Beneath the Surface

Maria, an Oxford University fine arts graduate, was fighting hidden pain. Sensitive and artistic, she struggled with self-harm, hiding her distress from the world. She lived with her mother, Catherine, a loving and always positive woman, in an apartment in central London. Catherine noticed Maria’s long sleeves in summer, the unexplained bruises, and her withdrawn behavior. Despite her efforts to reach out, Catherine felt helpless against the walls Maria had built around her heart.

One evening, Catherine called Sophie, Maria’s best friend, to come to their home. Sophie arrived within an hour as she lived very close by. They sat in the drawing room. While having coffee, Catherine confided in Sophie, “I don’t know what to do, Sophie. She’s drifting away, and I can’t reach her,” Catherine said, her voice trembling.

Sophie, understanding Catherine's deep anxiety, suggested, “Let me talk to my father, Dr. Rafael. He might know how to help.”

After comforting Catherine, Sophie went to her home. It was night, and her father was watching TV as elections were due next month, and he was a supporter of the Labour Party. Sophie greeted him and, sitting beside him, told him everything about Maria. Dr. Rafael, a kind and insightful psychiatrist, put the remote control on the table and listened circumspectly to his daughter. He agreed to meet Maria.

One afternoon, Maria reluctantly sat in Dr. Rafael’s clinic, her eyes avoiding his. “Maria, I’m here to listen, not to judge,” Dr. Rafael began gently. “Can you tell me what’s been troubling you?”

After a long silence, Maria whispered, “I feel like I’m drowning. Nothing I do seems to matter.”

Dr. Rafael nodded, his expression compassionate, “Sometimes, we carry burdens that feel too heavy to bear alone. But you’re not alone, Maria. Your mother and Sophie care deeply about you.”

During their two-hour session, Dr. Rafael discovered that Maria’s distress was not just due to her parents’ divorce. He told her that they would meet again to discuss the matter.

On the weekend, they met again at Dr. Rafael’s home. With great hesitation, Maria revealed, “It’s about Mom and Alex. He... he betrayed me, and now she’s with him.”

Dr. Rafael’s eyes widened slightly. “You mean your mother’s relationship with your ex-boyfriend?”

Maria nodded, tears streaming down her face. “He tricked me, used me, and left me shattered. Now, seeing them together, it’s like a knife in my heart every day.”

Dr. Rafael encouraged her to express these feelings to her mother. “Honesty can be painful, but it’s also healing.”

“I can’t do this, uncle.” She stood up and left sobbing.

Dr. Rafael told his daughter Sophie that Maria needed company until she could come out of her suffering. The very next day, Sophie suggested Maria visit the London Bridge, hoping to lift her spirits. She agreed. As they stood at the edge, gazing at the Thames, Maria said, “What if I hand myself over to the waves?” Her voice shook. “I don’t want to live anymore.”

Sophie, sensing the danger, grabbed Maria’s arm. “Maria, please. We need you. I need you. Don’t give up.” She hurriedly led Maria to her car and drove her back home. She handed Maria over to her mother and stressed the need for careful attention.

When Sophie got home, she told her father the whole tale of their visit. Dr. Rafael listened carefully and felt the urgency of the matter.

The very next day, Dr. Rafael visited Maria and Catherine. He sat with Catherine and gently told her the whole story. Catherine was shocked. Dr. Rafael told her that the matter was in her hands.

In the evening, Catherine found Maria sitting quietly in the drawing room, her eyes red from crying. Catherine’s heart broke seeing her daughter’s distress. “Maria, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know I was the cause of all this trauma. Thanks to Dr. Rafael, I know now. But you could have told me, my dear.”

Maria said nothing, her head down and sobbing, “Yes, Mom, it’s Alex. He hurt me deeply, and now seeing you with him... it’s unbearable.”

Catherine’s face fell, tears welling in her eyes, “I had no idea, Maria. I’m so sorry. If I had known, I would never have let this happen.”

Maria looked up, the walls around her heart beginning to crumble, “I felt so betrayed, and I didn’t know how to tell you.”

Catherine embraced her daughter tightly, tears mingling with Maria’s. “We’ll get through this together,” she whispered. “I’ll end things with Alex. You are my priority. Nothing is more important to me than you, my sweetheart.”