24-08-2025, 12:33 AM
(CHAPTER CONTD)
SOMETIME LATER AT THE R&J CAFE NEAR TANISHQ
The late afternoon sun slanted through the tall glass windows of the café, casting golden shadows over the wooden tables. It was the same place Sonarika and Vikram had stolen hours together during their affair—the familiar smell of roasted coffee beans and cinnamon pastries lingering like echoes of their secret past. Vikram was already there, sitting at their usual corner booth. He had chosen it deliberately, the seat that had once given her the comfort of being hidden from prying eyes. When he saw her walk in, pale and weary, he rose with a smile that faltered the moment he caught the dullness in her eyes.
"Soni…"
He greeted softly, pulling her chair out. She gave him a faint smile, the kind that didn’t reach her eyes, and sat down.
"You look tired" Vikram said, studying her face.
"Rough night?"
She looked down at the menu, though she wasn’t really reading it.
"You could say that" Her voice was flat, carrying the weight of something unspoken.
Vikram reached across the table, placing his hand over hers gently.
"Hey… look at me" She did, reluctantly, and he offered her the smile she used to love.
"Whatever it is, you’re not alone. You’ve got me"
For a fleeting moment, warmth spread across her heart at his words. She squeezed his hand back, then pulled away to stir her coffee.
"I know. And I do appreciate you, Vicky. Truly"
"Then why do I feel like I’m not reaching you anymore?" He leaned closer, lowering his voice.
Sonarika sighed, staring at the steam rising from her cup.
"Because you aren’t. Not the way you used to. Not the way he did"
Vikram flinched at the mention, his smile fading.
"Hemant"
She nodded slowly, her throat tightening.
"Even when he hurts me, even when he pushes me away… the emptiness he leaves behind is unbearable. You try, Vicky. You really do. You make me laugh, you listen, you care. But…"
Her voice cracked.
"You don’t fill that space. No one can"
Silence settled between them, heavy and suffocating. Vikram leaned back, his jaw tightening as he struggled to keep his composure.
"So what am I to you then? A distraction? A… substitute?"
Sonarika shook her head firmly.
"No. Don’t say that. I am still trying to figure out us, Vicky. You showed me a side of myself I didn’t know existed. And I love that about us. But…"
She hesitated, searching for the right words.
"You’re not my peace. Hemant was"
Vikram clenched his fists beneath the table.
"And yet he doesn’t want you anymore. He’s made that clear, hasn’t he? He walked away. I’m here, Soni. I’ve always been here"
Her eyes softened, filled with guilt.
"I know. And part of me acknowledges and appreciates you for that. But another part… the part that’s broken, that’s still crying for him… it won’t let me give you all of me"
Vikram swallowed hard, his voice dropping.
"So you’ll keep me half-loved while you mourn the man who doesn’t want you?"
Tears stung her eyes.
"I don’t know what else to do. I can’t erase him from my heart, Vicky. And it’s killing me"
He leaned in, lowering his voice, desperate.
"Then let me help you forget. Let me be the one who takes away that pain"
Sonarika met his gaze, her hand trembling as she reached across the table, but her eyes betrayed her truth.
"You can hold me, Vicky. You can care for me. But you’ll never be able to erase him"
His face fell, the sting of defeat sharp and bitter. He nodded slowly, forcing a smile that didn’t mask the hurt.
"Then I’ll take what I can get for now. Because losing you entirely… would destroy me"
She closed her eyes, tears sliding down her cheeks. Her heart split again, knowing she was dragging them both through a storm with no shelter in sight. Vikram reached across the table again, this time not gently but with a kind of urgency. His hand cupped her chin, tilting her face toward his. His eyes burned with longing.
"Then stop crying over a man who has given up on you. Let yourself feel what I can give you, right now"
Sonarika’s breath caught, her heart pounding against her ribs. The café around them blurred into silence.
"Vicky… don’t" she whispered, though her body leaned instinctively toward his warmth.
He moved closer, their faces just inches apart.
"You say I can’t erase him… but maybe I don’t have to. Maybe I just have to remind you that you’re still alive. That you’re still wanted. By me"
Before she could argue, his lips brushed hers—light at first, testing. A flicker of heat ran through her, unbidden, the taste of coffee and longing mingling. Her eyes fluttered shut, and for a second, she allowed herself to melt into him. The kiss deepened quickly, Vikram’s desperation spilling through. His hand slid to the back of her neck, pulling her closer, his lips pressing harder, demanding more. Sonarika responded with a shaky breath, part of her craving the fire, part of her recoiling at the guilt twisting inside her chest. She pulled back suddenly, her lips trembling, her heart racing.
