𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑹𝒊𝒅𝒆

PART-37

Rudraksh sat stiffly on the couch, glaring at the muted green walls, occasionally shifting his glare to the doctor. His jaw was clenched, fists balled up in a visible effort to control his emotions. Even the soft cushions seemed to irritate him, and his entire demeanor screamed discomfort and annoyance.

The cabin was a serene retreat, its walls lined with a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf filled with volumes on psychology, philosophy, and spirituality. A few lush green plants, placed carefully in ceramic pots, added a touch of nature to the space, their leaves gently swaying in the breeze.

The window, framed by flowing white curtains, looked out onto a tranquil garden where vibrant flowers bloomed amidst birdsong and the soft murmur of a babbling stream.

A beautifully crafted Lord Buddha statue sat on a small wooden table, its serene face radiating a sense of calm. The decor was minimalist yet elegant, with a few thoughtfully chosen artworks and a soft, plush rug adding warmth to the room.

Dr. Tanvi Bajaj sat calmly in her chair, eyes fixed on her visitor with a gentle, non-judgmental gaze. Her hands rested in her lap, posture relaxed yet attentive, as she waited for him to begin.

"Do you usually glare at people like this?" she asked in a gentle yet probing tone.

"Only when people force me to do things," he replied dryly, his eyes boring daggers into the doctor's soul.

Tanvi nodded. A polite smile played on her lips as she lazily caressed the pen lying on the tabletop. "So, I assume you're here... unwillingly?"

His expression remained stoic. "Drop the formality, Doc. And tell me—what are you going to do with me?"

The doctor's gaze met his, her eyes holding a calm intensity. Her fingers, which had been tracing the pen, stilled and folded gently in her lap. "What do you want me to do with you?"

"Do you want an honest answer?"

The doctor nodded with closed eyes.

Rudraksh's pressed lips curled up. He rested his good hand on the armrest and leaned forward. "Cut the crap of making people cry in the name of fixing their minds," he spat. "Our minds are not some puzzle your community tries to solve as a time-pass hobby."

Her gaze followed his every movement – the tremble of his fingers gripping the couch, the way his face tightened like he was holding back something painful, and the rise and fall of his chest as though he'd been suffocating in a confined space for too long.

She rose from her seat, her cotton saree rustling softly as she walked to the window. The sunlight streaming in highlighted the delicate patterns on the fabric. She gently caressed the leaf of a potted plant, drawing soothing circles with her fingertips.

"Who told you that I'm here to fix your mind?" She turned to face him with a warm smile. "You have full control over your life, Rudraksh. I'm here... just to help," she paused, reading his expression, "that too, only if you wa—"

"I don't need your help," he snapped before she could finish. "Im perfectly fine. I don't need anyone's help." His face stayed composed, his voice flat and emotionless.

A faint smile returned to the doctor's lips as she nodded slowly, her hands folding behind her back.

Rudraksh's eyes tracked her movements, lingering on her calm expression. "Do you therapists always smile like this?" he asked, making her blink. "It's so creepy." He finished the sentence nonchalantly.

Tanvi opened her mouth to respond, then closed it again, her lips pressing into a thin line.

"Whatever." Rudraksh shrugged. "How long will this thing last before I'm declared healed?"