‘But how do I do this, doctor?’ Radhika was desperate.

‘First, you should go to Nainital.’

‘With Madhav?’

‘No, go alone. Go to his school, find out what happened all those years ago. Then try to get a clear idea of what happened before asking Madhav to join you. You can then confront him,’ the doctor said, confidently.

Radhika knew that it was going to be incredibly difficult but she believed that this was the only way forward and she trusted their love enough to know that they would survive the tough times ahead.

Dr Lodwal added, ‘The additional identity is usually created by the patient in order to survive some sort of psychological trauma and feel protected. Even if this personality is created during childhood, it persists even after the trauma has subsided. In this case, it’s affecting Madhav and those around him quite drastically. We have to isolate the cause and treat it. How do you plan to do that?’

‘We will have to place him in a similar situation, but only after he tells me what really happened on that hill,’ she replied.

Radhika decided to leave the city the next day. She wanted to tell Madhav’s mother but she decided it would only worry her unnecessarily.

‘Stay in touch, Radhika. I have faith in you. You are not only a good student but a great human being too, and I know when it comes to helping someone you love, your will knows no match.’ Her mentor’s words reassured her.

Radhika left the institute and booked a ticket to Nainital for the next morning. She then checked her phone and found a surprise lying in store for her.

‘I have resigned. I listened to my heart. Thank you!’ Madhav had texted.

She smiled for the first time that day, glad he was making decisions for himself. But she was acutely aware of the possibility that his altered personality wouldn’t accept this decision easily. This might create more friction and confusion in Madhav’s mind. Radhika could see that their love was helping ward off Parth’s influence but she knew she had to find a permanent end to this.

She reached home and packed her bags, determined to get to the bottom of his closeted past.

14

Radhika woke up earlier than usual. She got out of bed and realized she had fallen asleep in her jeans and jacket. She freshened up and checked her backpack once again, before putting on her shoes and leaving the house, thermos in hand. She would need the extra caffeine.

She boarded the bus to Nainital in the misty darkness. The sun had not yet shown its face. Her thoughts wandered back to when she had first met Madhav and she smiled at the recollection of his naïve and unrestrained displays of affection, his charming boyishness and his silly antics. She had always been fatalistic and was sure now more than ever that the universe had brought them together so they could help one another overcome their respective pasts. Only then could they truly be together. She dozed off in the light of dawn.