At the hospital, Shreya once again did not know what to answer when the nurse asked how she got wounded.

Lakshya also stayed silent. After all, the question was not directed to him.

The nurse was kind and not too probing. She started bandaging Shreya's hand saying not to be embarrassed and that people get wounded in more foolish ways.

Lakshya went into the corridor. Throughout the cab ride, he wanted to ask Deepak some things. But he did not want to talk in front of Shreya.

Deepak picked up the phone, thankfully.

"Hello? What is it?"

"Hi. What are you doing?"

"Unlike you, I am working. If there's nothing else-"

"So I do have something very important."

"Then say it."

"So," Lakshya paused.

"Just say it... Why are you beating around the bush? This is not like you at all."

Lakshya took a deep breath. "I am not sure but Shreya might have attempted a... suicide."

After a few moments of silence, Deepak responded, "Since you say that so calmly, I hope she is safe."

"She is fine... kind of."

"When did it happen?"

"Just now, half an hour ago."

"Bring her in. I'll get you an appointment with my professor."

"I just called to ask. Is all this necessary?" Lakshya's resistance came purely out of the implications this would have.

"Bring her here so we can determine exactly that. And now is the best time."

"Then we'll be there."

After speaking with Deepak, Lakshya loosened up a little. Saying everything out loud was like facing it. But doing so calmed him. He looked at the dried up blood spots on the bag.

He looked up to the ceiling. Just why?

∼•∽

Lakshya went back to the bandaging hall.

Shreya sat dazed. Her hand was neatly bandaged. She was holding materials for the next bandaging.

"Rest can be done at home?" Lakshya's voice was much softer.

Shreya nodded.

"Then let's go." Lakshya held her hand as he took her to their next destination.

In the cab, he asked her, "Does it hurt?" He pushed her hair off her cheek to get a look. "I'm sorry."

This prompted fresh tears for Shreya.

He pulled her closer and hugged her. She struggled to get him off. Lakshya knew she was flustered that the driver could see them.

He removed his hands but held her head and laid it on his shoulder.

Shreya had fallen asleep during the cab ride.

When Lakshya woke her up, she asked him where they were.

He did not hide a thing. "A mental health centre."

Shreya frowned until the words registered. But when they did, she burst into laughter.

Lakshya stayed silent. He did not understand what she was laughing about.

She calmed down when they arrived and wiped off a tear of the good laugh.

Lakshya held her hand as they went in. She did not resist, just looked around curiously.

"Why are we here though?" she asked, "For me?"

"Yeah."

"Why?" She laughed a little again.

Lakshya stared at her. Her eyes were no longer red, they were fresh. She seemed to be in a fresh and better state of mind, yet so unlike her usual self.

"Didn't you say you were doing drugs? This has a deaddiction centre too!" Lakshya said.

"Haha. Today was the first time I wanted to try."

"Hm. Enough reason." He played along as he texted Deepak.

From the moment Deepak caught the couple, his eyes did not leave Shreya. He was looking at the couple as he normally did, but Lakshya could see the difference. He was ready and on edge and his target was Shreya. Almost instinctively Lakshya wanted to jump out at Deepak and punch him and tell him not to scare his wife. Then he realised only he could probably see this subtle difference.

"Good evening. You're just in time." He smiled and said something to the lady at the registration counter.

"Come on." He led them to the counselling centre a few floors above. Then he went into a room briefly, came out and held the door open.

"Shreya, come in."

Shreya smiled back, removed Lakshya's hand and stepped in.

Few moments later, Deepak stepped out.

"It will take some time. Come, let's have a chat." Deepak said to Lakshya.

"I was holding her hand all this time. I'm worried. I'll just wait right here."

"Every staff member here is well trained for those situations." Deepak pulled Lakshya into his cabin.

He made Lakshya sit and poured him a glass of water.

"So what exactly happened? All I told my professor was that she attempted."

Lakshya sighed and laid his head on the table.

Deepak kicked him under the table. "Speak."

"She turned off her phone. Her brother somehow got a doubt. So I went to her lab. She was not there. Then I searched like a madman and found her.

"She was on an old building's terrace. She was trying to inject something."

"Impressive you found her in time."

"Thankfully I found her. If not, I really would not know what to do."

