"So that's when my daughter cried demanding the shoes and created ruckus at home" Shivaay's lips stretched with it, he was gladly enjoying the narration.

"Didn't your wife, punish her. Usually, mommy's tends to be strict" Shivaay asked with apprehension. He wasn't used to all, luxuries to mere a toddler. He never believed in spoiling kids. Kids must be like kids filled with innocence, not the other way around.

"Even I had to share her penalty. My daughter and I had to spend a day without food and a roof above" Shivaay was too amused with it. He was left with wide eyes. Dr Anirudh's wife was something unique.

"Dr Anirudh, next case is waiting over. It's almost past 3. The session is more than perfect." As the nurse barged in Dr Anirudh turned to the wall clock and bit his tongue.

"I'm so sorry Shivaay. Work calls up" Dr Anirudh stood up and gestured Shivaay to the side bed in the room.

Shivaay trailed behind and made comfortable on the bed. Dr Anirudh walked to the table stand and picked up pieces of equipment. Shivaay simply relaxed staying for him.

"Breath in" he guided Shivaay to lie down and fixed up the sphygmomanometer to check his blood pressure. Shivaay just watched him cuff his arms and pump the rubber material.

"Ohh, Shivaay you need to maintain your blood pressure from now on. Shouldn't be stressing much. Got it?" Shivaay bobbed his head, with a tiny smile lingering on his wine red peeled, cracked lips. He felt peaceful with this therapy session.

He felt complacent as obeying his wife's words. He never believed that sharing words can support him to this extend. However, he still needs to open up ultimately he was half loosened up by it.

"Nitin please call Mrs Oberoi" Dr Anirudh picked up his notepad and started scribbling on it. Shivaay got up from the bed and just observed his writing style.

His index and thumb fingers had a soft yet intense grip on the ballpoint pen. He just scribbled with his running hands and then gave a final stroke before lifting his pen.

"Hello Mrs Oberoi" Dr Anirudh greeted Annika as she settled beside Shivaay and passed them a smile.

"Dr Anirudh when is the next session?" Annika enquired staring at the long prescription note laying on the table.

"Every 15 days once" he picked the calendar from the table and then evaluating it he spoke "31 of this month"

"Shivaay you still need to open up with words. Start having light conversations with your wife. You lack in expressing" Dr Anirudh spoke smiling at Shivaay. While Shivaay frowned at his words, sensing this Annika gazed at him.

"Yeah Shivaay, you need to express more often." Shivaay scoffed at her.

"I do, talk. I mean after staying with you, I speak a lot" he twisted his mouth, Dr Anirudh chuckled at him.

"Remember I served you masala chai for months, and you didn't even resist. You could have informed me that you love coffee than tea" Annika said remembering the scene and looking sideways to hide her blush.

"That's because I didn't want you to feel awful. I couldn't disagree because I love everything you do. Even if you smile for no reason I like it" Annika's blood rushed to her cheeks with his words. His words had hit her heart, like an arrow aiming at the bullseye.

"Now this is expressing" Dr Anirudh cheered clapping his hands. "Two hours with me, I have rubbed on you" he laughed.

Shivaay self appreciated this. Then he glanced at Annika who by now was blushing, his heart fluttered at her mere sight. He never knew that his words held mysticism, that could make her happy. She was never happy with the rich world, her happiness lies within him. He understood.

"Great. Now about meds. Firstly avoid sleeping pills, though I have referred it. If taken also, it should be a very small quantity. Secondly, control your blood pressure and anxiety, it's relatively high. Thirdly, meds are not required if you are in a happy state and environment. So try more to be in the joyful mood" Shivaay nodded his head in recognising his words. Dr Anirudh passed him the prescription, Shivaay studied the notes seriously.

"I hope you understand my writing" Dr Anirudh scratched his nape at his bad writing.

"I do," Shivaay said.

"Shivaay's is of like calligraphy. He writes all in cursive style" Annika praised her husband's writing in a daze.

"That's nice. You need to include yourself in only relaxing works. As you said about your interest in writing, a walk with wife, cycling or trekking, or just spend your free time with your beloved" Dr Anirudh explained.

"You need to be packed up with other activities so that, you don't again reach to those memories" Shivaay felt it was high time to do things for him. The doctor was helping him out, and he should fully open up to face the reality.

"Don't forget you can ring me anytime. I will always be there for you. And lastly don't miss the next session" Shivaay stood up thanking him and was about to move when he stopped them.

"Shivaay why don't visit the nutritionist, she has prepared you a diet chart. Till then I will have some talks with Mrs Oberoi" Shivaay knew what it mean, the doctor wanted to personally talk to the guardian about him. So he just moved out to the next cabin.

"Is all fine doctor?" Annika anxiously asks him.

"He still needs to loosen up more. Social isolation is one of the common behavioural changes in PTSD. But thankfully he is trying to make it up to the mark."

"Can't this be healed? What I mean is-" Annika was halted by Dr Anirudh.

"Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may last for months or years. It all depends on the person. When the memories are triggered the person experiences trauma accompanied by intense physical and emotional reactions." He paused at one point as Annika's breath hitched.

"Mrs Oberoi don't worry he is trying to get out of his. He will do it." His encouraging words soothed her heart. It gave all new hopes.

"Just engage him with different activities, importantly avoid caffeine. He will be fine. I guarantee you" He beamed as he clarified all her doubts.

Annika after thanking him she moved in search of Shivaay. She found him waiting at the reception area with his diet chart.

"What did she plan?" She raised her eyebrows as she fixed her strappy blouse.

"She asked me to get some weight gained. And no black coffee for next few days" Annika laughed as he pouted cutely.

She just stood admiring her husband, who was no less than a lifeless soul. His wounds were healing, but she couldn't stop herself from thinking of it.

"Ice Cream?" She asked him.

"It's cold outside Annika. You might catch a cold" Shivaay concernedly said looking at the bad weather.

"Shivaay we live once and die once. At least let us enjoy our life. Come let's have it. It will be too good in cold weather" Annika dragged him out. Shivaay shook his head and followed her. He must get used to her adventures, after all, she was his better half.

He was steps away from being crazy like her

*****

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Pranathi