Purple Romance

''A psychiatrist?'' Leslie asked skeptically.

''Yes, I strongly suggest that the patient gets counselling from a psychiatrist because of the long history of abuse that she was subjected to. The many scars on her body were self-inflicted which poses a high possibility of PTSD on the patient's mental health. The tendency of her attempting suicide after leaving the hospital is very high.

Usually, with victims of child and sexual abuse, at the early stage the perpetrators make victims to believe that it is their fault that everything is happening that way to them. they create a kind of thought which is imbedded in the victims' mind which makes them to feel that everything is their fault.

Especially with someone like the patient who was abused right from her childhood, it would be difficult to make her understand that none of what happened is her fault. She would always think that she is the cause of everything that has happened. She would blame herself and that would lead her into believing that everything would be over or would end as long as she is dead.

She already has a mother who has a history of coming from a dysfunctional family and her stepdad is no different. Both mother and stepfather projected their own victim mentality onto the patient thereby making her feel that been treated in a certain way is normal which actually isn't.

I am suggesting this because I know it will help the patient become better. With the psychiatrist, she would learn to trust more in herself and begin to realise that he shouldn't accept just how people treat her. A lot of the time, people think that advising someone to visit a psychiatrist means that they are mad or maybe have violent tendencies which is a wrong notion which we health personnel are trying to change''

''Doctor, will Lisa be able to be herself again once she gets treatment? Will her life ever be normal again?'' Leslie asked the doctor with a worried gaze.

''Yes, she will be fine. As long as she is open to the treatment plan, she will be fine''

''Alright, I will discuss it with her first''

…..

While walking back to the ward, Leslie and Andy were chatting about Lisa's father.

''I already made them to search the café. They found a secret camera hidden in the flower vase. He was watching her from there all this while''

''Thanks for doing this for me, Andy''

''You are my brother. If I don't do this for you, who would? Besides, Lisa is considered a friend to me. she is always so lively; no one would have guessed she had such a past''

''I know, right? She is even stronger than I thought. Andy, I am going to make things right with Lisa. I am going to stop playing games and get my shit together. She needs me and I don't want to disappoint her. I might not be a good person but I want to be someone she needs in her life''

''You seem to have finally realised your feelings for her?''

''Yes. You know, when I saw her slitting her own throat, I thought I was the one going through it. after knowing her past, I have become even more determined to be by her side. Not out of pity but because I see a good person inside her''

''What are your plans?''

''I want to take Lisa to my house and take care of her until she can speak again. Paula might not agree to it, so I need you to talk to her for me''

''I will do that but I still think it's best to talk to Paula yourself. I don't want to influence her decision making. Whatever she decides I will respect her just as I will respect your decision to take care of Lisa. I know that you are the best person to be with her too. I will help you in talking to Paula but how convinced she will be will be up to your hard work. They've been living together and supporting each other for a long time. If you are suddenly taking Lisa away, Paula will fight back unless she sees how sincere you are'

Andy was about to open the door when they heard Paula's voice inside. What she said next made Leslie's face to change and turn cold.

''Right, I'm saving my first salary to take you shopping. When you get out of here, I will take you out and buy everything that you want for you. I will buy you clothing, jewellery. I will also take you clubbing. I can even pay some pimps to do pole dancing for you to watch''

Paula said making Lisa to smile. The three turned at once towards the door when they heard it open abruptly. Leslie looked at Paula and Andy chuckled.

''Why is he looking at me like that?'' Paula asked and stood next to Andy.

''Miss Paula, can I have a word with you?''

''You don't look like you want to have a word with me. why do I feel that you want to strangle me instead?''

''Why did you mention hiring pimps for Lisa?'' Andy murmured the question into her ears and she gasped and waved her hands.

''That was a joke. I didn't mean any of that. no need to kill me''

''I still need to have a word with you'' Leslie said, not convinced by her words.

''Go, he won't kill you'' Andy said to Paula and she chuckled awkwardly not trusting Andy's words.

Lisa looked at them and wrote something on the notepad and lifted it up towards Leslie.

''If you touch even her hair, I will kill you'

Leslie looked at the note and smiled. He turned to Paula saying, ''I won't do anything to you and risk getting Lisa angry with me''

''Oh, then, let's talk in the hallway''

''Let's go to the café instead''

''It is a serious conversation?'' Paula asked as he opened the door for her.

''Those two look like tom and jerry, right Lisa?'' Magdalene commented and Lisa nodded her head in agreement.

….

''No!!! why should I allow you to take care of my Lisa when I can do that myself?''

''Because I am the person who also loves her as much as you do''

''Are you serious?''

''Yes, Paula. I want to be able to help Lisa. After listening to the doctor's suggestions, I think that the best person to take care of her is me. You are always welcome to come and see her anytime, any day but please, allow me to take care of Lisa''

''Lisa cannot talk. The only way she can communicate is by writing her thoughts on paper for us. I can't help but blame myself. If I had arrived much earlier, that scum wouldn't have been able to harm Lisa''

''Listen, putting blames on each other isn't going to solve what had happened. What Lisa needs now is our support. I know that it is hard for you to trust me but I want you to know that I would never harm Lisa. I care about her and I want what's best for her. if she is with me, I can arrange for the best healthcare for her and also be around by her side. You will need to resume your work next work. Lisa can't go back to the café and she would be lonely all by herself''

''Alright, you win. It is true that I don't trust you but I see the way you treat Lisa. Since you are Andy's brother, I would give you the benefit of the doubt and allow you to take care of Lisa. But, please make sure she is safe''

''Nothing will happen to her. I will accompany her every step of the way. I won't disappoint''

''So, what did the doctor say? When will Lisa be able to talk again?''

''He said it would take time but she would be able to talk again. don't worry too much. I already made a call to a doctor that I know who specialises in her condition. When he comes and meet with herm we will be able to know the time it would take for her to get healed. I will make sure Lisa is able to talk normal again''

''Thank you, Leslie. I know that you are trying your best and I appreciate that. Lisa has gone through a lot and I don't want her to go through pain again. there is something I need to tell you about Lisa. Since you have already become an integral part of her life, you should know about it too''

''Tell me''

''Lisa isn't perfect. She can be impulsive but she is also a careful person. She would never hurt anyone because she has a kind heart but the lies of the people she trusted so much''

''Are you talking about the director who lied on her three years ago?''

''Did you know already? Well, you are Leslie Bassey, there is nothing that you won't be able to find when you put your heart to it''

''I found out by mistake but I am glad I did. It made me understand Lisa more. Also, I am digging into the case. I am going to get dirt on that director and make sure he gets punished for what he did to Lisa''

''Really? You would do that?''

''Yes. Right now, his wife is from a powerful family and they are off the same social ladder with my family. Fighting with such people without evidence will put you in a bad state with others but once I get the evidence, I will blow it up really bad that they won't be able to salvage the situation''

''Wow, I am loving this savage vibe from you. You and I could actually be good friends you know''

''I heard what you did at the hotel. You are quite the actress''

''Don't even remind me. that woman took her joke too far''

''Let's go back''

''Sure''