"Vicky, no… I can’t—"
He didn’t let go, his forehead resting against hers, his breath hot and ragged.
"Why not? You want this. I can feel it. Don’t lie to yourself, Soni"
"I want the comfort… but not the intimacy. Not like this. Not while my heart still bleeds for him"
Tears pooled in her eyes. Vikram exhaled sharply, frustration darkening his features.
"Every time I think I have you, he takes you back without even lifting a finger. Do you know how much that destroys me?"
Her voice broke, soft and aching.
"And do you know how much it destroys me to feel torn like this? I am vulnerable to my core , I need time , to figure out which is my way and what is my future"
His grip softened then, his anger melting into sorrow. He kissed her forehead instead, lingering.
"Then let me be patient. I’ll wait. I’ll keep holding you until the day you’re ready. Even if it kills me"
Sonarika closed her eyes, a single tear sliding down her cheek, staining the space between longing and regret. She leaned into his chest, inhaling his warmth, while deep inside her the emptiness Hemant left still echoed like a hollow room.
WEEKS LATER IN TANISHQ
The day at TANISHQ felt unusually long for Sonarika. Her eyes were fixed on her computer screen, yet nothing seemed to register. Every design, every email, every client call blurred into meaningless noise. Inside, she carried the heaviness of Hemant’s words, Vikram’s desperate kiss, and the unrelenting ache that seemed to define her days. By noon, her phone buzzed. A message popped up from a mutual friend:
'Guess what? Ragini’s back in Mumbai! Landed last night'
For the first time in weeks, Sonarika’s lips curved faintly, though her heart was still heavy. She didn’t hesitate. She typed out a message:
'Ragini, it’s Sonarika. Can we meet? I… really need to see you'
The reply came swiftly.
'Of course. Come to my flat before evening. I’ll be here'
That was all the push she needed. Sonarika applied for an early leave, claiming exhaustion. The staff didn’t question her—she looked the part. By late afternoon, she was standing outside Ragini’s apartment door, her palms clammy. The door opened, and there was Ragini—warm-eyed, stylish as always, yet with the perceptiveness of someone who had lived through storms of her own. One glance at Sonarika’s face and she knew.
"Oh, Sonarika… you don't look well , what happened?"
Sonarika’s lips trembled. The composure she had worn all day shattered in an instant. She stepped inside, and as the door closed behind her, she collapsed into Ragini’s arms, weeping softly. They settled on the couch, tea untouched on the table. Words poured out of Sonarika like a dam breaking. She confessed everything—the secret affair with Vikram, the nights of deception, the guilt that had gnawed at her, and finally the devastating confession to Hemant that had shattered her marriage.
Ragini listened, her face grave but calm. She stroked Sonarika’s hand occasionally, but when the confession was over, she spoke firmly.
"I warned you, Sonarika. I told you to stay away from Vikram. You knew he was danger… and yet, you went headlong into him"
Sonarika raised her swollen eyes, desperate.
"I know. I know, Ragini. But it wasn’t so simple. I… I felt something with him. Something that made me forget my ache , my incompleteness, even if just for a moment"
Ragini’s expression hardened slightly.
"You can’t reason it away, Sona. Not with me. Because in my marriage, I was you. My husband cheated on me. And I remember how I begged for answers, how I drowned in humiliation. Do you know who stands in my place right now?"
Sonarika’s face fell, guilt slamming into her again. Ragini continued, her voice low but sharp.
"It’s Hemant. The man who loved you, who gave you his life. And you are the one who tore his world apart"
The words stung, but Sonarika didn’t fight them. She bowed her head, tears dripping onto her lap.
"You’re right. I’ve destroyed everything. I’m watching him drift further and further away, and I can’t stop it. I feel helpless, Ragini. Completely helpless"
The room fell into silence, broken only by Sonarika’s soft sobs. She finally looked up with pleading eyes.
"I need help. I’m behaving so erratically… some days I don’t recognize myself. I need order in my life again. I can’t go on like this"
Ragini’s features softened. She leaned forward, clasping Sonarika’s hands.
"Then let’s get you help. Professional help. There’s a therapist I know—Neha Bharadwaj. She’s brilliant, Sona. She’s dealt with complicated cases like yours. She’ll help you find some balance again"
"Therapy? You think I need that?"
