Armaan was leaving India. His project was over. Ashutosh, Nidhi and Armaan went out for dinner the day before he was due to leave.

“Dr. Armaan. Aap India aate rahte hain?” Nidhi asked him.

“Is baar to kaafii dinon ke baad aaya. Ab dekho kya projects milte hain is par depend karta hai.”

“Aapko aate rahna chahiye. Dr. Ashutosh ne zyada dost to banaye nahin hain zindagi mein. Koi to aas paas hona chahiye inke.”

“Armaan. Tumhein aate rahne chahiye. Lekin Nidhi, come on! Tumhara accusation sahi nahin hai,” Ashutosh protested.

“Accusation kya hai, fact hai.”

“Bilkul nahin.”

“Achchha to bataiye. Kaun dost hain aapke? Ek Dr. Mallika thi jo shaadi kar ke gayab ho gayin. Aur jab woh thi bhi to… khair. Aur kaun hai?”

“Tum mere oopar pressure create kar ke mujhe nervous kar rahi ho.”

“Chaliye. Isi bahane aapko pata to chala ki pahle din hospital mein interns kaisa feel karte hain. Dr. Armaan. Aap hi bataiye. Main galat kah rahi hoon kya?”

Armaan was laughing by then, “Bhai. Zindagi ne mujhe itna sikha diya hai ki miyan-biwi ke jhagde mein nahin padna chahiye. Tum log to sulah kar loge. Main bekaar mein bewkoof ban jaunga.”

Him referring them as ‘miyan-biwi’ made both Nidhi and Ashutosh blush. Nidhi recovered and said, “Kahir. Bottom line ye hai ki aapko India aate rahne chahiye. To ab bataiye ki next kab aa rahe hain? Sir aap bhi to kuchh boliye.”

“Tum log apni shaadi ka invitation bhejo aur main agli hi flight le kar chala aaunga. Lekin ye to batao Nidhi ki tumhara iraada kya hai?”

“M… Mera irada?” Nidhi was already embarrassed at the mention of wedding and Armaan suddenly had put her on the spot with his question.

“Zindagi bhar is Ashutosh ke bachche ko boss bana kar jhelne ka irada hai kya tumhara?”

“Main kuchh samjhi nahin?”

“Okay. Imagine this. Tum log honeymoon par ho. Aur tumne kaha – ‘Sir. Mujhe aaj bahar nahin jaana hai. Hotel mein ruk sakte hain, please?’ To Ashutosh bolega – ‘No. Dr. Nidhi Verma. We must stick to our plan. Life mein discipline bahut zaroori hai.’ To ab apne boss ke saath to tum jhagda nahin kar sakti.”

Nidhi was going red in face hearing Armaan. Ashutosh put his hand on his forehead and laughed as if what was he to do about the silly conversation.

“Bas Karo Armaan,” Ashutosh said still laughing, “Kyon use pareshaan kar rahe ho?”

“Aha! Badi chinta ho rahi hai. Ya tumhara upper hand khatam ho jayega, isliye chinta ki disguise mein mujhe roka ja raha hai Ashutosh? Nidhi, iski chaalon mein mat phansna. Khair ab samjha kar kya fayda. Phans to tum already chuki ho. Lekin phir bhi, meri advice ka dhyaan rakhna. Sukhi rahogi.”

Nidhi had also overcome her embarrassment by then. She replied with slight laughter, “Ji. Dhyaan rakhoongi. Lekin Shakeshpeare kah gaye hain ki What is in a name.”

“Chhodo. Main bhi kahan tumhari bhalai karne nikla tha? Tum to iska hi saath dogi.”

—

“Waise Armaan theek hi kah raha tha,” they had gone to Ashutosh’ house after dinner and then he was dropping Nidhi home.

“Kya theek kah rahe the?”

“Tum mujhe kaise address karti ho – us baare mein.”

“Oh!”

“Tum mujhe Ashutosh kah kar bula sakti ho. Itna bura naam nahin hai.”

