Unwanted [COMPLETED]

Chapter 17

Nandini

"Are you sure you are fine, Nandini? We can call Dr. Mehta again if you are not feeling well," Mom says to me, and Dad nods, agreeing with her.

"I'm fine, Mom. And Dr. Mehta came just two hours back. She told me I no longer had a fever. So, there is nothing to worry about," I reply, careful not to reveal what the doctor told me about seeing a psychiatrist.

According to her, my fever yesterday was due to mental stress.

"Our body and mind are interconnected. When something bothers our mind, it manifests in our body, sometimes as a headache or fever. I think that's the case with you too, which is why I want to advise you to have a psychiatric consultation," she had said.

I had nodded absentmindedly at her advice because I had no intention of visiting a psychiatrist.

It isn't because I think the doctor is wrong. But because I'm not ready for it. I know I need therapy, but having therapy means facing my inner demons, and I know for sure I'm not ready to do it yet.

Although it makes me a coward, I feel keeping my nightmarish memories and experiences at the back of my mind will be easier than facing them. Because if I open that box once, there will be no turning back. I'll have to go through that pain, that hurt again. And I'll have no one by my side to take support from.

Support is another luxury many people are given so freely that they often take it for granted. If only they knew how much people who don't have it crave it.

The thought makes my heart clench painfully, but I jolt out of it when I hear Vikrant speak.

"Are you sure Dr. Mehta didn't say anything else?"

Hearing his question, I narrow my eyes at him.

I had requested Dr. Mehta not to tell anyone in the family about my need for the psychiatric consultation, and she had agreed.

Did she tell Vikrant about it?

I want to tell him to mind his own business and not to interfere in mine, but Mom and Dad are also in the room, and I can't possibly tell him that in front of them.

Why does he care anyways? After all, he had told me not to bother him with my sob story anymore.

"Will you only keep staring at me instead of answering my question?" Vikrant asks me when I remain silent for a while.

I'm not surprised by his rude tone because I'm used to it. But Mom gasps, looking disapprovingly at him.

"Is that the way to talk with your wife, Vikrant?" She asks him.

I bite my bottom lip, controlling myself from chuckling.

This is nothing, Mom. If only you knew how your son talks with me when we are alone.

"I'm just concerned for her. That's why I asked her. I didn't mean to sound rude," Vikrant tells his mother, and I'm surprised at how convincing he sounds.

If I didn't know any better, I would have thought he was concerned for me.

But I do know better. I know he doesn't give two hoots about me, let alone be worried about me.

"No, Vikrant, Dr. Mehta didn't say anything else. She only told me to take a rest for a few hours today. She also said I'll be able to return to normal work and physical activities starting tomorrow." I lie and frown when I notice a look on his face that tells me he is not convinced by my reply.

*****

Vikrant

"You have two weeks, Manish. I want you to use all your means. I'll pay you double the amount than usual. But I want you to find out everything about Nandini's brother, including his death. Do you understand?"