Five minutes passed and I decided to sit in front of Dr. Galmo.
“So, doctor, what do I have to do and buy?” I asked her to divert their initial subject. I am afraid that if it lingered any longer, then Dr. Galmo would notice something.
“As of now, I can’t immediately diagnose you. We first need to run some tests and if you want, we can undergo counselling first before diagnosis,” she explained. I nodded and remembered everything she said.
“Chaos, can you please go out first? I need her to be alone with me.” She looked at Chaos.
Chaos only nodded and raised both hands in surrender. He looked at me and mouthed ‘good luck’ before turning his back and proceeded to the door.
Doctor Galmo faced me again with a smile. “Okay, so we can try and start the tests, will that be fine with you? I personally altered the tests into two parts, first, I will ask you some questions, situational and personal, that is if you consent to the personal questions. I won’t force you to answer them. You just need to answer the questions that you are comfortable with with all honesty. Do you get it?” She asked calmly to which I nodded.
“Good. The second part is a physical examination. Well, not as thorough as the hospital examination. More on the exposed skin, or you can tell me if you have scarring or anything hidden underneath your clothes. I won’t ask you to strip so I appreciate it if you tell me your physical condition. I always make sure to get to know my patients’ overall state of health to know if I can recommend the correct dosage, if ever you need some medication to balance your mood,” she explained while smiling.
I loved how she is always smiling. It actually comforts me and makes me feel safe. While talking,I am actually being pulled towards her words. There is just something in them that calls to me. Maybe because she is a renowned doctor that’s why her method and even her simple communication is incredibly effective. Plus, the state of her office really smells like home even though my house is nowhere near this vibe.
“Okay, let’s proceed. I’ll be asking and you just need to be honest.” I nodded. “Are you usually in a sad mood most of the day or everyday? By sad I mean the feeling of not wanting to do anything but to lay in bed and get drowned by sad emotions and thoughts.”
‘Yes, doctor. Actually, if I were to say, I have those episodes every day and night,” I said with all honesty—just like what she said.
She nodded multiple times, as if she were assessing my answer thoroughly, before asking another question. “Do you lose enjoyment in the things that were once fun and enjoyable to you? If your answer is yes, can you give me some examples?”
“Unfortunately, yes. If I remember correctly, back when I was a kid, I used to love and enjoy painting sceneries. However, I noticed that these past few years, I feel like painting doesn’t give me a spark anymore. Like even lifting a brush could take so much of my energy and effort. I don’t know, I just feel like it’s not my thing anymore.”
She nodded again and wrote something down in the paper that she was holding the whole time.
Dr. Galmo asked one question after another and I answered all of it based on the truth and what I truly feel. I was able to answer even the most personal ones, surprised about how safe I feel around her presence. 
After all those tests, he called Chaos again, who was just standing near the door. My eyes literally went wide when I learned about it.
Now, we are currently sitting close to each other while the nervousness and doubt was controlling my whole being and clouding my mind. I guess I was shaking so hard that Chaos noticed it and took my hands in between his.
“Hey, relax. Chill. Whatever the results may be, I will help you. You’ll survive this, okay? I am always going to be with you.” I looked deep into those amber orbs. I unconsciously nodded and the nervousness I felt immediately dissipated.
Doctor Galmo coughed and she successfully diverted my attention from Chaos’ eyes towards her. She took a deep breath. “So, I have had the results here, Leigh. As you can see, depression has many types, and none of those are easy to deal with or escape. However, upon hearing the way you answer, I have no doubts that you can overcome this. You are a strong girl, Miss Rivera. And I think you deserve a lot of credit for that. Not everyone can be as tough as you.”
“Can you go straight to the point, Eve?” Chaos asked, trying to soften his voice.
“Okay, Tanleigh Rivera, you are diagnosed with major d*pression or also known as major d*pressive disorder.” She showed me the papers that contained my tests and their results.
“All your answers on the main and follow up questions are resulting in this. Thank God and you were brought here early before it gets worse. MDD can be incredibly debilitating when left untreated. So, Chaos, good job in bringing her here immediately.”
Chaos nodded in recognition to her words. I just then noticed that he did not let go of my hand. All this time, while I was distracted by doctor Galmo, Chaos was still trappin my hands in between his. Maybe to show his moral support.
“D*pression can’t be cured. Remission is our goal here. I am prescribing you the SSRI or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. It’s an effective antidepressant. People with MDD tend to have low levels of serotonin,” she continuously said while getting something in her desk drawer.
“Serotonin is a brain chemical that is believed to be responsible for mood. It may help improve mood and produce healthy sleeping patterns. The SSRIs can help relieve symptoms of MDD by increasing the serotonin level in the brain.” I sat there, frozen, trying to remember all the things that she was saying.
Chaos listened intently to her as well, often giving small grunts as a sign of understanding. She handed a pamphlet to Chaos to which the latter opened briefly before putting it in his pocket. I peeked and saw it was a pamphlet for SSRI.
“That is an example of SSRI. You have to take 1-3 tablets a day. Also, it is important to note that you cannot immediately feel the effects of this medicine. SSRI will usually take 2 to 4 weeks before noticing its effects.”
“Thank you, Dr. Galmo, I'll hide this well so that I won’t lose my reference.”
“That’s all for today. And oh, Leigh, you still need to come back here for a follow up check up or regular check up if you want. I’ll message Chaos for the time and date after the second week from now.”
I reached for her and gave her a tight hug before whispering in her ear, “Thank you so much. I hope I’ll get better in time with your help.”
She smiled at me and returned my hug. I pulled back and smiled at her too before leaving the office.
“I’ll buy your medicine tomorrow. It’s getting dark and my main priority is getting you home safe. Regardless if it’s just around an hour drive, we still need to get going now to avoid traffic.” He said while ushering me towards the passenger seat. He also clicked my safety belt before turning around towards the driver’s seat.
I looked at him as he started the engine and held his right hand. “Chaos, thank you, really. I do not know if my thank you is even enough,” I said sincerely to him.
He messed up my hair before driving the car.