It was a daunting task for Muskaan to stay still. Restlessness was her second name. Her friends and family had to really work hard to keep up with her passions. Embroidery, gardening, painting and clay modelling used to be her favorite leisure activities besides taking care of her immediate family. Muskaan’s parents had died in a car accident after two months of her marriage to Prashant who is an engineer by profession. It was an arranged marriage and adjusting to a new household took its time. They were a childless couple that sought refuge in things that helped them pass time without questions. Prashant loves to read and play golf. 

Communication is minimal but they are there for each other whenever situations demand. As years roll now ailments keep knocking at their door pretty often. Prashant is completely bald but looks suave all thanks to his sharp features. He dons a goatee and it suits him. At 50 Prashant is a diabetic but he commands a lot of respect from his peers and Muskaan adores him for the human being he has become. Earlier he was impulsive but her being in his life has mellowed him down. She looks at life differently once she learnt that their house would never have an heir. The trauma stays within and life keeps moving forward. 

Muskaan is in her 42nd year and her restless regime has taken a hit. The passions that gave her joy irritate her a little as arthritis has set in. Those strong wrists and knees most of the time leave her edgy. Thankfully menopause is still at bay and by the grace of God she always had happy menstrual days. No pain ever clouded her active path. Physically she is fit when this aspect is concerned. An active sex life took care of it and Prashant never went astray. He saw it as a will of God to be deprived of a kid’s love and accepted his fate. Sexually his wife too has been faithful and gratitude flows.

Muskaan is very beautiful and many compliment her till date. Long shimmery straight hair covers her hips. A straight nose gives a very appealing look to her deep eyes. Her voluptuousness is a sight for both sexes. She is consulting Dr. Pradhan for her arthritis and this demands a visit twice a month as her body is taking time to acclimatise to medicines. Dr. Saket Pradhan is in his early sixties and loves his profession and cares for his patients deeply in a very platonic way. His patients trust him for the diagnosis and follow his instructions cum guidelines diligently.

White hair was always a weakness for Muskaan since she was a child. Men with brains looked dapper in white hair for her. Saket has a daughter who is happily married to his friend’s son. This he shared when Muskaan asked about his children in one of their physical therapy sessions initially. His touch was soft and had a healing effect. The internal trauma that she carried relaxed in his presence. Dr. Pradhan is not a looker but he is very good with words. A man of patience carries more charm. This she could understand about him when he dealt with her irritable moods during therapy. In the beginning those sessions were physically agonising but Saket had kept his cool. 

Muskaan is attuned to Prashant’s touch. It is caring yet wild and their lovemaking sessions are a mix of lust and soft love. She feels comfort but something is still amiss. A complete surrender from her side is not there though they climax together. When doctors used to examine her through a stethoscope she used to feel awkward once she got married. During those examinations a strange feeling of exposure used to fill her up in spite of being clothed throughout. Saket is the fourth doctor she is consulting but none of these thoughts circle her when he uses the stethoscope. 

‘I hope the medicines I gave you a fortnight ago brought the desired results?, Dr Pradhan asked when she visited this first week of June. 

‘Yes, Sir, I can see improvement though a little bit it is. Early stages so I guess it may get better as days pass,’ added Muskaan. 

‘You just have to be careful with your diet as well as the way you walk. You have to remember that you are in your 40’s and that should be enough,’ smiled Saket.

‘Dr. Pradhan please be rest assured about this. I don’t forget as I am very pleased with the way medicines are rolling. I pray it gets better and I am able to resume those activities that give me so much happiness. Painting is blissful,’ assured his patient.

‘Painting can be so relaxing. I like art and something told me holding your fingers back then that you would be into painting. I never asked though. Finally I got a confession from you today. This is so good to know. I pray you are able to lift your brush again and rest would be history for the world to see and appreciate’, prayed Saket.

‘Oh, Sir, I am an average painter but yes I love it whatever I do. Your medicines are a ray of hope and I am hopeful I will be able to paint again with your expertise,’ said Muskaan. 

‘I am just a means to make things right, God brings miracles and a good soul like you should paint soon, I will see to it,’ reassured Saket. 

These brief meetups related to her illness ease the tension within she observes often. Prashant and Muskaan speak to each other through sex but here with Dr. Pradhan she feels alive and a part of her that was shut opens up on its own without notice. Saket is a married man and is ageing. A drop in libido is natural. For him, Muskaan is an art of God. His creation in the form of this arthritic woman he marvels at every time Muskaan visits. It’s a very healthy mutual attraction but nothing is worded. There are no carnal desires but a beautiful flow of energies. Positivity, friendship, conversations, admiration and hope float when the doctor and patient come face to face. Something beautiful which is beyond words weaves new sensations and magic always.