Hues And Blues

Chapter 4

(unedited)

"So, How long have you been jogging? You look too pale. Eyes sunken, Lips blistered, Skin diminished; God, I can even count your bones! Have you followed the diet plan I have given you on your last visit?" Questioned Caroline, highly disappointment, analyzing her regular patient.

Cream walled highly spacious room, a fancy glass laid wooden table, A plushy cushioned office chair and two cushioned chairs on its opposite side. The walls had posters of awareness of hygiene, health, importance of balanced diet and other colorful pamphlets neatly pinned on the dark green colored notice board. On the farther end of the table, had a grey name plate, DR. CAROLINE REYNOLDS painted in large gold letters.

" I have been jogging for a week, I guess. I had a stressful week with the reopening of college, Online classes and my thesis. Err.. About the diet plan, I have been foll- "

" Oh Doctor, Diet plan? You mean the laminated printed card that has been residing on her refrigerator door, highly ignored and deprived of any minuscule of attention from its owner? " interrupted Alexa.

Pin drop silence.

"Measuring your weight, You are just a 54 kg. An underweight for a 24 year old female. I wouldn't say you haven't improved; You were 50 kg when you first visited me, i.e., six months back. You are too weak physically. Have you at least tried following the diet plan for a single meal? At least a breakfast perhaps? A boiled egg, 2 slices of toast, raw lettuce, red bean curry and a glass of milk? " Caroline asked with a scrutinizing gaze, A wave of displeasure visibly seen on her long face.

"Lettuces? Red beans? Eggs? Her grocery list consists of dozens instant noodles, coffee powder and frozen pizzas. She had forgotten that there is meal called breakfast" Answered Alexa on Alina's behalf, half jokingly in a highly serious tone.

"Way to sell your best friend, Lexa " whined Alina, She can clearly see why Alexa was adamant on accompanying her to the nutritionist.

"I was merely recounting the truth, lina. And the doc bought it, honey. I always insist you to at least follow your diet plan." Alexa replied worriedly.

Buy you

They bought you

Noo-

Please, I am sorry.

Leave me...

Ammaaa

Help! I-I c-ca-can't -

"NOOOO! I promise I won't let you down"..Screamed Alina, Sweat trickling through her body. Face so pale and white. Her heart beating too fast. Breathe.. Her breaths irregular. Tears endlessly streaming down her face.

"I am sorry.. I am so sorry.." She hiccupped

"Alexa, OUT NOW" Ordered Caroline, rushing to Alina's side

B-but linny! She - She looks lifeless. I won't leave her. Not now. Never ever. Its one of her episodes. I know she will fight back." Alexa countered back, rubbing her palms and placing it on Alina's cheek, who keeps on muttering something.

"Lexi, Trust me on this. Please." Pleaded Caroline, taking Alina's lifeless hands and lightly massaging her nerves.

Alexa reluctantly left the room. Does she trusts linny? YES. Does she trust linny to leave her with her Lina in this state? NO. But something in Linny's eyes convinced and promised her.

Placing Alina in her lap, Caroline muttered soothing nothings into her ears, calming the pale-stricken woman. Pushing a pill into her mouth, helping the lady to remain awake and her lips muttering words of hope while her heart prayed to Lord to ease the lady's pain.

After an excruciating eleven long minutes, Caroline felt her breathing become normal, her pulse becoming stable. Her eyes bloodshot and tired, her hands becoming warmer.

"Thank you, Jesus! Thank you! Thank You, Alina; you truly are a fighter woman" exclaimed Caroline with glistening eyes.

"Lexa?" asked Alina in a whisper.

Helping Alina lay on the bed nearby, informing about Alexa to her, and texted Alexa about the stable state of Alina.

"How many times for the past month alone?" questioned Caroline sitting on the edge of the bed,

"4- 5 times. Three times when I was alone and once with lexa while shopping in the mall. Luckily, She had the pill at that time and it was fine then" Alina casually said.

"Petril Beta, For panic attacks. I gave those to Lexa. For emergency . when will you start taking care of your physical and mental health,lina ? You are having episodes of these , that too frequently. We are there for you, you know that right? It was the word 'bought' that triggered the attack, am I right?" Caroline asked softly.

"Will she ever forgive me, linny?" whispered Alina guiltily, confirming Caroline's suspicion

Caroline Reynolds, The famous nutritionist who had a doctorate in nutrition and is highly experienced psychologist. She is 30 and in a very close circle of Alexa. Alina, first declined the offer and if it wasn't for Alexa's threatenings, she wouldn't have shown up at this clinic six months ago.

It turned out to be one of the best decisions she had taken in her life. She began to trust the 'stranger' so easily, she found herself recounting her painful past on her third visit itself. She began to trust Linny with the fragments of her life, that she had concealed from Alexa itself. Was it the odd comfort that the psychologists create? or was it their way of communicating that lure you into retelling your life ? Or was it a comfort zone she had with Linny? Alina couldn't pinpoint a specific reason, for she still finds it puzzling. But venting out did feel good, after all.

"What has been your coping mechanism for the past month, Lina? I don't want your sky, moon and stars as your answers. Nature does heal, but as far I can guess, the nature keeps reminding you of your trauma and you end up with tearing eyes.They make you feel lonely, guilty and miserable, Being a selenophile myself, I do find solace in gazing the moon but unlike my state, Her glowing aura reminds you of your dark life, her phases just reminds you of every blows and lows you have endured all alone, Her scarred body just reminds you of your own self. You don't see the moon as your escape from reality rather you see the moon as your reflection - lonely, excruciating, tragic, hopeless, pale Alina. Your solace should make you feel safe, warm, cheerful, caring and feel affectionate. Like your home. Your solace is your home, Alina. If you keep chasing life, You would miss all the little moments of joy and happiness. It doesn't matter if you hadn't completed your schedule of the day, If you had found little moments of joy and had truly smiled from your heart, you have completed the essence of the day, sweetheart . Life, at times might be ruthless but you have the power to make it bow down at your feet, love" concluded Caroline gently caressing Alina's hair

"Do you think I need a vacation, linny? " was all Alina asked

"The point isn't what I think, da ma. It is all about what your heart aches and soul yearns for. Keep watering the grasses, quenching the thirst of your heart and satiate your soul." Enlightened Caroline smiling inwardly at the innocent girl's bombarding questions.

"Alexa?" Alina asked for her friend, like a child asking for chocolates after patiently listening to her mother.

"Sure, let's call her in. She has been dying to see you, kutty ma. My mobile will hang if she sends another message. It's already 243 messages." Laughed Caroline checking her Apple mobile.

"And She would definitely forgive you, sweetheart." added Caroline in response to her former question.

"ALINA THOMAS, PROMISE ME YOU WONT SCARE ME LIKE THAT AGAIN" came a voice fiercely opening the door.

Alina extended her arms from her bed, into which Alexa rushed and the girls embraced each other and wept loudly. Each pouring their outburst of emotions for a different reason.

Alas, it doesn't matter for the common factor for the emotional outburst is Love.

A/N:

So how is my Caroline?
An early update as promised.
Keep smiling , doing more of what you love and please stay safe and take care!

With an immense of love and special tight hugs to my best friend,
I love you Neraya Neraya Naaf🤍😍