"If not, you call the suicide hotline." Deepak sent the number to Lakshya. "Save it."

Lakshya was still bent over. He did not bother to touch his phone.

Deepak noticed the handbag, and the red dots.

"Is that blood?!"

"Yeah, she dragged her hand on a rough railing and got hurt."

"That's why she's bandaged?"

"Genius. You have something to clean with?" Lakshya lifted his head and nodded at the bag.

"I'll clean it. Sanitizer should do. I'll be back." Deepak started cleaning the bag.

"Did she have this with her when you found her?"

"Yeah."

Deepak opened the bag to rub it properly, but his brain got to work quickly. This would as well have been forensic evidence of a suicide victim.

There was an Aadhaar card and one piece of paper. That would help the police with the victim's identity and motive. Perfect.

If Deepak had to make a guess, had she succeeded, she did not want them to be in the dark, confused and waiting. She wanted them to know quickly, and perhaps put her behind quickly. There was no money, no bank cards. No valuables. She had no further plans. And then the piece of paper, or more aptly, a note.

He took a look at Lakshya. He was faced away, with his face in his elbows.

Deepak slowly unfolded the note, careful not to make any sound.

A suicide note, indeed.

From his understanding, Lakshya definitely had not read it. And it was best that he never does. Deepak smoothly pushed it into one of the folders on his table.

"She does not seem shaken up though. She did not seem much different from her usual self," He continued the conversation as he cleaned up the rest of the bag.

"She laughed when I said I was bringing her here. Her behaviour was very abnormal recently. What do you know?" He had already complained about it this very week.

Deepak pushed the bag to Lakshya. Just then Lakshya's phone rang.

He picked it up right away looking at the caller ID.

"Shreekant, don't worry. Nothing happened to Shreya."

"That's good," Shreekant said and hung up.

Lakshya sighed.

Just then another ring tone sounded. Shreya's phone vibrated in Lakshya's pocket.

"Hello. It's me."

"Why do you take her calls? Put her on the phone." The same young voice held quite some anger now.

"She's not here right now. I'll tell her to call you as soon as she gets back."

"Where is she?" Shreekant said word by word.

Lakshya felt bitter. Loss of trust hurt.

"Also, mind your words. You don't tell my sister what to do and what not. You ask her very respectfully."

Lakshya remained silent. He had to speak with Shreekant very carefully from now on, even such little things.

"I asked you where she is."

"She's with a counsellor."

"What did she do?"

Lakshya could tell Shreekant was holding back his emotions.

"She didn't do anything. After what you said, I saw some words in her rough work. So just brought her here... just in case... I really care about her."

Lakshya did not want Shreekant to know. In fact, he wasn't sure himself what Shreya really did in the afternoon. He did not know what to think of it.

"I'll be waiting for you."

"Did you come here?!"

"I'm at your house." And the call ended.

Lakshya's throat went dry looking at the phone. He sighed.

Deepak was surprised. "You've changed."

Lakshya laid his head down again.

"Don't worry that much. You should be strong for her, you know."

"Why though... I don't get it."

"Well, no two people's reasons are ever the same. Don't question things right away. If what you say is true, she is very vulnerable now, just like any other survivor. And you are also."

Deepak held a mini counselling session despite complaining to himself that counselling a friend was a bad idea. In the end, it turned out to be just as he worried.

But still, he cared. Especially since he read the note, he knew this was serious.

"So living with her... don't. Just separate off." he said off handedly.

"What did you just say?"

Deepak could not say it again, especially with the face Lakshya made. "Forget it... just don't be so cautious around her. Depression hits those who are generally more empathetic. So I bet she perceives each action of yours and no one likes people looking at them with fear and doubt."

"I don't look at her with fear and doubt! I was just trying to be more understanding!"

"So mature of you! You are not that great of a person. So stop putting yourself on a pedestal and just act like yourself!" Deepak said before letting Lakshya sulk on his table.

Lakshya was tongue tied. He really was full of himself before. Deepak knew him well. So him changing for love, as true as it was, must just look like a cringey excuse to him.

He buried his face for a while before leaving Deepak's office without a word. But right then, he had to repair his ego. He turned around and burst into Deepak's office.

"You're not that great of a mind doctor at all if you can't understand someone you've grown up with!"

He shut the door and walked out for good without giving a chance for Deepak to retort.

