It took years (06): Epilogue

(14th February)


The street was crowded—something unusual on a cold night. But Yossi knew exactly why: it was Valentine’s Day; the day when Love fills the air. As she looked around, she saw couples everywhere. There were one right before them and another to her right, and both were locked tightly in an embrace, looking very much in love. Yossi looked down at the arm locked around hers and felt she isn’t doing badly either. At this very moment, she felt like the happiest person in the world, and she knew it wasn’t only for now but for the all the days that would come.

Touching the new addition on her left ear and remembering her escort wearing a similar one, Yossi felt another wave of bliss cruise through her warm body. She wondered why they had wasted eight years until now. She had to catch back on all their missed time. She lowered her arm, allowing the other arm to slide down and adroitly grabbed onto the hand she had been longing to hold for a long long time. She was finally holding hands with Rika.

A slight frown formed on Rika’s face, however, it disappeared almost as fast as she was, again, distracted by the voice coming from the gadget on her ears.

Yossi fully understood the reason behind the frown: in Japan, it is weird for two adult women to be holding hands though being arm-in-arm isn’t. But Yossi couldn’t care less now.

As an old man in a business suit approached them Yossi smiled back politely. When she realized the man was obviously giving them a look longer than necessary she raised a brow in bemusement. Did the stranger recognise them or had his smarter than ordinary kinky mind understood their touch as something beyond the threshold of mutual friendship?

Not that Yossi had minded. Their slightly intimate gesture could be explained—that was if there were a need to: everybody knows Yoshizawa Hitomi and Ishikawa Rika are ‘good friends’, of the same age, same audition, ex-Morning-Musume members and from the same agency; in other words, they are fated to be together. The thought alone made Yossi bask in happiness again.

The line went dead. Yossi watched the phone drop back into the capacious bag and readied herself. Two crucial seconds passed and nothing happened, she could still feel Rika’s hand holding on to hers. It was obvious that Rika had no intention of letting go. Grinning, Yossi looked sideway at her new-found girlfriend and asked: “How’s it?”

Rika nodded subtly. “I told mom I’ll be going to your place to stay for the night.” A broad smile began to grow on her face. “She’s ok with it, since she knows you.”

Yossi laughed, scratching the back of her head. “So… are you going to tell her about us?”

Rika shrugged. “I don’t know. Just wait and see… You?”

Rika’s words seemed to have struck a nerve in Yossi. Stopping suddenly, she looked back gravely before saying: “My mother might understand but my dad…” she then shrugged and laughed nervously. “Oh~ Why do I suddenly feel your parents are going to take it better than mine?”

“Well,” Rika laughed and looked cheekily at Yossi. “Why don’t we go to my place then?”
Realising it might be a better idea, Yossi yanked out her cell phone and pressed on the numbers to call home. Rika quickly stopped Yossi. “I was joking.” She took the cell phone from Yossi and dumped it into her own bag, then turning to Yossi again, she said, “Whatever the future holds, we’ll face it together, ok?”

Yossi never felt as assured. As they continued their saunter—still holding hands dearly—toward the subway station, Rika spoke again, “But I don’t want others to know… just yet.”

Sensing the apprehension in Rika’s tone, Yossi nodded her head assuredly.

“And not even your good friends,” Rika reiterated.

“My good friends?”

“Maichin & Ayaka.”

Yossi felt a nail htiing the back of her head; she was just thinking about telling her buddies the good news, wanting them to share her joy. She hesitated, but when she saw the worrying look on her girlfriend, she nodded.

A triumphant grin. Rika understood that was hard on Yossi. Much as she, too, wanted the world to know she just wasn’t ready yet. She needed more time to gauge, to be mentally prepared for people’s reaction.

“What about Gatas?” asked Yossi.

Rika shook her head.

“Kemeko?”

Rika frown slightly before shaking her head.

“Not even Shibata-chan?”

“No.” Rika’s frown deepened as she shook her head again.

“Berry CUTE?”

“NO!! Not the kids!”

“Berry cute.”

Rika stared at Yossi. “I said ‘NO’”

Yossi laughed. “Berry cute, you look very cute now.”

Still drowning in her unaccustomed new bliss, it took Rika longer than usual to understand her girlfriend’s weak little joke.

(more...)

It took years (05)

(14th February - part 3)


Yossi didn’t look back—she didn’t have to—but continued to stare at the gushing waters in the canal; she knew the voice all too well; the pain in her chest creeping back.

Rika quickened toward Yossi, her hand reaching out as she approached. “Why are you doing here? I was looking everywhere else for you.”

