One Thing Right Chapter 10 | Wenrene

 

One Thing Right

Chapter 10

"Hope"

"Wendy, this is Doctor Roseanne Park. She'll be the one in charge of your psychotherapies." Eric accompanied Wendy to her new doctor, he wanted to make sure that his patient will be well acquainted and be at ease with her before leaving. "Rose, this is Wendy."

"Hi, Wendy! It's nice to finally meet you." Rose flashes a smile to which Wendy got slightly intimidated, she stepped back. Wendy was oriented by Eric about Rose not only for being the best Psychologist in their hospital but she's also a medical doctor like him, a psychiatrist. Rose is famous for her counseling and has a 92% recovery rate of patients that suffered from depression and anxieties. Wendy knew that Eric just wanted to say all these titles and records to assure her that she'll be in good hands throughout her therapies but it actually triggered an anxiety for her. 92% recovery rate? Will she be added to that 92% or the 8%? What if she didnt recover? Will that make her doctor a failure like her too? These questions started popping inside her head.

Both of her physician noted this anxiety reaction quickly. "I've read your response to our questionaires beforehand and it says you like singing too? If you'd ask, I love it too."

Rose approached Wendy carefully while starting a conversation where she thought she could find comfort, and it worked. Wendy's interest appeared and it boosted a slight confidence in her.

Eric watched this small interaction, and even without hearing Wendy speak with Rose yet, it already assured him that Rose lived up to her achievements and that Wendy really is in good hands.

"I'll excuse myself then doctor Park, I'll leave Wendy with you now." He bids farewell to both and finally left the room.

Wendy stared at the now closed door where Eric left, she somehow wanted to run after him and say she isn't ready to face a new physician. This is one of the reasons why Wendy rejected Eric's inquiry if she'd like to be transferred fully in Rose' care since she's both a psychiatrist and well known psychologist. Eric was clear with his intentions though, stressing out that he's offering this not to discard her case but to give her options to lessen her medication fees. Wendy, feels like she has more security to Eric since she had known him as a good person from a long time. He would never harm her. She would really choose to still be under his guidance and pay for 2 doctors than to be fully in care of someone she doesn't know. Wendy thought of Irene, in this matter. 

"Would you like me to call him?" Rose offered and Wendy was embarrassed. She thought that Rose might be thinking that she's being a baby, not able to be alone. Or what if she thinks Eric and her has a relationship? 

"Uhm. Sorry." Wendy finally spoke but clearly she didn't know what to do after.

"You don't need to apologize. You can sit over here." She pointed the white chair in front of her desk. 

Dr. Roseanne Park, M.D, Psy.D

Wendy abided but her eyes got stuck on her doctor's name plate.

"So Wendy, how have you been?" Rose started and Wendy instantly felt like her chest grew lighter. Why would she turn emotional just by hearing that question? She got teary eyed and she became conscious over her reaction.

"I'm good." She only answered shortly. She didn't want to expose herself yet... that's why.. and then she saw Rose writing down something on her notebook. 

"Any hobbies you're into lately?" 

"Uhmm.. nothing.." 

"Why is that?"

Why? How would Wendy reply that? 

"I don't know." She answered and checked if that angers her.

"I thought you like singing?" 

Seems like this session is a game full of unending questions, but she doesn't know what's the right answer to each. So she felt down. 

Wendy thought that this person in front of her is way above her level. If she hasn't paid for her time, she wouldn't get any of her attention at all. Nobody would really care for her. She's only doing her job of throwing her questions and let her responses dictate the end result whether her responses were serious or just made up. After that she'll categorize her case under numerous types of diseases that fit the result. This is pointless... how will she really cope up from this so called depression?! 

"Wendy?" The doctor called out and Wendy was finally out of her head. 

Rose could already read how their distance became even farther and it all happened in just a small time. 

"Are you alright? Would you like to take a break?" 

"A break? But you've just asked a couple of questions. If we take a break often then that would waste your time." 

"I have all the time for you today, Wendy. We don't need to rush things. If we need to take a break a lot of times then so be it. These questions could wait." Rose smiled at her reassuringly and it made Wendy gasp as she didn't expect her reply. 

She realized how all her life she's chasing her time because it feels like she'll run out of it. Wendy has instilled in her mind that time is precious because everyone she met told and showed her that every seconds of it entails a corresponding cost. Money. And that's how she's living her life all this time too, just like everyone else.

"You're only saying that because you're afraid that you'll lose a patient." Wendy said and she wanted the doctor to agree.

"Nope. I said that because it's the truth. My time is as precious as yours, Wendy. Don't you think so too?"

 

How do Wendy value her time? All she could remember is that she worked and worked, to continue conforming to the laws injected by the society on her that's right. To become responsible, to become powerful, to become rich, to be above everyone else. But despite achieving it one by one, she continue to feel empty. 

"My time just passed and I don't know how much I have left of it."

"Why do say so?" 

"I don't know the real importance of it anymore. I never paused to think about it before, because I'm too busy doing something that I thought is important. I don't even know what the word important meant anymore." Wendy tried to soothe her mind by caressing it. The train of thoughts are forming inside her head again and migraine is being felt. But despite it, she saw Rose wrote something on her noted again. 

