HER : Unraveled // FayeYoko

Chapter Fourteen

YOKO

Nagising ako nang may matinding sakit ng ulo, para bang nabibiyak ang utak ko sa sobrang sakit. Hangover. I groaned softly, rubbing my temples as I slowly sat up. Saglit akong napapikit, trying to steady the throbbing pain in my head. Pagmulat ko ng mga mata, I looked around the room, and then it hit me—this place looked familiar.

Napabalikwas ako ng tayo.

Wait..

This is my room in Lux's house. My mind raced, piecing together the blurry memories of last night. I remember drinking, and then… I shook my head, trying to clear the fog.

Bakit ako nandito?

A soft knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts. The door creaked open, and Lux stepped inside, a small smile on her lips. "Oh, gising ka na pala," she said softly, holding a glass of water and some pills. "Here, take this. It’ll help with the hangover."

I took the medicine from her, feeling a wave of guilt wash over me. "I’m sorry," I whispered, swallowing the pills and washing them down with water. "Sorry sa abala, and I even brought you trouble by bringing me here."

Lux waved it off, her smile not wavering. "It’s nothing, Yoko. I’m just glad I could help."

Nag-check ako ng phone ko, and my eyes widened in shock when I saw the time—12:43 PM na.

Shit, I need to go home.

"I have to go," I said, starting to get up, but Lux gently placed a hand on my arm.

"I’ll give you a ride," she offered, her tone firm yet caring. "Huwag na, magb-book nalang ako," pagtanggi ko sa alok n'ya. "I insist." Pagpupumilit naman n'ya.

"S–sige na nga," I sighed, not having the energy to argue. There was something about Lux’s presence that was comforting, even in my worst moments.

Tahimik kami habang nasa kotse, the only sound was the soft hum of the engine as Lux drove. The silence between us was heavy, filled with unspoken words.

Finally, Lux broke the silence. "Are you okay, Yoko?" Her voice was soft, almost hesitant.

I looked out the window, avoiding her gaze. "Yeah," I replied, my voice flat. "I’m fine."

She nodded, but I could sense her worry. "May workshop ako mamaya, painting," she said, her tone lighter, trying to ease the tension. "Alas tres, join me? Sunduin kita."

I hesitated, the idea of doing something creative, considering the pain and lack of desire in doing something inside me. "Sure," I said after a moment, offering a small smile. "I’ll join you."

Lux pulled into the parking lot of my condo building and parked the car. She got out and opened the door for me, her eyes searching mine for any sign of what I was feeling. I stepped out of the car, my heart heavy with the weight of everything that had happened. "Huwag mo muna s'yang isipin," biglang sabi ni Lux, napatingin lang ako sa kanya at tumango.

As we walked towards the lobby, my mind was elsewhere, lost in thoughts of Faye—of how she had shattered my heart. Sinusubukan ko namang huwag na s'yang isipin, pero tinatraydor ako ng sarili konh utak.

Paano n’ya nagawa ‘yun sa akin?

The question kept echoing in my mind, a painful reminder of the betrayal I was struggling to process.

Then, I saw her.

Faye.

Standing in the lobby, her eyes wide with shock nang makita n'ya ako. But it wasn’t just me she saw—it was Lux beside me, holding my hand, leading me through the lobby like some sort of guardian.