I stared at my phone, the screen illuminated with a text from Faye, calling me to another late-night rescue. My heart tightened as I read her words, knowing she was once again lost in the fog of alcohol.
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I sighed, knowing what would come next. It was always the same: late at night, a party winding down, and Faye, drunk and longing for her.. ex. Kinuha ko ang susi ng kotse at lumabas, pumunta ako sa lugar kung nasaan si Faye. Iisa lang naman ang pinupuntahan n'ya kapag ganitong naglalasing s'ya.
At the party, Faye leaned against the wall, her ripped jeans and half-empty cup a familiar sight. "Hey," she greeted, her smile wide but eyes unfocused. "Take me where the music ain't too loud."
Tinulungan ko s'ya papunta sa passenger seat, my heart heavy with the weight of our complicated situation. Napansin ko ang kiss mark na nasa leeg n'ya, nanginginig ang kamay kong tinakpan ito gamit ang damit n'yang gulo-gulo.
Faye always trying to mask her pain with parties and strangers. I knew she was still in love with her ex, and I was just a stand-in, a rebound to fill the void.
Sanay na ako.
We drove in silence, the city lights blurring past. Inabot ni Faye ang kamay ko at hinawakan nang mahigpit. "Save me 'til the party is over," she mumbled, leaning closer. My heart ached with every word, knowing she wasn't just talking about tonight.
At a red light, Faye leaned in, pressing her lips against mine. It was a sweet, tender kiss, filled with longing that made my heart ache. "Faye.." I whispered as we pulled away.
Faye's eyes flickered with confusion. "Yoko?" she asked, as if just realizing who I was. Pilit akong ngumiti sa kanya.
"Yeah, it's me," I replied softly, brushing a stray hair from her face. "I'm here."
We sat there, the world moving around us, both aware that this wasn't right. I loved Faye, but I needed her to see me, truly see me, without the haze of intoxication. But tonight wasn't that night, just like every other night. Faye's eyes closed, her breathing evening out as she fell into a drunken sleep, leaning on the window.
Driving on, the weight of unspoken words and unmet desires hung heavy in the air. "Real sweet," I whispered again, "but I wish you were sober."
And so, another night passed, filled with longing and missed connections, my heart holding onto the hope that someday, Faye would see me for who I truly was, and not just a shadow of her past love.
