The Memory Keeper

Chapter 6 - Climacteric

TW: Some topics in this chapter may be sensitive to some readers. Reader discretion is advised.

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SUJIN's POV

Jin-Ah. 

It made me think of sunrise and the calm, golden sea.

I tried to make sense of the name, tasted it on my tongue to see if it triggers a memory.  It did not. 

I felt that the name is too pretty to be mine, though. But then, what do I know? I don't have any recollection of anything.

The man must have noticed that my thoughts drifted off when he asked:

"What are you thinking?" 

Who are you? Is this your house? Why am I here? Why can't I remember anything?

In that moment, I was certain I saw something in his eyes - something akin to remorse. But it was readily masked with a neutral expression.

For a few seconds, he silently gazed into my face but averting his eyes from mine. It was hard to look at his face without being fascinated by the color of his eyes. Maybe it was the fact that he never smiled or the loneliness that's evident in those orbs. What was going on behind those chocolate pools, I couldn't say.

Well? Aren't you going to answer me? 

"I am Lee Hoon."

Lee Hoon.

The name suits him. One look at him and it is obvious that he is intelligent. It also evokes a masculine feeling, one of strength and protection.

I was brought back to earth when I heard him say: "You live here with me."

Live here? With you? Why can't I recognize you?

"Yes. You are a younger sister."

Younger sister?? He is my brother? I was gawking at my brother with the most heart-melting dimples? I don't remember anything about me but I am sure there was nothing sisterly in the way I looked at him in those dimples moments ago. I am so going to hell.

I felt my face turned red because of the direction my thoughts took. 

He noticed.

"You looked flushed. Do you have a fever?"

When he tried to place his palm on my forehead, I swatted it as if trying to get rid of a fly. Clearing my thoughts and my throat, I said, No, I don't have one. I'm okay. It's just being cramped in this blanket.

Those brown orbs looked at me again, boring into my soul, searching for something heaven only knows what.

I knew that the only way to distract him is to ask another question so I did: Our parents, are they here too?

He sat up, met my eyes for a moment, piercing brown eyes meeting my curious ones. 

Taking a deep breath, his voice was gruff and his brows were drawn together in a frown when he said: "Mom is dead."