Yossi slopped her shoulder when she felt the extra weight on it, her eyes just in time to catch Rika’s hand dropping back to its side. A moment of compunction seized her, quickly changing to anger. Nobody asks you to come, she screamed in her head. She turned, not giving Rika another look, and walked back to the bench, deciding to leave after grabbing her bag.

A voice shouted. “YOSHIZAWA HITOMI!”

Despite herself Yossi just froze in her tracks. Leaving like that would upset Rika greatly, and it was something she had vowed never to let happen again.

“Sit down?” Rika asked in a mellowed voice.

For a moment, Yossi didn’t move as if many thoughts were running through her head, then she walked and sat down between one end of the bench and her bag, determined to keep Rika at a distance.

But Rika never allowed that to happen; she slid the obstructing bag across the bench and sat down right beside. She leaned forward and looked sideway when Yossi still hadn’t talked.

At this moment, a man, who was jogging past, slowed down to have a double take, seemingly to realize the girls seated nearby were people he had seen on TV. Though Yossi is always aware of public scrutiny, the stare hadn’t bother her as it normally would; she and Rika weren’t even doing anything newsworthy in the first place. When they were alone again, she felt the balmy wind caressing her arms. It was a moment she might have actually enjoyed if not for today.

“I think we need to talk,” began Rika.

Yossi found great irony in those words.

“Talk? After all these days when you had been keeping quiet? I rather you continue to do so.”

“Yossi please… just listen to me.”

Despite Rika’s pleading, Yossi was sure she had heard enough. She could read Rika like a book: the girl loves the art of deception, or rather, the irony of it—like her decision to return the present on this day.

“Save your words, I knew exactly what you wanted to say,” she said as her hand moved unconsciously over her pocket to feel the object beneath it.

Rika’s eyes followed. She knew from the outline that it was the box she had earlier placed in Yossi’s locker.

“Then why are you acting this way?”

Yossi felt her anger rising from the recrimination.

“How should I be acting then? Be happy?” Her voice was just loud enough for another jogger who had run past to look back.

They ignored the jogger.

“Why? You meant to say you aren’t happy at all?”

There was bitter in Yossi’s laughter. Extending her leg, she reached into her pocket and retrieved the little box. “You think I should be happy to see this returned to me?” She broke into another laugh, clearly feeling the area around her eyes turning hot; she didn’t know another person was getting the same sensation around her eyes.

Rika closed her eyes, her thoughts spinning. Perhaps she had mistaken Yossi’s confession, which would explain why Yossi was acting this way. And it seemed to be the only logical explanation now. She began to dread where the talk was heading to.

Yossi breathed deeply. “I want what you will say. ‘We can still be friends’…” She stopped when she noticed the tears glistening in Rika’s eyes. She looked away, remembering her secret vow and started to hate herself again. So what if Rika only wanted to remain as friends? Her innocuous request surely hadn’t deserved such harsh treatment back.

“Are you regretting now?” Rika asked, her voice choking slightly.

“Regrets? HA!” A snigger. “You think I regretted meeting you? Or the time we spend together? Or even liking you?” the voice trailed… “Though you never felt the same for me.” Yossi looked away, fighting to hold back her tears. She clutched the box tightly in her palms, feeling the sharp edges cutting into her flesh. “It hurts so much to know you think I’m not good enough…”

“Wait! Did you open it?”

How much more pain did Rika want to inflict? Holding the base of the box with one hand, Yossi pulled the cover open. Although the evening sun had set turning the sky slightly dark, she could still see the contents in the box clearly. “Great!” she snorted as if she couldn’t believe her bad luck. “One is missing.”

She gave the lone earring a closer look and noticed it looking dull, its sparkle gone. Perhaps it had known that it had outlived its usefulness—the person it was meant for hadn’t wanted it—but the incomplete set did not bother Yossi anymore, it really didn’t matter anymore.

Rika gasped under her breath. It seemed like in a fraction of a second, she had realized what had had happened. She leaned closer, gingerly hooking her arm under Yossi’s. When Yossi had not backed away, she took Yossi’s palm into hers and gripped it, feeling the box safely between their fingers. She leaned on Yossi’s shoulders, a grin beginning to show on her smooth complexion. “Care to listen to me?”

