Tag: Nidhi

Regaining Trust (Part 6)

Posted Mish8 CommentsPosted in Ashni (KTLK), Fan Fiction, Hinglish

“Woh mere haathon se nikalti ja rahi hai Dr. Ashutosh,” Nidhi was extremely worried and started talking on their way to the farmhouse, “Pahle hamesha mere saath rahna chahti thi… Ab to jaise mujhse door bhaagti hai… Har cheez friends ke saath karni hai. Har doosre din party… Mera uske school jaana bhi ab use pasand nahin hai… Pata nahin kaun friends hain uske… Maine kitni baar kaha ki unhein hamare ghar par bhi bulaye… Kam se kam mujhe pata to ho… Lekin nahin. Sab high-class friends hain uske. Unhein ghar bulane mein sharm aati hai use. Unhein treat bhi deti hai to bahar deti hai… Mujhe to shaq hai ki drinking aur smoking bhi try ki hai usne… Bas drugs ka chakkar na ho…”

“Nidhi. Calm down. You are imagining the worst…”

“Aaj kal pocket money dene ke alawa uski life mein mera koi kaam hi nahin hai… Pata nahin kya kar rahi thi party mein… Food poisoning to definitely hai… But dawai… dawai kahan rakhi maine? Oh God…”

“Maine rakh li hain dawaiyan. Dr. Nidhi. Shaant ho jaiye… Aap itna kyon ghabra rahi hain? Tabiyat kharaab hui hai. Theek ho jayegi…”

“Aaj ka din achchha nahin hai Dr. Ashutosh…”

Ashutosh stopped the car, turned towards the passenger seat and held her hands. “Nidhi!”

“Haan!” she was startled as if not realizing what was happening till then. “Sir?”

“Paseena aa raha hai aapko AC mein bhi. Shaant ho jaiye. Aapka nervous breakdown ho jayega warna.”

She wiped her forehead. “Ji,” she said meekly and Ashutosh resumed driving.

—

“Dr. Nidhi. Let me check your blood-pressure,” Ashutosh came to Nidhi after Siddhi was admitted in the hospital and her treatment had started.

“Blood pessure? Mera? Kyon?”

“Aapki halat sahi nahin lag rahi hai mujhe.”

“Main theek hoon, Sir.”

“Aapka boss koi administrator nahin, ek doctor hai. Let me check it.”

Nidhi gave in. And the reading left nothing to guess. Her BP was alarmingly high.

“Mujhe kuchh kahne ki zaroorat hai? Aapko ghar jaana hoga abhi. Aapko aaraam ki zaroorat hai.”

“Main Siddhi ko hospital mein chhod kar nahin ja sakti.”

“Yahan aur log hai uski dekh-bhaal karne ke liye. Aur bhi patients hain is hospital mein Dr. Nidhi.”

“Lekin Siddhi meri responsibility hai.”

“Theek hai. Main yahan rahoonga.”

“Maine kaha na Dr. Ashutosh. Main yahan se nahin jaungi.”

Ashutosh was irritated, “Aap kabhi kissi ki baat maan kyon nahin sakti?”

“Aap Rahul ko kissi aur ke bharose chhod kar chale jaate?”

He looked at her for a moment. Then spoke calmly and firmly, “Main aapke bharose chhod kar chala jaata. Mujhe aap par itna trust hai. Lekin lagta nahin ki aapko mujh par hai? Balki aapko kissi par nahin hai. Kyon Dr. Nidhi?”

“Rahul ko sabse zyada trust kis par hai?”

“Rahul ki baat kahan se aa gayi?”

“Mere sawaal ka jawaab dijiye.”

“I guess, mujh par hoga. Saare bachchon ko apne parents par hota hai.”

“Aur agar aap Rahul ka ye trust break kar dein, to kya woh kabhi kissi aur par bharosa kar payega?”

“Dr. Nidhi. Main samajh sakta hoon ki itni kam umra mein aapke liye apne parents ko lose karna bahut mushkil raha hoga. Mere bhi parents ki death mere bachpan mein ho gayi thi. Main ye bhi maanta hoon ki mere liye life appke jitni tough nahin thi. Baba mere father ke bahut achchhe dost the aur unhone mujhe adopt kiya. Bahut pyaar diya. Aapke paas koi nahin tha. Us par se Siddhi ki responsibility. Main aapki kadwahat samajhta hoon. Lekin iske liye apne parents ko dosh dena to sahi nahin hai. Apni maut par bhala kiska wash hota hai. Woh jaan-boojh kar to appko akela nahin chhod kar gaye the…”

“Gaye the. Jaan-boojh kar gaye the. Suicide kiya tha unhone. Soch samajh kar.”

“Kya?”

“Kuchh nahin socha unhone hamare baare mein. Main to sochne samajhne ke layak thi. Lekin Siddhi? Uske baare mein bhi nahin socha. Aaye the hamare relatives. Hamari help karne ki bhi koshish ki thi. Lekin jab maa-baap ne saath nahin diya, to main kissi aur par kaise bharosa karti? Maine hi sabko mana kiya. To aapko ye personally lene ki zaroorat nahin hai ki main Siddhi ko aapke bharose bhi chhod kar nahin jaungi.”

She ran off from there, leaving Ashutosh stunned. It took him a couple of minutes to think of what to do. The he went out to look for her. He knew where she would be. She was on the terrace. From afar he could not guess that she was crying. But when he went close to her, he realized that silent tears were falling from her eyes.

He put his hand on her shoulder and said softly, “Mere office mein chaliye. Yahan koi bhi aa sakta hai.” She complied.

