The Memory Keeper: The Sin In Our Name

S2 Chapter 4: Lost Times

She glanced at the open cabinet and quickly pieced it together. "You're looking for your meds, aren't you?" she asked softly.

I nodded shakily, and without missing a beat, she found the bottle and poured out a dose. "Here, take this," she said, holding it out to me with a glass of water she'd grabbed from the sink.

I managed to take the pill, my hands still trembling as I gulped down the water. Slowly, the sharp edges of the episode began to dull, the spinning subsiding.

Therese stayed close, her hand never leaving my shoulder. "You're scaring me, Rain," she said quietly, her usual teasing tone replaced with genuine concern. "You need to tell Khai about this. You can't keep hiding it."

I shook my head weakly, not ready to confront that reality just yet. "I... I don't want to worry her. She has enough on her plate."

Therese sighed deeply, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Rain, she loves you. She'd want to know. She'd want to help. Please don't shut her out."

Her words hung heavy in the air, and though I didn't respond, I knew she was right. I just didn't know if I had the strength to admit it-not to Khai, not to anyone.

Therese's voice softened but carried a sense of urgency. "Tomorrow, I'll set up an appointment with Malcolm. We need a second opinion, Rain. Your condition is getting worse, and we can't keep brushing it aside."

I nodded weakly, too drained to argue. She extended a hand to help me up. "Come on now," she added, her voice taking on its usual teasing tone, "get up before Khai decides to come check on us and starts panicking."

I managed a small smile, letting her pull me to my feet. "Thanks, Therese," I murmured.

She gave me a supportive squeeze on the shoulder. "Anytime, VP. Now let's get back out there before they all start interrogating us."

We walked out of the bathroom together, and as we re-entered the dining area, I saw Khai glance up from the table, her eyes immediately locking on mine. Her expression softened with concern, but she didn't say anything-just gave me a reassuring smile.

I tried to compose myself, slipping back into my seat as though nothing had happened. But in the back of my mind, Therese's words echoed. Tomorrow, a second opinion. Maybe, just maybe, it was the step I needed to finally take control of my life again.

Khai's POV

As Rain and Therese returned to the table, I immediately noticed Rain's face-pale, her eyes slightly unfocused. She was trying her best to look composed, but I knew her too well. Something was off.

I didn't press her, though. Not yet. Instead, I gave her a smile, the kind of smile that I hoped said, I'm here if you need me. She returned it faintly before sitting down beside me.

"Everything okay?" I asked casually, leaning closer to her.

"Yeah," she said softly, avoiding my eyes.

I wanted to push, to ask more, but before I could, Therese chimed in with one of her usual witty remarks, steering the conversation back into a lighter tone. The room was filled with chatter and laughter again, but I couldn't shake the unease gnawing at me.

As the night went on, I found myself glancing at Rain every few minutes. She was quiet, a little too quiet for someone surrounded by friends. When our eyes met, she would smile, but it didn't reach her eyes.

Later, when we were alone, I knew I would have to confront her. Not in a pushy way-just enough to let her know she didn't have to carry whatever was bothering her alone. That's what we did, after all. We carried each other.