15

Yoko woke up when she felt movement on her side. She look up and saw Faye putting her own clothes on.

"What time is it?" She asked.

"It's past 3am." Faye replied. "What time do you need to be in the hotel?"

"Before 7am." Yoko said completely not moving from her position, she still tired from last night.

"Ah, you can still sleep and rest. I'll wake you up around 6."

Yoko nods and close her eyes. She wants to rest and sleep but her system is completely awake now. She open her eyes and now Faye is fully clothes.

"You can't go back to sleep?"

"I don't know. But I'm so so tired." She said with lazy voice. "I want cuddle." She added in her baby sweet voice.

Faye nods and quickly laid down next to her. She offer her arms so Yo can sleep in.

"Thank you." Nong said.

"You are welcome, Yo."

"Yo... I like that." Yoko acknowledge. There is sweetness on how Faye called her name. Then, she realize something. "By the way... why do your friends sometimes call you Faye or Faith? I'm confused. What do you prefer?"

The actress smile.

"Faith is my name, given name from my parents. While Faye is my screen name or my celebrity persona."

Yoko still look at her like she is waiting for more and deeper explanation.

"But... if you ask me to a deeper level. Faith is my past but that name has the biggest impact of my life. While Faye has always been there, she is my present life, my future. My names are my collective self. I'm both Faith and Faye. I am me. You can call me whatever you prefer would be, it would still be the same, me."

"I see." Yoko reach out her hand to hold Phi's face. "But what do you prefer? Faye or Faith?"

Faye stopped for a moment, she never thought about her preference at all. She just goes by what ever people call her.

"Maybe Faye... 'cause thats my name now."

"Okay, I will call you Faye." Yoko smile and playfully cuddle to her. "But soon I'll call you mine."

Faye chuckled.

"Okay."

They stayed in that position until Yoko fall asleep again.

***

Few weeks gone by...

//From: Nanay (mother)

How are you, anak (daughter/son)? I visited Kuya Nine today and wish him happy birthday.

Don't worry about it, anak. Your Kuya will understand that you cannot visit for his birthday. //

Yoko read the message...and been thinking on what to reply. She's been avoiding her Mom for few weeks now.

She's been trying to avoid Mom because mainly, she is afraid of how Mom would react to her dating his brother's ex and also because Mom is insisting her to contact her biological Dad to which Yoko doesn't see the point of reaching out after all this time.

She plans to tell Mom about her and Faye when it will finally gets serious — meaning once they end the 3 month proposal.

She sigh and then she type her reply.

//To: Nanay,

Happy birthday in heaven best Kuya! I will visit temple later to pray for Kuya. ☺️//

Yoko and Faye will be going to visit temple today as part of their date activities. Yoko personally requested this specific day for temple visit to pray for her Kuya and it is a free time for Faye so they agreed on meeting today.

Does Faye remember that it's Kuya Nine birthday?

Yes? Or No?

Yoko is 50-50 on what to feel about this. If Faye still remembers, does that mean she still love Nine? But if Faye forgets about Nine's birthday, does that mean that she doesn't value Nine's memories? 🤦‍♀️

At the temple...

Yoko's prayer,

Happy birthday Kuya Nine.

I miss you so much!

Would you be mad now that I'm dating your ex? If you are, can you tell me? Can you give me a sign?

I know how much you love P'Faye.

And I hope that you know by now how much I care and love her too.

Is it crazy to ask for your blessing for us?

Can I take care of her? I promise I will take care of her.

Faye's prayer,

Thank you.

Thank you for opening my heart again.

Thank you for letting me meet her.

I've never been this happy all my life.

Can I ask for guidance and blessing with this path that I am taking right now.

Is it right time for me?

Faye and Yoko both silently prayed and when they are done, they look at each other with a smile and light heart.

***

"Do you know that it's Kuya Nine's birthday?" Yoko asked, she finally find the courage to ask when they are on their way back to Faye's car.

Yoko carefully observe Faye's movement and she doesn't look surprised or bothered at all.

"Yes. I know." She simply answered as she hops on the driver seats.

Yoko silently enter the passenger seat.

"I'm actually glad that you ask for a temple visit today 'cause in this way we can pay respect to him. He is part of us from one way or the other...and I want to celebrate his life and memories as we move into our own path. We don't have to pretend like he did not existed because he is part of us." Faye explained calmly.

Faye been thinking about it lately and she finally find comfort on accepting that Nine is one part of their story and not a challenge or a block that could hinder the progress that she and Yoko have. He is simply a part of the puzzle.

Nong smile.

"I feel the same way. It's just that having him between us makes our connection a little bit complicated."

"That is true too. But what can we do, right? We just have to accept it." She said with a smile and curious eyes. "I do have a question. I'm just curious. What happened to him?"

Yoko adjusted her position and look away. She suddenly remember the time Nine died.

"It's okay if you are not yet ready."

"No, it's okay. You also need to know." Yoko said and meet her eyes before she continues.

"It was a bad accident. It happened around 2 or 3 months that you two broke up. He is with Kuya Jonathan (Nine's best friend) during the accident. Kuya Jonathan is driving and he survive the crash but he did not took it positively. We don't blame him at all, it was an accident — the police report confirmed that no one is at fault. It was an engine malfunction but he still took it against himself. He is still suffering until this day and I really hope he can recover soon."

Faye sit silently. Her mind is occupied with some things. She is trying to figure out the timeline and she is also sadden hearing about Jonathan case.

"Well... that was heavy, right? Are you okay?" Yoko asked.

Faye just nods.

"Yes, I'm fine." She said and try her best to smile. "Where do want to go next?" She asked as she start the engine.

"I'm craving for some ramen."

"Okay, do you have any specific store in mind?"

"No, I was hoping that you have suggestion."

"Well.. I have one. It's my favorite ramen shop nearby."

"Alright. Lets go!"

"Okay."

***

Yuki received a text message urging her to come home because of a family emergency but instead of being worried, she just shook her head in disgust.

"Family emergency? Fuck you." She smirked and deleted the message.

But then, a phone-call came.

"What do you want?"

"We are flying to Tokyo tonight."

"I am not coming. I don't care."

"Oh! You are definitely coming. Did you forget that you do not have a choice?"

Her hand grips tightens. She heave a sigh.

"Okay, fine. I will come with you. I just need to settle few things here."

"Okay."