4

First love really hits different.

It has been 5 years already but Faith's smile and laughter still brings butterflies to Yoko's poor little heart. She almost lost it when she heard it. Faith's laugh that echoed in the lobby just hit the drum roll in her heart which made her froze for a moment.

It is maybe lower than 0.00001% chance for them to meet but yet again here they are, completely against all the logical odds. It is a risk that Yoko took when she accepted the grant to be in Thailand but she ask herself now if she is willing to risk her heart at this point? The risk is too high, she knows her heart.

"Are you sure that you are okay?" Faith asked again to check on Nong. Yoko been extremely quiet since they left the hotel.

Yoko just nods and smile.

"I'll introduce you later to Freen and Becky. Just wait, okay?"

"Yes. It's okay. I'm happy to see them even from afar." She replied and focus her attention to Freen and Becky.

FB is in the side of the stage. They look so busy right now. Understandably, they are pretty much occupied because this is the soft launch of their club.

Looking at her idols made her forget the chaos in heart. She admire the two for a while now and she is just happy and contented to see them in flesh and close up.

"You are a fan of them, right? Do you always like sapphic films?" Faith asked.

"Yes." Yoko smile. "They are the best gl couple and best gl producer." She added.

Faith nods and smile too, she also agree with Yoko's statement. Then she reach out for her drinks and sip a bit. Yoko followed her move and also sip some from her drinks.

"I don't know if we are close enough to ask this but — are you queer or straight?" Faith asked out of curiosity.

Yoko looked away and straight up drink the glass of alcohol...and when she look back at Faith, there is obvious panic or discomfort in her eyes.

"It's okay if you don't answer. I'm sorry." Phi is apologetic.

Phi thought that Yoko is uncomfortable sharing her gender and identity to her. But the truth is, this little one is having gay panic mode as you can just imagine how one would feel if her first girl love ask you that question as a queer young lady that she is.

"I'm definitely not straight." She answered bravely.

Faith seem surprise that she answered her question but she seem not surprise that Yoko is not straight.

"Does your brother or family know?"

"Hmmm.. yes." She giggled. "I kinda bring a gf at home so they must know." She added with another giggle.

Faye smile, there is certain spark of nostalgia in her eyes.

"I see. That is good then." She said with genuine relief in her expression. "Funny that when your brother and I first met, the conversation is about this as well. No warm up question or what so ever, we straight up ask each other if we are bi, gay or straight."

Yoko just nods and smile to hide the pain she felt in her heart once Faith mentioned her Kuya in their conversation. It reminds her that there is 'Kuya Nine' in this connection... there will always be her Kuya in Faith and Yoko's path.

"Oh... you become silent again." She commented to which Yoko just smile again and turn to pick up her glass.

"I'll just go get some more drinks." She said and went straight to bar counter.

Faith did not say anything and just followed her gaze to Nong.

***

Yoko is standing in bar counter waiting for her drinks to be serve when a young lady around her age approached her.

"Can I buy you a drink, Miss?"

She is sooo ready to reject her — whoever that girl is. Nong heard that old school line to make a move and she instantly wanted to reject her but she stop herself when she looked up and saw the face of that young lady.

Damn! She is fine.

She compose herself and gave her the sweetest smile.

"Awww.. I already order drinks and this is my second round already...so maybe later after this round?" She said as she reach her drinks.

"Sure, I'll be in that table." She point the table to Yoko.

"I see. Are you with friends?" Yoko asked in attempt to build small talk since she is her type.

"Yes. How about you? Are you with your friends?"

Friend?

"No, I'm with..." She cannot finish her sentence. She doesn't know what she would say anyways. Faith and her and not friends. Faith is her brother's ex and her first love — there is no way that she will tell that to literally stranger.

"I'm with my Phi." She ended up saying to be less awkward.

"Oh, okay." She replied and smile again. "By the way I'm Yuki." She finally introduce herself.

"Really? I'm Yoko." She replied and accepted Yuki's hand for handshake. "Our name match with each other."

"Yuki and Yoko, this is fate." Yuki said with a smile that transcend to her eyes.

Yoko smile back. Yuki is her type and she needs a little bit of distraction right now.

"Everything alright here?"

Yuki and Yoko turn their heads to meet the owner of that voice.

"P'Faye..." Yuki called, it was clear that the young lady is mesmerized with Faith's presence.

"Yes, all good. We are just talking."

"You are with P'Faye? How are you related?" Yuki turns to Yoko and asked out of curiosity.

Yoko cannot help but to roll her eyes.

"I'm her Phi. Are you bothering her?" Faith voice is serious and protective.

"No, not at all." Yoko defended.

Faith look at Yuki and Yoko... then, she nods her head to acknowledge that there is no threat in here

"I'm just checking cause it took you awhile to get your drinks."

"Ah, sorry. I have it now." Nong said and showed her drinks to Faith.

"Okay, let's go now. They are now in our table waiting for us." She grab Nong's free hand and lead her out of the crowd.

"Oh, okay." She understood that it was Freen and Becky that is in their table already so she gave in.

She look at Yuki, as she is being dragged by the actress. Yuki looks confused but no plans to interfere. She even step aside when Faith grab Yoko's hand.

"P'Faith, wait..." She called to stop her for continuing to drag her.

Faith stopped and look at her Nong.

"I'm old enough to flirt. Don't worry about me." She said and smile at her. "Can I invite Yuki to our table?"

"Who is Yuki?"

"The girl earlier."

"Why? Do you know her?"

"I just met her but I want to be friends with her. She seems nice."

Faith heave a deep breath and look at Yuki's side then look back at Yoko.

"Okay. You can invite her." She said resigned.

Yoko smile and approached Yuki again while Faith is waiting for them in the dance floor.

The two talk in awhile... then they happily walks side by side towards Faith.

"Lets go?" Yoko smile.

"Okay.."

Faith lead the way back to the table with Yuki and Yoko in her back.