The sudden intimate gesture made her body flush and Yossi felt herself drawn towards the soft and alluring touch on her arms. It was the first time Rika had touched her in this way. The warmth on her skin felt soothing and calming, her senses relazed. If this temporary bliss was to be a parting gift from Rika, she would treasure it till it lasts. When Rika snuggled closer, she hoped time had stopped…

Rika’s voice when she spoke again was almost a whisper. “I never questioned this relationship we have: I always thought we’re good friends, good working colleagues, good partners… until that day, when you suddenly told me how you felt.”

Yossi felt her stomach churn.

“I have to admit that you had me there. I became confused and scared, because I know what all these are about, and that is something I can’t accept.”

Yossi felt like dying. She shut her eyes, hoping the same could be done for her ears. She didn’t want to hear anymore, it was killing her; she should have walked away earlier.

Rika nestled closer. “I couldn’t sleep that night. I kept thinking. And whenever I closed my eyes, I would see you—everything about you… Everything… I started to hate you. Why are you doing this to me? How can I face you from now? I tried to act like nothing had happened. But it’s hard. I can’t even look at you in the eyes like before.”

Rika looked up at Yossi. When their gaze met, Yossi mouthed the word softly. “Sorry.”

Rika stopped Yossi by putting her finger on the lips. It traced up to caress the corner of Yossi’s eyes. “These beautiful eyes, your smile, your presence, and even hearing your name make me scared. I asked myself why? Why can’t we be like before?”

“Sorry, Rika-chan, I am sorry…”

Rika leaned her head back on Yossi’s shoulders, smiling. “Soon, I came to know why.” She tightened her hold on the arm. “I’m scared, and the reason I'm scared is because I know if I were to reject you, you’d no longer be there for me, not when I’m happy or sad or in the future. I'll be losing you…”

Yossi raised her arm around Rika and held her closely. Their heads touched.

Rika finally knew how it felt to be in love.

“I realise you have become an important part of my life.” She looked up and continued when Yossi returned her gaze. “I want to be with you. I couldn’t care anymore. There's no right or wrong in love. If I were to let you go, I would never be happy again in my life.” She felt Yossi’s kiss on her forehead. “On my birthday, you’ve given me the best gift in my life. I wanted the same for your birthday, but I couldn’t wait that long…”

Yossi held her breath, feeling her heart now in her throat.

“I love you.”

When Rika closed her eyes, their lips met. Though it wasn’t the first time they had kissed, it was the first time they had truly kissed—the first time their kiss had lasted more than just a playful peck.

When they parted, Yossi saw it: a sparking diamond on Rika’s left ear beaming at her.


(more...)

It took years (04)

(14th February - part 2)


“Yoshizawa-san?”

Hearing the cute voice, Yossi stopped on her way to the locker room and looked back. Two pint-sized girls, who were running toward her, soon caught with up; Notchi, the older of them, spoke:

“We heard from Konno-san that you aren’t joining us for lunch?”

Yossi nodded, smiling apologetically, wondering if she had appeared too patronizing to her juniors.

“But, Ishikawa-san said you’ll be joining us .”

The mention of the name seemed to have triggered some interest in Yossi. She looked behind her juniors, her height towering over them, and was disappointed to find the meandering corridor empty. “Where’s she?” she asked.

“She is still back there talking to the coach,” Erina offered.

Yossi nodded. She turned and continued her way back to the locker room while her juniors followed, sharing a weird look, wondering what was wrong with their usually mirthful captain.

How can she be sure? Why is she making decisions for me?

Yossi regained from her thoughts, wondering how long she had been standing in the middle of the locker room, thinking and staring into space. Giving a quick look around to ensure no one had noticed her strange behaviour, she strode to her own comfy corner and sat down. The sight of empty benches unsettled her; the senior’s corner was especially deserted today; Miki hadn’t turned up for training; Satoda had left early for a variety show recording; she had no idea where Korenaga, Shibata and Konno had gone to; and Rika was back there talking to their coach. All of a sudden, Yossi realized she wasn’t really used to this kind of quietness; or was it loneliness that she was feeling?

She snapped back when she heard chatters becoming louder. Her self-conscious mode engaged the moment she saw, from the corners of her eyes, four pairs of legs approaching. She straightened her back and looked up, putting on her best smile.

Notchi, urged on by others, took a shy step forward and extended her arm, an exquisitely wrapped present in her palm. “Happy Valentine’s Day,” the girls said in unison.

Instead of joy, Yossi suddenly felt consumed in guilt. “Wait. Had I forgotten something? Is there supposed to be a gift-exchanging thing going on?” She looked around worriedly, but began to frown when the girls broke out into fits of giggles; she has her pet anomalies and girls giggling senselessly is one of them.

