73. A Little Truth?

Arjun’s PoV

I couldn't understand anything that was happening. When I sped to the Napier Bridge I saw a frantic Preethi whom I have never seen before. Not even when she came home broken. I ran to her and she came running to me. She was like a torn rag with uncombed hair and dirty clothes. She neither had her bag nor wallet but only her cell phone.

“Ajju, take me somewhere where no one knows me.” She kept saying the same thing over and over again until we reached the farm house. I took her into the room and gave her some clean clothes of Anika that she had left behind and a towel to freshen up. She did what I said like a robot and came out. I gave her something to eat and asked her what happened.

“Arjun, everyone in my home thinks that I am mentally unstable. They want me to go to psychiatric evaluation to get my mind cleared. All this for something I didn't do. I swear Ajju, I didn't ruin your wedding pictures. It was Avni who played with it.”

“Shhh, stop crying. I know you will never do such a thing. But why did they believe that you did that?” I asked her to understand better.

“Sharanya said that she saw me doing it. I don't know what harm I do to her for her to throw these stones at me.” She started crying again.

“Realx, Preethi. It is ok. I will talk to Praveen and aunty and uncle, I will make them realize that it was a mistake. Calm down.”

“No, Ajju. I will never go to them again. When Sharanya said that, my mom asked me if I was not feeling well. She spoke like she believed in Sharanya and not me. They see me as a burden, Ajju. It is not even a year since I am with them but they see me as a burden. They want to get rid of me.

“Ok, ok. Relax, if you don't want to go back, it is fine.”

“Where is Anika?” She asked me for which I had no answer.

“Anika has gone to our home, we are pregnant and I thought it will be good for her to stay with my parents at this time.” I said, maintaining my cool.

I sat beside her all day until evening consoling her to be brave and not to cry. She never let me even take my office calls. After a little while, I could see some changes in her behavior that seemed a little weird. She kept on saying the same thing over and over again. She kept crying but her eyes were dry. I could clearly say she is not herself. This may or may not be a big deal, she is still in shock that her whole family is seeing her differently or she may have been suffering from depression since the break up.

“Preethi, I have to go and see Anika now. I have to pick up some prescriptions for her. You stay here. Granny and the nurse will not bother you. Kathir will be in the kitchen if you need something. I will be back in two hours.” I spoke to her like I was talking to a child.

“Come back soon, Ajju. I cannot even imagine my life without you in it.” said she.

“I will be with you soon.” I went out to see Anika.

On my way there, I checked on my office calls and replied to all the mails that were waiting for me. Just then I saw my personal mail had received an email, an email from her. She thinks I am an idiot? She thinks I still don't know that she’s been cheating on me? But what does she mean that she couldn't see me going to get hurt big time? She thinks she can get away from me with my baby? I will make sure that she will never leave my sight until she gives my baby safely to me. Even though I tried to push back everything everytime, she had to talk or mail something like this to provoke my bad side.

I gave her medicines and her dinner and spat at her for snooping into Preethi. She played cool and I left from there. Now all my mind is fixated on solving Preethi’s issue. I called Praveen as soon as I got in the car.

“Hey Ajju, is Preethi with you? How many times did I call you all day? Why didn't you pick it up?” He started talking as soon as he picked the call.

“Shut up, Praveen. What happened? Preethi is safe with me. She never stopped crying all day. She wanted me to be with her and that is why I didn't pick your call. She doesn't want to hear anything from any of you.”

“Listen, Ajju. It has all been a mistake. Sharanya has been telling me for a long time that Preethi is behaving differently ever since she came home. Avni and Anvi used to play a lot and Sharanya was the one to take care of them. Avni has told Sharanya that Preethi is often caught in trance or seeing our old pictures. She even stopped talking to me and Sharanya. When I went to take Avni to a movie, she hit Avni for no reason and refused to send her with us. She even used harsh words like she is not family anymore. I printed some of your wedding pictures to make a gift to you on your first anniversary and I kept it at my dad’s home. Sharanya went to leave Avni back at home when she saw Preethi pouring paint on your pictures and stabbing it with a knife. With all this, Sharanya said that Preethi is suffering mentally with the break up and we have to take her to the hospital. Preethi made a huge ruckus when Sharanya said it just like that. She talked about all irrelevant things like we are seeing her as a burden. That was outrageous, Ajju. Even though she never helped mom or dad with the monthly expenses, they have never complained about it. Dad’s pension was the only source for their monthly expenses. I won't lie, it is hard for them to manage Preethi and Avni. I have been helping them since she came back. She tried to go out with Avni but my mom never let her take Avni. You should have seen Preethi, Ajju. I was not there, but mom and dad said that she was not herself. She definitely needs help.”

