Dr. Lavanya sat across from Muskaan's teacher, Sneha, in the quiet, sunlit staffroom. The walls were adorned with colorful drawings and educational posters, a stark contrast to the troubling conversation they were about to have.

Sneha shifted uneasily, her expression a mix of concern and confusion. "Dr. Lavanya, there's something I need to tell you about Muskaan. A few weeks ago, I found her in the washroom, talking to someone."

Lavanya leaned forward, her professional curiosity piqued. "Talking to someone? Can you explain what you mean?"

Sneha nodded, her voice trembling slightly as she recounted the incident. "I heard her voice first, then another voice. It sounded like a woman's voice. I thought maybe another teacher or an older student was with her. But when I went in to check, Muskaan was alone."

Lavanya's heart skipped a beat. "Alone? What did she say when you asked her about it?"

Sneha took a deep breath. "I asked her who she was talking to. She looked at me like I should already know the answer and said, 'I was talking to my mom.'"

The room fell silent as Lavanya absorbed this information. She had heard of cases where children with schizophrenia experienced auditory hallucinations, but the clarity and certainty with which Muskaan spoke about her mother was alarming.

"This is... significant," Lavanya said slowly, her mind racing with possibilities. "It's crucial that we understand the extent of Muskaan's condition and her experiences. Thank you for sharing this with me, Sneha."

Sneha nodded, her relief palpable. "Don't mention, Dr. Lavanya."

As Lavanya left the staffroom, her mind was set on uncovering the truth behind Muskaan's experiences. The mention of Muskaan talking to her "mom" is a piece of a larger puzzle that needed to be solved. Determined to get to the bottom of it, she decided to have a thorough conversation with Payal.

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Later that evening, Dr. Lavanya arrived at the Raizada mansion, her mind brimming with questions and concerns. As she entered the grand foyer, she was greeted by the familiar sight of Muskaan playing quietly in the living room. Payal was nowhere to be seen, so Lavanya decided to seize the moment and try to gather more information from Muskaan herself.

"Hi, Muskaan," Lavanya said gently, sitting down on a nearby sofa. "What are you playing with?"

Muskaan looked up and smiled. "I'm playing with my dolls. They're having a tea party."

Lavanya smiled back, her heart aching for the little girl. "That sounds fun. Do you mind if I join you for a little while?"

Muskaan nodded enthusiastically, and Lavanya settled in, picking up one of the dolls. "Muskaan, can I ask you something?"

"Sure," Muskaan replied, her attention still on her dolls.

"Can you tell me about your mom? What is she like?" Lavanya asked, trying to keep her tone light and curious.

Muskaan's face lit up. "She's the best! She's always with me, talking to me and playing with me. She sits right there," she said, pointing to a rocking chair by the window.

Lavanya followed Muskaan's gaze, feeling a chill run down her spine. The chair was gently rocking back and forth, seemingly on its own. Trying to keep her composure, Lavanya asked, "What does she say to you, Muskaan?"

"She tells me stories and sings to me. Sometimes she helps me with my homework," Muskaan replied, her eyes filled with innocent delight.

Lavanya's clinical curiosity was piqued, but there was also a growing sense of unease. "Does she sit in that chair often?"

"Yes, she likes that chair. She says it's very comfortable," Muskaan said matter-of-factly.

Lavanya's eyes were fixed on the chair, which continued to rock gently. She felt her heartbeat quicken, and a bead of sweat trickled down her temple. "Muskaan, can you see her right now?"

Muskaan nodded. "Yes, she's sitting there now. Can't you see her, too?"

Lavanya swallowed hard, trying to maintain her professional demeanor. "No, Muskaan, I can't see her. But if you say she's there, then she must be."

Just then, the chair's movement became more pronounced, as if someone had given it a push. Lavanya's growing terror got the better of her. She stood up abruptly, her voice trembling. "Payal! Payal, come here, please!"

Payal rushed into the living room, alarmed by Lavanya's frantic tone. "Dr. Lavanya? When did you came? What's wrong?"

Lavanya pointed to the rocking chair, her face pale. "The chair... it's moving on its own..."

Payal glanced at the chair and then at the open window. She moved quickly to close it, the wind dying down almost immediately. "It's a rocking chair, Dr. Lavanya. It moves with the wind."

