My Soul Will Find Yours : The Fulfillment of the Promise

I Wish You Happiness

"Too bad, you definitely have the looks," Karina said.

"I'm in my early thirties, it's too late for me to start modeling," I said laughingly.

"What!?" she grabbed both my shoulders and peered at me. "You're lying! You're definitely twenty-six like me!"

"I'm not, I can even show you my ID if you want proof."

"So unfair!" she wailed as though she's been told the worst news ever. "Your parents must have really good genes!"

"I take after my mother."

"Jelly!"

"If she's in her thirties, then how old you?" Joshua looked as though he was afraid to know my husband's answer.

"I'm two years older than my wife," Kaname answered truthfully.

"Fuck. Me," he blurted out. "Did you guys find and drink from the fountain of youth!?"

Sabrina laughed her head off at his flabbergasted expression.

"No, but we have paintings at home that age for us," I answered jokingly. "Seriously, you guys, early thirties isn't that old yet."

"Exactly! You're both being too dramatic," Sabrina cut in. "This couple have good genes and they obviously take good care of themselves well. You've been in the industry since your teens, this isn't the first time you've seen someone not look their age."

"I don't know, it all seems kind of unfair to me," Karina repeated her stance.

"Besides, Hinata is right. The thirties isn't like being in your sixties. What, did you expect people their age to be wrinkly and grey?" Sabrina rolled her eyes.

"Of course not!" the two models said in unison.

"What's your secret? Spill!" Karina looked as though if she had a pen and paper in her hands, she'd start taking notes like an eager student.

"We don't have any—" I started to say but Kaname's words stopped me halfway.

"We make sure that we eat a balanced meal everyday," he said as though he was saying something very important. "Not only that, my mother-in-law has passed on the practice of taking good care of our skin to my wife, which she ultimately passed on to me."

"We already do that though," Karina lamented. "Is there anything else aside from clean eating and good skincare routine?"

"Hina and I also exercise together," Kaname put an arm around my shoulders. "Right, Hina?"

"Huh? Oh... R-right," I looked down to hide my confusion. I have no idea what this exercise he was alluding to as the closest I've ever been to working out since returning to my time was using the stairs whenever the lift at work was not functioning.

"What kind of exercise? Do you go to the gym? Do you guys bike, hike, or jog?" Joshua sounded eager to know.

"We do a series of poses that stretch our muscles and increase our range of motions. From there we increase the intensity and maintain a pace until we are both gasping for air."

He sounded like he was indeed talking about exercise but poses? Stretching? I grew more and more clueless.

"Oh, are you talking about doing cardio after couples yoga?" Karina knitted her brows as she tried to decipher what the workout was specifically.

"It's a special routine Hina and I have been practicing ever since we got together. I believe it's unique to only the two of us," he replied mysteriously.

"Right, Sab told us you work at a gym," Joshua smacked his forehead for belatedly remembering this. "Can I drop by some time? I'm in need of a gym buddy!"

Everyone continued to talk about health and fitness. I was feeling thirsty so I excused myself to get some water. The studio had a kitchen and pantry. Inside, there was a table full of unopened snacks and cling wrapped finger food that I guess would be served later. I opened one pack of the disposable paper cups and took a cup of water from the nearby electric dispenser. I was about to finish my second cup when in came Brandon. My eyes widened mid-gulp and judging from the look on his face, he didn't expect to see me either.

He walked to the table, took a paper cup of his own, and poured himself some soda from the fridge. A long and awkward silence pervaded the small room. It was stifling so I decided to leave, I was able to quench my thirst anyway. I chucked my used cup on the trash bin and headed for the swinging door.

"Hinata, wait," Brandon called out.

I turned around to look at him and waited for him to say more.

"How are you?" he asked.

I furrowed my brows. "Didn't you ask me this earlier?"

"Yes, but I want to know how you really are." He walked towards me until there was only a foot between us.

"I meant what I said earlier. I'm truly fine, Brandon."

He stared at me and I stared back. He reached out to touch me but I avoided his hand and stepped away.

"You look even lovelier," he murmured, his raised arm fell slowly back to his side. "The loneliness that once shrouded your eyes is gone."

I didn't know what to say so I just remained silent. His eyes zeroed in on my beringed finger, a gloominess immediately filled his brown orbs.

"I'm so glad you look happy," he smiled sadly. "I'm just sorry it couldn't be with me."

"Brandon, I..."

"My dreams have stopped," he forced a neutral tone. "I don't know why but I can now go to sleep and wake up the next day without dreaming of us together."

"Isn't that good?" I wasn't sure and it showed in the way my question sounded.

"Honestly? No," he half sighed, half laughed. "It was the only way I was able to see and hold you while we're both so happy... When it stopped, I was very devastated."

He wasn't lying, his face couldn't hide the pain he was feeling.

"I wish you happiness, Brandon. I wish there was some other way I could make your pain go away but I know there isn't," I said, meaning every single word.