The mirror needed a good cleaning. Her inner neat freak insisted when she noticed a tiny smudge while admiring her reflection. She was getting dolled up - Pranay was returning today. For the occasion, she'd even splurged on a lacy black halter-back dress. Around the room, flowers and scented candles added the final touch.
It had been a month since Pranay left for his tour. She wasn't one to display emotions openly, but ever since the accident, she realized how deeply she cared for him. More than she ever admitted. The fear of losing him still haunted her.
That night replayed in her mind - Pranay was tired, so she took the wheel, despite hating to drive. The road was poorly lit. She hadn't seen the broken-down car in time. The crash was inevitable. Thankfully, they'd escaped with minor injuries, but the experience had shaken her. She'd clung harder to Pranay since then, quietly and fiercely.
She had big plans for today. She'd put her work aside, smother him with affection, make everything perfect. Even the silly argument before he left - about his socks, of all things - was forgiven. She wouldn't sweat the small stuff anymore.
Just then, she rang the bell for Lata Tai.
A commotion stirred outside.
"What's all that noise, Lata Tai?" she asked.
"The servants. I'll tell them to keep it down. You should rest, maybe take your medicine," Lata suggested gently.
"No, I can't rest now."
"I'll handle everything. Just eat something. I'll bring your food and meds," Lata reassured.
She sighed and lay down, but the noise kept tugging at her nerves. What did they have to gossip about so loudly? Unable to help herself, she stepped out.
And saw Pranay.
For a moment, her heart leapt. But he wasn't coming to her. He was talking to Lata. Her smile faltered. Why didn't he come straight to her? Maybe it was something important. Maybe a surprise. She stayed hidden, listening.
"What's she doing?" Pranay asked.
"She's in her room. Want to see her?"
"No. Are you making sure she takes her medicine?"
Medicine? The one that made her drowsy? Her stomach turned. Was he? drugging her? Her knees wobbled.
"I found them under the sink. I think she's been throwing them out," Lata said.
Her heart sank. Were they plotting something? No. Pranay wouldn't do that? would he?
She stepped out. "What are you talking about?"
"Hey, why aren't you resting?" he asked gently.
"What are you planning?" she snapped.
"You should trust me. Why aren't you taking your medicine?"
"They make me sleepy," she said softly, stepping closer, arms around his neck. "Did you miss me?"
But Pranay gently pulled away. "Did you take your medicine?"
That one question rattled her. Why did it matter so much? Did he not care for her anymore? Just then, Nisha walked in. Rage flared.
"What is she doing here?" Her voice was low, intense. Pranay flinched.
"Nisha, call Doctor Kumar!" he yelled, wrapping his arms around her tightly. "Nurse, two milligrams of lorazepam now!"
"Doctor Kumar, patient in 909 is having an episode," Nisha spoke into her phone.
Lata appeared with a syringe. Before she could react, it was done. Everything blurred. Like glass shattering.
Suddenly, she was in a hospital lobby.
"How did I get here?" she whispered, dizzy and dazed.
Pranay laid her down gently on a couch. "Let's not let this happen again," he told Lata.
"Of course, Doctor Pranay," Lata replied.
She woke with a start. Pranay stood beside her bed, flanked by two men and Lata.
One man read from a chart. "Admitted two years ago with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Multiple psychotic episodes. Medication and therapy are ongoing. Progress has been minimal."
"What causes this?" one of the men asked Pranay.
"Genetics, stress, trauma. Her husband died in a road accident. She went into depression. Possibly created a fake reality to cope," Pranay replied.
She curled into a ball, covering her ears as their voices echoed. "What's happening? Who are these people?" Her voice came out strained, like something was lodged in her throat.
Then she saw Pranay - and smiled. Everything else melted away. He's come to take me home.
"Do you know where you are?" he asked gently.
"I'm in my bedroom. I wore this dress for you. Do you like it?"
"You're in a hospital. That's a hospital robe."
"No! I saw myself in the mirror." Her voice cracked. "Are you trying to prove I'm insane?" She pointed. "They're trying to drive me mad. Is this about Nisha? Did you plan this?"
"There's no mirror. That's just an empty wall."
She mumbled to herself, "I'm not crazy? I'm not crazy?"
Pranay turned to the others. "She's built an entire world in her mind. The real one is unacceptable to her. Anything we say only strengthens her paranoia. Even if I tell her the truth, she'll revert back into the delusion."
"Nurse, the injection," he said.
Lata moved toward her. She backed away, panic rising. She didn't want the injection. She didn't want to die.
With a gasp, she woke up, drenched in sweat. Her heart raced. She was in her study.
A dream. Just a dream.
She found herself in the armchair, book fallen beside her. It was 5 PM. "Oh no! Pranay must be coming home."
She rushed out - just as Pranay walked in.
Her face lit up. She ran to him and hugged him tightly, inhaling his scent. He smiled and said something she didn't quite catch, but it didn't matter. He was here.
"I'll make you some tea," she said, stepping toward the door. Then paused, straightening a small painting on the wall - a gift from Pranay. Her lucky number, her Birthday, September 9.
She smiled.
Everything was okay.