Sonarika blinked, startled. Ragini nodded firmly.
"I’m not saying it’ll bring Hemant back. It may not fix your marriage. But it will give you clarity, strength, and sanity. You’ve been spiraling, and you need someone neutral, someone trained, to guide you out of this mess"
Sonarika sat still for a long moment, absorbing the idea. Then slowly, she exhaled, her shoulders sagging in something close to relief.
"Maybe… maybe you’re right. I’ve been fighting everyone, even myself. I think I do need someone to help me through this"
Ragini pulled her into another hug, gentler this time.
"Good. Then trust the process, Sonarika. Trust Neha. She won’t judge you. And maybe—just maybe—it isn’t too late to save yourself from this pit"
Sonarika buried her face in Ragini’s shoulder, whispering shakily.
"Thank you… thank you for not giving up on me"
Ragini stroked her back, her voice warm yet firm.
"I know what pain does to people, Sona. But you don’t have to drown in it. You’ve made mistakes, yes—but now it’s time to learn how to live again"
For the first time in weeks, Sonarika felt something close to hope—a fragile thread, but a thread nonetheless. As Ragini held her, she thought: Maybe she can still find herself, even if she lost him.
NEXT DAY AT THE MUMBAI SUBURBS
The waiting room smelled faintly of lavender. Soft instrumental music played from a corner speaker, calming in tone, yet Sonarika’s nerves refused to settle. She kept adjusting her dupatta, her palms damp, her heart uneasy. Therapy. It was a word she never thought would apply to her. Neha Bharadwaj’s office door opened. A woman in her early forties, poised yet warm, stood there with a knowing smile.
"Sonarika?" she asked. Her voice carried assurance.
Sonarika rose, entering the room. The space was minimal but inviting: cream walls, a plush couch, bookshelves stacked with psychology texts, and soft lighting that softened the edges of everything. It didn’t feel clinical—it felt safe.
"Please, sit" Neha gestured.
"This is your space. No judgments here. Whatever you say stays with me"
Sonarika nodded faintly, perching at the edge of the couch. At first, her words were halting, but once Neha encouraged her gently, the confessions began to flow. She spoke of Hemant, the betrayal, Vikram, and the unbearable grief of watching her marriage collapse. Neha listened, hands folded in her lap, her gaze attentive but not pressing.
"You’ve carried a lot" she murmured after a while.
"But tell me—when you say Vikram gave you something Hemant couldn’t… what do you mean exactly?"
Sonarika hesitated. Her cheeks flushed.
"With Vikram… it wasn’t love, not the way I had with Hemant. It was… intensity. Desire. A rush. He made me feel alive, wanted, powerful. Like every touch mattered"
Neha tilted her head.
"And did this intensity feel new to you? Or had you felt something similar earlier in life?"
Sonarika blinked, her mind pulling back years.
"Actually… yes. In my teens. My first love, Rocky. Back in Delhi. It was the same—wild, reckless, addictive. Everything about him was excitement. Our relationship was more physical, more… consuming"
"Interesting" Neha said softly.
"And when did this begin?"
Sonarika took a shaky breath.
"After… after an accident. I was sixteen. Meghna—my best friend—she was in danger. At our building complex near the playground. A huge metal grill was being lifted by ropes, but they snapped. I pushed her away. It hit me instead"
Her voice trembled as she recalled it.
"I woke up weeks later in the hospital. Everyone was there. My parents, my siblings… even Rocky. I should’ve been dead, but I wasn’t"
Neha leaned forward slightly.
"That was a serious head injury, then"
Sonarika nodded.
"Yes. Doctors said it was a miracle. But after that… it was like something inside me had changed. I felt… different. With Rocky, I became bolder. More daring. Our romance turned more physical, and it was like I couldn’t stop seeking that thrill"
Neha’s brow furrowed, though her expression remained composed. She made notes, but carefully, not to alarm her patient. A head trauma. A shift in behavior.
"So this craving for intensity—did it continue into adulthood?" Neha asked gently.
Sonarika exhaled, pressing her hands together.
"Yes. With Hemant, I had peace, love, stability. But when it came to sex , he always held back. I wasn't bothered at first as we were lost in the happiness and warmth of building and raising a family. But something inside me… wanted more from him , and it left me a little unfinished. Eventually I learned to live with it. Then Vikram awakened that side of me again. I know it’s wrong, but I couldn’t resist"
Neha’s eyes softened.