“Paanch saal ho gaye hain,” Nidhi started speaking without any prodding, “Lekin woh scene nahin bhoolta mujhe. Aaj hi ka din tha. Maine thode dinon pahle hi MBBS shuru kiya tha. Us din dher saari classes thi. Aur practicals bhi. Main thaki thi aur jaldi so gayi thi. Siddhi ke saath hi. Ek dhamake ki aawaaz se meri neend khuli. Aas paas sab normal tha. Ek pal ko laga ki shayad maine koi sapna dekha tha. Lekin bechaini ho rahi thi. Main bahar aa gayi. Mummy-Papa ke kamre mein light jali hui thi. Maine socha unse poochhoon. Darwaaza locked nahin tha. Jab maine andar dekha to… Mummy zameen par thi. Unke sar par goli lagi thi. Papa bagal mein baithe hue the aur unhone apne sar par pistol taan rakhi thi. Main itna shocked thi ki main chilla bhi nahin paayi. Papa ki nazar mujh par padi… Par woh phir bhi nahin ruke. Mere saamne unhone khud ko goli maar li. Idhar maine Papa ko girte dekha, udhar Siddhi ke rone ki aawaaz aayi. Uski bhi neend khul gayi thi. Woh ghabrayi hui usi kamre ki taraf aa rahi thi. Main uski aur daudi, aur use god mein utha kar neighbour ke yahan le gayi taki woh Mummy-Papa ki woh halat dekh na le. Use unke yahan chhoda. Phir Mummy-Papa ko car mein daal kar hospital le gayi. Maine khud hi car drive ki. Main atharah saal ki nahin hui thi. Mere paas license bhi nahin tha. They were dead on arrival. Phir main police station gayi, aur FIR likhwayi. Dubara mujhe us car mein baithne ki himmat nahin hui. Maine police station mein chhod di. For evidence. Wapas aa kar Siddhi ko neighbour ke yahan se sote hue hi uthaya aur ghar aa gayi. Mummy-Papa ke kamre mein pistol padi hui thi tab bhi. Maine socha ki use utha kar wahi karoon jo unhone kiya. Siddhi ko goli maar kar khud bhi mar jaun. Lekin main doctor banne ja rahi thi. Mera kaam jaan bachaana tha. Lena nahin. Main wapas aa kar apne kamre mein baith gayi. Uske baad sab hazy hai. Mere neighbor ne relatives ko bulaya. Baaki sab kaam karwaye. Main bas Siddhi ko le kar baithi hui thi. Uska khaana-peena dekh rahi thi. Baaki sab jaise background mein ho raha tha. Mujhe hosh tab aaya jab log ye discuss karne lage ki main aur Siddhi kiske saath rahenge. Kissi ke saath jaane ka koi sawaal hi nahin tha. Sab log mere faisle se gussa hue. Lekin main koi aur faisla le nahin sakti thi. Phir kuchh dinon baad ek police waala aaya. Case close ho raha tha. Suicide note mein Papa ne likha tha ki woh pahle Mummy ko maar kar, phir khud ko maarne waale hain. Post-mortem confirmed it. Woh mujhe meri car lautane aaya tha. Evidence release ho rahe the. Main use kaha ki mujhe nahin chahiye. Pata nahin use kya bhalmansahat soojhi. Usne car bech kar usse jo paise mile, mujhe de diye. Main usse kuchh nahin kah sakti thi, lekin main woh paise Mummy-Papa ke room mein phenke aur use band kar diya. Phir use kabhi nahin khola… Aaj tak nahin.”

Ashutosh let out an audible sigh. She had been hiding too much. This was the death anniversary of her parents. And all the pain had come back.

“Aap isliye ghar nahin jaana chahti thi aaj? Aapko woh sab yaad aa raha tha?”

She nodded, “Mujhe bahut ghabrahat ho rahi thi. Aur Siddhi bhi nahin thi. Maine usse kaha tha ki is baar na jaye party mein. Mere saath rahe. But use laga ki main use rokne ke liye bahana bana rahi hoon. Ab lag raha hai ki uski problem ka hi premonition ho raha tha mujhe. Meri baat maan leti to uski tabiyat to kharaab nahin hoti. Aap bataiye mujhe Dr. Ashutosh. Kya mujhe kuchchh galat lag raha tha? Wahan drugs ho rahe the, hai na?”

Ashutosh nodded, “I think so. Main jaanta hoon kuchh bachchon ko jo wahan the. Unke parents ke through. It doesn’t surprise me.”

“Kya… Siddhi ne bhi drugs liye the?”

“Maine check nahin karwaya Dr. Nidhi. Use problem food poisoning ki wajah se hi hui thi. To uski dawaiyan de di hain.”

“Lekin aapko kya lagta hai?”

“Baad mein baat karte hain. Abhi tum already bahut pareshaan ho. Aur khud bhi beemaar ho,” Ashutosh said softly. Nidhi did not resist him this time.

“I am sorry. Maine aapko bhi pareshaan kar diya,” Nidhi suddenly became conscious of her outburst.

“Nidhi. Main jaanta hoon ki logon par trust na karne ke liye tumhare paas bahut badi wajah hai. Main tumhein question nahin kar sakta is baare mein. Lekin ise meri request samjho. Thoda bharosa karo mujh par. Tumne already kiya hai. Ye sab mere saath share kar ke. Aur main ye bharosa nahin tootne doonga.”

She nodded, “Lekin mujhe ghar jaane ko mat boliye.”

“Theek hai. Nahin bolunga. Lekin tumhein khud ko shaant rakhna hoga. Aur agar BP badhe to dawai leni hogi. Okay? Ye koi umra nahin hai high blood pressure hone ki tumhari.”

She nodded meekly.

“Aur thodee der hospital mein hi so lo.”

She nodded again and got up, “Main chalti hoon.”

“Take care.”

—

Regaining Trust (Part 5)

Posted Mish8 CommentsPosted in Ashni (KTLK), Fan Fiction, Hinglish

“Dr. Nidhi? Aap is taraf?” Ashutosh stopped his car near the bus stop when he spotted Nidhi. It was Sunday afternoon.

“Ji. Orbit Mall ja rahi thi.”

“Great. Hum bhi wahin ja rahe hain. Rahul ko wahan games khelne hain. Aa jaiye.”

“Sure?”

“Ab main jhooth kyon bolunga? Come in.”

Nidhi did not resist further. Rahul was excited to see his Nidhi Auntie and volunteered to shift to the back seat, so that Nidhi could have the passenger seat in front.

“Nidhi Auntie. Aapko pata hai, wahan multi-player games bhi hai. Lekin Papa mere saath nahin khelte. Aap khelengi?”

“Rahul,” Ashutosh interrupted, “Dr. Nidhi ko apna kaam hai…”

“Koi baat nahin, Sir. Mujhe bas Siddhi ke liye iPad lena tha. Mujhe koi jaldbaazi nahin hai. If you don’t mind, I’d be happy to play with him.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes Sir.”

“Great then.”

—

After buying the tokens for various games, Rahul forgot all about Ashutosh and dragged Nidhi to various games. Ashutosh watched on. It was adorable how well they got along. He welcomed them back with a smile.

“Thaka diya aapne Dr. Nidhi ko?” he asked Rahul playfully.

“No Sir. Mujhe aadat hai. Aur main… enjoy karti hoon.”

“I know. Aur ye iska poora fayda uthata hai.”

“Aisa kyon kah rahe hain aap?”

“Papa. Softy!” Rahul had spotted the softy vendor and wanted one immediately.

“Here. Take the money and get it. Also get one for Dr. Nidhi.”

