Shadow of redemption

Medical seminar

Hello everyone welcome to new chapter ☺️☺️☺️

Aaravi’s heart warmed. Even if he never said it outright, she could feel the change in him. His walls, though still high, had cracks now—cracks she was slowly but surely widening. She had become someone he allowed into his guarded world, and it was an honor she didn’t take lightly.

They talked late into the night, about mundane things, about life at the hospital, and even a little about Rakshit’s businesses—though he always kept the dangerous details hidden. But the fact that he talked to her at all, that he trusted her enough to share his thoughts, was something.

  Aaravi:   "You know, you’ve changed."

Rakshit frowned at his phone, unsettled by her words.

  Rakshit:   "I haven’t."

  Aaravi:   "You have. You’re still... you. But you let me in. You care. You might not admit it, but I see it in the way you ask about my day, or the way you worry about me eating."

Rakshit stared at her message for a long time before replying:

  Rakshit:   "Maybe you’re the one changing me."

Aaravi’s heart fluttered at that. She knew he wouldn’t say it again, wouldn’t openly admit that she was becoming important to him. But she didn’t need him to. She could feel it in every conversation, every word exchanged between them.

  Aaravi:   "I’ll take that as a compliment."

Rakshit smirked at her reply, shaking his head as he sent one final message for the night:

  Rakshit:   "Don’t let it go to your head."

Aaravi chuckled softly before sending her last message:

  Aaravi:   "Goodnight, Rakshit. Try to get some sleep, okay?"

And for the first time in years, Rakshit found himself genuinely looking forward to tomorrow night, to another conversation with the woman who had unknowingly started changing his world, one word at a time.

“Ajeeb sa ehsaas hai, 
Jo kabhi tha hi nahi, ab woh hai paas hai. 
Na jaane yeh rishta kya hai, 
Par tere saath, sab kuch theek lagta hai.”

The next morning, Aaravi woke up to the sound of her phone buzzing incessantly. Groggily reaching for it, she saw that it was Dr. Mehta, a senior neurologist and her respected colleague.

"Dr. Mehta, good morning!" Aaravi greeted cheerfully, brushing the sleep from her eyes.

"Good morning, Aaravi. I hope I didn’t wake you up," Dr. Mehta’s deep voice boomed on the other side of the call.

"No, not at all! How are you?" Aaravi replied, sitting up straight.

"I’m doing well, thank you. I have some exciting news for you," he said, a hint of enthusiasm in his tone. "The Indian Medical Research Forum is organizing a prestigious seminar in Mumbai next week. It's focused on how advancements in technology can revolutionize the field of neurology and psychology."

Aaravi’s eyes widened as she listened closely, her mind already buzzing with anticipation.

"The seminar will bring together experts from all over the world," Dr. Mehta continued. "They’ll be discussing innovations like neural implants, AI-assisted diagnosis, and new neuroimaging techniques for treating mental health disorders. There will also be a special focus on how AI and machine learning can help detect early signs of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurodegenerative diseases."

Aaravi’s heart raced. "That sounds incredible!" she exclaimed, excitement brimming in her voice. "I’ve been reading about the latest research on brain-computer interfaces and neurostimulation therapy. It could be a game-changer for patients with paralysis or neurological damage. I’d love to learn more about that."

"Exactly," Dr. Mehta agreed. "There’s also going to be a session on how virtual reality is being used for cognitive rehabilitation and treating PTSD. It’s fascinating how technology is shaping the future of healthcare."

Aaravi’s mind was already spinning with ideas. The seminar wasn’t just a chance to learn—it was an opportunity to share her own experiences and expand her knowledge to treat her patients even more effectively. She had always been deeply passionate about integrating technology into her practice, especially for her neurological patients. The thought of being able to discuss cutting-edge techniques and tools with the world's leading experts filled her with both excitement and purpose.

"I absolutely need to be there," Aaravi said decisively. "I’ve been working on a few case studies of my own related to neurofeedback therapy. I think this seminar would be the perfect platform to refine those approaches and perhaps even collaborate on future research."

Dr. Mehta chuckled. "I thought you’d say that. I’ve already put your name down for a speaking slot. The forum is eager to hear about the work you’ve been doing with neurofeedback and trauma recovery."

Aaravi’s heart soared. This wasn’t just an opportunity to learn—it was a chance to contribute to the global medical community. "I can’t thank you enough, Dr. Mehta! I’ve been trying to push the boundaries on how technology can aid in the psychological treatment of trauma victims. This is the perfect platform to share what I’ve learned."

"The pleasure is mine, Aaravi. I know your insights will bring great value to the discussions. Just make sure you have your research ready," Dr. Mehta said warmly.

Aaravi nodded, already planning the finer details in her mind. "I’ll be prepared. I want to focus on how neuroplasticity can be leveraged through AI-assisted therapies, especially for trauma victims and patients with cognitive decline."

"That would be wonderful. See you in Mumbai!" Dr. Mehta said, before hanging up.

As soon as the call ended, Aaravi’s thoughts turned to her patients.  This seminar isn’t just about me , she thought.  It’s about what I can bring back for them.  Her mind raced through the various ways technology could improve her patients’ lives, from the children in the NGO who needed psychological support to her neurological patients recovering from surgeries or trauma.

She felt a rush of energy as she imagined how techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) could improve the mental health of her PTSD patients. Or how brain-machine interfaces could help her neuro-damaged patients regain control over their limbs. Aaravi couldn’t wait to share this knowledge with her team at Hope Hospital and implement it in her treatments.

"Okay, Mumbai… here I come!" she said with determination as she grabbed her notebook to jot down ideas.

Her excitement wasn’t just professional—it was personal. She knew that the more knowledge she gained, the better she could treat her patients, including Dev, the little boy she’d recently taken under her wing at the NGO. She wanted to help him overcome his trauma in the most advanced, effective way possible. And this seminar was going to give her the tools to do just that.

Her thoughts also briefly wandered to Rakshit, and she wondered how he’d react when she told him she’d be in Mumbai for a few days. She smiled at the thought of seeing his face when he learned she’d be in his city.

As she closed her notebook, her heart brimmed with excitement and anticipation. Mumbai was waiting, and so was a world of knowledge that could transform her practice—and the lives of her patients.

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All medical terms used in this chapter are based on research from Google so if mentioned something wrong plz correct me in comment section.

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