Her Lost Prints

Chapter 3

“Abhimanyu sir, Dr. Avantika Iyer has arrived,” Mariyam ji announced. I checked the clock after finishing the afternoon"s final work call. It was 1:45 p.m. I finished my job and walked downstairs to see Avni.

“Hi Avni! Thank you for stopping by” I said as I hugged her. “Mariyam ji’ please serve the coffee and lunch in the study room!”

“Abhi, you have a lovely house. Since when did you get into interiors and home decors as she found the small sculptures and other antiques in the show case area?” she laughed.

“Emm… well it was actually a joint effort of Amma and Hasrat! We bought this from India only. I found this amazing piece from the mall road market in Nainital when we went for sightseeing with Chiiti and family.” I smiled.

She strolled around the floor, coming to a halt in front of Hasrat"s large portrait, which is half the size of the wall.

“Wow! Is she…? She glanced at me, her mouth wide open and bewildered, and asked.

I nodded. “She was astonishingly beautiful,” she murmured, admiring the exquisite beauty of my lady. “How could someone so full of life, can take her own life?” She turned to me and said. “Shall we begin?”

“Whenever you are ready.” I said and offered her chair to sit.

We sat in our study. “Before we begin, Abhi, I want you to know that I have a few conditions before we begin.” She said with a straight face.

“Sure! I’m okay with whatever fees you charge. Just make treat my daughter, and please make her live like other kids, normal kids. I’ll pay you whatever you want. I promise!”

“Abhi, it"s not about the money. I need you to tell me everything about your wife so I can comprehend whether it is a trauma or… I understand how tough it will be for you to guide me through all you have gone through, but I truly need to know. If not as a psychiatrist for your daughter, then as a friend.” She added.

Little did I know that it was coming, that it is going to be part of the therapy. So, I agreed to it.

“Great! Also, I know I will have your entire cooperation, but I am sure you know that nothing is guaranteed in science.

“I understand!” I nodded.

She hauled a chair in, opened her notepad, and donned her classic Dr. Avantika"s spectacles. “Her medical records indicate that the issue she is experiencing should have these symptoms. I’d like you to check whether you’ve ever seen any of the symptoms listed in it.” She said and handed me a list.

1- Severe mood swings.

2- Inappropriate social conduct.

3- Insomnia.

4- Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

5- Recurring episodes of mental stress.

6- Talking late or not at all. (Mutism).

I looked it over and marked the entire list since she had been showing almost of all the listed symptoms.

“It"s fine, Abhi. these are pretty common symptoms. Did you notice any of these symptoms in Hasrat during her pregnancy?” She questioned.

“Yes, she had major ones.” I said. “Hmm…”.

“This postpartum thing is a concerning condition. It only affects one in a hundred women. We have learnt that motherhood is a blessing but it can be a curse too. Reason can be anything. Poor lifestyle, family turmoil, and trauma, usually caused by losing partner or any close ones.” she explained.

I nodded. After a few moments of silence, she questioned, “Abhi, what happened to your wife?” She sounded just like Avni. Not like Dr. Avni, who wasn my daughter"s therapist or a guest, but rather a friend, my friend. A friend who was concerned, a friend who cared, a friend I could trust.

“What happened to her and how did you meet her?” I rose to my feet. “Drink?” I offered.

“No thanks, I asked you something,” she said with a frown. I poured some for myself and began the story.

“This is the story of the love of my life. Who says that you have to live for love?” Some love stories are simply beyond love.

THE STORY OF MY WIFE…