Path of her Anguish

Chapter- 36

AUTHOR'S POV

Maya again grabbed the pleats of her saree, trying to fix it properly as it slipped from her hands. She looked at herself in the mirror and adjusted her blouse, surprised that it still fit her. Taking the saree off completely, she started draping it correctly again. It was becoming difficult since she had not worn one in a long time. She gripped the cloth tightly so it wouldn't slip from her hands again and began making the pleats.

Ekansh frowned, seeing the door to his room closed for so long. He turned the knob and knocked, finding it locked. "Maya, open the door."

Maya sighed at her state and draped the saree over her shoulder before opening the door for him.

Ekansh looked at her in a golden-colored saree wrapped messily around her. All the old memories struck him seeing her in a saree again, as if they had traveled all the way back in time.

She lowered her eyes, feeling his gaze on her, and went back inside the closet to continue her task. "Why aren't you ready yet?" he asked, sitting on the bed.

"Just 10 minutes," she said.

He sat silently on the bed, remembering the old days. He looked at her as she finally came out, draping the saree correctly and tying her hair with a clip.

 Her face looked dull, yet she still looked good. She smiled faintly at him, noticing him looking at her. He stood up and walked over to her, gazing at her through the mirror. His mind compared her old self to the one standing before him. The old Maya looked vibrant, with a smile and a shine in her eyes—a shine of happiness and love. But now, all that had faded away; only emptiness and dullness remained, even when she tried to put a smile on her lips.

"What happened?" she asked, noticing he was lost in thought.

Ekansh shook his head. "Nothing." He grabbed the dori of her blouse, which was hanging untied, and started tying it. Maya gazed at him and sighed, looking down. Maybe everything would become clear slowly, she thought, smiling and turning to him after he was done.

"Let's go," he said, taking his phone and wallet.

She nodded, following him.

________________

After talking with the doctor, Maya felt a little light-headed. She smiled at Maya and got up. "Come, let's call your husband."

Maya nodded, getting up and going with her to the cabin. She sat down, and the nurse called Ekansh inside. He sat down, looking at Maya, who seemed calm, though the disturbed look on her face remained.

 "Nothing to worry about, Mr. Rajvanshi. She is doing very well. She will be fine after one or two sessions. Nothing serious,"

 the doctor said, giving a positive nod toward Maya, who sighed and smiled back at her. Ekansh looked at the doctor, feeling relaxed as she spoke and wrote out the prescription.

"I have written down a few tablets; make sure she takes them," she said.

Ekansh nodded. The doctor turned to Maya. "Take a little walk in the garden. I will update your husband about the session and send him."

Maya's smile fell as she heard her. "We are not hiding anything; don't worry," she assured her.

Maya nodded, getting up and going outside. She sat on a chair, knowing very well that something was wrong. She gulped, looking around, reading the quotes hung on the wall and watching the people passing by.

Maya got up, walking to the garden, and sat on a bench to get some fresh air. She saw a child playing at a nearby bench and smiled, getting up to go there. She sat down on the bench, smiling at the little boy. She surprisingly recognized the child, as he was the same one she had met before in the store. She held his little hand, talking to him. He retreated his hand at first but came closer after seeing her smiling face. Maya chuckled, picking him up in her lap and playing with him.