In the meantime Chaits called Guru and let him know what had happened. Guru sensed his trouble and his urgency. He and Tanvi dropped everything and took the first available bus to Pune. He had an uneasy time waiting for them to arrive. Tanvi had asked him to stay put in his hotel room till they arrived.
Chaits hugged Guru even as they entered his hotel room. A flow of tears burst out from his eyes. Guru hugged him tight and allowed those tears to flow. It was necessary for Chaits to let his emotions flow out this way so that he would regain his normal sense. Tanvi sat in one of the chairs, sad with remorse. She now had started to blame herself for everything that was going wrong with Chaits.
Chaits was finally in control of his emotions, “I’m sorry, I cried like a child.” Guru smiled and patted him on his shoulder emotionally.
“Heck, No! – I’m glad you proved me that we are not brothers for namesake – you proved to me that we are real brothers – your action was matchless.” he smiled and hugged Chaits tight to make him feel better.
“I’m sorry Chaits. I put your life into a mess…” Now – it was Tanvi’s turn to get emotional. It took some time for her to settle down and control.
Chaits then related the entire week to them and concluded that for entire week – this was the only time when Anjali had behaved weird… else, the entire week she had been his perfect lover.
“Hold on…” Tanvi said and abruptly got off the chair she had been occupying. She crossed the room and picked up the intercom and dialled reception, “Hi… Could you please connect me to room no.216? – Yes, that’s correct. Thank you.”
They both looked at each other wondering as to who Tanvi was trying to contact in room 216…
“Hi, Pallavi di…” she put on a chirpy voice, “this is Tanvi. I need your help. If you aren’t busy – could you join us for dinner tonight? – Yes, we are at the same hotel… Great! We will meet you over dinner then… bye…”
She kept the receiver down and turned around, a triumphant smile on her face.
“Guys… I think I may have a solution here.” She announced to them, “Let’s gather at the dining area in 30 minutes. Guru, let’s confirm a room in this hotel. We can visit my parents later… Chaits needs us and we will stay here.”
Even as they settled at the table in the dining room, a lady in her mid-thirties approached them. She looked confident and had kindness embossed on her face. She greeted and hugged Tanvi and shook hands with Guru congratulating him on his wedding with Tanvi.
‘He is Chaits – oops – I mean he is Chaitanya, my hubby’s best friend, his brother and my grown up kid…” she said introducing Chaits to her and then turned to look at them, “She is Dr. Pallavi – I call her Pallavi di – she is elder sister of my best friend Tina. She is a psychiatrist. She and Tina along with their family have settled abroad. Coincidentally, she is here in town and staying in this hotel.” Tanvi smiled as she finished with the introduction round and looked at confused expressions on both, Guru and Chaits… “Don’t you get it guys, if someone can get rid of that Sunny from Anjali’s mind – she’s our only hope. I already have briefed her about Anjali.”
“You mean to say that you are going to put Anjali in a mental asylum?”
Dr. Pallavi smiled at Chaits, “That’s the most common myth about my profession. I deal with mental injuries of people and try to help them. I don’t send them there – unless, it’s absolutely necessary.”
Chaits looked at her in disbelief.
“I understand your presumption about the profession called psychiatry. Many movies have shown that we deal only with those cases where drastic steps are necessary.” she explained, “Let me ask you few simple questions to make you understand what I mean… What do you do when your stomach aches?”
“I drink plenty of water – maybe an aerated drink and wait to see if it has any effect.”
“Good… This clearly shows that you try something to ease out your pain – just like a first aid – now – if your stomach still keeps aching – what do you do?”
“I visit our family doctor who is a general medical practitioner.”
“Does your family doctor admit you in a hospital right away?”
“No – he first checks me – gives me some pills to be consumed for couple of days – most of the time – they work.”
“Exactly,” she smiled at him, “we as psychiatrists, follow a similar routine. The difference however is – normal people can point out and inform in what way their physical pain is – we have a bit tougher task – we have dive into our patient’s mind to understand where the ailment stems from and treat it according to its depth. Many times, simple depression or similar issues get sorted only with counselling sessions. Our words are our medicine in such cases. If the counselling has little effect then, depending on the patient’s mental condition – we prescribe pills – only if, it’s absolutely necessary. Rarely, we get patients who need to be hospitalized or put into mental asylums. So – relax – do not jump to any conclusion. I will first need to meet her and understand her issue and her background. I’m first going to counsel her and only if necessary – medicate her.”
“Are you sure that she won’t be subjected to any pain?”
“Don’t worry. I would like to know the details before I can think of any therapy for her. I’m sure she should be okay – soon.”
“If you have some time free tomorrow, I would like you to join us for lunch tomorrow.” Guru said thoughtfully, “I think Chaits has asked her to relate her side about Sunny when all of us are together. That way, you will be able to get your preliminary information.”
“I will love to accept your invitation. However, I think she may not open up if she sees me. I don’t think she would be comfortable. As you described her, she is a shy girl. She may not say anything at all.”
“Pallavi di … Please help us – Chaits is very close to us and Anjali – she is my first cousin. I know they love each other deep. It was me who introduced them to each other and now, I have a deep remorse that I’ve ruined their lives.” Tanvi said, almost in tears.
“Don’t worry, I am here in this town and will definitely help you. I can extend my stay, here in India, maybe for another couple of months. By then, we will have a clear idea as to what is required – maybe, you can help me search for an accommodation. Staying in a hotel for this long could be costly.”
“You can stay with my parents, in my room. I’ve shifted to Mumbai since our wedding and my parents would be glad to accommodate you. They miss a daughter in their home – you could be their make shift daughter…” she smiled.
Chaits looked at Tanvi, his eyes full of gratitude. She had never failed to get a solution for any of his problems.
“Wow! Thanks a lot Tanvi … I’ll accept this offer right away. Now that this is settled, let’s try and find a solution to his problem.” Pallavi said pointing to Chaits.
Over the dinner, they discussed and formulated a plan. Tanvi suggested a restaurant that would be quiet with not many visitors during lunch hours to disturb them. It was placed quite nearby to the hotel they were staying. Chaits was to pick up Anjali by noon and reach that place. Meanwhile Guru, Tanvi and Pallavi would go ahead and book the tables next to each other. They would sit in such a way where Pallavi could observe and study Anjali…
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