#part 35

Hmmm he does in my mind, because it might be necessary for the story at some point, but I rather not tell since I can still change my mind on it haha

Now I'm curious... Why are you curious about that? Hehe

It had been weeks since Shine last visited the garden. When Clara invited her to drop by again — “just to hang out, anak, baka gusto mo magpahinga rito” — she didn’t hesitate.

The moment she stepped onto the familiar second-floor landing, a wave of calm met her. The garden looked even more alive now, plants thriving, flowers in bloom. And there, by the small table near the railing, sat Nathan — book in hand, glasses on, sunlight catching strands of his hair.

“Long time no see,” she greeted with a smile.

Nathan looked up, nodding softly. “You’ve been busy.”

“So have you.”

Clara appeared from the doorway, holding a tray of juice and biscuits. “I’ll leave you two here, ha? Wag niyo akong pagtawanan, gusto ko lang maglinis sa loob,” she said with a teasing tone, though her eyes flickered back every now and then — half protective mom, half curious observer.

Shine chuckled. “Tita’s watching us.”

Nathan smiled faintly. “She always does.”

They settled into quiet comfort. Shine leaned on the table, sketchpad open, while Nathan continued reading. The garden’s familiar hum — rustling leaves, soft wind, distant laughter from the street — filled the spaces their silence left.

After a while, Shine sighed, “You know… it’s strange. I’ve been feeling a bit uncertain lately. About what’s next. Art projects are piling up, but my heart—” she paused, tracing the page with her pencil, “—feels like it’s being pulled somewhere deeper. Ministry, maybe. But I’m scared to step out of what’s familiar.”

Nathan closed his book, looking at her quietly. He didn’t rush to respond — that was his way. But when he finally spoke, his words were steady.

“Maybe that’s how growth feels sometimes. Uncomfortable. But it doesn’t mean it’s wrong.”

Shine met his gaze. “You think so?”

He nodded slowly. “You’ve always brought life where you go, Shine. Even here.” He gestured around the garden. “Maybe God’s just leading you to do the same… somewhere new.”

Her chest tightened — not in sadness, but in that ache that comes when truth hits home. “You sound like you’ve thought about this before.”

Nathan exhaled softly. “Maybe because I’ve been there. Afraid to move. Afraid to let anyone in. But then… God sends people to remind you it’s okay to start again.”

Shine smiled gently, feeling the weight of his meaning — not entirely said, but deeply felt.

At the doorway, Clara peeked again, pretending to dust a shelf. The small curve on her lips didn’t go unnoticed by the Lord who’d long been answering her quiet prayers — prayers for her son to step back into light, for joy to find its way into his silence.

As the afternoon wore on, they stayed there — no grand words, no promises, just quiet presence. A shared peace that didn’t need explaining.

"do we?"

"well a few"

👀

and the comment about him being detective noel for a little longer