Metanoia | ✔

*Chapter 19*

[Jiya's POV]

I found myself stuck in a small and dark room again. I faced a situation like this quite long ago, I remember.

Things are repeating, the same sweat covering my body, the same tears rolling down my cheeks out of the same fear, the same darkness. I'm turning cold gradually, time to die?

Suddenly I felt something tying my hands-legs and squeezing my chest. It was something like climbers and creepy plants. I tried my best to scream but my vocal cord just lost all its strength at the moment. Making it difficult for me to even breathe and bleed through my bare feet, it felt like I was going to kick the basket anytime soon.

[POV Ends]

Jiya woke up with a jerk shaking like an earthquake occurring inside. Her hands were cold as well as sweaty at the same time. She got up from the bed and ran towards her table, where she keeps her medicines hidden.

Taking the bottle of pain killers, she swallowed two tablets at once and let it feel relaxed. But she trembled again when mistakenly the glass full of water got dropped making noise.

"Jiya? Wha- what's wrong? What are you doing this late at night?"

Megha came to her turning the lights on. She was sleeping in the same room, same bed. Her exams are going on in this city so she is living with this family for a few days as a relative, as Jiya's friend or as Sahil's fianceé.

She held the hands of Jiya first and her eyes widened, it feels like she just came from a work out or something. He blood pressure is of course not in balance.

"Your- you're not okay! Let me call everyone!" Megha excitedly says but the other holds her wrist tightly trying to explain through her frightened eyes.

"Don't.. please.." Jiya hardly uttered.

"But why!?"

She (J) made her sit down on the bed. After inhaling deeply for a moment, she calmed herself down.

"Don't worry Megha, I'm alright. It was just a glimpse of what I've been facing since months. But, after a long time, I had this nightmare."

"This dangerous? And your family has literally no idea about it?"

"Hmm. Sometimes it's difficult to understand whether I'm in a dream or reality. Life is not for me anymore" Jiya said sighing.

She was immediately hugged and hidden in Megha's embrace while feeling it all with closed eyes. Megha was absolutely a great support for her whom she could share anything frankly with.

***

(In the hospital)

Paras just returned from his home having lunch. He stood near the reception to collect some documents.

"Good afternoon! Excuse me, I kept a few files here, red in colour?" He tried to explain making gestures.

"Good afternoon sir, yeah here it is." The receptionist lady forwarded the items. "Sir, one of your patients has come saying she had appointment ready with you at this time and now waiting in your cabin."

"Is it? Okay thank you."

He walked to his room and pushing the door, found a lady sitting in front of his desk.

"Hello. How are you doing Jiya?"

"Good afternoon sir. Yeah quite well, how are you?"

"Just passing days in hospital as always. Well, you're quite early today, skipped college?" Paras asked while hanging his blazer on the chair handle and taking seat.

"You already know I did." She replied making him giggle.

"So, how's your health? Better? Any improvement?" He inquired.

"I had a nightmare last night. It was again with that dark locked room and climbers wrapping me. I thought I would die right there."

"Your nightmares case is quite different. As we've been in treatment, right?"

"And the worst is, I can't forget the dreams."

They discussed about various factors for around 30 minutes. After Jiya took leave, Paras started thinking something serious which led to some different platform of her case.

***

Leap

It's been almost 2 months. Jiya has got someone to support her staying beside all the time, Megha. Now as her sister-in-law. She is the only one who knows about her life in her family.

For being able to share mind talks, Jiya is not much better than before. Her health and mental condition has improved a lot.

The greatest supporter was Dr. Paras, who never left her side and tried to understand her situation. It's his exact job, that is true but Jiya was treated differently by him, he considered her in mostly in an informal way. Taking care is a big responsibility, that Paras took without an hesitation.

(A random day in hospital)

*knocks the door*

"Come in please."

Jiya came inside pushing the cabin door, with a wide smile on her face. She looked drop-dead gorgeous like the way she is, Paras wondered with a smile back.

This time, she has some stuffs with her.

"Dr. Paras! I'm here with some things for you."

"Huh? What is it?" He confusingly smiled.

Jiya got a wrapped box out of her bag and held it forwarding towards me until I took it. "A small gift, sir. Please accept it!"

"Wow, what's inside girl?"

"It's for you to open, I don't know?" She smiled innocently.

"Should I open it now?"

"No please! Just one request sir, you'll open this box the day you get a notebook or diary or letter from me. Please?"

"What? Diary? Will you give me your diary?"

"Maybe, please wait for that day.. can you please do this much for me? Please?" She pleaded like a child and Paras could not deny.

"Well, alright. I'll be waiting."

She laughed cheerfully and then started talking,

"I had something to share with you too. We're leaving this city next month sir."

The smile on Paras' face disappeared, as if he heard something wrong.

"Wait, say that again? You're leaving this city? Why isn't, isn't the building where you live now your family investment?"

"Yeah but as my brother is shifting in Mumbai for his job, we're going with him. I wish I could stay back but.." she replied looking down.

"It's alright, you will have a better life in Mumbai right? Just go for it!"

"I would like to thank you for everything, every support Dr. Paras. You did so much for me, even if I die I would say you are always the best chapter of my life."

"You're like the source of inspiration for many. You know what Jiya, I learnt much from you. And the first thing was, how to fight against the problems alone. Your family still doesn't know that I treated you, do they?"

She nodded. "No, they never have to. My mom doesn't care, dad doesn't need. That's it." She didn't forget to even wear the precious smile trying not to shed tears.

The environment got a bit awkward. To bring it back to normal, Paras opened his lips. "Mind having a cup of coffee miss?"

"Sure sir." Replied Jiya smiling.

_____________________________________

Last chapter ahead~
(Not revised, pardon my mistakes please.)