My Last And My Only

Chapter 56: Keep Trying Anyway

The call came just as Khae was about to turn off her phone. For a moment, she simply stared at the screen.

Amanda.

A week ago, seeing that name would've stirred up a hundred different emotions. Curiosity. Nostalgia. Confusion. Now, all she felt was exhaustion.

The phone continued to ring. Khae considered ignoring it. She wasn't in the mood to talk. She wasn't in the mood to explain herself. Lately, she wasn't in the mood for much of anything.

Still, her thumb moved before she could stop herself.

"Hello?"

The silence that followed lasted only a second.

"Hey." Amanda's voice sounded hesitant. Careful. As though she wasn't entirely sure she should've called.

Khae leaned her head back against her pillow and closed her eyes.

"Hi."

Amanda frowned. Something was wrong. She couldn't explain it, but she knew immediately. The Khae she had gotten to know again over the past few weeks sounded different.

Quieter.
Heavier.

"Are you okay?"

"Why does everyone keep asking me that?"A humorless laugh escaped Khae's lips.

"Because you sound terrible." Amanda sat up straighter.

That made Khae laugh again. A short one. The kind of laugh that wasn't really laughter at all.

Amanda's chest tightened. She had heard that laugh before. Years ago. Back when Khae was trying to pretend she was okay when she wasn't.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

The question lingered between them.
Khae stared at the ceiling.

No.
Not really.
But she was tired.
Tired of carrying everything by herself.
Tired of overthinking.
Tired of pretending she wasn't falling apart.

Before she knew it, she heard herself asking:
"Are you busy?"

"Not really. Do you want to meet?" answered Amanda.

An hour later, Khae found herself sitting across from Amanda in a quiet café. The smell of coffee filled the air. People chatted around them.

A barista called out someone's order. Life carried on as usual. Funny. Because it felt like hers had completely stopped.

Amanda studied her carefully. The dark circles beneath Khae's eyes were impossible to miss. So was the exhaustion. She looked like she hadn't slept properly in days.

"You look awful."

"Thanks." Khae snorted.

"I mean it." said Amanda.

"You're very sweet."

Amanda rolled her eyes. The brief exchange almost felt normal. Almost.

A server arrived with their drinks before leaving again. For a while, neither of them spoke. Amanda wasn't sure how to start. The truth was, she'd been worried. Ever since Khae had suddenly become distant. The messages had grown shorter. The replies slower. Something had changed. Amanda just didn't know what. Finally, she decided to ask.

"How's Aiah?"

The question seemed harmless. Simple. Normal. But the moment it left her mouth, Amanda regretted it. Because Khae's expression changed instantly. The tiny smile disappeared.