"Would you mind if I call it a day?" Wendy asked but it sounded more like a plead so Rose nodded without complaints nor questions raised. Rose just asked to drink her meds right away.

Wendy did it before she went to the door and exited but Rose' last words for today stuck with her, "You did well today, Wendy. Thank you for your time with me." 

Perhaps, even if she finds her time no longer important, it would still be valuable to others. 

---

"Wendy unnie?" Joy saw Wendy going out of the doctor's room and approached her hurriedly. She embraced the small friend in her arms with protection. 

Eric was there to accompany Joy while waiting for her but he didn't expect it to end so soon. He then saw Wendy's down expressions and he realized how hard Wendy's really adapting with the counseling. It was already a usual reaction from his patients but since it's Wendy, he has a heavy heart witnessing it. It was really wise decision to let Rose handle the therapy. He then left the two to have private moment and went inside Rose' room for discussion.   

"Yah! What did she do to you? Do you want me to pull her hair?" Joy tapping Wendy's back with enough pressure indicating how much she wanted to go to the room where Wendy came from and maybe she could have a confrontation with that doctor. Of course, Joy's reaction is driven only by her emotions not that she really hated the doctor. 

After a minute more of embracing Wendy, she tried to reach out again. 

"Wendy unnie, tell me what happened?" 

 She then heard Wendy cackling.. and this is getting really weird for her.

Wendy flashes a smile and broke free from Joy's embrace.

"I just realized a funny thing, Joy. My physician is that great." 

"Well.. she has to be.. I mean, you're being checked by her, I'll get her license revoked if she isn't." Joy joked but she's disheartened to see Wendy looking miserable right now but she has to stay strong for her. 

"Let's go home. I'll buy you your favorite bubble tea and celebrate the end of your first psychotherapy." Joy offered when Wendy's giving her a silent treatment after. 

---

"Wait here till I get your bubble tea, okay?" Joy demanded and Wendy only nodded.

They're in a park near their apartment building, it's night time so there are no people there but passerby. Wendy said she doesn't want to go home yet so they went circling the nearest possible place they could land but this whole time Wendy was incredibly quiet and it made Joy really saddened. 

"Don't go anywhere, okay?" 

"I'm not a kid, Joy." Wendy said then she started swinging aggressively.

"Yah! Stop that! You might hurt yourself! I'll scold you so much if you do!" 

"This wouldn't kill me, Joy. Go get our bubble teas." She continued swinging like she was already flying. 

Joy would rather choose a quiet Wendy than to have her speak anything but this. It worries Joy so much, she didn't expect her unnie would react negatively like this to her therapy. It felt like it would have been better if she just didn't go. She was all lively and looked like she's back as herself the past few days after their heart to heart session, but now she's shutting everything away again. 

Joy couldn't take her emotions anymore so she retreated and went to get their bubble as wished by Wendy.

 

"I'll take one grapefruit green tea lemonade without sugar, please."

"Anything else?"

"One grapefruit green tea lemonade with 30% sugar. Please add on black pearl and coconut." 

"Anything else?" 

The staff asked and Joy looked at her with tears forming in her eyes which made the latter shocked.

"Ma'am, a-are you alright?" 

Joy shook her head and finally cried. The staff at the counter was bewildered and didn't know what to do. Thankfully, there were no other customers around but Joy. 

Joy has been titled as a strong person since she was a child. She never backed on anything or anyone even if it's bigger than her, that's why bullies from her school were afraid of her. Joy is a challenger too, she's the eldest in their family and so she takes on everything in order to protect her siblings. Joy never cried so much on her ex boyfriends too, she always chose to move on right away and never settle for someone who has treated her badly. She believed that she has to live her life courageously in order to do not have regrets in the end. But despite this image that she worked on her whole life, she felt powerless in helping out one of the most important person she has in her life, her Wendy unnie.

While waiting for Wendy to come out from her therapy session, Eric approached her and told her not to worry. She then asked for advice on what she could do to help her, and he only stated to be always by her side. Joy knew that already, she wanted something more specific.

"That's the best advice I could ever give, Joy. There would be times that everything would be so hard to handle. Even if she regarded you as someone dear to her, there will be times that she will constantly push you away, shut you out from her world. But you have to understand that it's not her doing it but her depression." 

"Could you elaborate more?" 

Eric admired her curiosity and it's because she really wanted to help her unnie out so he continued.

"When depression does the talking, don't listen to it. Instead, reach out to the Wendy you know  behind that surface. Because she's waiting to see a light in her darkest time, her hope to continue fighting." 

He then tapped Joy's shoulder, "and I'm sure you'll be that light for her." 

Joy was fighting back her tears when she heard those words from him. She was determined to be that light, so she wanted to gain strength but by releasing her weaknesses first by crying behind Wendy's back. But if only she has someone with wiser knowledge about life to be her guide in helping out Wendy then she would grab that because despite being determined and wanting to help Wendy, she's still naive. If only she has someone who could release all these tears.

