AMINAH- Based on A True Story (2019)

6

Three days later...Aminah was released from the hospital.

Dr. Jehangir was walking in the cabin. All of a sudden, he heard of a knock from the door.

"Come in" he commanded.

The door was opened. He saw an upset Aminah who was walking slowly near the couch.

"Sit down, dear" said Jehangir.

Both sat on their respective couches, opposite to each other. Therefore, Aminah looked nervous as Jehangir looked at her in a manner of concern. They felt a sense of connection as the two saw the shadow of their past selves.

"Well, finally, we met" said Jehangir.

"Yes, doctor uncle" gasped the cheery Aminah.

"So, shall we start?" asked Jehangir.

"Yes" said Aminah whose upset mood turned happy.

"How are you today?" asked Jehangir.

"I am having a strange feeling" nervously said Aminah.

"Could you clarify it?" inquired Jehangir.

"I feel sad and happy at the same time. To be honest, I feel sick most of the time. Whenever I have severe headaches, I vomit after a day. I get blackouts most of the time" explained Aminah.

"Are there any further problems that you faced?" further questioned Jehangir.

"Yes, after blackouts, I see a lot of scratches that are coming out from my hand. I frequently get fainted. I have no memories of 'strangers', I met. Some are calling me, Antara or else, Amelia. I even see different dresses in my room which I never bought. I am getting sick and tired of it! I want to kill myself!" clarified Aminah.

She burst out of tears in such that she could not control her emotions. Jehangir offered her a glass of water. She quickly took it plus gulped it. The teardrops slowly stopped but the sweat did not. The tear was genuine and confused that even nature could understand the sadness behind a woman's emotion.

"It's okay, dear. You are not the only person who did not have the issues. So why am I a psychiatrist? I am just to help you out. Okay?" said Jehangir with empathy.

"That's okay, uncle" gulped Aminah.

The situation turned soundless in the huge room. Aminah became calmer than ever.

"Are you okay?" asked Jehangir.

"Yes, I am..." said Aminah.

"Tell me about your family, dear" inquired Jehangir.

"Uncle, I have no memory of my childhood but as far as I remember, my parents died in a car crash. Until, I was taken care by my sweet grandmother. I remember that she used to take me to the toy shops as well as different festivals that were held in different countries. The biggest memory was when she gave me the album of my parents' pictures while I was a baby. Half of the memory faded but whenever I wake up, I see scars. When I see the scars, I could never see grandma" detailed Aminah.

"Do you remember any particular incident about your childhood?" asked Jehangir.

"Could you repeat the question, please?" interrupted Aminah.

"Is there anything worse, you remember? When you were a child?" further inquired Jehangir.

"I remember that one day, I was drawing some walls. Until, one of my maids was so furious that she took me into the dark room in her drunken state... Then I cannot remember the rest" explained Aminah vaguely.

"Then, today, I will be giving you an assigning you to write an essay about yourself. The words will always depend on your feelings" said Jehangir.

"Thank you doctor" said Aminah happily.

Therefore, Aminah hoped out of the door. Jehangir went to his table and wrote a note:

15th December 2007- 1st Appointment

Aminah Marcia Khan- suffering from childhood amnesia (further detail to be noted).

Occupation- Student and Photographer

Headaches, vomit, blackouts and memory loss.

Prescribed for- an essay about herself

Assigned by- Dr. Jehangir Ahmed

(It was written with an ink on the pen-not printed)

Jehangir overworked with the other patients that he forgot about the timing-it was an evening.

By the time, he entered his home. He saw his adult son who was examining a blanket that had full of artworks on people and their cultures.

"Hey, Shezan...what are you doing?" asked Jehangir

"I am examining a story that is demonstrated on the blanket" explained Shezan, his son.

"So, what is the story about?" asked Jehangir.

He told:

It is about an innocent girl who was imprisoned by a king because he (probably) accused her for witchcraft. But in reality, she wants to overcome her sadness as well as madness. But she died in prison but her spirit always believed that she might inspire people with her insanity.

"Yes son, some wars cannot be fought alone. I made a mistake in the past. I lost your mom and now, you are the world to me" said Jehangir.

"Dad, I might not be the best person alive but at least I respect your feelings" said Shezan who smiled and put his right hand on the shoulder when Jehangir was sitting on the couch.