EARLY in the evening, Ashriel stood outside Nylah’s apartment, holding a small paper bag of Evron’s favorite pastries and a bouquet of white lilies. Pagkagaling niya sa kumpanya, sa apartment siya ni dumiretso dahil namimiss niya ang mag-ina niya. It had been more than a week since his last glimpse of Nylah, and every day of that trip felt strangely longer than it should have.
Nang kumatok siya sa pinto, hindi si Nylah ang nagbukas nito kundi si Evron. His small face instantly lighting up.
“Daddy!” the boy shouted, jumping toward him.
Ashriel bent down, catching him easily. “Hey, buddy. Missed me?” Hinalikan niya ito sa pisngi, earning a giggle from Evron.
Tumango si Evron. “Momma said you were working far away. Did you bring me something?”
Ngumiti si Ashriel. He held up the paper