Notchi quickly stifled her giggle to explain: “No, it’s a token of appreciation from us—for everything you have taught us.”

Her frown eased, her hand reached out, but she felt guilty again, this time for having behaved irascibly.

“Thank you.”

When her juniors left her, she looked at the small rectangular present, smiling. They all are good girls—thoughtful and hardworking. She drew the box near her face and shook it; a sense of déjà vu filled her.

Was this why she was suddenly feeling bitter?

However, as soon as she opened the door to her locker, her world collapsed…


The sonorous slamming of a locker’s door against its frame silenced whoever was talking in the confined room. The girls turned to look in the direction of the commotion, just in time to see Yossi striding out of the room. As they watched their captain slam the poor door closed with a similar impact, they were convinced their leader wouldn’t be joining them for lunch.


*** ***

Twiddling the little box in her fingers, Yossi felt her eyes warming. The box looked unmistakable with the imprints of pink tiny rabbits; it was unique because it was hand-made. She was the one who made it, and it was precisely why she was feeling upset.

The return of the present had spoken volumes for itself.

Yossi doesn’t normally weep, but today, she allowed her tears to flow; one by one they streaked down her cheeks.

Of all days, Rika had chosen today—on a Valentine’s Day—to reject her. What a mockery! And so characteristic of her.

Despite her body slowly going numb, she could feel, more clearly, her heart tearing and another tear flowing. She remained glued to her bench, for hours, staring aimlessly at the stamped grass before her, thinking, couldn’t stop thinking…

How they had met…
How she had grown to like her…
How her heart was stolen…
And now how the same heart felt so broken…

Pain continued to numb her senses though her eyes had become dry and could shed no more. She closed her eyes and felt them stung. The short extrinsical pain no help to her aching heart. Would she ever recover? Could she?

But why…

Finally, she took out her cell phone that had been vibrating incessantly in her pocket since she had sat down. An unknown anger began to surge when she saw how all the missed messages had shared the same contents. She stood up, her numbed legs stung where blood had suddenly gushed through.

Why can’t you leave me alone?
Isn’t the hurt enough?
If you cared… if you really cared, you wouldn’t be doing all these in the first place.

She walked toward the canal that was in front of her, the box clutched tightly in her palm. The gushing waters in the canal looked inviting, so inviting. All she had to do was to swing her arm and the object that spells unhappiness would be gone forever but…

Could she do the same for her memories?
She doubted not... the box remained glued to her palm.

She sniggered and put the box back into her pants pocket, sighing. Even if the box’s existence would only serve to mock her later, she couldn’t bare to throw it away. It—even sad remnants like it—had become too precious to her…

“Yossi!”

(more...)

It took years (03)

(14th February - Part 1)


As Rika looked toward the bench after scoring Yossi felt the same inexplicable feeling inside her manifesting. She grinned back; a smile which said ‘well done’. When the practice team on the court resumed play, she was drawn back into her thoughts, staring into space, her mind thinking…

It had almost been a month since that faithful day, and never a day passed without her recalling what had happened. A big question still lingered: had Rika read it?

If Rika had read it, why had she not said anything at all? Or acted in anyway? Or at least showed a hint how she had felt about the heart baring note?

Still, they had chatted and laughed; still, they had met for meals. Everything looked normal, but with only one difference—she wasn’t wearing the present she had given her.

Perhaps she had done wrong by crossing the friendship border… Maybe Rika’s indifference was her subtle way of rejecting her. Maybe Rika, being a kind and sensitive girl, had had no heart to turn her down and had chosen to act ignorant.

But Yossi hated it. She wanted a definite answer even if that was the truth. She didn’t need Rika’s compassion. She didn’t care about being hurt by the rejection. She badly needed an answer. It could be a simple nod or a shake of the head—or anything. Because everything-anything-would beat the uncertainty she was feeling, that was festering and eating her sanity. She needed a cue… a nudge for her to get on with her life.

Yossi’s eyes fell back on the petit girl who was running effortlessly around the court. She wondered how the girlish smile seemed perpetually carved on that flawless face. Once again, she felt her heart drawn toward the ground.

Perhaps this is what she wants…

There was a loud whistle, and people gathered around. A few rhythmic claps of the hands signaled the end of the day’s futsal training, and the beginning of just another day of no activity for Yossi…

(more...)

It took years (02)

(19th January)


‘That was so unexpected!’’