∼•∽

By the time Shreya came out, it was already dusk. Lakshya was waiting for her.

Shreya's face was tear stained, the rims of her eyes red, and she looked exhausted. Lakshya's heart broke seeing her like that.

He went in for a hug.

"Are you okay?"

She nodded in his arms. "He's asking for you," Shreya said.

"Here." Lakshya had her sit and gave her a water bottle he had. "I'll go in. Here, your phone."

Shreya whispered, "I'm sorry," as she took her phone. She saw her handbag placed on a seat beside.

Lakshya had a pause in his thoughts. He breathed slower and his mind raced. In the end, he simply said, "If you need anything, find Deepak. He'll be in there," and pointed at a door. He told himself, Deepak was not some insensitive fellow. He wouldn't say any of his nonsense before Shreya.

She nodded.

He patted her shoulder and went in to meet the doctor.

Once he left, Shreya opened her handbag. She wanted to tear her note and dump it or better yet, light it on fire.

But her note was missing.

She checked her bag over and over again.

Deepak had just ended an appointment in the meantime and walked out to check on his friend. He found Shreya being frantic.

"Hey." He smiled and sat beside her. "How did it go?"

Lakshya might have seen it, she thought. It made her disappointed in herself. But since he already threw it away, it took away a weight from her heart. Even without her note, he would still get to know things. Right now, that could be what was going on in the room she just came out of.

"Good, thanks." Shreya did not want to speak to him. This... The lesser people knew the better.

"I found your note. Lakshya doesn't know." He stood up and gave her a smile and left before she could ask more. He did not assure anything else though.

∼•∽

The doctor was an old grey haired man. He is Deepak's Ph.D. professor, Dr. Shrirang.

Before Lakshya could greet him, the man smiled at him. "Are you Shreya's husband?"

"Yeah. Nice to meet you."

He smiled again and gestured for Lakshya to have his seat.

"Do you know what's going on?

"Do you know that people around someone struggling will be very vulnerable?"

"Deepak told me that."

"He's right. You are at a risk of being depressed. Take your time and accept that depression is a real thing. It will be annoying and scary. Keep checking on your emotions and feel free to talk to me anytime. You are in a vulnerable position.

"But more than that, you are the most influential to her." The doctor's smile was serious. He did not blink his eyes even once as he said that.

"There is one very important thing. Do not change your behaviour around her. I warn every family member about this. Yet, a few months in, the patient will cry saying their close family have become too cautious around them."

Lakshya nodded. He was already guilty of this.

"Shreya is extremely perceptive. She is curious, intelligent. Good till there. But if there is no logic in other people's actions, or if it is a logic she can't understand, she will make her own. She will make up her own reasons.

"She will fill in the gaps with anything. She was not given an opportunity for healthy growth. She did not learn how to accept any negative emotions. She will try to come up with reasons. More often, she will fail. Because there are not many gaps to fill when it comes to one's own circumstances. When she cannot make sense of it, she will start ignoring it and bottle up everything.

"She had ignored her emotions like that for years. For her whole life she has suppressed them. And when suppressing them becomes hard, one wants to escape from them... by any means possible."

The doctor leaned back a little.

"The best thing is that she is already out of the environment that led to all of this. She just has to take those circumstances at face value.

"You should just do two things. One, do not let her miss her medicines. Two, do not behave differently."

He shook his head as he slid the prescription across the table. "Your face is rather easy to read and she is way too sensitive not to discern every little thing."

The comment embarrassed Lakshya a little.

"What about that... That situation... she was on the... rooftop... she said-"

He took a deep breath. "She did try. She admitted to it. In fact, she did try to deny it but she opened up.

"She told me you might already have the truth in your mind, and she cried a lot. Don't bring this up with her. Even if she said nothing has to be kept confidential from you, don't ask her about it. If she wants to talk, just listen."

The doctor continued, "This is another thing you should do. More like should not. Don't be her therapist. You can ask her to talk about the past or how she is feeling here and there, but don't over do it. If she wants to talk to you about those things, listen. But if you feel overwhelmed, come and see me. You are vulnerable to her depression. You must not get too influenced. For your own sake, as well as for hers."

Lakshya took the paper. "I will keep everything in mind and follow them."

