Depression

Myra was staring out of the window at the steady and dreary rain while her companion, driving the car, chose to remain silent, seeing her blank expression. He knew whatever she faced affected her deeply, and the disheveled look couldn’t deny his dread.

Elijah signed, looking at her defeated form, and he knew even if he asked her, she would not utter a single word. That’s how Myra was. Anything that bothered her, she would not immediately say it out, whether it was her anger or her pain. She always kept it to herself, and once it reached her saturation point, she burst out.

You are the best thing that happened to me. The best thing about you is your soul. It’s pure.

I did the right thing by divorcing a whore like you.

She laughed bitterly, thinking about how Abram’s view changed about her in just two years. Elijah could see; although her face was blank, her eyes were full of sorrow which she had been controlling.

He was shocked when he saw her walking on a deserted lane in a messy look barefooted, holding her heels in one hand. She did not even comprehend that it was rainy. He immediately stopped his car in front of her, and when she raised her head to look at him, her lip twitched.

Elijah stopped the car in front of a small motel and took disorientated Myra inside. Oblivious to them, a pair of black iris were following their moment.

Abram sneered, “Good job Myra, you found another man just after leaving my place. Do I even know you?"

When Abram turned his car around that exact moment, Elijah stepped out, leaving Myra in the room to buy her decent clothes. He booked a room with the intent for her to change and freshen up before reaching her home. It was apparent she was not in her right state, and Elijah had to help her.

When he came back with a decent dress and basic toiletries, he found Myra at the same place where he left her.

“Myra, you need to freshen up, and then we will go out to eat," Elijah said, gently tugging her elbow.

She raised her head, looking at him without any emotions. He gave her a gentle smile and pulled her towards the bathroom while waiting outside the room. They stopped at a small cafe, all the while Elijah was observing Myra. Seeing her unresponsive, he had to call Sharon for help.

Sharon lived in her rented apartment alone, and Elijah thought it was best to leave Myra at her place instead.

“I found her walking alone in a deserted lane. I wonder how she got over there and why she was wearing such clothes? She never wore such a bold dress before," Elijah asked Sharon, who gave him a cup of tea. Meanwhile, when Myra reached Sharon’s place, she went straight to bed, and sleep consumed her.

“That ass happened," Sharon said with a scowl.

“Abram? He is here?” Elijah questioned.

“I took her out yesterday to get her out of her sorrow, and for once, she seems to get out of it, then we happened to see that scoundrel, and after that, I couldn’t find Myra. All I came to know was that Abram barged into the ladies’ room and dragged Myra with him."

“Entire night I didn’t sleep, worried where he took her plus her phone and bag was with me only," Sharon added.

Elijah frowned and said, “But she was alone when I saw her. I didn’t see Abram anywhere."

“What can you expect from an ass who left his wife after tricking her into abortion," she said.

“What now?" Elijah questioned, sipping his tea.

“I already asked her parents for today’s stay, let her rest, and then maybe she will talk, you know, unless she wants nobody can make her talk," Sharon said while looking at sleeping Myra.

“Then I will see you both at the office tomorrow. Let me know if you need anything," with that, Elijah left.

When Sharon went to wake Myra up, she screamed. She was lying on the floor in her blood oozing out of her slit wrist. She immediately called Elijah, and they took her to the hospital.

“Elijah, since I owe you one time, I am not reporting it to the police. You know the rules," his friend, who was a doctor, said.

“She is not in danger. If you want, you can meet her," he added.

What disturbed Sharon and Elijah was that Myra was never one to do such a thing. Even when she was vulnerable, she never backed down or succumbed to worse situations. When they entered the ward, Myra was awake and was gazing at her bandaged wrist.

“Am I a bad person?" Myra said, still gazing at her wrist.

Both were staring at each other when Myra looked at them since they entered the ward.

“Why can’t I ever get what I wanted? For once, I thought to put an end to my misery and see I can’t even die peacefully," she said with a sad smile.

Sharon sat beside her on the bed while Elijah was leaning over the wall with his arms crossed around his chest. Both didn’t interrupt her and let her talk since this was the only way they could get to know what happened last night, which drove her to take her own life.