Despite the surprise in Rika’s tone, Yossi knew her friend was only faking it. She stopped wiping her face, threw her towel around her neck and looked up. Seeing Rika’s expression only ascertained her belief that Rika had always been a bad liar.

‘Right, convince me. You’re just surprised that we switched time.’

Rika laughed. There was no faking it; Yossi knew her just too well.

‘Actually, Yaguchan told us to play dumb.’
‘Uh?’
‘Yeah,’ Yossi continued, ‘to pretend we didn’t know it’s your birthday, but Kemeko said it is not going to work.’

‘Why?’ Rika asked. She looked around for her towel and found it lying on the bench.

‘She said you’d probably tell the crowd on stage. Man, she’s so right about you.’ Yossi laughed lightly. ‘That’s why she suggested we beat you to it—to let you cut your cake this morning while we filmed everything—’

‘And show to the fans?’

Yossi ignored Rika’s questioning look and wiped her face again with her towel. After a final check on her appearance against the mirror, she was ready to go. She looked into the mirror, catching Rika fiddling with her bangs against the mirror behind, and wondered why Yasuda had understood her better. ‘Sometimes, I think Kemeko knows you inside out.’

‘I find us so alike too,’ Rika mused.

‘Alike? Nah~’ Yossi stuffed her towel into her duffel bag. ‘You look so much better than her.’

Rika stole a quick glance at Yossi. A strange feeling hit her. Yossi was checking the bench for left-behinds as though what she had just said was nothing but a casual remark.

Yossi zipped her bag and slung it over her shoulder. ‘I’m done, you?’

‘Almost,’ Rika said. She dug into her bag for her spectacle case, the little case quickly catching Yossi’s attention.

‘What’s wrong?’ Yossi asked as she watched Rika put on her glasses.

‘nani?’ Rika’s eyes shifted to watch Yossi in the reflection.

Noticing Rika watching her now, Yossi pointed a finger to her own eyes. ‘You’re wearing them more often now.’

‘Oh this?’ Rika raised her frame slightly from her nose before letting it slide back down. ‘Doctor’s advice.’

‘Doctor! What happened?’
‘Nothing. Just that recently my eyes tire easily so he advised me not to wear contacts that often.’
‘I see.’ An assured look returned to Yossi.

Soon, Rika, too, was ready to leave. But before they could step out of the locker room, a voice—from the other end of the room—called out to them.

‘Hey Birthday Girl! Sure you’re not joining us for drinks?’

They stopped in their tracks and looked back. Rika cringed when she saw Yasuda approaching, a demanding look on her face. She apologized. ‘Sorry, but I already promised mom I will be back for celebration.’

‘What about you?’ Yasuda turned to Yossi, asking almost angrily. ‘Why aren’t you joining us?’

‘She has to be in Tokyo tomorrow, in fact, we all have to be in Tokyo,’ Rika cut in even before Yossi had the chance to defend for herself. She then looked around for trace of other Gatas members, but found nobody else; only Nakazawa, Yaguchi and two other melons remained. Perhaps the mood for Gatas members to stay and party had dissipated with the thought of their futsal matches tomorrow.

A figure stepped out from behind a row of lockers and said to Yasuda: ‘Isn’t it better? I don’t have to share my booze.’ Nakazawa, who had been listening to the conversation, quickly made a ‘shoo’ gesture with her hand.

Catching the cue, Yossi and Rika quickly bade goodbye and left the room.

They hurried along the staff passageway to the basement carpark where a company van was waiting; Yossi sliding the door closed after they had boarded it. The transport would only fetch them the nearest subway station and from there, they would head to their final destination. By the time Yossi and Rika had settled into their seats, the van was already making its way out of the illuminated carpark into the darkened streets outside. They passed a big group of fans who were still lingering outside the concert venue and Rika suddenly had a thought. What if those fans knew their idols had just passed them? Would they chase after the vehicle?

She laughed under her breath and looked to her left, only to realize Yossi had turned quiet. Reckoning that Yossi was feeling tired from the concert runs, she left Yossi alone and returned to her own thoughts. However, it didn’t take long before the silent atmosphere began to irk her. The silence was too deafening. It was really unusual for them not to be chatting or laughing away, especially when their vehicle had just passed an atrocious pair of girls clad skimpily only in line-thin bikini tops and super-short hot pants. The girls’ spiky lime-green hair alone was enough to garner a little discussion, but no one had talked. Had Yossi not seen the girls? And if Yossi had, why hadn’t she said anything?

She cleared her throat. “ano…”
“nani?”