He smiled. "I've asked her about her daily routine. Sleeping too much is actually concerning. It's a sign she wants to escape. This may be hard, but she is quite suicidal. And that feeling is coming from her old self whom she had forsaken. Choosing to die does not make sense to her when she thinks clearly, but the will is strong inside. That will formed over years of struggle. She has to make peace with her perception of her childhood self.

"I did not want to say this much at this time, but you are open minded. Deepak told me you are his childhood friend. You have seen his struggle first hand. And you were understanding, as a child, and as an adult. So I will lay some things bare to you.

"Making peace with your past self is, more often, unachievable. Sometimes it might even be the best outcome. People live fulfilling lives either way. But it is important that she puts effort in this direction. That is what I will be helping her with. Don't hope for a cure. The best we can do is manage it well."

Lakshya listened and nodded. It was all too much to take in.

"With the medicines, she will feel more drowsy initially. If possible, don't let her sleep at odd times. And, see that she gets some exercise. When I told her, she was very reluctant. She can start small. That will improve her appetite too."

Lakshya nodded. So her falling asleep... was to escape, it really did not matter where. He nodded again, more for his own understanding.

"Just treat it as a part of life. Don't stress over it. It will be all good soon."

Lakshya nodded.

"That is all then. She will have to visit me biweekly. This is as important as medicines. I will call you in whenever there is a need."

Lakshya was unsure of everything. He nodded.

"Take care. Things will get better in no time."

∼•∽

When Lakshya came out, Shreya was at a window chair. Her hair flew in the breeze and her eyes were closed.

"Shreya?"

She opened her eyes. She was not asleep.

"Let's go."

"What did he tell you?"

Lakshya thought for a moment. "He told me I didn't have anything to worry about."

"Is it?" She asked.

"Yeah, let's go. Shreekant is waiting."

Shreya's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"

Lakshya booked them a cab and led her outside. "He wants to give you the same surprise I guess. Didn't you also go and visit him without notice?" Lakshya's tone was casual. He knew he could lie. But he did not know he could lie this well.

He changed the topic. "How much money do you have?"

"What?"

"I want to buy a car. Let's buy together?"

Shreya was more used to travelling in a car so she nodded. "I should have enough to pay half."

"That's nice. We'll get one tomorrow."

"Okay." Her mind was on her brother. And she had nothing to be bothered about except the suddenness of the imminent purchase.

∼•∽

They made a stop between to grab take out for three and reached home around 7 PM.

Right when Lakshya's eyes met Shreekant, he received a blow.

Shreya was horrified. "Shreekant! What are you doing!"

Shreekant ignored her and went in for another punch. "Bastard!"

Lakshya did not have enough time to recover when Shreekant hit him for the second time. "You were indeed beating up your classmates, huh?" he commented. Shreekant was good at fighting. More than that, Shreya did not know this little secret. It effectively served as a warning.

Shreya flew to support Lakshya. "Shreekant! Apologise!"

"Why?" Shreekant was livid. He was angry with Shreya too for shielding Lakshya. That was when Lakshya knew he had no leverage against Shreekant. Had he been afraid of Shreya finding out about his fighting at college, he would not have dared to land a punch in the first place.

"I'm sorry!" Lakshya shouted.

Shreya could feel Lakshya's chest trembling with the words that came out.

"I'm sorry."

"Shreya, I need to talk to you." Shreekant ignored Lakshya again.

Shreya frowned at him.

"Then sit and talk. You were waiting for hours." Lakshya took out the keys.

"What happened to your hand?" Shreekant asked, aggrieved.

Shreya gave him a look and ignored him. She just did not know why he would hit her husband like that. She caught Lakshya's shirt where Shreekant punched.

"Some little accident in the lab. That's why her phone was off." Lakshya said as his hand trembled and the key slipped out of the keyhole a couple of times. "You got worried for nothing."

Shreekant sneered, "What a caring tone you got for a bastard."

Shreya shouted. "Get lost! What's wrong with you!"

They stepped inside. Shreya softly asked Lakshya if he was in pain. Lakshya smiled and side-hugged her.

He caught a seething Shreekant in his periphery and quietly took a step back.

"Shreekant, can you speak to her tomorrow? Let her sleep for now. Today was... difficult."

"Who the hell do you even think-"

"Shreekant! Have you gone nuts! What do you mean who he is? You! Why did you hit him?"