“No Sir. Main kya karoongi?”

“Khayengi, aur kya karengi? Go Rahul.”

“Aapke liye kaun sa flavour laun Nidhi Auntie?”

“Jo tumhein pasand ho wahi.”

“Chocolate?”

“Okay.”

“He misses having a mother,” Ashutosh said after Rahul left.

“What happened to her?”

She was surprised when Ashutosh laughed, “Nothing happened to her. Or rather love happened to her. A bit too often.”

“Excuse me?”

“We divorced when Rahul was two. She had fallen in love with someone else. And… Well… In another two years they had divorced as well. After that I did not keep track.”

“You don’t sound upset at all.”

“She was childish. I knew it all along. And I think I had found it cute at one point of time. Mujhe lagta tha ki she’d grow with time. Lekin aisa hua nahin. Mujhe gussa bhi bahut aaya jab pata chala. But then I realized that my anger was not going to change her. Maine bas usse Rahul ki custody maangi. She happily let me have it. Then we separated almost amicably.”

“Aapne sahi decision liya.”

“You think so?”

“Yes. Rahul is lucky. Kai bachche nahin hote itne lucky.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Just like that,” Nidhi replied as if she had just jerked herself out of a chain of thought. Obviously she was lying. There was something. But Ashutosh did not press. Pressurizing her never worked anyway.

“To aapko Apple store jaana hai? For the iPad?”

“Yeah.”

“Let’s go. Main bhi apne liye dekhta hoon. Mere pichhle tablet par to Rahul ne kabza kar liya.”

“Bachchon ko mana nahin kar sakte.”

“Yep. Aap bhi to Siddhi ke liye hi khareed rahi hain.”

“Ji.”

“Lijiye, Rahul bhi aa gaya. With the Softy. Kha lijiye. Phir chalte hain.”

—

“I think main baad mein loongi,” Nidhi said after checking out the models at the store.

“Kyon. Kya hua?”

“Surprise dene ka idea sahi nahin tha. Ab mujhe pata nahin ki use black chahiye hoga ya white.”

“Aapko kaun sa pasand hai.”

“Mujhe?” Nidhi laughed as if he had asked something absurd.

“Haan. Ismein hansne ki kya baat hai?”

“Mujhe kuchh bhi chalta hai.”

“Aisa kaise ho sakta hai. Aap koi itni boodhi nahin ho gayi hain ki aapki koi pasand-napasand na ho.”

“Ho hi gayi hoon. Khair. Aap le lijiye. Main Siddhi ke saath aa kar, ya usse poochh kar baad mein le loongi.”

“Actually main bhi confused hoon ki black loon ya white. Mujhe dono hi achchhe lag rahe hain. To aisa karte hain. Hum ek black aur ek white le lete hain. Siddhi ko jo pasand ho aap use woh de dijiyega. Main doosra rakh loonga. Mere liye decision bhi ho jayega. Aur aapka surprise bhi rah jayega.”

“Iski zaroorat nahin hai Sir. Aapki to pasand-napasand hai na.”

“Maine kaha na mujhe dono hi pasand aa rahe hain. Isliye to problem hai. Fortunately yahan red nahin hai. Warna main aapko bol deta ki red main kissi keemat par nahin loonga.”

“Red would have been nice actually.”

“Really? I don’t think iPad red color mein aata hai. Pasand batayi bhi aapne to non-existent.”

“Non-existent cheezon ko pasand karna achchha hai. Pata hai ki nahin hain. Trust nahin tootta. Existing cheezein trust-worthy nahin hoti… Khair. Main aapko bore kar rahi hoon.”

“Nahin. Aap mujhe intrigue kar rahi hain.”

“Agar aap sure hain ki aapko koi bhi color chalega to hum khareed kar nikalte hain yahan se.”

“Okay.”

—

“Sir. Agar aap logon ko kahin aur jaana ho to main yahan se bus ya auto le loongi.”

“Nahin. Hum wapas hi ja rahe hain.”

“Phir mujhe usi bus-stop par drop kar dijiye, jahan se pick kiya tha.”

“Main aapko ghar drop kar deta hoon.”

“Nahin,” she replied urgently, “Mujhe ghar nahin jaana hai.”

“To kahan jaana hai? Main wahin drop kar doonga.”

“Mujhe nahin pata,” she replied absent-mindedly.

Ashutosh was alarmed, “Dr. Nidhi? Kya hua hai?”

“Kuchh nahin. Aap mujhe bus-stop se pahle ek park hai wahan drop kar dijiye.”

“Siddhi kahan hai?”

“Woh apne friends ke saath gayi hai. Kissi friend ke farmhouse par party hai. Kal shaam tak aayegi.”

“Aap mere saath chaliye.”

“Nahin Sir. Main…”

“Mujhe aapse baat karni hai. Chaliye.”

—

“Nidhi Auntie! Mein aapko apni drawings dikhaun?”

“Rahul. Baad mein. Abhi Papa ko Dr. Nidhi se kuchh kaam hai.”

“Dikhane dijiye na Sir. Kitna excited hai.”

“Nahin. Abhi nahin. Rahul. Beta apne kamre mein jaiye. Auntie se boliye aapke kapde change karwa dein.”

“Aap meri drawings dekhe bina mat jaiyega Nidhi Autnie.”

“Nahin jaungi.”

Nidhi looked uncomfortable and nervous after Rahul left.

“Ghar kyon nahin jaana chahti aap? Kya baat hai?”

“Aisa kuchh nahin hai. Main bas bore ho jaati ghar par akele…”

“Aur park mein akele bahut enjoy karti? Mujhe pata hai aap normally bhi bahut khush nahin rahti hain. Lekin aaj…”

Nidhi’s mobile rang interrupting their conversation.

“Siddhi ka phone hai. I must take it, Sir.”

“Sure.”

“Hello Siddhi…. Kya… Kya hua… Oh God! Tu ghabra mat Siddhi. I will reach there right away… Kuchh nahin hoga… Don’t worry… Address bata…”

“Kya hua Dr. Nidhi?”

“Siddhi ki tabiyat kharaab ho gayi hai. Symptoms se food poisoning lag rahi hai. Woh bahut ghabra gayi hai. Mujhe abhi jaana hoga.”

“Main chalta hoon aapke saath.”

“Rahul…”

“Use maid sambhaal legi. Don’t worry…”

“Nahin. Uski drawings…”

“Come on Dr. Nidhi. Ye drawings dekhne ka time nahin hai…”

“Main use bol kar aati hoon. Warna use bura lagega. Uska kamra kahan hai?”