“Nahin. Main ye nahin kar sakti.”

“Kyon nahin?”

“Aise hi. Ab jo aadat pad gayi hai, so pad gayi hai.”

“Itna mushkil bhi nahin hai. Dr. Ashutosh se sirf Dr. hi drop karna hai.”

“Mujhse nahin hoga.”

They had pulled up in front of her home. She got down from the car quickly.

“Good night Dr. Ashutosh,” she said emphasizing ‘Dr.’ and ran away from there laughing. Ashutosh was also smiling as he drove away. Her stubbornness and naughtiness were charming.

—

“Hello everyone,” Nidhi entered the common room where other interns were sitting. She noticed that everyone suddenly fell silent, “Kya hua? Tum log aise chup kyon ho gaye?”

“Ab tu aa gayi na Nidhi. Ab bhala kissi aur ko bolne ki zaroorat kya hai?” Priyanka made an alibi.

“How mean Priyanka! Mujhe laga tha ki tu meri dost hai.”

“Dosti, dushmani ka kya hai Nidhi,” Kamal replied, “Kab dost dushman ho jaate hain, aur kab dushman dost – pata bhi nahin chalta.”

“Kya baat hai? Kissi ne dump kiya hai kya tumhein? Itni gyaan bhari baatein kar rahe ho Kamal?” Nidhi teased him.

“Nahin Nidhi Ma’am. Hamari zindagi itni interesting kahan hai. Dushman to dost aapki zindagi mein bante hain, nahin?”

“Shut up Kamal,” Priyanka intervened as Nidhi looked at them questioningly.

“Kya paheliyan bujha rahe ho tum log?” Nidhi asked.

“Kuchh nahin Nidhi. Ye aise hi teri taang kheench raha hai aur hamein bore kar raha hai,” it was Priyanka again, “Tu kuchh entertaining baatein kar na. Ye bata Dr. Rangnath aur Anji ke beech kya scene hai?”

“Badhiya hai sab kuchh.”

“Badhiya hai? That’s it. Arre kuchh gossip to suna.”

“Ji nahin. Doosron ki personal life ka gossip banana achchha nahin hota hai.”

“Kya baat hai? Tu badi sensitive ho rahi hai,” Sonali said, “Teri life mein bhi kuchh gossip-worthy chal raha hai kya?”

“Kya matlab?” Nidhi was startled, “Tum log aaj definitely pagal ho gaye ho. Mujhe apna dimaag nahin kharaab karna hai. Main ja rahi hoon.” Nidhi walked out of the room with an extra cup of tea.

“Dr. Ashutosh ke saath nahin piyegi to chai hajam kaise hogi,” she heard someone whisper when she was out of the door. She almost spilled the tea on hearing that. Were people talking about them already? And did they really think she was out of the hearing distance when they whispered that or did they want her to hear that?

In the ups and downs of last few days, she had hardly had time to think about others. Probably it had been going on for a while, but she was too busy with her life to notice it. She didn’t know how to react to it.

She walked into Ashutosh’ cabin with the tea, “Dr. Ashutosh….” She stopped in her tracks as Ashutosh was sitting with some other senior dotors and probably discussing some administrative issues. Everyone sitting there started staring at her.

“Yes. Dr. Nidhi?” Ashutosh asked in a curt tone.

“I… I am sorry. Main baad mein aati hoon,” she managed to say and went out.

—

After taking her rounds, Nidhi felt the need to stay alone for a while. So, she went on the terrace. But Priyanka came looking for her.

“Nidhi? Kya hua? Yahan akele kyon baithi hai?”

“Kuchh nahin Priyanka. Bas aise hi. Tu mujhe dhoondhte hue yahan aayi?”

“Haan Nidhi. Lekin…”

“Kya baat hai Priyanka?”

“Tera mood already kharaab hai. I think main baad mein baat karti hoon.”

