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CHAPTER FIVE

❝Don't hide in the pain your eyes, Adhira. Maybe I can kiss it away❞

∞ ∞ ∞

DR. RAJ KAPOOR WAS scrubbing in for the operation. The Emergency ward was still a chaos outside. He breathed in a sigh of relief once he entered the operation theater. Everyone was focused and quiet here. He could think more clearly.

Kapoor was an experienced surgeon- it didn't take much for his mind to narrow into focus. The moment he had a scalpel in his hand, his surroundings disappeared. It was only him and the patient- nothing else. It was simple really- breath in, make an incision, breathe out, make another incision, breathe in, stitch it back together.

The patient was Adhira. It shouldn't have been different. She lay still - breathless on the operation table- machines surrounding her like a web. There was a blood clot in her brain. All her other injuries in her were being covered by the rest of the team. Raj was afraid that he wouldn't be able to save her. It wasn't the right time or place to be fearful.

For the very first time in his career, he wanted to handover a case to his colleagues. But he couldn't -even if he wanted to. He was the only senior surgeon available at the moment. Being the prodigy, he was- moments likes made Kapoor wish that he hadn't rushed into the field of medicine and had taken his time.

His mind- still at times- failed to register the enormity of every move he made. Because before he never related to the patient, the patient wasn't someone who he had seen laugh prior to this. Kapoor stood by the sinks, lathering the soap. He wasn't stalling- no, every second was crucial here.

Merely, time was moving slowly for him. She didn't deserve any of this. No-one ever did but certainly, Adhira didn't deserve this. She was too kind.

The first time he had met her- she had been helping a lost child find her parents. The little toddler wouldn't leave Adhira's hand, the entire hospital staff tried to reassure the girl but she would only listen to Adhira. They say children know the purest hearts. Only when did the girls' parents arrive did she leave Adhira's hand.

Kapoor stared at her- barely moving, lifeless, pale and blue. He may not know her much- the woman with the cherry smile on her face but he did see the hurt behind her eyes. She couldn't hide it from him even if she wanted to. Kapoor knew the pain. After all, he had once experienced it too.

He stepped away from the sink.

"Team..." For the very first time, the staff saw fear in his eyes. It was clear from the rigid expression on his face, he didn't want to lose her- not even for second. "Let's begin."

∞ ∞ ∞

"Adhira?" Raj was surprised to find Rudra's lively girlfriend away from the party and outside on the rooftop garden. The jasmines were in full-bloom. Fragrant and elegant. It was a cool, summer night when Raj first found himself pulled towards Adhira.

She was standing by the railings- dangerously close to the edge. Her floral dress fluttered in the air when she turned around. She forced a smile yet her eyes remained sad as ever.

"I was feeling suffocated inside..." She laughed- explaining herself even though he hadn't asked. The hospital administration was hosting this small party for all the staff's families. Raj's family was far too busy to accompany him and the same was with Rudra. Except, he had his girlfriend to accompany him. Raj had noticed how quick Rudra was to abandon Adhira when he found his friends.

Adhira, usually very sociable, seemed too dishearted to interact with anyone. He had noticed her sneak away when no-one was watching. Before she had disappeared down the staircase, he had seen the tears trail down her cheeks. Raj didn't know why he had followed her- something about her reminded him of himself, an old, naïve version of him.

It was clear from the way Rudra treated her- he didn't value her, let alone love her. But Raj was nobody to make these assumptions.

"It's a nice night to be outdoors."

She gladly took this opportunity to steer away from his inquisitions. Breathing in deeply, she spread her arms widely to the sides. "I feel free."

Raj stood beside her. In his tight black suit and tall frame, he was a foreboding presence but she didn't seem intimidated by him. There was strange relief on her face. He knew that look too well, he was saving her from the hurt thoughts that had been running in circles.

The city was glowing beneath them. In a distance, you could see the harbor and the ships rolling by and the cars glimmering on the bridges. "Do you know bridges are only safe for certain amount of years?"

"I do." Adhira's eyes were distant. She was breathing slowly, softly- like she always did. A gentle smile on her lips. She looked like a porcelain doll- so beautiful, so innocent yet so fragile. Just on the brink of breaking.

