Iss Quadar pyaar hai

11. The Patient's Deception

The next morning all except Rhea's Mom gathered around the dining table, the atmosphere was one of quiet intensity. Rhea sat across from her father, Devraj, and Jahan, with Soham beside her. The conversation had shifted to Kabir's psychiatrist, Krishna Khanna.

"So," Soham began, his voice steady but tinged with urgency, "I had the chance to meet Dr. Krishna Khanna recently. He's an exceptional psychiatrist, highly recommended for his work with complex cases."

Rhea raised an eyebrow she remebered that encounter with Krishna and his tempting eyes, her interest piqued. "And?"

Soham leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "He's been treating Kabir for a while now. From what I gathered, Krishna is remarkably perceptive. It got me thinking—if we could get close to him, we might learn something valuable about Kabir."

Jahan's eyes narrowed, a thoughtful expression on his face. "You're suggesting we use Rhea as a way to gather information?"

Rhea's gaze was sharp, assessing Soham. "Are you proposing that I become his patient?"

Soham nodded. "Precisely. If you can gain his trust, you might be able to get insights into Kabir's state of mind, his weaknesses. It could give us an edge."

Devraj, who had been silent, finally spoke up. "Rhea, you're our best asset in this. Your ability to blend in and gather information discreetly could be our key to understanding Kabir's next move."

Rhea considered the plan, her mind already working through the implications. "Alright. I'll do it. But I need to be careful not to reveal too much about our intentions."

Jahan gave a nod of approval. "Good. We'll need to coordinate closely. If Krishna suspects anything, it could backfire."

With a decisive nod, Rhea stood up. "I'll set up a meeting with Krishna and start preparing for this. Let's make sure we handle this strategically."

As she walked away, a sense of resolve settled over the group. The plan was in motion, and Rhea was prepared to play her part.

Krishna's Clinic:

Krishna in his clinic, a well-appointed, calming space with large windows letting in the soft morning light. His desk is meticulously organized, reflecting his orderly and composed nature. Despite the serene surroundings, there's a hint of tension in Krishna's demeanor, suggesting he's carrying the weight of something much deeper.

Krishna is seated across from a young woman named Priya, who is visibly distressed. She's nervously twisting a handkerchief in her hands, eyes darting around the room.

Priya: "I... I can't sleep, Dr. Khanna. Every night, it's the same nightmare. I feel like I'm losing my mind."

Krishna: (softly, reassuringly) "Priya, it's okay. You're safe here. Tell me about the dream. Sometimes speaking it out loud can lessen its hold on us."

Krishna listens intently as Priya describes a recurring nightmare about losing control. His calm, empathetic presence immediately puts her at ease. He asks probing but gentle questions, guiding her through her fears with the expertise of someone who's seen many troubled souls.

 While listening to Priya, Krishna can't help but draw parallels to his own life. His thoughts drift momentarily to Kabir and the complexity of treating someone with such deep-seated trauma and multiple personalities.

Krishna's Thoughts: "If only it were as simple as guiding them through their pain. Sometimes, the past doesn't just haunt—it consumes. Just like Kabir..."