“Tu aisi paheli bujha kar phir mujhe poori baat nahin batayegi to main peacefully baithi rahungi kya? Bata na Priyanka. Dara mat mujhe.”

“Nidhi. Main… Dekh Nidhi bura mat manna. Teri bhalai ke liye hi bol rahi hoon.”

“Priyanka. Dekh. Mera mood already kharaab hai. Ab tu aur nakhre karegi na to main ro doongi.”

“Tere aur Dr. Ashutosh ko lekar rumours fail rahe hain hospital mein.”

“Kya?”

“Tu recently Baba ko lekar pareshaan thi, shayad tera dhyaan nahin gaya hoga. Lekin tera aur Dr. Ashutosh ka milna julna bahut badh gaya hai. To…”

“To isse logon ko kya matlab hai Priyanka?”

“Well… Nidhi. Waise to hum sab dost hain, lekin ek tarah se dekhein to competitors bhi to hain na. Kiska review kaisa hoga, kise recommendation milegi aage job ya studies ke liye, sabko ye chinta khaye rahti hai. Aur Dr. Ashutosh hamare boss hain. To tu thoda dhyaan rakh. Log kaafee mean baatein kar rahe hain.”

“Mean?”

“Yeah… I mean… ki tu unse favours lene ke badle…”

Nidhi was horrified!

“Priyanka. I don’t understand this. Meri baat chhod… Dr. Ashutosh ki professional reputation to sabko pata hai… Phir…”

“Nidhi. Ab logon ke kahne ka jawaab to main nahin de sakti. Main to bas tujhe bata dena chahti thi so that you are not caught unawares. Baaki sab tujh par hai. Ya to thodee sawdhaani barat, ya phir agar log kuchh kahein bhi to un sab par dhyaan mat de.”

Nidhi sighed, “Thanks Priyanka. Tu to…”

“Main tujhe jaanti hoon Nidhi. Don’t worry.”

Nidhi smiled.

“Achchha. Main chalti hoon. Ek patient ki report lani hai lab se,” Priyanka said and left.

Nidhi’s mobile rang after Priyanka left. It was Ashutosh. She picked it up, but before she could even greet him, he spoke, “Nidhi.”

“Ji?”

“Ye kaisi harqat ki tumne aaj? Mere office mein din mein log aate jaate rahte hain, itna to tumhein pata hai na. Kam se kam knock to kar ke aati!”

Nidhi’s already down spirit practically died.

“Kissi ne kuchh kaha kya?”

“Kaha nahin. Lekin ye sab…”

“I am sorry,” Nidhi was on the verge of crying and Ashutosh felt that in her voice. He regretted his rashness in scolding her.

“Nidhi…” he softened, “No. Listen. I am sorry. Please tum itna pareshaan mat ho. Mujhe aise nahin daantna chahiye tha tumhein. Suno. Tum kahan ho?”

“Terrace par.”

“Main abhi aata hoon.”

“Nahin…”

“Kyon? Kya hua?”

“Aise hi. Mujhe abhi ward mein wapas jaana hai.”

“Tumhari duty kab khatam ho rahi hai?”

“Ek ghante mein.”

“Theek hai. Phir canteen mein milte hain.”

“Actually… agar aap free hain to bahar mil sakte hain.”

“Umm… haan… kahan chalna hai?”

“Main Royal Cafe mein rahungi 6.30 par. Aap wahin aa jaiye.”

“Saath hi chalte hain.”

“Nahin.”

Ashutosh was puzzled, but agreed.

—

“Naaraaz ho mujhse?” Ashutosh asked as he sat opposite Nidhi in the cafe.

“Naaraaz? Nahin to!”

“Phir saath mein kyon nahin aayi?”

Nidhi stayed silent.

“Kya hua Nidhi? Kissi ne kuchh kaha hai?”

“Meri wajah se aaj aapko embarrass hona pada apne colleagues ke saamne…”

“Bhool jao Nidhi. Koi itni badi baat nahin hai. Aage se dhyaan rakhenge. Bas.”