Ashutosh sighed and pointed towards Rahul’s room. Her sensitivity was endearing, but he wondered if she overdid it for kids.

—

To be continued

Regaining Trust (Part 4)

Posted Mish11 CommentsPosted in Ashni (KTLK), Fan Fiction, Hinglish

“Meri class mein sabke paas ipad hai. They keep doing FaceTime all the time,” Siddhi said on the breakfast table.

“You can do Facebook from my laptop, Siddhi.”

“Facebook nahin Di. FaceTime. It’s a video calling feature only on Apple products.”

“But we have a webcam. Aur school mein itna time bitane ke baad, tu phir unhi logon ke saath video chat karna chahti hai?” Nidhi tried to make a joke about her demand.

“Offo Di. You don’t understand. It’s… It’s not the webcam. FaceTime is… Well… iPad is cool. And everyone has it.”

“Okay. I will find out about it,” Nidhi said meekly because she did not want Siddhi to flare up again. This happened too often these days. Last time it was about some branded nail polish she wanted to buy. Before that about the different running and walking shoes from Nike that she needed. Each costed her above 7000 bucks. And now this iPad. Nidhi already knew the prices. She was only postponing the inevitable. She’d buy it for her eventually. And then try to compensate for it by taking buses instead of autos herself. Not that this kind of money could be saved by that. She hated digging into the savings. It was for Siddhi’s education. Nidhi had hoped that she’d run the house with her internship stipend and not spend any more savings on their daily needs after her MBBS was over. But Siddhi was growing, her needs were growing. The stipend was meagerly. Nidhi made some mental calculations. For iPad she will have to break another FD. Each FD was of one lac Rs. Around 40-45 thousands will be left after she bought the iPad. She would leave that in her savings account, instead of putting back in FD or any other investment. Some demand or the other will come up from Siddhi again. It was better to have some cash at hand. May be she should stop worrying about savings so much. After the internship was over, she’d be able to earn a decent salary. And it was only a year away. By the time Siddhi finished her 10th board exams, Nidhi should be settled well enough to support her further studies. But… But what if something went wrong… Saving were needed…. And yet an FD will have to be broken.

“Bye Di. Main ja rahi hoon. Aur aaj Natasha ke ghar party hai. So, don’t come to pick me up. I will be back later.” Oh yes! She had forgotten the 2000 Rs. spent on a gift for Natasha’s birthday. “She is my best friend Di. Uske liye mujhe kuchh to dhang ka khreedna padega. Kuchh uske standard ka,” Siddhi had argued.

But why was she grudging? It was her responsibility to make sure that Siddhi had everything she needed to be happy. She should not feel like an orphan. But the car… She wanted to be driven to her school in a car like other children. Not go in buses. But that was something Nidhi really couldn’t afford right now. After internship, with a better income she might be able to get a loan. But right now… May be she should not have disposed off that ill-fated car all those years ago… But a ten year old Maruti 800 would hardly have been Siddhi’s idea of a car that would match the tastes of her friends. Nidhi smiled despite her worries. Siddhi! How status-conscious she was! How naive and gullible. But she was only thirteen. She had the right to be gullible. She had the right to be pampered. That right won’t be snatched away from her. Never! She would not have to grow up sooner than needed.

—

“Dr. Nidhi? Aap abhi yahan hain? School nahin gayin, Siddhi ko pick karne?” Ashutosh was surprised to find Nidhi on the terrace during the lunch hour.

Nidhi was facing away from the door that connected the terrace to the hospital corridor and was startled by Ashutosh’ voice.

“Sorry. Maine aapko phir dara diya lagta hai,” Ashutosh said sheepishly seeing her turn with a start.

She smiled weakly, “Nahin. Main theek hoon. Siddhi ki friend ke yahan party hai. To aaj main nahin ja rahi hoon.”

“Lunch kar liya aapne.”

“Nahin. Thodee der baad karoongi.”

“Are jaiye. Abhi hi to sab log canteen mein honge.”

“Haan. Woh bahut crowded hai. Isliye…”

“Dr. Nidhi. Aap kabhi apne colleagues ke saath lunch nahin kar paati hain. This is the time…”

“Isliye to awkward hai, Sir…” she bit her lips as she realized that she had revealed something she did not want to. She had earned the reputation of aloofnes amongst her colleagues and now she was not comfortable having lunch with them in the canteen. She would have felt like an outsider. But what will Ashutosh think now. “I’m sorry, Sir. Mera woh matlab nahin tha…”

“Chaliye mere saath,” Ashutosh said thoughtfully.

Nidhi resignedly walked behind him expecting to be led to the canteen, but was surprised when he walked towards his cabin instead. What was this about? A private lecture on the need to socialize with colleages?

But she was in for another surprise.

“Hiraman Kaka dher saara khana bana dete hain roz. Hamesha wapas le jaana padta hai. I should have another plate somewhere… Ye rahi. Dekhiye. Aapki pasand ka kuchh hai ya nahin is dabbe mein…”

“Dr. Ashutosh. Isko zaroorat nahin hai. Aap… Main canteen mein kha loongi. Aap iske liye mujhe yahan laye the? Maine socha…”

“Sit down Dr. Nidhi. Ye chhoti-moti baatein kissi ki maan lene se koi farq nahin padega aapki independence par, trust me.”

Nidhi gave in and served herself some food. Ashutosh also got some for himself and they started eating.

“Waise aapne kya socha tha?” Ashutosh restarted the conversation.

“Ji?”

“Aap kah rahi thi na ki jab main aapko yahan laya to aapne socha… Kya socha?”

“Kuchh nahin.”

“Ye chhoti-moti baatein bata dena se bhi koi farq nahin padega Nidhi.”

Nidhi sighed, “Mujhe laga tha ki aap mujhe samjhane ki koshish karenge ki mujhe apne colleagues ke saath socialize karna chahiye and all that.”

Ashutosh smiled, “Dr. Nidhi. Hum sab apni job mein kuchh assumptions ke saath kaam karte hain. The twenty-two year olds, who walk in through the hospital gates every year, to start their professional careers… Unke baare mein bhi mere kuchh assumptions hote hain. Normally woh sahi bhi hote hain. Woh log mostly achchhe aur studious students rahe hote hain, but duniya nahin dekhi hoti, responsibilities nahin li hoti, real life ka idea nahin hota unhein. Un assumptions ke hisaab se main unhein train karne ko koshish karta hoon. Sirf medicine mein hi nahin, balki overall professional life mein. Lekin…”

“Lekin?” Ashutosh had Nidhi’s attention.