"Sonarika, I want you to understand something. There’s no instant cure for what you’re feeling. But this is not just weakness or betrayal. What you’ve described could have roots in something deeper. Therapy is a slow process. But if you trust it, you will see improvements. You’ll gain clarity, and maybe one day, peace"
Sonarika swallowed hard, her throat tight. Relief mixed with fear in her chest. At least here, she wasn’t being judged. She nodded, her voice faint.
"I’ll try. I… I want to get better"
The session ended with Neha reassuring her.
"One step at a time. I’ll walk this path with you. You’re not alone anymore"
When Sonarika left the office, her face carried the faintest trace of hope. She still felt broken, but she wasn’t drowning alone now. Once the door closed, Neha sat back at her desk, reviewing her notes. After a moment’s hesitation, she picked up her phone and dialed Ragini.
"It’s Neha" she said once Ragini answered.
"I’ve just finished my first session with Sonarika. I need to share my observations. There’s something you need to know"
"Tell me" Ragini’s tone was tense.
Neha’s voice was calm but weighted.
"Her descriptions, her past, her compulsions—they suggest more than just emotional distress. Sonarika is suffering from Hypersexuality. Likely a complication stemming from her teenage head injury. This isn’t just about choices. It’s neurological. And it needs careful, sustained treatment"
"My God…" Ragini closed her eyes, heart sinking.
Neha added softly.
"But it isn’t hopeless. With therapy, structure, and support, she can reclaim control. She just needs time—and people who won’t give up on her"
"Okay Neha , I will look after her"
"And Ragini one more thing. The accident she described , I think there is something more to it"
"Like what?"
"People don't suffer hypersexuality from a hit on the head. Somehow or someone coerced her into an abundant sexual situation. It could be her ex Rocky or someone else. But I have a feeling , judging by what she said and I've analyzed. There is something deeper that is going on in her life and she is being manipulated or pushed to situations like this"
"Who could that be?"
"I don't know for now Ragini. Maybe as we continue the therapy we can find out. For now , lets give her some relief. I want her to recover in good health. But first I need to clear some doubts regarding her head injury. And for that , I need your help"
"Anything you need Neha"
(CHAPTER TO BE CONTD)
The late afternoon sun slanted through the tall glass windows of the café, casting golden shadows over the wooden tables. It was the same place Sonarika and Vikram had stolen hours together during their affair—the familiar smell of roasted coffee beans and cinnamon pastries lingering like echoes of their secret past. Vikram was already there, sitting at their usual corner booth. He had chosen it deliberately, the seat that had once given her the comfort of being hidden from prying eyes. When he saw her walk in, pale and weary, he rose with a smile that faltered the moment he caught the dullness in her eyes.
"Soni…"
He greeted softly, pulling her chair out. She gave him a faint smile, the kind that didn’t reach her eyes, and sat down.
"You look tired" Vikram said, studying her face.
"Rough night?"
She looked down at the menu, though she wasn’t really reading it.
"You could say that" Her voice was flat, carrying the weight of something unspoken.
Vikram reached across the table, placing his hand over hers gently.
"Hey… look at me" She did, reluctantly, and he offered her the smile she used to love.
"Whatever it is, you’re not alone. You’ve got me"
For a fleeting moment, warmth spread across her heart at his words. She squeezed his hand back, then pulled away to stir her coffee.
"I know. And I do appreciate you, Vicky. Truly"
"Then why do I feel like I’m not reaching you anymore?" He leaned closer, lowering his voice.
Sonarika sighed, staring at the steam rising from her cup.
"Because you aren’t. Not the way you used to. Not the way he did"
Vikram flinched at the mention, his smile fading.
"Hemant"
She nodded slowly, her throat tightening.
"Even when he hurts me, even when he pushes me away… the emptiness he leaves behind is unbearable. You try, Vicky. You really do. You make me laugh, you listen, you care. But…"
Her voice cracked.
"You don’t fill that space. No one can"
Silence settled between them, heavy and suffocating. Vikram leaned back, his jaw tightening as he struggled to keep his composure.
"So what am I to you then? A distraction? A… substitute?"
Sonarika shook her head firmly.
"No. Don’t say that. I am still trying to figure out us, Vicky. You showed me a side of myself I didn’t know existed. And I love that about us. But…"
She hesitated, searching for the right words.