"When the safe period is over, the foundation no-longer guarantees the safety of its travelers. You're taking a big risk by crossing the bridge, you see."

It was a weak analogy to her relationship with Rudra. His eyes had caught the weakness in the bridge binding them. The only person hurting so far was Adhira. He didn't think Rudra would care- if the fallout did happen. Rudra had wandering eyes and that the least he could say about him.

"Dr. Kapoor..."

"Yes, Miss Kapoor..."

At this, Adhira laughed. It wasn't a forced laugh- no, it was genuine, heart-thriving, lighting striking type of laugh. He felt himself losing it. Maybe the blood cells in his body were now increasing at the rate of infinity.

"Are you hitting on me?" She smirked, turning around-she pressed her back against the railings.

He shrugged, unabashed. "Just giving honest advice."

"By instigating a break-up."

"Well Miss Kapoor, I am not going to lie and say I do not find you attractive."

She blushed, averting her gaze. "Dr. Kapoor, you do realize Rudra's here?"

He laughed, suddenly enjoying this. She needed this- a light-hearted conversations informing her that there were better options elsewhere. The world was not full of self-centered assholes.

"Oh, trust me- I realize that jackass is loitering downstairs."

She couldn't contain her laughter. "I shouldn't be laughing. Not like this."

"Loosen up, you're doing nothing wrong. We're just having a friendly conversation."

The star's seemed to have dipped themselves in her eyes which were strangely light now. The tinges of sadness almost gone. "I know."

The wind carelessly crept between the spaces. Jersey shore was so close by, the sights were tempting- so beautiful and exciting yet, yet- it seemed that Raj's eyes only seemed to be enthralled by this beauty in-front of him. The girl who reminded him so much of himself.

"Adhira, always know that I'm here for you."

She grinned. "I'll be here too if you ever need me."

∞ ∞ ∞

He needed her right now. He needed her to respond. The anti-clotting agents were having zero effect on the clot. It was a tense moment in the operation theatre. Everyone had their eyes on Raj. He would be deciding their next move- the next step to keep her alive or to let her go.

The electric monitor beeped in a steady rhythm. He was scared- honestly, he was scared of saving her and losing her. Every second he spent, he was losing another part of her brain. The tissues were dying rapidly. He didn't have much of a choice.

This was supposed to be the last resort.

The crucial decision-making moment was interrupted by the senior nurse. She arrived into the operation theatre with a frazzled expression.

"Debbie?" Raj stared at her with annoyance. He didn't need interruptions at this crucial moment.

"Sorry doctor." The petite woman shifted weight from one foot to the other. "Dr. Shah is requesting to scrub in."

"I refuse." Was Raj's quick reply. There was nothing Rudra could contribute to this case. He would only make matters worse by arguing about Raj's approach. They would be losing valuable time if that did happen.

"Too late." All in gear, with his mask and scrubs- Rudra stood dangerously calm beside Debbie. "What's her condition?"

Raj's mind went back to the night – he and Adhira were at the rooftop.

"By instigating a break-up." Despite all he had said, she remained confident in Rudra. What was it that had kept her holding on? What was it in Rudra that kept her strong after all he did?

In the present moment, Raj found his answer.

Love.

He loved her. Because no man in his right mind would put his career at stake like this- by going against his seniors.

"Not good." He gave a resigned sigh.

For the first time, the team witnessed a mutual moment of understanding between the two doctors. There weren't any egos clashing- just a plain effort to save a life.

Adhira's life. 

AHAHAHAHA and I updated again. Everyone was asking for Raj's picture. Posted it. Though, that's not how I imagine him. Sort- of... meh. IDK. I just find it hard to picture these characters as actors because for me, they are inspired from real people so it's really hard. AND, I don't like boxing in characters- because it's really up to you how you want to picture them. 

I've gotten few song suggestions for CRASH. I haven't been posting any songs for CRASH because I mostly listen to bollywood songs for CRASH :P. I don't know how many people would want a bollywood playlist but okay...

Anyways, Vote, Comment- shower that love and this writer will keep showering you with updates. (no pun intended).  <3 much love.