I’m Yam. Don’t ask about the name—it’s pointless. Not exotic or poetic, and certainly not short for “yummy.” More like “yamot”—fate’s way of saying it’s annoyed I exist. I’m 24 years old and five-foot-three of sarcastic, tan, semi-delusional energy. Some say I’m weird. I say weird is giving me too much credit.
Now, let’s skip the intro. You don’t need a full resume for what happened that night.
It was 10pm. I was trudging through Eskineta Madilim Street—a narrow back-alley with zero lights and infinite bad vibes. If purgatory had an address, this would be it. The shadows hung heavy like regret. This wasn’t your average creepy place. This was “don’t breathe too loud or you might summon something” territory.
I was halfway through the alley when I heard it.
“Help...”
Cue goosebumps. It wasn’t loud, but it reverberated like a whisper inside a coffin. I froze for a millisecond, decided ghosts probably weren’t real, and kept walking.
“Help, I said! You son of a—”
Whoa. Did this ghost just curse at me?
That’s new.
You’d think a wandering soul would be polite while begging for salvation. Not this one. Rude.
I stopped and scanned the area. Nothing. I whispered to myself, “I swear I’m not high... why am I hearing voices like I’m chasing dragons?”
I picked up my pace. Fast. My nerves? Shot.
“Hey!!! Where do you think you’re going?! I said HELP ME, asshole!!”
Okay. Pause. Was the ghost... speaking English now?
Asshole???
Who taught the spirit modern slang? Was it watching N*****x in the afterlife?
“Damn it, ghost! Shut it and follow the light already!” I shouted, full Pinoy sass.
Dogs howled in protest like they’d just witnessed paranormal disrespect.
Then came a response I didn’t expect.
“What light? There’s no freaking light here, man! Look UP! I’m hanging here!”
I looked.
And—no lie—it was like laundry on a line. But instead of shirts, it was a dude. His legs were looped through wire like spaghetti gone rogue. The rest of him hung upside-down, head dangerously close to cracking against concrete.
“What the hell are you doing up there?” I gasped.
“Save the questions. Just get me down, please!”
He was desperate—but also kind of... absurd?
Still, I hunted around for something to stand on. Found a crate. Lifted him down with more sweat than strength.
He landed clumsily, then straightened himself.
“Thanks, bro. Thought I was a goner.”
“Goner from hanging like someone’s sock? Chill. The sun would’ve found you in a few hours,” I replied.
Also—“bro”?
We’re bro-ing now?
“Anyway, how’d you get up there?” I asked, eyeing him now that he was upright.
And—woah.
Eyes: sharp and deep
Nose: sculpted Lips: slightly chapped, probably kissable Stubble: hello, rugged vibe Hair: soft dishevelled waves Body: lean but defined Height: towering over me Skin tone: glowing like he eats expensive almonds for breakfastWas this guy the lost child of Aphrodite and Apollo?
Too handsome to be just “some dude.”
Before he could speak, he asked, “Got a smoke?”
“Nope, just candy.”
“That’ll work.” I handed him a mint. He peeled it and, instead of sucking it like a normal person, chewed it while staring at me.
I blinked. Who chews mint like gum?
“Anyway, I’m Franc.” He offered his hand.
I hesitated. Then took it. His palm was warm—warm, not clammy or awkward.
“Yam,” I said. His brows lifted.
“It’s not a great name,” I muttered, pulling my hand back.
“Nah, it’s cute,” he replied, flashing a grin with enough charm to power a small island.
“So... how did you get tangled up there again?” I asked.
“Got drunk. Some jerks thought it’d be funny to string me up like laundry. Woke up swinging from the wires.”
We both glanced at his former suspension zone.
“You’ve been there this whole time? That’s cold. Whoever did that has zero soul,” I said.
He shrugged. We started walking toward the brighter part of town.
Side note: he was really tall. My head barely made it to his chest. I tried not to look directly at him—I’d combust from secondhand hotness.
When we reached the sidewalk, the streetlights exposed him in full. He wasn’t just good-looking—he was unreal. Celebrity-level, but also... human. I hadn’t seen him in any teleseryes, so he had to be a regular guy. Right?
Then he plopped down on a bench. Looked ready to nap.
“You’re sleeping here?” I asked.
“Obvious, isn’t it?” he said, already lying down.
“What a snob. Fine, sleep here. Good luck waking up hung like a piñata again.”
He didn’t answer. Just shut his eyes like a kid pretending he wasn’t cold or tired. I couldn’t shake the image.
I sighed.
“Hey. Wake up. Just crash at my place. I’d feel guilty if you got mugged or floated into another wire trap. It’s nearby anyway.”
He opened one eye, then stood.
“Do you at least have an electric fan?” he asked.
Wow. No “thank you.” Just a request for cooling technology?
Maybe that’s why he got hung up. Too cheeky for public space.
Still... I led the way.
Because lucky for him—I’m nice.