“Lekin jitna maine aapko jaana hai, itni chhoti si umra mein hi aapne itni responsibilities nibhayi hain ki mujhe pata nahin aapke oopar normal rules apply karna fair hai ya nahin? Balki woh aap par apply hote bhi hain ki nahin? Aapko already itne important faisle lene ki aadat hai khud ke liye ki main aapko decision-making nahin sikha sakta. Aapne apne faisle khud liye hain. Aur galtiyan nahin ki hain. Aur itna kuchh karne ke baad agar aap kabhi koi galti kar bhi dein, to woh aapka haq hai.”

Nidhi was staring at him in disbelief by the time he finished.She felt a lump in her throat. She could not swallow her food any longer. And if she tried to do anything at all, she was sure she’d cry. She kept her plate on the table and walked out, not heeding Ashutosh asking her to stop.

—

Ashutosh was confused about what to do for a minute. Then he decided to look for her. He found her on the terrace. Even though she was facing away from him and he was at a distance, it wasn’t difficult to make out that she was crying. He debated with himself about what to do. Go to her or leave her alone. He decided on the latter. She had run away from him to cry. He shouldn’t impose himself on her. He came back.

Knock came on his door about fifteen minutes later.

“Yes Dr. Nidhi?” Ashutosh spoke as if nothing had happened earlier.

She looked uncomfortable and flustered, “I am sorry, Sir. Woh meri joothi plate yahan padi thi.”

“Don’t worry. Clean karwa di hai maine.”

She nodded and made to leave.

“Nidhi,” he stopped her, got up from his chair and walked to her, “Do baatein. Pahli ye ki tumhari duty abhi mere saath hai. Ward no. 2 mein. Jaldbaazi ki koi zaroorat nahin hai. You didn’t have your lunch properly. Aaraam se canteen mein kuchh kha kar aa jao.”

She nodded.

“Aur doosri ye ki sharing and getting support is not a sign of weakness. Agar tum mujhse share karna chaho to I would be very happy. Lekin mujh par nahin to kissi par to bharosa karo. Kissi se to share karo, support lo. Agar main kissi se tumhari jaan pahchaan karwa sakta hoon, ya kissi professional se hi baat karna chaho…”

“Agar share karna hoga,” she interrupted, “To aapse hi kar loongi.” She didn’t know why she said that. But it sounded right.

“I will wait for the day then.”

She nodded and went away.

—

To be continued

Regaining Trust (Part 3)

Posted Mish11 CommentsPosted in Ashni (KTLK), Fan Fiction, Hinglish

 

“Sir. Main Siddhi ko… I mean apni sister ko pick karne ja rahi thi. Rahul ko bhi pick kar loon?”

“No. Thanks Dr. Nidhi. Uski maid wapas aa gayi hai. Woh use ghar le jayegi.”

“Okay Sir.”

“Dr. Nidhi?” She noticed that he had started using her first name instead of his usual practice of using the last name.

“Yes Sir?”

“Aap roz apni sister ko pick karti hain?”

“Ji.”

“But she is old enough to go home on her own.”

“Hum log saath mein lunch karte hain, Sir.”

“Isliye aap hospital canteen mein lunch nahin karti.”

“Ji,” she nodded looking apprehensive as if he would mind that. But he did not say anything. So, she left feeling relieved.

—

Ashutosh parked his car in the parking lot and walked towards the main building of Rahul’s school. It was the annual school picnic and the school authorities had asked parents to volunteer to accompany the kids to the picnic venue. Having a few parents around would be helpful for the teachers, as the kids on the picnic grounds could become a handful for them. Ashutosh had the day off; so he had decided to volunteer.

“Dr. Ashutosh?” he heard the familiar voice.

“Dr. Nidhi? Aaj to aapki duty thi.”

“Maine exchange kar li.”

“Yahan aane ke liye?”

“Ji.”

“That’s great,” Ashutosh said, but eyed her curiously. Why was she acting like a parent to her fairly grown up sister?

But he did not get a chance to continue the conversation. All the parents and teachers got busy in seating the kids on the buses, counting and recounting, giving instructions. Nidhi and Ashutosh were assigned to different buses; so they could not talk during the bus ride. Only after they disembarked at the venue and the kids got engaged in various activities, did he get a chance to talk to her again.

“Aap apni sister ki full-time guardian ki tarah hain,” he said cautiously, though he tried to appear casual.

“Guardian ki tarah nahin hoon, main uski guardian hoon.”

“Excuse me?”

“Woh aath saal ki thi jab hamare parents ki death ho gayi thi. Tab se main hi uski guardian hoon.” She said it as factually as if reporting a patient’s blood pressure to him.

Ashutosh was visibly startled. “I… I am sorry Dr. Nidhi.”

“It’s okay. Old story. She is doing fine.”

“I’m sure, she is. I’m sorry because I had no idea. And I could have said some things that hurt you…”

“No. You couldn’t have. I don’t give people power to hurt me,” her curt and stiff self was back.

Ashutosh’ mind was filled with a whirlwind of thoughts and he was hardly in a position to chat with her further. He tried to guess what Siddhi’s age was and if they were orphaned when she was eight, it must have been four to six years ago. Nidhi herself would have been a teenager then, herself in the need of love and care of parents. And she has been parenting her kid sister since then? Even at his age, when Rahul’s birth was a planned event of his life, he sometimes found it difficult to deal with a child as a single parent and this girl…. Is that what makes her so bitter? He stole a glance at her. She was looking fondly in the direction of her sister. Siddhi was playing volleyball with her friends. It was impossible not to notice the affectionate smile on Nidhi’s face, which was usually so devoid of anything resembling a smile. She definitely didn’t resent her sister’s responsibility. What was it then?

—

“Aap log wapas ghar kaise jayenge?” Ashutosh asked when they were back to the school from picnic. The parents who had not accompanied the kids on picnic had come to pick them up and the entire place was crowded again.

“Auto ya taxi mil jayegi, Sir.”

“Kaafi der ho gayi hai. Let me drop you. Car hai…”

“No. No Sir. That won’t be necessary. Aur phir Rahul ke sone ka time bhi ho raha hoga. Aap late ho jayenge.”

“It’s not a problem at all. Aur hamara hero abhi 11 baje se pahle nahin sone waala hai. Itni raat ko aap logon ka akele jaana theek nahin hai…”

“Sir. Hum hamesha jaate hain. Koi problem nahin hai. Right Siddhi?” Nidhi tried to get her sister to endorse her.

“Yeah Di. But you know… I am kind of tired…”

“Siddhi!” Nidhi was flustered.

“Dr. Nidhi. Please let me,” Ashutosh insisted.

