Chapter 34: chapter 34

My husband was made to stay in his sister's house due to the susceptible accessibility of the doctors. Her flat was located on the fifth floor without the availability of a lift facility. My husband fatigued while climbing the stairs. He couldn’t bare the separation from me. Somehow they made him understand that he was there because of the proximity of the doctors.It was a big challenge for them to make him swallow medicines. He refused to take the pills prescribed by the physiatrist. He complained of severe gastric issues. One night he got his routine anxiety attack, the relatives took it to be gastrointestinal problems. They had to summon a gastroenterologist to take care of his bloating, stomach pain and other digestive problems on his regular insistence. The doctor diagnosed it as the accumulation of acidity due to the intake of covid medicines and prescribed only a three-day treatment solely on medicines.The days without him passed in suspension. I lost interest in eating, drinking and sleeping. I lost count of time. Everything appeared dull and hazy. I back-answered my mother-in-law when she said something annoying. Later, I repented my deed. Lakshmi coaxed me to have food. It became a routine to ask, "Didi have you taken your food?" She prepared tea for me and forced me to keep myself stuffed with food. I went on with my daily schedule without any interest. I was not able to talk to him because of his weak mental status. I lived in fear and anxiety about his well-being. I worried about what he ate or drank as I was feeding him with my hands since the day he received a mental breakdown. My sisters and parents bestowed strength and courage on me to fight the situation bravely.My mother-in-law wanted my sons to manage the shop. They had to obey her reluctantly. Raghav was taking good care of our needs. He was doing all the grocery and vegetable shopping for me. I yearned to talk and hear him. They showed him on a video call. He was imitating his neighbours. I understood, he was not fine. I felt guilty for leaving him alone. I regretted not accompanying him. I fretted they might be nursing him properly or not. He had never stayed for a night in her sister's place whatever the case may be. He may be feeling uncomfortable missing his family. All kinds of vague fears hovered over my mind. He expressed his desire to see his sons over the video call. The change of place didn't suit him.I was surprised when he gave me a call to wish me on my birthday. He reprimanded me for not calling him and asked me the reason for keeping him aloof from us. I provided a reasonable cause for the proximity of the doctors. He seemed satisfied with my suggestion. When his sister made him talk with his mother, he shouted to call me instantly. I remained bothered all the time hearing him. I maintained a silence thinking he will improve in a few days.One day, after a week of staying with his sister, he became aggressive over a call and wanted to talk only with me. He sounded irritated and full of tension. His agitation was clearly evident in his voice. Never in his life he had seemed so restless. He said in a most bewildered state of mind, "Please take me out of here and drive me out from all this. I can't stand it anymore. Send a car as early as possible so that I can reach home early in the morning. I am caged over here, they don't allow me to talk to you."