1. Love Debate!

Marona's POV

I am always amused at the thought of how life can turn out to be beautiful and vibrant when you are given love and care selflessly. 

Now look at the little plant which has bloomed with flowers in a tiny pot. I feel so satisfied when I see that love has so much power.  

It gives life, it gives meaning to everything, it gives you happiness and peace. 

I couldn't stop smiling at the bloomed flowers. It's making my house fragrant. I have many plants in the house, it gives me peace of mind and happiness when I take care of them. 

Whenever I look at my house, it gives me the feeling that I have accomplished my goals in life. A beautiful house where I can have a cup of coffee without any disturbance, whenever I look around I see only love and peace. 

I feel blessed!

"Marona, breakfast is ready."

Della called me from the kitchen. 

Della is my house help, it's been six months and she has become a great friend of mine. She is a lovely mid age woman with a cute voice and gives me a sense of motherly aura.

And also she is my personal diary, she is a great listener and advisor. 

"Yes, boss... Coming!"

I placed the water spray down and went to the dining table. 

"Wow! It's smelling delicious..."

Della is an amazing cook, she never fails to make my mouth water with her delicious food. 

She is definitely one of the gems in my life. 

"Come have breakfast with me."

She smiled at my words and sat beside me while shaking her head in amusement. 

"You should learn to eat alone, Marona... What if I am not there some day?"

I laughed off her words.

"Then I'll take you on video call... Eating alone is boring..."

"You never know what kind of turns life might take."

She grabbed the apple from the basket.

"Again negative talk, Della... Stay happy, positive and smile for me..."

Whenever I talk to her, something negative comes out of her mouth but I can understand that there might be some reasons behind it. When the person is dealing with something unhealed then it's natural to get engulfed by bitter thoughts and words. 

She was busy cutting an apple, her lips set into this line and wrinkles on forehead became prominent. 

"Life is not the same for everyone, Marona. I sometimes get lost in my sad life... I have already lived most of my life but whenever I see you, I feel that we should have met before. You might have become my inspiration to live a better life... How do you always find something positive in every situation? How does your mind work in difficult situations too? How do you manage to survive the difficulties? I adore that but it also confuses me."

She placed a chopped apple on my plate. 

I smiled and placed some back in her plate.

"Because this is life, Della... I am a psychiatrist, on a daily basis I deal with people who are struggling to survive for the next day. We are blessed to have a healthy life because people out there are not lucky like us. Isn't that enough reason to be happy and smile for a beautiful life..."

She smiled. 

"Everyone has different views and reasons to get that life. Not everyone can be as loving and caring as you... And not everyone gives importance to love like you do... Love is a myth, Marona."

I shrugged at her. Della and I always debate on love topics.

"I have seen my many patients heal with love and care... What is your point?"

She chuckled.

"Love is not always good and does not always come in white horse, which will fill your life with sunshine and flowers, giggles and laughs, and everything which will protect your smile and peace... Sometimes the love comes in black shadows, covered in black cloak like a grim ripper, it fills your life with thorns and pain, giggles might turn into tears and smile into cries... Love is not always a hero..."

Hmm, interesting! Now it's time for debate. 

"Like?"

"Like the news I saw yesterday that the mother killed her neighbour's woman because she scolded her son. When interviewed, she said that she loves her son so much that she couldn't control her anger..."

Della shook her head in disappointment. 

"Is this love?"

"That's love with anger and ego..."

She looked at me curiously when I said that. 

"Other feelings mixed with love are always harmful for the person... You said that sometimes love comes in black cloak, I feel that the cloak is the cover of other overpowering feelings, once you remove that cloak then you will find the white horse under it... Love is a pure thing, Della and if it hurts you then it's not love..."

She huffed.

"I'll never win against you in this... You are the biggest preacher of love"

She got up with a chuckle. 

"But everyone faces the situation in their life where they have to choose something else in front of love, I'll see what you will choose... When it comes to reality and the cruel world, love takes the back seat..."

I laughed at her.

"Indeed! I have seen people choosing other things, like one of my clients choosing money over her husband. When asked, she told me that it gives her more happiness... But don't you think that there is love too. Not for the husband but for money!"

She shook her head in disbelief. 

"Jesus! Marona, you are impossible... How do you manage to see love in every situation?"

I laughed at her reaction. 

"It's just a thought, Della... I know that in the real world, there are things which will push back the love. There is darkness and cruelty. And I am completely aware of that but sometimes I love to keep myself in delusion, It feels good to think that the world is according to my feelings..."

"Good, that's why I don't lock you in the house. Because you know that your thinking and world is not aligned. If you would have been a delusional girl then I would have banned you from going out in the darkness."

She said dramatically. 

"I hope you fall in love, Della... It will make you feel free."

I got up to get ready. 

"Girl, I am already old... Who will love me?"

She laughed. 

"Love comes in all forms, not just a partner... Maybe some pet, child or hobby... Love is everywhere!"

I smiled while walking towards the room. 

I know she thinks I am too delusional sometimes but don't you think that the world is working because of love. 

I chuckled to myself while getting ready because whatever I talked to Della are my thoughts, the world doesn't think like that and my patients definitely do not. 