Shreekant glared at him.

Lakshya held Shreya's hand.

"Go lie down. We'll heat up the food and call you."

"I'll heat it up." Shreya was bewildered. Lakshya never stepped into the kitchen. Oh how he hated cooking. So she frowned.

Lakshya suddenly remembered the doctor's words. Don't change your behaviour. Shreya was indeed keen eyed.

"Okay."

Shreekant followed Shreya into the kitchen throwing two or three glares at Lakshya.

Once the siblings were out of sight, he plopped down on the couch.

He hoped Shreekant would not question her about what she wanted to do. She seemed so normal now. And the doctor told him not to go into that conversation. But he was in no position to say anything to Shreekant.

He sighed.

In the kitchen, Shreya ignored Shreekant. She had many questions. What about his classes? Does dad know that he is here? Why did he come all of a sudden? Is this the first time he spent money without an adult's authorization? How did he get permission to even leave the campus?

She sighed.

"Go and tell him sorry. Or I won't talk to you."

Shreekant's mouth opened. Astonishing! He always thought his sister was good at reading people. That does not seem to be the case at all.

"That guy..." Shreekant stopped. Lakshya had said Shreya already knew everything. But that could well be a lie to save himself. But if Shreya did not know anything about that other lady, then if he says anything, that will break her happy bubble. What worried him more was, she had done something just before. Even if Lakshya said it was nothing, he knew something happened. So now if she learns of this truth... He did not want to take any chances.

"Book me a flight back."

Shreya stared at him until the microwave beeped. "Does anyone know that you came here?"

"The two of you."

"Why did you hit him just now?"

"..."

"I asked you something."

"Felt like it!"

Shreya twisted his ear the next second.

Shreekant clenched his jaw lest he should utter any sound. He didn't want Lakshya to hear a cry from him. He quickly freed himself.

"Go to him and properly apologise."

Shreekant knew he was not getting out of this. He walked into the living room. "Hey. Sorry."

Lakshya nodded.

Shreya was right behind them. "Are you not angry?"

Lakshya stiffened.

Then, he took a deep breath. Perhaps now that Shreekant also knows, she would take the opportunity to scold him, put him on the spot, or even just give a disappointed frown.

"He got to know about Moksha."

Against Lakshya's anticipation, Shreya turned to Shreekant. "You came over from all the way just for this? You're smarter than this."

"'Just'? You call this 'just'? How the hell are you even fine with this? This bastard! How did he get you on his side?" Shreekant loomed over Lakshya as he clutched his collar. "What are you threatening her with that she is fine with a cheating husband?"

"Shreekant! Not another word!" Shreya used all the force she could muster and pulled him away from Lakshya. "Stop speaking! Shut up!"

"Both of you shut up!" Lakshya stood up. His voice overpowered the siblings. He had enough of this! Just how could Shreya speak up for him in this matter? Was her brain filled with water?

He turned to Shreekant. "I broke up with her long ago. I promise you, Shreya is my everything, okay."

Shreya gulped. Why say all that in front of her brother! He knew she was shy with things like this. But his words sounded very nice. Too sweet and beautiful, in fact.

"And you." He turned to Shreya.

She looked up with a face full of happiness, anticipation, and some embarrassment.

Lakshya clenched his fist to control his stemming anger. Why was she happy when this was the topic they were on!? "You're a fool."

The smile that was just about to form on Shreya's lips slowly vanished.

"You bastard, did you just call her a foo-"

Lakshya turned to him. "Call me a bastard another time and I will return all of your punches, I promise." His glare was strong.

Shreekant quieted down.

"Let's eat." Lakshya stated. The unstated command was not to start yapping and fighting again.

∼•∽

A/N:
Special release while I am still on hiatus for ndjdhjggj. I'm sorry Tejaswini, I am late by one month given that I promised to update on Feb 21. Here's a long chapter.

First things first, I am on a hiatus. Life got so busy it slipped my mind to put an announcement here for the readers who do not follow me. Sorry guys... but I changed the username.
Hiatus period: The year 2025.
Reason: Just flooded with work. Busy with my thesis.

Also, I celebrated my birthday after a long long time. Life is getting better and better. I feel very grateful.

Take care until I see you again.

Thanks for reading!