The Wish You Left Behind

Chapter 14: Gym Buddy

YOKO

She has never felt embarrassed by her own actions before, especially not in front of a beautiful lady.

As she locates the elevator lobby, she can't help but shake her head. She never dwells in someone's physical appearance this much, too.

'Can we talk?' Faye asked earlier. Yoko huffs as she pushes the button back to her office floor. What does she want to talk about, anyway? Why did she kiss her?

Because if that's it, Yoko's afraid she doesn't have an answer to that.

She reaches her office with Marissa waiting for her outside. The young woman is carrying two cups of coffee, walking back and forth as though she can't make up her mind.

"Hey."

"Yo!"

Marissa meets her halfway down the corridor, offering one drink. But realizing Yoko can't hold it and her crutch at the same time, she draws back her hand.

"I'll carry it for you."

"Okay. Thanks."

The young woman chews her lip, a thing she only does whenever she's anxious.

"Look, I'm sorry about earlier."

Yoko pats the woman's head. "Don't worry about it."

Marissa looks at her with puppy eyes. "Forgive me?"

"There's nothing to forgive," she said and means it.

They never have a quarrel that lasts more than a day. And she wants to keep it that way.

Yoko motions at the office door. "Shall we? The coffees will get cold."

When Yoko pushes the ajar door of their office, the smell of fresh flowers teases her nose.

Marissa's desk, that's now full of flower bouquets, caught her eyes. Pink and white carnations huddles in one bouquet. Beside it is one full of red roses. Another bouquet is of daisies.

"Woah!" She glances at Marissa teasingly. "You have like what — three suitors now?"

"It's — Ice who sent it."

"All of it?"

Marissa nods sheepishly, about to sip her drink, but pauses. "What did you tell Ice?"

"Me?" Marissa rolls her eyes and puts a hand on her waist.

"Right," Yoko said with a chuckle.

She sits on Marissa's desk, fiddling with the white carnation's petals. "I actually asked her what to do with you and what your comfort food is. Because you know, I'm not good with — comfort things."

Marissa hugs her. "Actually, you being there is enough. Thank you. Oh! And please — don't cook Gaeng Daeng again."

Yoko pats her back and chuckles. "That bad, huh?"

"No. It's just that, I'm afraid, we are used to Big's cooking."

Right. Yoko forgets sometimes how she and Marissa are a disaster in the kitchen.

"Alright, let me see your gifts?" Yoko picks one card in the bouquet. When Marissa doesn't stop her, Yoko reads it. Or at least she tries to.

She squints at the chicken scratches and realizes it is Ice's handwriting.

"Just like this vertebrae, I'm rooting for you! Fighting!"

Yoko looks closely. Someone wrote Vertebrae C6 underneath the small picture. Uncannily, it looks like it is smiling. And Yoko can't help but smile, too.