To be honest, I love the feeling when I reintroduce them to their life. It feels like I have got a new life when they start to live again. 

But it does hurt when they take time to heal. Sometimes I struggle with them. 

Few patients are not serious enough and heal just with the talking therapy but some do need medication and some strict medical treatments. 

The process of healing is painful but the end is always beautiful. 

I opened my screen to attend the session. Most of my clients are from overseas, during COVID everything switched to online and since then everyone prefers it. 

I am not complaining though, I am ready to attend them the way they are comfortable. 

Today I am meeting my new patient, sometimes they don't even tell you their real problem but no worries, I know how to read their minds. 

There appeared a young boy on the screen.

"Hello, Sam"

I smiled. After a few minutes of the introduction session he looked little comfortable. 

His mother has informed me that Sam has tried to take his life many times. He doesn't tell the reason behind it and slowly he has stopped talking to people also, he stays in his room alone. 

I tried to open him up with many tricks and tried to know the reason but his body language and eyes are telling me that he is still not ready to tell. 

He suddenly flinched and looked back in the room. He tried to chase away something which wasn't there. 

"Ohh, your friend is also with you?" 

I didn't see anything but I have to play along. 

"You can see them?!"

He looked at me shocked. 

"Yeah, why don't you introduce me to them."

I smiled. Unfortunately, he is suffering from a serious illness. Now it's time to find out the reason behind it. 

After a long conversation, it turned out that Sam was seeing the hallucination of his grandparents whom he used to love too much but they died when Sam was a kid. His young mind couldn't take it and started hallucinating, he tried to suicide so he can go with them. 

The one more reason for him to find love in his dead grandparents is his parents are unable to give him love & attention because of their working life, which his grandparents used to give. 

I sighed while closing the laptop. The things love makes us do can be strange sometimes. I hope his parents manage to give him what he wants or else I'll have to fix him with other treatments which will take away the essence of his life. 

After a few more sessions, it was time to wrap up. 

I freshened up and came out of the closet when I heard the familiar sound of the car. 

My lips turned into a huge smile. I quickly fixed my hair and dress in the mirror and went downstairs to welcome him. 

His big, strong silhouette entered the door as I stopped a few steps away. 

"I thought, you won't be home tonight just like yesterday."

I said as he stepped inside under the light while taking off his shoes and I noticed blood on it. 

I forced a smile while ignoring his shoes and took the briefcase and jacket from him. He smiled back and pecked my lips. 

"It's so relaxing to see my good wife welcoming me with a sweet smile when I am home... You are a peace, Marona..."

His smile made my heart bloom. 

"Always! If I won't become your peace then who will?"

I placed his things away and he went upstairs.  

I forced myself not to but my eyes didn't listen, the bloody shoes pricked my eyes. God knows what he was doing last night. 

"Marona!"

I heard him calling me and I followed his voice to our bedroom. 

I frowned when I saw him getting ready again. 

"Are you going somewhere again?"

He looked at me while wearing his tie. I stepped forward and helped him. His eyes stared at me blankly as he nodded. 

"We are going to the party!" 

My heart sank.

"Party?" 

I mumbled while fixing his tie and then stepped back. 

"You are just home and now a party?"

I don't like his parties where I have to be a sophisticated wife with an elegant smile on my face in an expensive gown. It's suffocating and annoying. I don't like it but I have to do it because I am his wife and it's his life, as a good partner I have to accompany him. 

I can say no but it will hurt his feelings so I can't do that either. 

God, I was thinking of drinking good hot chocolate and watching a movie tonight. 

I love this man but the thought of going to the party is scary, how do I say no without hurting his emotions? 

"It's a business, Marona... And I am doing it for us" 

He tucked a strand behind my ear with a small smile. 

"For our happy life! Go, change.... And wear your new gown, not something which you have worn before"

I forced a smile and nodded. He has an addiction to branded things but if he can afford them then why not, but until it's safe!

The class, elegance, status and respect matters to him. 

But he also cares and loves me, that's all that matters to me and that's why I am with him. I can do anything to protect this man and keep his smile safe because he loves me!

I went to the closet and saw lines of expensive gowns which I don't like to wear because this is not me. I am free spirited, I love simple things because that's my profession and nature. 

If clothes can suffocate me like this then imagine the party. 

I still remember how I was tortured there last time. 

I have to think about something to stop this.

I can't deny him directly because he will be hurt but what if I give him a reason to not take me?

My eyes fell on the perfume bottle which is almost empty, I took a deep breath and grabbed it. 

If I get a bandage on hand then he will not take me. 

He might ask me to rest at home. Also because a bandaged hand will grab attention and create gossip in the party, he won't take that risk. 

I raised the bottle to smash it on my hand but the door opened and I quickly hid it behind my back. 

He looked at me confused. 

"Are you not ready yet?" 

"Almost, give me five minutes!"

I smiled at him nervously. 

He smiled back and nodded.

"Come out fast, we are getting late. 

"Yes"

I sighed and placed the bottle down. 

"Yes, Laurence!"

Shit, now there is no option.