🌀 Onward to Part 30—the chapter where everything Yam and Franc have built begins to ripple outward. Their studio isn’t just a refuge anymore; it’s becoming a movement. But with growth comes friction—and this chapter asks, What do you protect when the world comes knocking?The invitation arrived wrapped in palm leaves and tied with twine, a rustic charm that immediately caught Yam’s attention. Inside, the letter was written in elegant script, inviting him and Franc to curate a corner at the Sining sa Baybayin festival in Baler. The theme was “Spaces That Stay,” and the arts collective had chosen their studio for this special project.Yam read the letter twice, savoring each word. Franc, ever the optimist, exclaimed, “I think they just invited the studio to be famous.” Yam smirked, a playful glint in his eye. “Sir Spins-a-lot’s finally going mainstream,” he quipped, referring to their studio’s nickname among local artists. They both laughed, agreeing to take on the challenge.Their ide
🌿 Stepping into Part 29—the chapter where Yam and Franc turn dreams into doors. Their studio isn't just paint and poetry now; it's possibility. And that quiet hope they sketched during rainy afternoons? It’s ready to welcome the world.Yam and Franc had always been dreamers, their minds filled with visions of a world where art and emotion intertwined seamlessly. When they stumbled upon the idea of creating a sanctuary for those seeking solace and inspiration, they knew they had found their calling. They called it Tahanan Para sa Titig, a home for gazes, a place where the soul could rest and the heart could speak.The transformation of the side room was a labor of love. They spent days scrubbing the walls until they gleamed, painting the windowsills in vibrant blues and yellows that seemed to hum with life. A cozy beanbag nestled in the corner invited visitors to sink into its embrace, while a small wooden shelf held a curated collection of books—some penned by local writers, others b
🌧️ Welcoming you into Part 28—a softer moment between the crescendo. After the whirlwind of launches and spotlights, Yam and Franc find themselves craving stillness. This chapter isn't about doing—it's about being. It’s about a rainy day, a quiet reckoning, and the reminder that home isn’t a location—it’s what you come back to.It started with thunder.Low. Reluctant. Like a whisper that had spent too long holding back.Yam stirred from sleep, rolled toward the window, and watched fat raindrops coat the glass like someone painting peace with stormwater.Franc was already up, kneeling beside a stack of new canvases he'd left out the day before. He cursed softly, trying to shuffle them to safety.“Sir Spins-a-lot’s trying,” Yam mumbled, nodding toward the spinning fan. “But he’s no hero in a flood.”Franc smirked, setting the canvases aside, then walked to the bed, climbed in beside Yam, and tucked himself under the blanket.Neither of them spoke for a while.The rain took up the room.
🌟 Let’s drift into Part 27—the moment where Yam and Franc find themselves standing at the threshold of something unexpected: possibility beyond what they ever imagined. Their story, once a private rhythm between two hearts, now echoes in rooms they’ve never stepped into. But fame isn’t their goal—it’s connection. Let’s see what that brings. The email arrived on a Monday. Subject: International Literary Conference Invitation – “Love in the Margins” Yam stared at it. Then reread. A literary group based in Singapore wanted them to speak—together. About the power of storytelling, vulnerability, and queer love woven into everyday life. They’d found the book through a blog review that called it “a tender rebellion against silence.” Franc walked in mid-stare, setting down a bag of pandesal. “What happened?” he asked. “We’ve been invited,” Yam said, voice barely steady. “To do what?” “Speak. Tell our story. Abroad.” Franc blinked. “We’re exporting shelf chaos?” Yam laughed nervous
🌻 Continuing into Part 26, the chapter where the love Yam and Franc built begins to echo beyond their little home. The book they’ve written isn’t just about them anymore—it’s a mirror for anyone who’s ever loved imperfectly. And now, the world wants to listen. Let’s see what unfolds when private pages go public.The proof copy arrived in a brown envelope, slightly battered, as if the world couldn’t wait to get it there.Yam sliced it open slowly, hands trembling.Inside was their book.“The Art of Staying.”Cover: a sunflower. A crooked shelf. Two mugs—one chipped. And behind it all, the suggestion of a fan, mid-spin.Franc stared at it like it might whisper back.“Feels unreal,” Yam said.Franc flipped through pages. Some with artwork. Others with Yam’s poetry. Their story—wired beginnings and all—now bound in matte finish.“I think this book breathes,” Franc said.The small publishing house offered a launch event in the city—a cozy indie bookstore with warm lights and mismatched ch
🌈 Here’s Part 25,—where Yam and Franc begin to realize that coming home isn’t the end of the journey, it’s a doorway. Their love has held through chaos, growth, and separation. Now, the question isn’t “will we last?” but “how do we thrive?”Yam’s bags were still by the door when he collapsed onto the couch.Franc joined him seconds later, legs draped over the armrest like he’d never stopped waiting. Sir Spins-a-lot whirred above them, faithfully offbeat.They didn’t speak at first.Just breathed.Then Yam said, “You repainted the sunflower.”Franc nodded. “She deserved a second bloom.”Yam smiled, tracing the edge of the mural on the wall.“So do we,” he said.The days that followed felt like relearning routine.Yam noticed the way Franc tapped his fingers when making coffee, the way he hummed while folding laundry, the way he paused before sending a text—like every word mattered now.Franc noticed Yam’s quiet glances out the window, his laughter when reading old poems, the way he al