ONCE WE WERE US

SHADOW FROM YESTERDAY

Monday morning arrived with its usual rush, Nairobi's streets were already alive with honking cars, crowded buses and people hurrying to begin another week. At The Garden Brew cafe, Daisy tied on her apron and settled behind the cashier's counter. The weekend still lingered pleasantly in her mind. Every now and then, she caught herself smiling as she remembered the museum, the laughter they had shared and the easy conversations that had made the day feel effortless

She had not expected someone like Kelvin to become such an important part of her life so quickly. Her phone buzzed just before eight o'clock.

Kelvin:" Good morning, Daisy. I hope your day starts with a smile. Good luck at work." A smile spread across her face as she quickly typed back.

"Good morning. Thank you. I hope your presentation preparations are going well." Almost immediately, another message appeared. "Still nervous, but your encouragement helps more than you know " She laughed softly.

"You must really like him." Daisy looked up to find Grace arranging pastries behind the display.

" What?"

"I've been watching you smile at your phone for the past minute." Daisy felt warmth rise to her cheeks. "It's nothing." Grace folded her arms. "When a woman says"it's nothing,' it usually means it's something." Daisy laughed.

"We're just friends." Grace raised an eyebrow. " If you say so ." Before Daisy could answer, customers began arriving, ending the conversation.

Across the city, Kelvin stood before a conference table inside Harrison &Coles Architects. Large building plans were spread across the polished surface. Today was another rehearsal for next week's presentation -a proposal that could determine whether the firm secured one of its biggest commercial projects of the year.His supervisor, Harrison Cole, looked around the room.

"I want confidence," he said firmly.

"Clients don't just buy designs . They buy the people presenting them." Kelvin nodded.

"I understand." After several practice rounds, Harrison gave an approving smile. "You're improving ,"

"Thanks."

"But don't overthink every sentence. Trust yourself." "I will." As everyone began leaving the meeting room, Kelvin's phone vibrated. His smile faded when he saw the name on the screen.

Vanessa.

He declined the call without hesitation. A few seconds later, another message arrived.

" Ignoring me won't change what we had." He deleted it without replying. His colleague, Brian, noticed the change in his expression. " Everything alright?" Kelvin slipped the phone into his pocket. " Just someone who doesn't know when to move on " Brian nodded knowingly. " Those are usually the hardest people to escape."

Meanwhile, across town, Vanessa sat in a modern cafe, stirring her untouched cup of coffee. She wasn't alone. Across from her sat a sharply dressed woman named Melissa, one of her closest friends.

"So?"Melissa asked. "Have you spoken to Kelvin?"

Vanessa smiled faintly. "He keeps ignoring me ." Melissa sighed.

"Maybe that's your answer." "No." Vanessa's voice was calm but unwavering.

"I know Kelvin.He is angry, hurt.....but he still loves me ."

Melissa studied her carefully."And the girl?" Vanessa's smile disappeared.

"Daisy."

"You know her name?"

"I made sure I did." Her fingers tightened around the coffee cup.

"She is becoming a problem." Melissa leaned back.

"What are you planning?" Vanessa looked out through the cafe window at the busy streets.

"I'm going to remind Kelvin who belongs beside him."

"And if Daisy gets hurt in the process?"

Vanessa remained silent for several seconds. Finally, she answered quietly.

"Then she shouldn't have stepped into my place."

Later that evening, Daisy finished her shift and walked toward the bus stop.

As she waited, someone called her name .

"Daisy!" she turned.

Kelvin was pulling over in his car, smiling through the open window.

"I was nearby. Thought I'd save you from the evening traffic." she laughed. "You seem to have excellent timing."

"I try." She opened the passenger door and climbed in .

Neither of them noticed another car parked farther down the street.

Inside it, Vanessa watched silently.

Her eyes never left them as Kelvin drove away with Daisy. A cold smile slowly formed on her lips.

"So this is how close you've become," she whispered.

The game, she decided, had only just begun.