Morning sunlight slipped through the curtains, but Maya had no desire to welcome the day. A wave of dizziness weighed heavily upon her, making it difficult even to rise from the bed. She remained still for a few moments, trying to gather enough strength to stand.
Dressed for the office, Zain stepped into the bedroom to say goodbye. The moment his eyes settled on Maya's pale face, he stopped in his tracks.
"Maya, what's wrong?" he asked anxiously. "You're growing weaker with each passing day."
Maya parted her lips to answer, but before she could speak, Zain gently interrupted her.
"No, Maya. I don't want to hear another excuse. I'm taking the day off today. Get ready—we're going to see a physician."
Maya could tell from the firmness in his voice that he had already made up his mind.
Without wasting another moment, Zain called the physician's clinic, booked an appointment, and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
They ate together in the bedroom. After breakfast, Maya felt slightly better. Slowly, she got ready for the appointment.
A few minutes later, they stepped out of the house.
Throughout the drive to the physician's clinic, Maya remained silent. Neither she nor Zain attempted to break the silence. Still, Zain stole occasional glances at her, his concern evident in his eyes.
When they arrived at the clinic, they did not have to wait long. Since it was still early in the morning, only a few patients were waiting.
After conducting a general examination, the physician began asking Maya a series of routine questions. She answered each one reluctantly.
Several times, Zain tried to explain what he had observed over the past few weeks, but the physician politely interrupted him.
"I appreciate your concern," he said, "but for now, I'd like to hear everything from Maya herself."
Once the examination was complete, the physician recommended a few routine tests. A short while later, the reports were placed on his desk.
He studied them carefully before looking up at Maya.
"Maya," he said gently, "your reports don't indicate any serious physical illness. Everything appears normal except for signs of mild depression. I also notice some strain in your eyes."
He paused for a moment.
"May I ask how much time you spend on your phone every day?"
Maya hesitated.
She glanced at Zain before replying quietly,
"More than five hours."
The physician nodded thoughtfully. He leaned back in his chair, picked up his prescription pad, and wrote a few lines in silence.
Then he handed the prescription to Zain.
"I've written the name of a psychiatrist whom I highly recommend. I think it would be beneficial for Maya to consult him."
His gaze shifted toward both of them.
"Technology has become an inseparable part of modern life. We rely on it for work, learning, and even for solving our daily problems. There is nothing wrong with that."
He paused before continuing.
"But when technology begins replacing real life instead of supporting it, it can gradually affect our mental well-being. Sometimes, seeking help from a psychologist or psychiatrist is just as important as consulting a physician for a physical illness."
They returned home from the physician's clinic in complete silence. Throughout the drive, Maya repeatedly insisted that there was no need to consult a psychiatrist.
"I don't have any psychological problems," she said firmly. "I was just feeling a little weak."
Zain glanced at her before replying calmly, "Maya, there's no harm in following the doctor's advice. If everything is fine, we'll return home with peace of mind."
"But I know myself better than anyone else," Maya argued. "I don't need psychiatric treatment."
Zain chose not to prolong the discussion. He knew Maya had already made up her mind, and further arguments would only make her more defensive.
The appointment with the psychiatrist was scheduled for that evening.
Although Maya remained unwilling until the very last moment, she finally accompanied Zain to the psychiatrist's clinic.
They arrived at the psychiatrist's clinic at the scheduled time. After exchanging a brief greeting, the psychiatrist politely requested that Zain remain in the waiting room so that Maya could speak more freely.
Zain nodded in agreement and quietly stepped outside. As the door closed behind him, Maya found herself alone with the psychiatrist.
Silence settled over the room for a few moments.
The psychiatrist allowed the silence to linger before breaking it gently.
"Take your time, Maya," he said with a reassuring smile. "Let's begin with a few simple questions."
"Alright, Maya," the psychiatrist said gently. "Would you like to tell me a little about yourself? For example, are you a homemaker, or are you associated with any profession?"
Maya hesitated. She cleared her throat before replying,
"I'm a homemaker."
Although her voice was calm, an unmistakable trace of pain lingered beneath her words.
The psychiatrist nodded thoughtfully.
"That's wonderful," he said warmly. "May I ask another question? Are you happy with your life as a homemaker?"
Maya remained silent for a few moments before answering.
The psychiatrist continued asking a series of gentle questions. As the conversation unfolded, he gradually realized that Maya was carrying the burden of unresolved regrets. She felt deprived of opportunities after her marriage. She had sacrificed her dream job, left her Ph.D. unfinished, and devoted her entire life to her husband and children.
A wave of silence settled over the room once again. The psychiatrist deliberately allowed Maya a few moments to compose herself.
After a brief pause, he spoke gently.
"Maya, would you mind telling me about your daily activities and hobbies?"
Maya remained motionless. She lowered her gaze but said nothing.
Sensing her hesitation, the psychiatrist rephrased his question.
"Do you enjoy reading books?"
This time, Maya simply nodded.
"What kind of books interest you the most?" he asked.
"Aging... and psychological dramas," she replied quietly.
"How much time do you usually spend reading?"
Maya hesitated before answering.
"A few months ago, I used to read for almost three or four hours a day. But these days, I hardly read at all."
The psychiatrist leaned back in his chair and continued the conversation with a few more thoughtful questions. Gradually, a clear pattern emerged. Maya's interest in reading, gardening, and other hobbies had slowly faded, while her screen time had increased significantly. At the heart of that change lay her loneliness.
Maya remained silent. For the first time since entering the clinic, she had no argument to offer. Every question the psychiatrist had asked seemed to echo in her mind. She realized that somewhere along the way, she had not only drifted away from her family but also from herself. The room fell silent once again. Outside, the evening sun was slowly descending beyond the horizon, while inside, a new awareness quietly began to rise within her.
Next Chapter coming soon...........18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32DbNPk0xi
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