He saw an expression of helplessness and regret on her face as she nodded. Obviously she was not happy at the situation. For a moment he felt bad about offering to drop them. It seemed to have hurt her self-respect. And yet… not making an offer would not have been like him. It would not have been like anyone with any sense of responsibility. It made no sense that they should be scouting for an auto this late, after a tiring day, when he could have dropped them easily.

—

“Sir. Aap please andar aaiye na,” Nidhi said when he pulled up the car in front of their house.

“Nahin Dr. Nidhi. Aap log thake hue honge. Aaraam kijiye. Main phir kissi din…”

“Sir. Chai to main bhi piyungi hi aur khana bhi banega hi. Agar aapko taqleef na ho to please andar chaliye aur hamare saath hi dinner kar lijiye. Abhi ghar wapas ja kar kahan dinner ka intezaam karenge?”

Hiraman Kaka would have taken care of dinner at his home. But he did not want to say it and make her feel small. At the same time he did not like the idea of her slogging away on dinner for four people.

“I have a better idea. Hum ander chalte hain. Aap hamare liye chai banaiye aur dinner ke liye hum pizza order kar dete hain,” he said.

“Pizza! Yes!” Rahul and Siddhi exclaimed in almost in chorus.

Nidhi looked unsure, but finally nodded.

—

Rahul happily followed Siddhi to her room. Ashutosh ordered pizza, while Nidhi made tea. The house was big for two people and Ashutosh guessed that it must have been built by their parents and was not rented.

“Rahul abhi aath saal ka hai and he gets a handful for me so often. It was very brave of you to take the responsibility of your sister at that age,” Ashutosh said while having tea.

“Main brave banne ki koshish nahin kar rahi thi. I just did what I had to.”

“That is still incredible. In fact, more so.”

Nidhi did not react to it and continued sipping her tea without meeting his eyes. Ashutosh fidgeted feeling uncomfortable at the silence, but the doorbell came to his resuce.

“Must be pizza delivery. I will get it,” Nidhi got up.

“No. Nidhi. Wait. I will pay for it,” Ashutosh stopped her.

“Sir. Aap bhool rahe hain ki aap mere ghar mein hain. I am the host.”

“Aur aap bhool rahi hain ki main aapka senior hoon.Sit down.”

“But…”

“No if’s and but’s,” he declared and went to the door.

Nidhi looked on feeling slightly annoyed with herself. What was happening to her today? She was losing control, giving in too much to Ashutosh. First revealing about her parent’s death, then the ride home, then the idea of pizza for dinner and now him paying for it. She didn’t like the idea of paying over 500 Rs. for a meal of pizza. Her father’s insurance and property had left her enough to pay for her own education and their normal upkeep. But she couldn’t afford to be reckless. She was saving for Siddhi’s education.

She came out of her thoughts when she saw Ashutosh struggling with several large boxes of pizza, garlic bread and cakes.

“Aapne kitna saara order kar diya hai?”

“Cold drinks darwaaze ke paas rakhi hain.”

“He bhagwan!” she exclaimed and rushed to the door so that Ashutosh didn’t have do all the work himself.

She stood with her hands on the hips and stared at the pizza boxes and accompaniments arranged on the dining table.

“Ye chaalish logon ka khana hai, Sir. Yahan sirf chaar log hain, poora hospital nahin.”

Ashutosh liked it that for once her words were not measured and calculated. She just spoke whatever came to her mind.

“I’m sorry. Lekin maine socha ki sab ki pasand alag alag hogi. To mujhe jo samajh mein aaya order kar diya. Jo bach jaye fridge mein rakh dijiyega.”

“Ek hafte tak mere ghar mein pizza festival chalega. Khair. I will call the kids.”

Her marvelled at her motherly expressions and language. It was cute coming from a twenty-two year old.

Nidhi tossed and turned in her bed till late that night. Something about the day was making her uncomfortable. Something about Ashutosh was making her uncomfortable. Siddhi was elated. At the ride in Mercedes. At the pizza dinner that Nidhi hardly indulged her in. And it bothered her that the source of her elation came from the pockets of someone else. From the pockets of Dr. Ashutosh. To make the matters worse, he came across as a dependable person. Of course, he did, Nidhi told herself. He was used to being a parent. All parents came across as dependable. It didn’t mean they were actually so.

—

To be continued

 

Regaining Trust (Part 2)

Posted Mish11 CommentsPosted in Ashni (KTLK), Fan Fiction, Hinglish

“Sister. Pakadiye ise kas ke. Dawai le hi nahin rahi hai. Zabardasti deni padegi.” Kabir was struggling with a six year old patient.

“Kabir,” Nidhi chided him, “Bachchon ko aise dara-dhamka kar kuchh nahin hota hai. Kaun si dawai deni hai, batao mujhe.”

“Tum darane-dhamkaane ki baatein kar rahi ho,” Kabir laughed good humouredly, “Tumse to bade bhi darte hain Dr. Nidhi Verma. Bachchon ka kya hoga?”

“Badon ko darane ki zaroorat bhi hoti hai,” Nidhi mumbled, clearly not enjoying the joke.

Kabir shrugged and walked off to attend to other patients. Nidhi wasn’t aware that Ashutosh was standing near the door of the ward and was observeing them. He continued to watch as she sat down with the girl, soothed her down,distracted her with little jokes and games and finally made her have the medicine. She was still smiling when she got up from the patient’s bed and made her way to the door, only to encourter Ashutosh hardly a meter away from the bed. When did he come?

“Aap muskurati bhi hain?” Ashutosh said.

“Ji?” she was startled.

“Pahli baar aapko smile karte hue dekha hai. Warna mujhe to lagta tha ki aap yahan bilkul tortured feel karti hain.”

“Aisa kuchh nahin hai, Sir.”

“Aapse kuchh baat karni thi. Agar aap free hain to mere office mein chalein?”

“Ji.”

—

“Lunch par sab aapko miss kar rahe the,” Ashutosh said.

And she smiled. For the second time in the day. But her smile was sarcastic this time.

“Itna mujhe pata hai ki koi mujhe miss nahin kar raha tha. But thanks for trying to be sweet. Coming to the point – I am sorry. Mujhe maaloon hai mujhe wahan rahna chahiye tha. It was rude that you were invited and I was not there…”

“Nahin. Point ye nahin hai ki main invited tha. Mujhe pata chala ki aap kabhi bhi lunch baaki logon ke saath nahin karti hain. Ya otherwise bhi apne colleagues ke saath zyada mingle nahin karti hain…”

“I don’t think ki is baare mein koi rule hai.”

