HER : Unraveled // FayeYoko

Chapter Thirteen

YOKO

Nasa bar ako, umiiyak at umiinom, pero parang hindi ako nalalasing kahit marami na akong nainom. Maybe because of how broken I am, I’ve become numb. I stared at the bottom of my glass, the liquid swirling, reflecting the turmoil inside me. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a familiar figure—si Lux.

Lux saw me and her eyes widened in shock. She hurried over, her concern evident. "Yoko, what are you doing here?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief and worry.

Napatingin si Lux sa mga bote ng alak na nasa lamesa ko. "You should stop drinking. Tell me what's the problem," she urged, her hand gently resting on my arm.

"Umupo ka," I invited, gesturing to the seat across from me. She hesitated for a moment before sitting down, her eyes never leaving my face.

"Faye, that freaking jerk, broke my heart," I started, my voice trembling as the weight of my emotions threatened to overwhelm me. "S'ya at 'yung babae n'ya, they sent me a picture of them making out in her office."

Lux was stunned, her eyes widening further. "What? Ginawa n'ya 'yon!?" she asked, her voice filled with disbelief and sympathy.

I nodded, tears streaming down my face. "I don’t know what to do. I just want to drink until I can’t feel the pain anymore."

She sighed deeply, her worry growing. "You should stop drinking, Yoko. This isn’t going to help. Let me take you home."

"Ayaw ko umuwi," I insisted, my voice breaking. "I just want to drink. Please, Lux, just let me forget for a while."

Lux took a deep breath, her concern evident. "How are you, since my dad called off our engagement?" I asked, trying to divert the conversation, to push away the pain gnawing at my heart.

Lux smiled weakly, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "I’ve been reflecting and trying to make myself better. I regret all the pain I caused you."

I managed a small smile, despite the tears still falling. "I’m sorry too. I tried to love you, pero hindi ko talaga kaya eh."

"It’s okay, alam ko rin naman na naging toxic din ako sa'yo," Lux said softly, reaching across the table to take my hand. "I’m going to show you that I’ve changed at ang Lux na nakilala mo dati ay wala na."

"Mamaya na tayo umuwi, uminom muna tayo, please," I begged, my voice trembling. I needed this distraction, hindi ko talaga kaya ang nararamdaman kong sakit ngayon.

Lux hesitated but eventually nodded slowly. "Okay, but take it slow, Yoko. You're already drunk," she advised, her voice gentle yet firm. "I'm not drunk!" Medyo napataas ang boses ko, natawa naman s'ya at tinaasan ko s'ya ng kilay.

"Who are you with?" I asked, trying to shift the focus off my misery.

"I’m alone, just trying to unwind," she replied, her eyes never leaving mine.

Napatango-tango ako and continued drinking, ignoring the concern in Lux’s eyes. I laughed bitterly. "I hate Faye so fucking much," I whispered, my voice cracking. "Gusto ko nalang uminom nang uminom!" Dagdag ko pa.

Lux sighed deeply, her expression pained. "Fine, but I'll drive you home so you're safe," she said, her tone brooking no argument.

Drunk and heartbroken, I nodded and continued to drink, despite Lux’s protests. For now, I just wanted to forget everything, even if it was just for a little while. Each sip burned down my throat, numbing the ache in my chest, if only temporarily.

As the night wore on, the bar became a blur of lights and sounds. People came and went, but I remained rooted to my seat, drowning my sorrows in bottle after bottle. Lux stayed by my side, her presence a comforting anchor in the storm of my emotions.