Psychological treatment

CHAPTER 16

Psychological treatment

All were sitting in Dr. Ravi’s room. Looking at Dr.Ravi, Shrikanth said, “Anand is in deep depression. He needs psychological treatment.”

All are shocked to hear this.

Dr.Ravi nodded and said, “Yes, only if we give him psychological treatment he will be ready to accept our treatment. If he continues with this state of mind, he will go into a coma. Then it will be difficult for us to get him out of it.”

Worried, Raghuram asked, “What shall we do now?”

With confidence, Ravi said, “I will call Dr. Pattabiram. He will cure the boy in just two sittings.”

He took his cell and punched a number. Holding the cell to his ear, Ravi said, “Good morning, Dr. Pattabiram. We have an urgent case. What time can you come?”

Talking into the cell, Pattabiram said, “I will come at 5pm”

On hearing this, Vimal slowly went out of the room dejectedly.

Vimal went straight to the bar. He sat down at the table and ordered a bottle of wine. He drank two pegs. He was in great depression.

Sadly looking at the wine, Vimal said, “Anand has lost both of his legs. It should not have happened to my son.”

He cried. Drank two more pegs. Again he cried, “I want to forget the pain.”

Then he ordered another bottle and poured the drink into his glass. He started to drink. Suddenly he saw the face of Anand in the drink in glass.

Anand’s figure in wine said, “Please, papa, don’t drink.”

Vimal looked at the wine in surprise. Again he saw the face of his son. He took the bottle and went out.

Vimal walked on the road with unsteady steps. Then he stopped and looked at the bottle in his hand. He said, “You are a total waste. You don’t have the strength to make me forget the pain. You have always been able to make me forget my pains but this time you have failed. You are not able to make me forget this pain.”

He threw away the bottle and walked away fully drunk. There was a church near by. Vimal went towards the church. He stood in front of the church looking at the statue of Jesus.

With folded hands, Vimal pleaded, “God, for the first time, I am praying to you. Pease save my son. I know that you can do it.”

Vimal entered the church and placed his head on the feet of Jesus. He cried loudly. “Please save my son. Take my legs but save him.”

Suddenly, Father came out of the church. He saw Vimal pleading in front of the statue of Jesus. Father understood everything. He went near Vimal and caressed his head kindly. He said, “You have come to the church for the first time. Jesus will save your son. Let us pray.”

Father sat down to pray.

At the hospital, Anand was lying under red light. Dr.Pattabiram was standing near him. He asked Anand to look at red light. He hypnotised Anand and started the treatment. He looked into Anand’s mind and understood what was causing the deep depression in him. He came to know the deep love the boy had for chess and the fear in the boy that he will not be able to play chess any more.

Meanwhile Rekha and Raghuram were waiting anxiously outside the room. Vimal too came to the hospital and waited with them. 

After sometime, Dr. Pattabiram came out of the room.

Pattabiram said, “Anand has fallen into deep depression. To bring him out of it, there is only one solution.”

Ravi asked, “What is the solution?”

Pattabiram explained, “After hypnotizing him, I went into the depth of his mind. Chess seems to be his life and breath. As soon as he comes out of the hypnotic state, we should make him see the environment of chess. That will make him come out of the depression.”

Hearing this made a new life shine in everybody’s eyes especially Rekha, Vimal and coach. Raghuram immediately phoned to his chess academy and told his men to make the required arrangements at the hospital.

Anand opened his eyes slowly. In front of him, he saw a huge photo of his favourite hero, Vishwanath Anand. A new life shone in his eyes. Happily, he looked around. He felt that he was in the chess academy. He looked at the chess board placed on the nearby table. Dr. Pattabiram observed all this. Anand looked at him. “Uncle.”

Pattabhiram came near Anand. “How are you my boy?”

Anand was excited. “Uncle, let us play chess.”

Laughing loudly and shaking his hand, Pattabiram asked, “Chess? Not with me. A champion like you should play with a champion only. Look who is there.”

Anand saw his parents and the coach standing at the door. He smiled with new spirit. His mother approached him. Seeing her, Anand felt very happy.

Happily, Anand said, “Mummy, I can play chess.”

Confidently looking at Anand, Pattabiram said, “You can compete in the tournament also.”

Rekha caressed Anand. Tears appeared in her eyes.

Looking at his mother lovingly, Anand asked, “Mummy, why are you crying? See my hands are fine. To play chess, I don’t need my legs anyway.”

Rekha hugged her son. Raghuram sat with Anand to play chess.

Days passed by with Anand getting treatment and chess coaching at the hospital. Rekha brought food for Anand and looked after all his needs as he was now handicapped. He had lost both his legs.

Raghuram brought biscuits and played chess with Anand.

Vimal came straight from office everyday to see his son and stayed with him till night. He no longer went to the bar. He had stopped drinking. He was now a changed man.