“I can tell that. But Preethi said it was Avni who played with the pictures. Maybe Preethi was trying to fix the damage caused by Avni when Sharanya saw. Maybe Sharanya mistook what she saw. If you guys were suspicious about her mental health, there is a way to break it to her. Now she is even more broken. I am totally disappointed in all of you. I will try and make her better. Let her stay with me for a while.” I said and hung up on him.

Preethi is definitely disturbed in her mind. She needs counseling for sure. But I cannot make the same mistake her parents did. I should prepare her, talk to her. I need a doctor’s opinion on what I am dealing with. I remember that day when Dr. Smitha talked to me later that evening when I took Preethi to meet her on the beach. The doctor said that people with certain types of mental illness will always try to find a way to act normal. They will premeditate certain situations and how they should react to it. They would sometimes be more intellectual and other times more dumb. Some symptoms include erratic behavior, non-synchronous activities, efforts to look more normal, easily saddened or happy. I didn't think twice to discard her advice of keeping an eye on Preethi. I thought Preethi was getting back to her normal self and she just needed time to recover. But now I think I may be wrong in quickly analysing the situation.

“Dr. Smitha? This is Arjun, here.” I called up Doctor Smitha.

“Hello, Mr. Arjun. How are you?”

“I am good, doctor. Thank you. Are you free now? I want to talk to you about Preethi. I think she needs therapy.”

“I just finished my schedule. Tell me, Arjun, how is she? What is bothering you now? It’s been almost 6months now.”

“Yes, doctor, I thought she was trying to cope up with the break up in her own way. She seemed very normal to me. She even went out to work. Everything was normal except for the little burst outs here and there and we all understood her. But now, it looks like she has been zoning out a lot, she often looks at our old pictures, she even refused to send her daughter with her brother’s family. They even say that she ruined my wedding pictures. I don't understand. She came out of the house and threatened to commit suicide if I dont come to get her. She is with me now in my home. I want to know what should be done now.”

“Hmmm, it may be because she feels very lonely that she gets jealous of you guys for being with a family. If that is the case, a simple three sitting counseling will retrieve her. Some nerve calming meditation and a few pills for a good sleep will do. I would say you better drive her loneliness away by finding her a new partner. You know, sex is a very vital part for this aged woman to stabilize her mind. Deprived of sex will accumulate unwanted stress that may burst out like you said. But if it is not jealousy and loneliness, I would suggest you bring her in for an evaluation. Ruining wedding pictures is not to be taken in a lighter sense, considering that you are her best friend. A person with a rational mind wouldn't do that.”

“But she came out of her house because her parents asked her to get some therapy from a psychiatrist. She was so broken that her family thinks that she is not sound in the mind. If I go to her and say the same thing, I don't know what her reaction would be. Dont forget that suicide threats.”

“She definitely is a harm to herself if not for others, Arjun. It is very important for her to get immediate help. I would suggest you bring her in for admission.”

“I don't think she would come in without protest. I don't want to break her trust in me. Is there any other way? Like at least until she settles down from her agitated state. She cries often but her eyes are dry.”

“Ok, Mr. Arjun. I will give you a questionnaire. Ask her to answer the questions true to her heart. Crying with dry eyes may be a condition. We call it chronic dry eyes. But in this case, I would say she pretends to be crying. Many of my patients do it often to gain sympathy. Get me the answers as soon as possible. I will evaluate it and let you know what should be done further.”

“Ok, doctor. I will come in another 20 minutes.”

“I will get the questionnaire ready.”

I hung up on her and drove in the direction of her clinic. I just wish that Preethi is fine and all these worries are for nothing. But I cannot shake the suicide threat she made and the pretend cries that the doctor mentioned. Why would Preethi do anything like that? Ruining my wedding pictures, it reminds me of all the times Anika would complain about Preethi! I hate myself for thinking like this but what if Anika was right all along?