"You’re not my peace. Hemant was"
Vikram clenched his fists beneath the table.
"And yet he doesn’t want you anymore. He’s made that clear, hasn’t he? He walked away. I’m here, Soni. I’ve always been here"
Her eyes softened, filled with guilt.
"I know. And part of me acknowledges and appreciates you for that. But another part… the part that’s broken, that’s still crying for him… it won’t let me give you all of me"
Vikram swallowed hard, his voice dropping.
"So you’ll keep me half-loved while you mourn the man who doesn’t want you?"
Tears stung her eyes.
"I don’t know what else to do. I can’t erase him from my heart, Vicky. And it’s killing me"
He leaned in, lowering his voice, desperate.
"Then let me help you forget. Let me be the one who takes away that pain"
Sonarika met his gaze, her hand trembling as she reached across the table, but her eyes betrayed her truth.
"You can hold me, Vicky. You can care for me. But you’ll never be able to erase him"
His face fell, the sting of defeat sharp and bitter. He nodded slowly, forcing a smile that didn’t mask the hurt.
"Then I’ll take what I can get for now. Because losing you entirely… would destroy me"
She closed her eyes, tears sliding down her cheeks. Her heart split again, knowing she was dragging them both through a storm with no shelter in sight. Vikram reached across the table again, this time not gently but with a kind of urgency. His hand cupped her chin, tilting her face toward his. His eyes burned with longing.
"Then stop crying over a man who has given up on you. Let yourself feel what I can give you, right now"
Sonarika’s breath caught, her heart pounding against her ribs. The café around them blurred into silence.
"Vicky… don’t" she whispered, though her body leaned instinctively toward his warmth.
He moved closer, their faces just inches apart.
"You say I can’t erase him… but maybe I don’t have to. Maybe I just have to remind you that you’re still alive. That you’re still wanted. By me"
Before she could argue, his lips brushed hers—light at first, testing. A flicker of heat ran through her, unbidden, the taste of coffee and longing mingling. Her eyes fluttered shut, and for a second, she allowed herself to melt into him. The kiss deepened quickly, Vikram’s desperation spilling through. His hand slid to the back of her neck, pulling her closer, his lips pressing harder, demanding more. Sonarika responded with a shaky breath, part of her craving the fire, part of her recoiling at the guilt twisting inside her chest. She pulled back suddenly, her lips trembling, her heart racing.
"Vicky, no… I can’t—"
He didn’t let go, his forehead resting against hers, his breath hot and ragged.
"Why not? You want this. I can feel it. Don’t lie to yourself, Soni"
"I want the comfort… but not the intimacy. Not like this. Not while my heart still bleeds for him"
Tears pooled in her eyes. Vikram exhaled sharply, frustration darkening his features.
"Every time I think I have you, he takes you back without even lifting a finger. Do you know how much that destroys me?"
Her voice broke, soft and aching.
"And do you know how much it destroys me to feel torn like this? I am vulnerable to my core , I need time , to figure out which is my way and what is my future"
His grip softened then, his anger melting into sorrow. He kissed her forehead instead, lingering.
"Then let me be patient. I’ll wait. I’ll keep holding you until the day you’re ready. Even if it kills me"
Sonarika closed her eyes, a single tear sliding down her cheek, staining the space between longing and regret. She leaned into his chest, inhaling his warmth, while deep inside her the emptiness Hemant left still echoed like a hollow room.
WEEKS LATER IN TANISHQ
The day at TANISHQ felt unusually long for Sonarika. Her eyes were fixed on her computer screen, yet nothing seemed to register. Every design, every email, every client call blurred into meaningless noise. Inside, she carried the heaviness of Hemant’s words, Vikram’s desperate kiss, and the unrelenting ache that seemed to define her days. By noon, her phone buzzed. A message popped up from a mutual friend:
'Guess what? Ragini’s back in Mumbai! Landed last night'
For the first time in weeks, Sonarika’s lips curved faintly, though her heart was still heavy. She didn’t hesitate. She typed out a message:
'Ragini, it’s Sonarika. Can we meet? I… really need to see you'
The reply came swiftly.
'Of course. Come to my flat before evening. I’ll be here'
That was all the push she needed. Sonarika applied for an early leave, claiming exhaustion. The staff didn’t question her—she looked the part. By late afternoon, she was standing outside Ragini’s apartment door, her palms clammy. The door opened, and there was Ragini—warm-eyed, stylish as always, yet with the perceptiveness of someone who had lived through storms of her own. One glance at Sonarika’s face and she knew.