"Joy?" 

It was as if the heavens were listening, someone called her out.

"Irene unnie?"

---

"Joy! I was worried about you, what took you so long?" Wendy got up from the swing and run towards Joy. "What's with the sunglasses?"

Joy noticed how Wendy's back to her usual self again, perhaps swinging aggressively helped knock out some sense back to her. But of course she's only kidding, that's dangerous. She hands out her bubble tea.

"The cashier created a commotion, I had to wait for so long." Joy stated the opposite. 

"Really?!" Wendy raised an eyebrow, she's about to ask more questions when she saw Irene behind her.

She bowed immediately. Despite agreeing of becoming friends, they haven't really bonded since Irene and Seulgi were all busy at their respective work.

"Hi, Wendy. I saw the cashier creating a commotion at the tea shop so I went in to see it myself." Irene played along and smiled at Joy and then at Wendy. Joy sipped her bubble tea faster upon hearing that.

"So you're the one who gave her the sunglasses?" She also sips from her favorite bubble tea and like magic, she was all happy again. When Joy sees this, she felt really fulfilled. Her Wendy unnie's keeping her promise to her by holding on, even if it's so hard. So she has to keep her promise to her too, by being by her side all the time no matter what happen. 

"Yup. Have you forgotten? This kid adores me too much that she wants my style."

"Hey! Not that too much, you know!"

"Then give back my sunglasses."

They started quarrelling like long time friends, it made Wendy celebrate internally because they're becoming really close and she hopes that continues so Joy could have someone she can rely on when she's incapable of doing that for her.

"Don't you find it weird wearing sunglasses at night?" She tried to join in but Irene noticed that tinge of sadness in Wendy's face right away. So she had to do something. 

"Are you jealous?"

"What?!" Both Joy and Wendy reacted, shocked. 

"Are you making a move on my unnie?!" Joy was ready to put up a fight.

"She seemed really jealous. Don't worry, you're the first person I asked to be my friend, so you will always be special." Irene continued teasing with her cheesy remark.

"Yah! Do you hear yourself, Irene unnie? This sucks, I can't believe I stan a whipped fashion icon."

Irene only rolled her eyes at Joy and she turned to Wendy who got startled at the attention. 

What Wendy did not expect was Irene's next move. She messed up her short blonde hair. 

"Hey Wendy, come with me to a hair salon, let's dye your hair back to its original color."

"Huh? Why all of a sudden?"

"Because I want to see the natural you." 

Wendy then looked at Joy, she was doubtful if Joy had said anything that would make Irene like this to her but Joy only shrugged, denying the accusations.

"Okay." Wendy agreed and it made both Irene and Joy celebrate. It's been a while since Wendy wanted to go out and trying something out with a friend, other than Joy. 

Wendy thought it's about time to help herself, and not continue to make Joy worry for her too much. It's about time she find her truest goal, finding her happiness. It's time to make most of her remaining time. In that way, she thought, she will be able to fight her depression.

---

'"Irene unnie, you're saying you've heard and seen us last week when we were crying together in front of our apartment?"

"Yes and I overheard everything. I'm really sorry about that."

"And you're proposing that you wanted to help me out with Wendy unnie? Why?" 

"Do I really need a reason to help?" 

"Wendy unnie stressed out to me that she won't receive any form of kindness from anyone who knew she has depression." Joy said. She tried to argue with Wendy about it before, but she was really firm with this decision. So even if Joy really wanted accept Irene's offer of help, she had to keep her loyalty to Wendy's wishes. 

"I have a younger sister that lost her life in depression, and I know how it feels when taking care of someone depressed. I know what you're going through Joy, it's really hard." Irene confessed and her revelation made it harder for Joy to make a decision. 

"I really don't know, unnie. I'm afraid that Wendy unnie would be hurt in the end. She even told me not to tell you or Seulgi either, she doesn't want both of you to be her friends just because you pity her for her condition."

"We will keep everything as a secret between us. She won't get hurt. Our goal is to help her get through this, Joy. You have to be practical in this kind of situation and not let your emotions hinder possible solutions. Also, you're not the one who told me about her depression, I discovered this on my own. So you'll be bailed out from this if! If she will really learn our secret." 

"I really don't know unnie. We also didn't do anything for you to offer that kind of help. You said it yourself and experienced that it's hard, so why?"

Joy was really having a hard time to decide so Irene thought of other possible reasons she could think of. 

"Because she helped me out before too, remember?"

"Seriously? Do you think I could entrust my Wendy unnie who's bond with her was from a week full of arguments? Atleast give me more vital reason unnie." 

So in the end, Joy wanted an assurance of Wendy's safety first.

"Because Wendy accepted me to become her friend, and friends help each other, right? Give me the opportunity to do that for her, Joy. I want to become a part of her life too." 

A/N:

Disclaimer

Again, I'm not an expert when it comes to matters of depression nor has any background in any mental health problems. My research about this is only at the surface level so experts may see inadequate information written in this so I'm sorry in advance. Even if this is fanfiction, please correct me if there are any grave mistake. Thanks!