The Innocent Angel Vs The Ruthless Devil

CHAPTER - 23

One Week Later

Vijay's POV

It's been a week, and Riya hasn't spoken much. This made us all worried because after the moment with Meenu and Aryan, we felt she was getting better. But that hope shattered when she came back after going with the hospital chief for some psychological tests. Since then, she had become even more silent and distant from us, which made us all anxious.

As we prepared to take Riya home, I could see the relief and determination in everyone's eyes. We knew that bringing her back to a familiar and loving environment would be a significant step in her recovery.

We carefully helped Riya into the car, making sure she was comfortable for the journey home. Paa sat beside her, holding her hand gently, while Mauli and Nandhini made sure she was covered with a soft blanket.

The drive home was quiet, each of us lost in our thoughts about what lay ahead. When we arrived, we helped Riya into the house and settled her into her room. The familiar surroundings seemed to bring a slight sense of calm to her, and I could see a faint flicker of recognition in her eyes.

As we gathered around her, Paa spoke softly, "Riya, you're home now. We're all here for you."

Meenu, Aryan, Mauli, and Nandhini took turns sitting with her, offering gentle words of comfort and support. We made sure she knew she was safe and loved.

Later that evening, I took out the card the nurse had given us and made the call to the psychiatrist. After explaining the situation, we were able to schedule an appointment for the following day.

As we ended the call, I felt a sense of hope. We were taking the right steps to help Riya heal, and we would face whatever challenges came our way together. The journey ahead would be tough, but with the love and support of our family, we would help Riya find her way back to us.

We took Riya to the psychologist the next day. The appointment was in the morning, so we made sure to start early, giving Riya enough time to get ready without feeling rushed. She seemed a bit more alert today, but her eyes still held a distant, haunted look.

Dr. Shivas, the psychologist, was a kind-looking man in his late forties with a calm and reassuring presence. He welcomed us into his office, which was filled with soothing colors and comfortable furniture. He offered us all seats and then focused his attention on Riya.

"Hello, Riya," he said gently. "I'm Dr. Shivas. You don't have to worry about anything here. We're just going to talk a little bit, and if you don't feel like talking, that's okay too."

Riya glanced at him briefly and then looked away. Dr. Shivas smiled softly and turned to us. "I understand this is a challenging time for all of you. For now, I'd like to spend some one-on-one time with Riya, if that's alright."

We all nodded in agreement. Paa squeezed Riya's hand gently before standing up. "We'll be right outside, beta," he assured her.

As we left the room, I felt a mixture of hope and anxiety. We settled in the waiting area, trying to distract ourselves with magazines and small talk. Time seemed to stretch endlessly, each minute feeling like an hour.

After what felt like an eternity, Dr. Shivas emerged from his office and invited us back in. Riya looked calmer, though still distant.

Dr. Shivas spoke to us in a reassuring tone. "Riya is still processing a lot of emotions and trauma. It will take time for her to open up and heal, but this first step is crucial. I'll be seeing her regularly to help her work through her feelings and experiences."