Lavanya exhaled shakily, feeling a mixture of relief and lingering fear. "I see. I didn't realize the window was open."

Payal noticed her demeanor "you seem terrified?"

Lavanya gulped before saying "Muskaan says her mother is sitting there"

Payal was visibly shocked, she then went ahead to give Muskaan a comforting hug and then turned to Lavanya. "I understand this must be very unsettling. And i have already told you, how i also felt the same.. Muskaan has a vivid imagination, and sometimes it's hard to differentiate between her fantasies and reality."

Lavanya nodded, her mind racing with the implications. "Exactly, Payal. I need to discuss Muskaan's condition with you in detail. But first, let's make sure she's comfortable."

As Muskaan returned to her dolls, Lavanya and Payal exchanged a look of shared concern. The encounter had raised more questions than answers, and Lavanya was more determined than ever to uncover the truth behind Muskaan's experiences.

_______________________

Dr. Lavanya and Payal sat down in the Raizada mansion's study, the weight of the recent events hanging heavily in the air. Lavanya was deep in thought, her mind trying to piece together the mystery of Muskaan's vivid recollections of her mother.

"Payal, I need to ask you something crucial," Lavanya began, her tone serious. "How does Muskaan know so much about her mother? From what I understand, Khushi passed away right after giving birth, and Arnav has been largely absent from her life. Who could be telling her these things?"

Payal looked puzzled, shaking her head slowly. "I have no idea, Dr. Lavanya. I've never spoken to Muskaan about Khushi, not in any detailed way. I was always afraid that if I told her too much, she would miss her mother even more. In fact, I'm just as shocked as you are to hear Muskaan talk about Khushi so vividly."

Lavanya leaned forward, her brow furrowed in concentration. "It doesn't make sense. Children don't just invent such detailed and consistent narratives without some kind of input. Someone or something must be providing her with this information."

Payal sighed, the strain evident in her eyes. "I know. It's baffling. She talks about Khushi like she's known her all her life, but that's impossible. Khushi... Khushi died just after Muskaan was born."

A silence settled between them, each lost in their thoughts. Lavanya's mind raced through the possibilities, trying to make sense of the situation. "Could it be possible that someone else in the family is talking to her about Khushi?"

Payal considered this. "I can't think of anyone who would do that. We all agreed to shield Muskaan from too much information about her mother for fear of confusing or hurting her"

Lavanya then thought of something and asked "what about her maternal relatives? Khushi's parents or someone from her family talking with Muskaan?"

Payal nodded her head as no and replied "That's not possible. Khushi broke her ties with her family, because hers and Arnavji's was a love marriage and her father was against it. So, Muskaan has never met her maternal relatives, she doesn't even know about their existence"

Lavanya pressed her head which started throbbing "Then, who other than you is closer to Muskaan? "

Payal couldn't think of anyone other than her and her mother-in-law who could have said anything about khushi to Muskaan "Maybe... maybe Maaji, her grandmother, might have said something? She was very close to Khushi."

Lavanya nodded, her decision made. "I think we need to talk to Mrs. Raizada. She might have some insights we're missing. But Payal, please understand that this is crucial for Muskaan's treatment. We need to get to the bottom of this to help her."

Payal agreed, her expression one of determined concern. "Of course, Dr. Lavanya. I just want what's best for Muskaan. If talking to Maaji can help us understand what's going on, then we should do it."

Lavanya stood up, signaling the end of their conversation. "Let's go find Mrs.Raizada and see what she has to say. The sooner we get answers, the sooner we can help Muskaan."

Together, they made their way through the mansion, their steps echoing in the quiet hallways. The mystery of Muskaan's knowledge about her mother was just another piece of the complex puzzle they needed to solve. As they approached Sunaina's room, Lavanya couldn't shake the feeling that they were about to uncover something significant, something that could change the course of Muskaan's life and treatment.

When they reached Sunaina's room, they found her sitting by the window, knitting. She looked up and smiled warmly as they entered. "Dr. Lavanya, what brings you here?"

Lavanya took a deep breath, ready to delve deeper into the family's secrets. "Mrs.Raizada, we need to talk to you about Muskaan and Khushi. We need to understand how Muskaan knows so much about her mother."

Sunaina's smile faded, replaced by a look of concern. "I see. Please, sit down. I'll tell you everything I know."

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Uzma.