexpected thing to Nylah. “I have a single son,” she said, leaning closer as if to share a secret. “Do you want to date him?”

Napaubo si Nylah, halos mabulunan na siya ng sariling hininga. Akala niya kung ano na ang sasabihin ng ginang—business deal, complaint, maybe even praise for the coffee shop. Pero ‘yon lang pala?

Tumikhim si Nylah saka itinuro ang direksiyon ni Evron. “Tita, I have a son.”

“It’s okay.” Wika ni Isabella habang nakangiti. “As long as you don’t have a husband. I like kids. Malaki na ang anak ko. Damulag na. Ayaw ng bine-baby.” Bahagya siyang sumimangot pero agad ding bumalik ang ngiti sa kaniyang labi nang makita niya ang anak ni Nylah.

Hindi alam ni Nylah kung ano ang sasabihin niya. “Tita…”

“What’s your son’s name? Kamukha mo, hija.”

“Evron.”

Ngumiti si Isabella. “Can I talk to him?”

Tumango si Nylah. “But my son was good to strangers, Tita. Except…” for that person.

“It’s okay.”

Tumayo si Isabella saka lumapit kay Evron.

Nylah was observing her son. Then she saw her politely shaking his head before getting his book and leaving.

Hindi na bago ‘yon kay Nylah. Mailap ang anak niya sa ibang tao kaya nga lagi niya itong dinadala sa coffee shop para marami itong makilala kahit mga customer lang. And he did meet Ashriel Rios.

Ashriel was the first stranger that Evron talked to. And now, it’s Isabella, but it didn’t last long.

“Pasensiya na po. Ganun na po talaga ang anak ko.” Sabi ni Nylah.

“It’s okay.” Ngumiti si Isabella. “His personality was similar to someone I know,” she said. “Anyway, hija, think about what I have said. You’d be perfect for him. My son works too hard; he needs someone like you in his life.”

Nylah’s lips parted, at a loss for words.

“Don’t worry, hija. Hindi naman babaero ang anak kong ‘yon.”

Nylah forced a gentle chuckle.

“Just think about it,” Isabella said firmly, her eyes twinkling as though she’d already made up her mind.

After getting Nylah’s number, Isabella left.

Naiwang bahagyang nakatulala naman si Nylah. Hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala na gano’n basta na lang siyang inalok ng ginang na makipag-date sa anak nito na hindi naman niya kilala kung sino. Blind date nga diba?

She shook her head softly, trying to brush off the odd encounter, and went back behind the counter to fix the cups and trays she had abandoned.

Nang sumapit ang hapon, the coffee shop door chimed again. This time, Evron’s reaction was immediate—his eyes lit up, a wide smile breaking across his face.

“Uncle Ash!”

Bumilis ang t***k ng puso ni Nylah nang makita niyang pumasok si Ashriel sa loob ng coffee shop. He was carrying a paper bag in one hand and a rectangular box tucked under his arm.

“Pasalubong,” Ashriel said casually, placing the bag on the counter before turning to Evro. “And something for you, little man.”

Evron rushed forward, eagerly taking the box. Nang mabuksan nito, isang makapal na aklat ang lumitaw—educational, full of colorful illustrations but advanced for his age. His eyes shone. “Wow! Thank you, Uncle Ash!”

Ashriel chuckled and reached out to ruffle the boy’s hair. “Read it well, hmm? Para next time, ako naman ang maturuan mo.”

Evron giggled and ran to his small table and started to read.

“Thanks,” sabi ni Nylah na ikinatingin rito ni Ashriel. Then she added, “Not necessary though.” Wala naman silang relasyon para bigyan siya nito.

“It’s necessary,” Ashriel replied smoothly.

Ngumiti na lamang si Nylah bilang tugon.

Pasimple naman na pinagmasda ni Ashriel si Nylah. Halos dalawang linggo niya itong hindi nakita dahil sa business trip niya. And he admits it to himself, he does miss her… a lot.

“Coffee?” Nylah asked.

“Always,” Ashriel answered with a faint smile.