“My studies, my marriage, my lifestyle, everything I did as my parents told me too, I never stepped out for a party or never even bunked any class. I never raised my voice over anyone. I listened to everybody; I respected everyone around me. Where did I go wrong? I might have done something bad for which I am paying," she said while her eyes welled up.

“For once, at least one time I thought I will get what I want, I thought I deserved to get what I want. Am I a bad person that God is punishing me?" with that, she started sobbing hysterically.

“No, baby, you are the best I ever saw. You deserve more in life," Sharon consoled her.

“No, I am a bad woman. You know what they call such a woman?" Myra asked.

“Whore," Sharon gasped, seeing her friend defeated.

“Enough, Myra!” Elijah shouted at hearing Myra calls herself a whore.

He marched towards the bed and sat on the other side of the bed. He pulled Myra up from the bed and asked, “Did Abram say that to you?" He had a notion all this was related to Abram.

“Don’t touch me, I am not a good woman, I sleep with men, yes, I slept with him last night. I slept with my soon-to-be ex-husband. That makes me a whore."

Slap.

Sharon gasped and covered her mouth, seeing Elijah slap Myra. Elijah was always a kind and sensible man, and it was rare to see him lose his cool.

“I hope this was enough to wake you."

Myra was holding her cheek and sobbing; Elijah didn’t budge.

“If you are done with your shit, then probably we can talk," Elijah said without any empathy.

When Myra looked at him with tears, he said, “Just because one low life doesn’t know your worth, you will believe his shit. A man who can’t respect his wife doesn’t qualify to judge anyone. Stop seeing your worth from someone else’s eyes. Everybody has a purpose in our lives; either they are a gift or become our lesson. The lesson that couldn’t kill us makes us stronger. God is not punishing you. He is giving you another chance. Most of us don’t even get a second chance, but you got one. Did you even think about your parents? What would have happened after you died?

“I am tired, I am tired to struggle for everything to achieve in my life," Myra said, closing her eyes with a sign.

“For once, live for yourself. Maybe you got a second chance to live your life for yourself and not for anybody else. If you don’t respect yourself, how do you expect others to respect you."

An awkward silence prevailed inside the ward.

“Now, if you are done, we can go home, or if you wish, you can stay here and pull another stunt," when Elijah said, Myra simply shook her head.

When Elijah went to get his car, Sharon looked at Myra and said, “You know Elijah once owned a company. When his sister was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, he left everything to take care of her. He left no stone just to make her sister live a little longer. But with his lack of involvement in business and his sister’s cancer treatment took a toll, he had sold everything and started working as a mere analyst when he could be a CEO."

This information was new for Myra, and she was surprised to hear it from Sharon. How come she knows, and I don’t? She thought.

“Still, after doing everything, he lost his sister. When he saw you today, it triggered him. He spent his fortune buying a second chance for his sister, and he couldn’t. Everybody doesn’t get a second chance Myra, what happened in the past was disturbing, but don’t let that hamper your present or future. You are much more than what you think about yourself."

A silent tear rolled out of her eyes. In the car, Myra was glancing at Elijah, who had a calm expression, and when he saw her looking at him, he gave a smile. She would have never thought such a quiet person holds so much pain behind.

That night Myra stayed again with Sharon because her wrist was bandaged, and she felt ashamed to face her parents after pulling her stunt.

The next day Sharon and Myra went together to the office; upon reaching, they noticed the office atmosphere was chaotic. It was Elijah who informed them.

“The client visit that was supposed to happen next month is preponed."

“When?" both asked in unison.

“Today," Elijah said.

“And also the new assistant vice president will be joining them too. You guys better move your ass and clear your desk. It seems he has OCD and doesn’t like untidy workplaces," with that, they immediately went to their respective place.

It was almost lunchtime when they were called in for an urgent meeting.

“The new AVP has already arrived and would like to meet you all," Shane said.

“I want a new haircut," Myra whispered to Sharon while they were waiting for their new boss.

“Let’s go after……." Sharon stopped abruptly, looking behind Myra.

While Myra heard Shane, “Let’s welcome our new boss," she followed Sharon’s gaze and saw him.

“Abram," his name escaped from her mouth involuntarily as a whisper.