“Haan.”

“Koi aur baat hai. Batao mujhe. Come on!”

“Main kabhi nahin chahungi ki meri wajah se aapki reputation ko koi nuksaan ho.”

“Lekin aisa hoga kyon?”

“Ho raha hai… already…”

“Kya bol rahi ho Nidhi?”

“Log baatein bana rahe hain Dr. Ashutosh. Hamare baare mein… Aur…”

Ashutosh laughed slightly, “Usse dar rahi ho tum? Well… ye to hona hi hai. Aaj nahin to kal.”

“Baat woh nahin hai. Ab main aapko kaise bataun,” Nidhi felt irritated at her inability to speak out the horrible thing Priyanka had told her about.

“Kya baat hai Nidhi? Kissi ne kuchh kaha hai?” Ashutosh asked patiently.

“Doosre interns or shayad aur staff ko lagta hai ki aap mujhe favour kar rahe hain, ya karenge. Aur main aapke favours ke badle…” she fell silent.

Ashutosh grew serious and looked thoughtful. It worried Nidhi. “Ab hum kya karenge?” she was agitated and felt scared for the future of their relationship.

“Calm down, Nidhi. Koi aasmaan nahin fat pada hai.”

“Okay,” she said with a childlike innocence, relieved that he wasn’t that worried and might have a solution. It made Ashutosh smile with affection.

“Mujhe pahle hi sochna chahiye tha is baare mein. Lekin kya karoon? Main bhi thoda inexperienced hoon,” Ashutosh joked.

“Inexperienced? Kyon? Mujhse pahle bhi to aapki zindagi mein koi aaya hoga?” Nidhi asked matter of factly.

Ashutosh laughed out loud, “No. Dr. Nidhi.”

Nidhi’s eyes widened in surprise. She had assumed that he would have had a relationship in past, “Really?”

“Really Nidhi. Shayad yakeen karna mushkil hai, lekin main sach kah raha hoon. Trust me.”

“Of course, I trust you,” Nidhi said and then blushed thinking about what this meant for their relationship and how special she must be for him.

“Okay. Coming back to the problem jisne meri chatterbox ko itna dukhi kar diya hai…” Nidhi pouted at being called chatterbox and Ashutosh laughed again. Then he continued, “Dekho Nidhi. Itna pareshaan hone ki zaroorat nahin hai. Humne pahle dhyaan nahin rakha. Lekin aage se dhyaan rakhenge. Hospital mein apne behaviour ko lekar. Let’s maintain a distance and keep it professional there. Okay?”

Nidhi nodded.

“Chalo. Ab coffee order karein?”

“Ji,” Nidhi said and Ashutosh saw that the brightness in her eyes were back. He smiled in satisfaction. They will work things out.

“Waise hamein Dr. Rangnath se bhi baat karni hogi,” Nidhi said while sipping her coffee.

“Kis baare mein?”

“Mujhe lagta hai ki woh meri duty aapke saath kuchh zyada hi lagate hain.”

“Hmm… Dr. Rangnath bhi… Theek hai. Main… baat karoonga unse…” Ashutosh said, but Nidhi could see that he was uncomfortable at the idea.

“Actually aap rahne dijiye. Main kar loongi.”

“K… kyon?”

“Aise hi. Aapka bolna theek nahin hoga.”

“Achchha? Kyon?” Ashutosh understood what she was trying to say, but asked just to tease her.

“Isliye ki… Bas aise hi. Aap aap hain,” Nidhi again couldn’t figure out how to say it and got irritated. She did not want him to risk his reputation and hold on his subordinates by discussing personal matters with them.

“Okay, okay. Ab phir se apna mood mat kharaab karo. Main bas tumhari taang kheench raha tha.”

“Zyada mat kheenchiye, warna main aapse lambi ho jaungi.”

“Haan?!” Ashutosh was surprised and then laughed out loud. Nidhi also joined him.

—

To be continued