"Oh, Sonarika… you don't look well , what happened?"
Sonarika’s lips trembled. The composure she had worn all day shattered in an instant. She stepped inside, and as the door closed behind her, she collapsed into Ragini’s arms, weeping softly. They settled on the couch, tea untouched on the table. Words poured out of Sonarika like a dam breaking. She confessed everything—the secret affair with Vikram, the nights of deception, the guilt that had gnawed at her, and finally the devastating confession to Hemant that had shattered her marriage.
Ragini listened, her face grave but calm. She stroked Sonarika’s hand occasionally, but when the confession was over, she spoke firmly.
"I warned you, Sonarika. I told you to stay away from Vikram. You knew he was danger… and yet, you went headlong into him"
Sonarika raised her swollen eyes, desperate.
"I know. I know, Ragini. But it wasn’t so simple. I… I felt something with him. Something that made me forget my ache , my incompleteness, even if just for a moment"
Ragini’s expression hardened slightly.
"You can’t reason it away, Sona. Not with me. Because in my marriage, I was you. My husband cheated on me. And I remember how I begged for answers, how I drowned in humiliation. Do you know who stands in my place right now?"
Sonarika’s face fell, guilt slamming into her again. Ragini continued, her voice low but sharp.
"It’s Hemant. The man who loved you, who gave you his life. And you are the one who tore his world apart"
The words stung, but Sonarika didn’t fight them. She bowed her head, tears dripping onto her lap.
"You’re right. I’ve destroyed everything. I’m watching him drift further and further away, and I can’t stop it. I feel helpless, Ragini. Completely helpless"
The room fell into silence, broken only by Sonarika’s soft sobs. She finally looked up with pleading eyes.
"I need help. I’m behaving so erratically… some days I don’t recognize myself. I need order in my life again. I can’t go on like this"
Ragini’s features softened. She leaned forward, clasping Sonarika’s hands.
"Then let’s get you help. Professional help. There’s a therapist I know—Neha Bharadwaj. She’s brilliant, Sona. She’s dealt with complicated cases like yours. She’ll help you find some balance again"
"Therapy? You think I need that?"
Sonarika blinked, startled. Ragini nodded firmly.
"I’m not saying it’ll bring Hemant back. It may not fix your marriage. But it will give you clarity, strength, and sanity. You’ve been spiraling, and you need someone neutral, someone trained, to guide you out of this mess"
Sonarika sat still for a long moment, absorbing the idea. Then slowly, she exhaled, her shoulders sagging in something close to relief.
"Maybe… maybe you’re right. I’ve been fighting everyone, even myself. I think I do need someone to help me through this"
Ragini pulled her into another hug, gentler this time.
"Good. Then trust the process, Sonarika. Trust Neha. She won’t judge you. And maybe—just maybe—it isn’t too late to save yourself from this pit"
Sonarika buried her face in Ragini’s shoulder, whispering shakily.
"Thank you… thank you for not giving up on me"
Ragini stroked her back, her voice warm yet firm.
"I know what pain does to people, Sona. But you don’t have to drown in it. You’ve made mistakes, yes—but now it’s time to learn how to live again"
For the first time in weeks, Sonarika felt something close to hope—a fragile thread, but a thread nonetheless. As Ragini held her, she thought: Maybe she can still find herself, even if she lost him.
NEXT DAY AT THE MUMBAI SUBURBS
The waiting room smelled faintly of lavender. Soft instrumental music played from a corner speaker, calming in tone, yet Sonarika’s nerves refused to settle. She kept adjusting her dupatta, her palms damp, her heart uneasy. Therapy. It was a word she never thought would apply to her. Neha Bharadwaj’s office door opened. A woman in her early forties, poised yet warm, stood there with a knowing smile.
"Sonarika?" she asked. Her voice carried assurance.
Sonarika rose, entering the room. The space was minimal but inviting: cream walls, a plush couch, bookshelves stacked with psychology texts, and soft lighting that softened the edges of everything. It didn’t feel clinical—it felt safe.
"Please, sit" Neha gestured.
"This is your space. No judgments here. Whatever you say stays with me"
Sonarika nodded faintly, perching at the edge of the couch. At first, her words were halting, but once Neha encouraged her gently, the confessions began to flow. She spoke of Hemant, the betrayal, Vikram, and the unbearable grief of watching her marriage collapse. Neha listened, hands folded in her lap, her gaze attentive but not pressing.