The immediate reply surprised Rika; apparently, Yossi hadn’t dozed off, but was only being quiet. She blushed when she noticed Yossi now looking at her.

“nani?” Yossi asked again.

“Just wondering,” Rika said. “I have… yet to receive your present—” Her mind went blank, stunned by her imprudence.

What has gotten into me? Why am I actually asking for my birthday gift?

She knew it was because she had expected something from her good friend and was now chafed when she hadn’t.

Yossi burst out laughing. When the driver looked back at the little commotion, Rika felt her face turning into an even brighter crimson.

“Actually…” Yossi said, still laughing. “I got you something.” She unzipped her bag resting on her lap and took out a nicely wrapped little box, but not before Rika had noticed her removing something that was attached to it. Rika decided to let it pass.

“Here,” Yossi beamed. “Happy Birthday.”

Rika smiled before receiving the gift. “Thanks,” she said as she gave the box a little shake, her fingers already tracing the wrapper, searching for a spot to start unwrapping.

“Don’t!” Yossi stopped Rika. “Only open it when you reach home.”

The suspicious action only made Rika more curious. “Now what’s so special about this?” She shook the box again, her mind already listing the items that could possibly fit into the little box.

Yossi laughed nervously. “It is of nothing special, though I hope you’ll like it.”

Rika raised a brow to look at Yossi. “Ok,” she finally said and cautiously put the box into her bag. “You know,” she began again. “Do you still remember what you gave me every year?”

Yossi paused to think.

“There’s a pink Pooh bear, remember? Well, it’s still on my bed, accompanying me to sleep every night.”

“Really?” Yossi asked, her voice laced with pride.

“Yep. I really like it. Although my sister will always scream at it whenever she comes to visit me.”
“Why?”

Rika laughed. “Because she said Pooh bear was never pink. She asks what’s in your head when you decided to give me this, or how the hell did you manage to find this dyed fake toy. She is so sure the bear isn’t original.”

Yossi found herself laughing along. “Well, you like pink, don’t you?’ I don’t exactly remember where I bought it. I was shopping with my mother, and when I saw this, I told myself I had to get it for you,” she lied; she clearly recalled she was out shopping the whole day just to find a suitable birthday gift. “Anyway, glad to know that Pooh-san’s still around.”

“hidoi~ I always treasure all my birthday gifts.”

The van pulled to a stop longer than usual and they knew they had reached the station. They took out their caps, putting it on. After ensuring their faces were partly concealed under the collar of their fully zipped up jerseys, they stepped out into the direction the station. However, when they became fully visible to each other in the bright station, they laughed. Pulled down caps, hidden faces and thwarting looks—they looked like a pair of fugitives running from the law.

“And they say geinoujin are glamorous.” Yossi laughed.

“And why do I feel we’re actually attracting more attention?”

“You love that, don’t you?” Yossi quipped.

Rika giggled.

Yossi rolled her eyes. She knew Rika was being paranoid. The fact was, as she looked around now, no one even bothered to give them a second look. That is the thing about Japan: nothing is deemed weird to garner a second look.

Yet… Yossi laughed under her breath. Yes, it would cause a big ruckus though if people knew…

She stopped as they approached the elevator leading to different platforms. After some hesitation, she opened her bag and took out the envelope. It’s now or never, she thought. In fact, she had been contemplating throughout her whole journey in the van, now it’s time to get the matter off her chest, once and for all…

Rika stopped to look back when she realized Yossi hadn’t been keeping up with her pace, and saw Yossi looking at her with a card in hand.

Yossi seemed to be struggling with her words when she walked forward. “It’s supposed to come with your birthday present.” She awkwardly stuck out her hand that was holding the card.

Rika had to strain her ears to hear Yossi in the noisy station. Lucky for her, Yossi’s body language more decipherable. She accepted the pink envelope, flipping it over for a second look. Nothing was written on either side, not even the name of the addressee.

“Read it only when you got back home, not in the train,” Rika heard Yossi say; but before she could digest or say anything back, Yossi had bade her goodbye and was already hastening toward her platform.

(more...)

It took years (01)

(18th January)


‘Just wondering…’

‘What’s it?’

‘Tomorrow…’

‘What about tomorrow?’ Rika looked up, a smirk beginning to form on her lips. ‘Are you going to tell me you’re nervous about tomorrow?’

Yossi rolled her eyes. ‘Of course not. I’m just wondering what your plans are for tomorrow?’

‘Have you forgotten we have 2 shows tomorrow?’

‘Yeah, silly me…” Yossi laughed, and said no more.

(more...)