But that's how Love is.

The Bargaining (Depression)

Amelia and Viren were all set to start the discussion that with a pen and a few sheets of paper to note down certain points permanently.

Amelia began conveying to Viren about her progress in Anika's case. She added about everything she had seen on the camera footage regarding Anika's wierd behaviour. Viren was shocked beyond explanation.

"What is happening to Anika? She is getting worse each day. I swear, I cannot see her like this. And how is this even possible? How can she both smile and cry in pain at the same time? It is impossible for a thought at night to be both a dream and a nightmare in itself. Oh my god!! What have you done to my poor little girl" said Viren.

Viren started weeping and couldn't continue what he wanted to say, but what Amelia guessed till now was that Viren was a very good guy who loved, still loves Anika unconditionally. She analysed if a boy can love a girl during such hard times and support her going against all odds, then he must be truly in love.

"Viren, now listen very carefully to me. There is name for all the pain Anika is going through. I would explain everything in detail to you, but after that you must tell me about your past so we can heal Anika quickly and the two of you will be able to have a fresh start as soon as possible." said Amelia and started explaining about the depression Anika was facing, how it started and what could be expected for the future.

Amelia started -

See Viren, Depression is an illness, it is a state of total sadness. Everyone faces it in life, but the effect it has on you and your mind depends upon the intensity of the emotions you feel, or rather I say drag yourself into.

I've seen people, yeah only some of my patients who dont't have a very big problem actually, but they build walls inside of them so that nobody can enter and they are alone with the problem. It is possible that the same has happened with Anika may be and she has intensified some not-so-big problem inside her head because of her past beliefs and happenings.

Depression, in case of a mental trauma due to break-ups or divorce, has broadly 5 stages-

1. Denial

2. Anger

3. Bargaining

4. Depression

5. Acceptance

I honestly do not know from when Anika has been facing all this, but from the time I started to heal her I never found her denying her problems or the intense pain she was going through. She herself accepted her weak position and asked me for support. And yeah, as much as I've been with Anika I've never seen any negative emotions in her, including anger. I have never seen her blaming you or someone else for the problems she is facing now.

So as much as I know, Anika is not in either of the stages. (Anger or Denial)

After seeing the dream Anika went through, she displayed love or to be precise some positive emotions for you. The way she called your name and longed to be with you proves that she is head over heels in love with you. So may be she is in the Bargaining stage.

"Amelia, please don't tell me these may-be's. I want to be very sure before I do anything now. I don't even want to take a small risk in Anika's case now." demanded Viren, but politely.

"No Viren, Don't expect so much. Neither me nor any other Psychiatrist you meet will give you accuracy. All that we are talking about is the human mind with all of it's emoations and this is not very stable for us to reach to proper conclusions." stated Amelia

"This stage is full of wanting love and your lover back in your life." added Amelia and saw Viren's face light up.

"If this is the case, I will take full advantage of this situation to make Anika mine, once again." Viren said in a determined tone.

"But we need to do all this before Anika gets further depressed. Once she gets into the other two stages, the chances of her returning back to you will reduce immensely because those stages mean 'unlimited sorrow' and learning to accept life as it is."

"And Viren, be careful, once Anika accepts the sadness in her life, she won't make any effort to get back her past ie you, or even worse can deny all your efforts to claim her too. "

This was what Amelia had to say.

"Viren wants some time to get prepared, make some awesome plans, return to his cool self, woo Anika and make her mine again." smiled Viren.

"And yeah, once you are okay with telling me your past, I can make some strategies for you." Anika chuckled.

"Yeah, I would let you know about everything but let me give it a try once" requested Viren.

"Wish you all the luck. Let your love win over her sadness." Amelia wished him.