The Wish You Left Behind

Chapter 1

3 Years Later

YOKO

To say that her head aches will be an understatement. If someone will axe-open her skull and stitch it back, this is how it might have felt like. Not to mention the constant throbbing in her temple that won't fade, no matter how many times she massages it.

'...This morning, expect light to heavy rains–' Yoko turn off the radio, which is not helping to calm her nerves. Usually, the passing cars that flank the side of theirs bother her. But her headache distracts her to it; one perk perhaps, if she can call it that.

She rests her back on the car seat, closing her eyes. Beside her, Marissa smirks.

"Finally regretting the gallons of alcohol you drank last night?" Marissa's attention never leave the road though, but a hint of playfulness drifts in her words. Yoko's certain her friend is enjoying the hangover she's in.

She groans but didn't stir. "If my best friend is there, I probably won't drink that much."

"Hey! I already apologize, didn't I?"

Yesterday was her 22nd birthday. Though, as always, she didn't celebrate it. It was more like drowning herself with alcohol to get past through the day.

Yoko crosses her arm. "I just didn't get why you chose your boyfriend's event, than my sulking day is all."

Marissa and her boyfriend have been together for like what? A year? And it's not like he's her first relationship, either. Somehow, despite being kind-hearted and beautiful, Marissa's luck in love is down in the gutter.

'Don't cry on my shoulder when that guy leaves you,' Yoko wants to say but didn't. Because despite of it all, her friend is always the one who holds her hair whenever she vomits from drinking too much. It might sound disgusting to some, but somehow, Yoko finds it endearing.

"I forgive you. And I'm sorry for sulking."

Marissa sigh a relief.

All Yoko can do is support her --and tease her friend a little, of course. "Ice is looking for you yesterday, though."

"Yo," is all she can say, which earns a chuckle from her.

If she didn't know better, she will take Marissa's flushing cheeks as embarrassment. Maybe it is. But who knows? With love, Yoko can't rely on her own judgement.

They are in a comfortable silence as Marissa continues to drive slowly. At the back, she can hear honking from the angry drivers.

"Oh, impatient old folks! Don't they know patience is a virtue?" Marissa exclaimed, glancing at the rear mirror.

Yoko chuckles and shake her head.

"Do you want to go straight to the office, or should we grab coffee first?"

She hums, coffee sounds nice, but Yoko knows where she's supposed to be.

"Let's go to the cemetery."

She usually visits after working hours, but the weather looks nice despite the forecast saying otherwise. "Father must be waiting for me."

It's been three years and yet the pain never leaves; but then again she doesn't want it too. Yoko believes she deserves every bit of it.

FAYE

Faye cranes her neck before shielding her eyes from the morning light. The weather forecast says it will rain, but she doubts it.

She's tying the laces of her white sneakers when Mr. Bunmi opens the apartment gate. The old man carrying bags of groceries; too many than his usual load.

Faye offers a wai and greeted the landlord. "Let me help you with that."

"Thank you."

She gets his bags while his wrinkled hand fiddles with the keys. It took a while until the locks give in. Mr. Bunmi offers a warm smile. "I thought it's your first day in your work today?"

"Well," she started, rubbing her neck. "The company called. They want me to go in the afternoon instead."

"I see. Come in."

Before she can even put down the groceries on the table, little Ryn hugs her.

"Fai ka! Give me a lift!"

How can Faye say no to such a cute kid? Ryn's curly hair is jutting everywhere; she looks like a cherub.

"Ryn, quit bothering Faye."

"It's alright Mr. Bunmi." She grunts as Ryn encircles her chubby hands on her neck. "Do you want to go for a walk with me?"

"Kid didn't take a shower yet. You should have told me you're going for a walk, so I shouldn't have bothered you."

"It's alright. I'll be busy once I start working again. Might as well spend time with this kid more," Faye said, tickling Ryn, who starts giggling and tightens her hold on her neck.

Mr. Bunmi comes to her aid. "Why don't we let the lady take her walk first," he said, getting Ryn off her. "You should come for dinner tonight, if you like."

If a retired chef of a 5 Star Restaurant invites you for a dinner, no one can say no. She smiles broadly. "Sounds like a plan."

She kisses Ryn's forehead and heads to the door.

"Faye, don't forget to grab an umbrella on your way out. Forecast says it will rain."

"Um -"

"Just go get the small one."

Faye looks for the smallest one in question, the one with strawberry prints on it. If she will guess, it probably belongs to Ryn. She takes the embarrassingly cute umbrella. Who knows, she probably won't need it.

She's en route to where her late mother lies when the sound of thunder rings in the sky. She looks up at the forming dark clouds overhead. It's uncanny that only minutes ago, the sky is so blue.

Faye unfolded her umbrella just in time before it drizzles, keeping in mind to thank Mr. Bunmi later.

One thing caught her attention, though. Among the foliage of trees; among the gray pavements and decorative headstones, someone's standing unbothered by the drizzle. On the woman's side is a crutch she's leaning heavily into.

Before she knows it, Faye is approaching the woman. She stops a good meter away and stretches out her handheld umbrella, shielding the woman from the gloomy weather.

It took a while, but eventually the woman turns.

Faye doesn't believe in angels and such things, but if they exist, she can swear -this young lady must be one of them.

"Get lost," the woman said.

Faye can't help but gape. Perhaps the cute lady is a fallen angel, after all.