“Rule nahin hai Dr. Verma. But har workplace ki kuchh dynamics hoti hai, culture hoti hai. Aur sabse badee baat social aspect hota hai. Ye jo profession hai, ye hamein emotionally, physically aur mentally drain kar sakta hai. Fighting diseases and accidents day and night. Hamein support ki zaroorat hoti hai. Aur immediate support apne colleagues se milta hai. Agar aap unhein alienate kar dengi to aapko hi problem hogi.”

“Agar baat sirf meri problems ki hai to mujhe apni problems se deal karna aata hai. Uske liye aapko chinta karne ki zaroorat nahin hai.”

“I appreciate your self-reliance. Bahut achchhi quality hai. Lekin… I get a feeling ki koi cheez hai jo aapko pareshaan kar rahi hai. Maine abhi-abhi aapko patient ke saath dekha. Aisa to nahin hai ki aap logon se connect karne mein capable nahin hain. In fact, aap kaafi capable hai. Pahle bhi bachchon ke saath maine observe kiya hai. Phir colleagues ke saath kyon problem hai aapko? Are you hyper competitive?”

“Am I obliged to answer?”

“Would you feel more comfortable talking to a woman? I can ask Dr. Mallika or…”

“Aap ye sab kyon poochh rahe hain? Meri performance mein koi problem hai?”

“Nahin. Bilkul bhi nahin. You are doing very well. But as a boss and as a mentor I care about things beyond performance…”

“Dr. Ashutosh,” she interrupted impatiently, “I report to you. Aap mere boss hain. Meri performance mein koi problem ho, koi shikayat ho to aap mujhse jo chahe kah sakte hain. Lekin meri life mein koi mentor nahin hai. I am sorry, but main life-coaching lene ke mood mein nahin hoon. Na to Dr. Mallika se, na hi aapse. Can I leave now?”

He nodded. There was no getting into this girl’s head. She left.

—

“Rahul? Beta aap yahan kaise? Main abhi nikal hi raha tha aapko pick karne ke liye,” Ashutosh was hurrying out of the hospital to pick his son up from the school. The maid who looked after him was on leave that day. So, he was surprised and scared to see that Rahul had already reached hospital.

“Don’t worry Dr. Ashutosh,” he heard Nidhi’s voice, as she approached them, “Rahul mere saath aaya hai.”

“Aur humne khoob enjoy kiya raaste mein. Maine Nidhi Auntie ko tic-tac-toe mein paanch baar haraya. Hai na?”

“Of course. Rahul genius jo hai.” The girl who was talking so affectionately to his eight-year old son was definitely not the Dr. Nidhi Verma he knew. She appeared rather normal and jovial. But then she was so with kids quite often. But how did…

She read his confusion, “Sorry. Maine explain nahin kiya. Meri sister bhi Rahul ke school mein padhti hai. Usse badi hai. She is in class 8th. But both of them participate in the drama group. So, they know each other and I know him. Main apni sister ko pick karne gayi thi to pata chala ki Rahul ko bhi yahin aana hai, but aapne teacher ko phone kiya tha ki aapko der ho jayegi. To main ise apne saath le aayi.”

“To aap aur Rahul ek doosre ko pahle se jaante hain?”

“Papa. Maine aapko bataya tha na Nidhi Auntie ne drama group ke liye cake banaya tha annual function ke baad.”

Ashutosh grinned, “Nidhi Auntie? No wonder I could never guess. Beta auntie bulane ke liye ye thodi young hain. Aap inhein Didi bulaiye.”

“Rahen dijiye, Sir. Did bulane ke liye main thodee old hoon. Sab bachche mujhe auntie hi bulate hain. I don’t mind. Main chalti hoon. Lunch ka time khatam ho raha hai.”

“Sure. And thanks Dr. Nidhi.”

“No problem, Sir.”

—

“So, aap apni sister ke bahut close hain?” Nidhi was reading in the common after taking her round in the ward for the night duty, when Ashutosh walked in.

“Sir?” Nidhi was startled and could do nothing more than acknowledge him.

“Mere aane se aap hamesha pareshaan ho jaati hain.”

“Aap hamesha aate hi koi sawaal daag dete hain.” Ashutosh thought he saw a faint smile on her face as she retorted in a tone softer than usual for her.

“Aur aapko mere sawaal achche nahin lagte.”

“Achchha-bure ki baat nahin hai. Mere paas usually koi dhang ka jawaab nahin hota,” she was stiff again.

“Khair. Aapko pata tha ki Rahul mera beta hai?”

“Ji.”

“Aapne kabhi bataya nahin ki aap use jaanti hain?”

“Kabhi zaroorat nahin hui.”

“Zaroorat?” Ashutosh laughed, “Aap har kaam zaroorat ke hisaab se karti hain?”

She didn’t reply, just bit her lips.

“Sorry. Main mazaak kar raha tha. But Rahul aapke baare mein bahut baatein karta hai. Hospital mein hi nahin, bahar bhi aap bachchon ki favourite hain. Mujhe bas kabhi realize hi nahin hua ki uski Nidhi Auntie aap hain.”

She smiled weakly.

“Dr. Verma. Aap… Oh! Kya aap nahin chahti thi ki mujhe pata chale? Ki Rahul aapko jaanta hai?”

She sighed, “Mujhe nahin pata ki main kya chahti thi.”

“Aapko use laane ki koi zaroorat nahin thi phir. Kyon le aayin aap? Maine teacher ko phone kar diya tha…”

“Bachchon ko akelapan bardasht nahin hota, Sir. Woh ruansa ho raha tha. Main use chhod kar nahin aa payi.”

“Thanks. And sorry. Uski maid aaj chhutti par thi aur main kuchh emergencies ki wajah se time se nahin ja paaya…”

“It’s okay, Sir. Mujhe pata tha ki aap busy hain. Isliye to main use le aayi.”

“Yeah. Lekin ye baat mujhe pata hai, isse agar aap uncomfortable hain, to phir maan lijiye ki mujhe nahin pata hai. Maine kabhi iska zikr nahin karoonga.”