"You’ve carried a lot" she murmured after a while.
"But tell me—when you say Vikram gave you something Hemant couldn’t… what do you mean exactly?"
Sonarika hesitated. Her cheeks flushed.
"With Vikram… it wasn’t love, not the way I had with Hemant. It was… intensity. Desire. A rush. He made me feel alive, wanted, powerful. Like every touch mattered"
Neha tilted her head.
"And did this intensity feel new to you? Or had you felt something similar earlier in life?"
Sonarika blinked, her mind pulling back years.
"Actually… yes. In my teens. My first love, Rocky. Back in Delhi. It was the same—wild, reckless, addictive. Everything about him was excitement. Our relationship was more physical, more… consuming"
"Interesting" Neha said softly.
"And when did this begin?"
Sonarika took a shaky breath.
"After… after an accident. I was sixteen. Meghna—my best friend—she was in danger. At our building complex near the playground. A huge metal grill was being lifted by ropes, but they snapped. I pushed her away. It hit me instead"
Her voice trembled as she recalled it.
"I woke up weeks later in the hospital. Everyone was there. My parents, my siblings… even Rocky. I should’ve been dead, but I wasn’t"
Neha leaned forward slightly.
"That was a serious head injury, then"
Sonarika nodded.
"Yes. Doctors said it was a miracle. But after that… it was like something inside me had changed. I felt… different. With Rocky, I became bolder. More daring. Our romance turned more physical, and it was like I couldn’t stop seeking that thrill"
Neha’s brow furrowed, though her expression remained composed. She made notes, but carefully, not to alarm her patient. A head trauma. A shift in behavior.
"So this craving for intensity—did it continue into adulthood?" Neha asked gently.
Sonarika exhaled, pressing her hands together.
"Yes. With Hemant, I had peace, love, stability. But when it came to sex , he always held back. I wasn't bothered at first as we were lost in the happiness and warmth of building and raising a family. But something inside me… wanted more from him , and it left me a little unfinished. Eventually I learned to live with it. Then Vikram awakened that side of me again. I know it’s wrong, but I couldn’t resist"
Neha’s eyes softened.
"Sonarika, I want you to understand something. There’s no instant cure for what you’re feeling. But this is not just weakness or betrayal. What you’ve described could have roots in something deeper. Therapy is a slow process. But if you trust it, you will see improvements. You’ll gain clarity, and maybe one day, peace"
Sonarika swallowed hard, her throat tight. Relief mixed with fear in her chest. At least here, she wasn’t being judged. She nodded, her voice faint.
"I’ll try. I… I want to get better"
The session ended with Neha reassuring her.
"One step at a time. I’ll walk this path with you. You’re not alone anymore"
When Sonarika left the office, her face carried the faintest trace of hope. She still felt broken, but she wasn’t drowning alone now. Once the door closed, Neha sat back at her desk, reviewing her notes. After a moment’s hesitation, she picked up her phone and dialed Ragini.
"It’s Neha" she said once Ragini answered.
"I’ve just finished my first session with Sonarika. I need to share my observations. There’s something you need to know"
"Tell me" Ragini’s tone was tense.
Neha’s voice was calm but weighted.
"Her descriptions, her past, her compulsions—they suggest more than just emotional distress. Sonarika is suffering from Hypersexuality. Likely a complication stemming from her teenage head injury. This isn’t just about choices. It’s neurological. And it needs careful, sustained treatment"
"My God…" Ragini closed her eyes, heart sinking.
Neha added softly.
"But it isn’t hopeless. With therapy, structure, and support, she can reclaim control. She just needs time—and people who won’t give up on her"
"Okay Neha , I will look after her"
"And Ragini one more thing. The accident she described , I think there is something more to it"
"Like what?"
"People don't suffer hypersexuality from a hit on the head. Somehow or someone coerced her into an abundant sexual situation. It could be her ex Rocky or someone else. But I have a feeling , judging by what she said and I've analyzed. There is something deeper that is going on in her life and she is being manipulated or pushed to situations like this"
"Who could that be?"
"I don't know for now Ragini. Maybe as we continue the therapy we can find out. For now , lets give her some relief. I want her to recover in good health. But first I need to clear some doubts regarding her head injury. And for that , I need your help"
"Anything you need Neha"
(CHAPTER TO BE CONTD)
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