The Therapist's Taboo
"Psychologist Hina treats patients from the British Pakistani community. When she meets Kamran at a conference—a fellow therapist dealing with similar clientele—their professional bond becomes deeply personal."
The Therapist's Taboo
"You look like you need a drink."
Hina looked up from her conference notes. The man beside her at the bar was attractive, tired, and wearing the same "Culturally Competent Care" name badge.
"That obvious?"
"I recognize burnout." He ordered two glasses. "Kamran. Manchester practice."
"Hina. London." She accepted the drink. "The talk on intergenerational trauma was heavy."
"It always is." His eyes held understanding. "We carry so much for our clients."
"Someone has to."
"Someone has to carry us too." He clinked his glass against hers. "To mutual support."
The conference ended. The texts didn't.
They shared case notes (anonymized), frustrations, breakthroughs. Two people doing impossible work, finally understood.
"I dream about my patients," Hina admitted one night. "Is that unhealthy?"
"It's human. We're not robots."
"My supervisor says I'm too involved."
"Your supervisor doesn't understand what we face." His voice was soft. "Neither do most people. But I do."
They met in person again—his city, her visit.
"This is either professional development or something else," Hina said.
"Let it be both." Kamran took her hand. "I've been falling for you through screens. Let me fall in person too."
They made love with the lights on—no secrets between them.
Kamran understood her mind before he touched her body, and that made everything more intense.
"Meri jaan," he breathed, moving inside her. "You're the first person who doesn't need me to explain."
"Same." She pulled him closer. "Finally, same."
"Long distance is hard for therapists," Hina said afterward. "We both know the statistics."
"We also know statistics don't capture individuals." He held her close. "Move to Manchester. Or I'll move to London. Or we'll meet in the middle."
"You'd relocate for me?"
"I'd do anything for someone who sees the real me." His eyes were serious. "Say yes, Hina. Let me love you properly."
She moved to Manchester. They opened a joint practice.
Culturally Competent Care for the British Pakistani community—with therapists who truly understood.
Best referral network in the country.