Ashutosh got up to leave. Nidhi also got up and stopped him, “Dr. Ashutosh. I’m sorry. Mujhe galat mat samajhiye. Main koi…”

“Tumhein galat nahin samajh raha hoon, Nidhi,” he suddenly addressed her by her first name and used ‘tum’ instead of ‘aap’, “Tum kuchh galat to kabhi karti nahin ho. Tumhein galat kaun samajh sakta hai? Lekin jab bhi tumhein dekhta hoon, tumse baat karta hoon, kahin na kahin mujhe ye mahsoos hota rahta hai ki apne andar kuchh daba rakha hai tumne. Jaise umra se zyada serious aur mature banne ke liye you are trying very hard, jaise kissi cheez se khud ko protect kar rahi ho, jaise koi laava bhara ho tumhare andar. Mujhe pata hai ki tumhein advice pasand nahin hai, lekin phir bhi… Main ye nahin kah raha ki tum mere saath share karo. Lekin isse pahle ki ye laava volcano ban kar phat jaye, kissie se saath share karo. Thandha karo ise.”

He went away and Nidhi stood rooted to her place for several seconds after that. She was stunned and tears clouded her vision. How did he know? How did he understand?

—

To be continued

Regaining Trust (Part 1)

Posted Mish19 CommentsPosted in Ashni (KTLK), Fan Fiction, Hinglish

“Would any of you like to help Surgeon Hussain in closing up?” Dr. Ashutosh Mathur asked the interns, who were on their first day of duty. The patient on the table was a three-year old girl, who had been badly injured in a car accident.

“Ashutosh!” Shahid Hussain, pediatric surgeon at Kotnis General Hospital, looked at him incredulously. He hadn’t been in favour of making interns even watch the operation. Seeing a small kid so mutiliated and so close to death was disturbing even for many experience doctors and surgeons. These were interns, fresh out of college, on their first day of duty.

As Shahid had expected, none of the interns came forward. Most of them were visibly disturbed. And as if to prove his point further, one of them, Priyanka rushed away from OT because she felt like puking.

“Sir, May I?” suddenly they heard a calm, composed voice.

“Are you sure, Dr….” Shahid was not confident.

“Nidhi. Nidhi Verma, Sir. I can do it.”

Ashutosh also looked surprised. Although he had asked, he hadn’t expected anyone to take up the offer. But he nodded to Shahid and he moved to let Nidhi stand near the patient and do the stitching. Both the senior doctors, as well as the interns, stared in awe as Nidhi stitched the patient up without showing any signs of hesitation or repulsion. Her hands did not tremble even once.

—

When they came out of the OT, few more interns rushed to the washrooms. Priyanka was standing just outside the OT looking pale and exhausted.

“Are you okay, Priyanka?” asked Kabir, another intern.

“I’m fine now. But… It was… embarrassing…”

“Don’t worry, yaar. Hamara pahle din tha. Aur situation was horrible. Hum sab ki halat kharaab thi. Thanks God, the child is out of danger now.”

“Too much burn on the skin, though,” Nidhi said matter-of-factly, “I hope her family can support an extended period of reconstructive surgery.”

“That aside Nidhi. You are one of a kind. How could you be so calm and cool? I was feeling nauseated seeing so much blood.”

Nidhi did not reply to that, just shrugged and walked off to the common room. But she was interrupted by Dr. Ashutosh on her way.

“Dr. Verma.”

“Sir? Sorry Sir. I didn’t see you,” Nidhi had indeed not, although she had just crossed him. She was lost in her own world.

“No problem. Main bas ye kah raha tha ki you did well in OT. Honestly, I hadn’t expected anyone to step up. It was a difficult situation, especially for youngsters…”

“I am old enough to be a doctor Dr. Ashutosh. I am old enough to handle an injured patient,” she replied. Ashutosh could not help notice that there was no humour in her voice. She hadn’t smiled even earlier when he had appreciated her. There was something strangely haughty about her.

“Good. Keep it up,” he mumbled and walked away to his cabin, which was located down the corridor. Before entering his room, however, he glanced back at her. She was walking on with the same stiff posture as earlier and seemingly unaware of her surroundings.

—

“Agar aap abhi ke abhi chup nahin hui, to main aapke bachche ka ilaaj nahin karoongi. Ise aise hi hospital se bahar bhej doongi.” Ashutosh stopped in his tracks as he heard Nidhi’s strict admonition to a mother accompanying an injured child. The pediatric department was short on staff for last few days as many had gone away during festival season. And for some reason there were far too many walk-in patients that day. So, as the head of the department, Ashutosh had asked interns and other doctors to start treating people with minor problems in the waiting area itself. He was walking back to his examination room after a break when he had heard Nidhi.

The mother was so surprised with her threat that she indeed stopped crying. But she could not help retorting, “Ye kya tareeka hai baat karne ka, Doctor?”

“Tareeka jo bhi hai, aapke aur aapke bachche ki bhalai ke liye hai. Zara si injury hai. Lekin aapka beta aapko rote hue dekh kar ghabra raha hai. Agar aap khud ka khayaal nahin rakh sakti to iska kaise rakhengi?”

Nidhi didn’t make it easy for the mother to calm down with her confrontational tone, but her argument didn’t leave room for any opposition either. The woman stayed silent as Nidhi attended to the kid’s wounds.

“Dr. Verma,” Ashutosh approached them, “Is patient ko attend karne ke baad mere cabin mein mujhse miliye.”

“Okay, Sir.”

—

“Aap unse aise baat kyon kar rahi thi?” Ashutosh asked sternly.

“Maine galat kya kaha?”

“Galat nahin kaha, lekin yahi baat pyaar se bhi samjhayi ja sakti thi.”

“Woh koi bachchi nahin hain. Agar bachcha paida kiya hai to uska bhala-bura sochna aana chahiye. Agar nahin aata hai to she deserves to be treated like that. At least chup to hui.”

“You are being very judgmental, Dr. Verma.”

“Yes. I am. Agar aapko koi complain mile to aap freely mujhe punish kar sakte hain. Can I leave now?”

Ashutosh sighed. She was stubborn. It would be difficult to tackle her. But as a doctor, she had great potential. So, he was ready to work hard on her.

He nodded and Nidhi left.

—

“Thank you for inviting me to your lunch doctors,” Ashutosh had joined the interns for lunch that day at their invitation.

“Thank you for coming, Sir. It’s our pleasure,” replied one of them.

“Sab log aa gaye hain?”

“Yes Sir. Hum log khana shuru kar sakte hain.”

Ashutosh looked around and then asked hesitantly, “Dr. Verma?”

“Oh Nidhi! Woh lunch hamare saath nahin karti.”

“Kyon?”

“Woh kuchh bhi hamare saath nahin karti,” Neetu muttered under her breath.

“Shut up Neetu. Use kuchh kaam hota hoga,” Priyanka defended her.

Ashutosh sensed some hostility towards Nidhi in the group. He was not surprised as she definitely was not much of a people’s person. He would have to speak to her, but he decided to change the topic then, “So tell me. How do you all like working here? Any complaints?”

—

To be continued