The doctor was clear: long-term treatment, perhaps light medication, but above all family patience.
That night Shanti said to me,
“I don’t want to scare you… I just want my son to be safe.
For the first time, I felt compassion. I replied,
“Mom, you don’t need to knock any more. No one can hurt us, we are together.
She cried like a child when she felt understood.
The first days were difficult. He still woke up some nights saying he heard footsteps. I had to restrain myself so as not to get angry. Arjun reminded me:
“She is not an enemy, she is a victim.
We created new routines: checking doors together before bed, installing an electronic lock with an alarm, brewing chamomile tea, and talking about simple things. At first he was silent, then he began to share small memories. It was a sign that little by little it was opening up.