Now I hear you

Brinda was a girl with spunk, her eyes brighter than pearls. But every time Akash walked to her desk or turned to her, she held herself back.

It was a blazing summer afternoon. Akash reached the newspaper office to submit his reports of the day. As he went to his desk, he saw Brinda sitting on a sofa with her guardian, waiting for the boss. He had seen her before, but never in such a bad shape.

He suddenly revisited the time, seven months back, when he had seen her for the first time in the building. She was a girl with spunk, her eyes brighter than pearls. It didn’t take long for him to fall for her. But every time he walked to her desk or turned to her, she held herself back. Odd as that felt, Akash thought better than to worry.

On that day, when Brinda saw him, she struggled to greet him. She looked scared and Akash couldn’t understand why. He gently asked, “What happened, are you alright?” His question was left hanging in silence. Ignoring him, she made way for the Boss’ cabin with her aunt.

Worried, Akash approached Brinda’s friend Tina to know what had happened. Tina told him that she is bipolar, and recently, she tried to harm herself. He listened patiently, as he wanted to help Brinda out of whatever she was going through.

After what seemed like an eternity, Brinda stepped out of the office. Akash hurried after her and said, “Don’t worry, you are not alone. No matter what, I am there for you.” His words came out faster than intended. He apologised for his abruptness. But she didn’t say anything. She just stood there and smiled, expressing her gratitude.

From that day onwards, as Akash promised, Brinda wasn’t alone. Although for the next few months, the bouts of hallucinations, seizures, and suicidal thoughts didn’t stop, he was there to support her, as her rock. When they got married, they started a new journey but their vows were the same—to support each other through thick and thin.

From being colleagues to friends to life partners, Akash and Brinda showed the world that having a mental health condition can be grim, but having the support of a loved one can turn anyone into a fighter.

And a fighter Brinda had become.

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