After an hour of heavy conversation ⏳
words sinking deeper than wounds 🩸
Dr. Donal Putin closed his notebook gently 📓
No snap.
No finality.
Just… care.
His expression softened 😊
Voice low. Calm. Steady.
"Barfi…"
"The first step to healing is simple." 🧠✨
Barfi looked at him 👁️
Eyes blank 😶
But listening. Truly listening.
"You must learn to accept feelings again,"
the doctor said softly 🌱
"Not avoid them." ❌
"Not bury them." 🪨
"Not fear them." 🛑
Barfi blinked once.
"…How?" 🤍
Dr. Putin smiled kindly 😊
The kind of smile that doesn't rush broken people.
"We will teach you."
"Slowly." 🐢
"Safely." 🛡️
"One feeling at a time." 🧩
Barfi nodded.
"I will try." ✔️
The doctor nodded back.
"That is enough for today." 🌙
Barfi stood.
Bowed politely 🙇♂️
And walked to his small café room upstairs 🪜
He lay on his bed 🛏️
Closed his eyes 👁️⬇️
Sleep came instantly 😴
Not peace.
Not rest.
Just… shutdown 🔌
⚠️🛑 Hawk Calls a Meeting 🛑⚠️
The moment Barfi's door shut 🚪
Hawk's tone changed.
Hard.
Protective.
Urgent.
"Dr. Putin. Walter. Miko."
"Downstairs. Now." ⬇️
They gathered in the café 🌑
Lights off 💡❌
Only a streetlamp glowing through the window 🌙
Miko stood stiff 😰
Walter paced 🧍♂️
Dr. Putin remained calm 🧠
Hawk folded his arms ✊
"Alright, Doc," Hawk said firmly.
"Explain everything again."
"They need to hear it." 🗣️
Dr. Putin nodded.
"Barfi is experiencing Shutdown Response." 🧠🔒
"He shut down all emotions to protect himself from overwhelming pain."
Miko covered her mouth 😨
Eyes shaking.
Walter whispered, voice cracking:
"So… he stopped feeling… to survive?" 💔
"Yes," the doctor replied calmly.
"Exactly." ✔️
💔🌸 Miko Breaks First 🌸💔
Miko's voice trembled.
"Is it… my fault?" 😢
"Did I pressure him?"
"The breakup?"
"The fight?"
"Did I—"
Hawk stepped forward 🛡️
Placed a hand on her shoulder 🤍
"No."
"None of this is your fault." ❌
"He was breaking long before you arrived."
Dr. Putin nodded slowly.
"Miko…"
"He agreed to date you not because he loved you…"
"But because he feared losing another bond." 🪢
Miko's tears spilled 💧
"So… he doesn't love me?" 💔
The doctor smiled sadly 😔
"He cannot feel love right now."
"Not for you."
"Not for anyone."
"Not even for himself." 🕳️
Miko lowered her head 🫥
Heart shattered quietly.
🧓💥 Walter Speaks 💥🧓
"So what do we do!?" Walter asked, voice shaking 😠😢
Dr. Putin answered carefully.
"First…"
"Stop forcing him to be 'normal'." 🛑
"Let him feel small emotions again." 🌱
"Safe ones." 🛡️
"How?" Miko whispered.
Dr. Putin looked at her.
"You and Walter are closest to him."
"Start with tiny joys." 😊
"Simple moments."
"No pressure." ❌
"No demands." ❌
Walter nodded hard ✔️
"I can do that."
⚠️🧠 Hawk's Fear 🧠⚠️
Hawk's voice darkened.
"Doctor…"
"Tell them the dangerous part." ⚠️
Dr. Putin exhaled slowly 😮💨
"If someone manipulates him now…"
"Especially someone intelligent…"
"Barfi could follow without question." 🕶️
Walter went pale 😨
"You mean… control him?"
"Yes."
"His emotions are shut down."
"His logic is still active."
"He will follow whoever gives him purpose." 🎯
Hawk clenched his fists ✊
"There's a professor at his college."
"Crowe."
"He watches Barfi too closely." 👁️
Dr. Putin's eyes sharpened ⚠️
"That man must not get close."
"Or Barfi will walk whatever path he chooses."
Miko trembled 😰
Walter cursed under his breath 🤬
Hawk nodded firmly.
"Then we protect him." 🛡️
"We guide him."
"We never leave him alone around that professor." ❌
Everyone agreed. ✔️✔️✔️
The meeting ended.
💤🌫️ Upstairs — Barfi Sleeps 🌫️💤
Barfi dreamed of nothing 🌑
Felt nothing 🕳️
Woke to nothing.
But slowly…
Dr. Putin's words echoed faintly 🔊
"You must learn to accept feelings again…"
Something stirred.
Tiny.
Almost invisible. ✨
A faint movement in his chest 🤍
Not pain.
Not joy.
But possibility.
The first crack
in a very long silence.