Srishti's pov

I stood in front of the mirror, fiddling with the straps of my watch and checking my reflection one last time. The ticking of the clock on the wall seemed to echo my hurried movements. I was running late, as usual, and the comforting routine of getting ready was becoming a race against time.

"Mummy, where are my car keys? I'm running late!" I called out, wrestling with my heavy bag while trying to strap on my watch.

Ugh, why is this bag so heavy?

"They should be on the key holder. Look again," Mummy's voice floated in from the kitchen, where she was preparing breakfast. It's incredible how she manages to juggle cooking and everything else without breaking a sweat.

"Got them! And don't pack lunch for me today; I'm gonna be back early." I chugged down my tea and nearly choked on a bite of her delicious sandwich.

"Alright. What time will you be back?"

"I'll be home by 2:00 or 3:00 pm. Also, are we still going shopping? I need new clothes and shoes for university."

"Yes, we'll go. Avi and your papa will be late; they have some urgent work."

Avi is my younger annoying brother!

"Okay, I'll call when I reach the hospital. Bye!" I said, unlocking the door and stepping out.

***

At the hospital, I had just finished my OPD duty when the peon flagged me down.

"Dr. Srishti? The HOD wants to see you in her office."

.

.

.

I knocked and entered the HOD's office.

"Good afternoon, Mam. You wanted to see me?" I took a seat opposite her.

"Good afternoon, Srishti. Congratulations on your acceptance to London University! You've been an outstanding student and responsible doctor since day one," she said with a rare smile of approval.

"Thank you, Mam. I appreciate it," I replied, genuinely touched.

"When do you start in London?"

"1st September, Mam."

"And your last day here?"

"31st July. I have a flight to London on 20th August for some final preparations."

"Understood. Please hand in your end-of-duty form tomorrow. I'm leaving on vacation next week."

"Certainly, Mam. Thank you," I said as I stood to leave.

The HOD might be strict, but she's always fair and encouraging to those she believes in. I'm grateful to be one of them.

The day had flown by in a whirlwind of hospital rounds and patient consultations. I was exhausted but relieved to finally be done. The clock on the wall ticked past 2:00 PM as I sat at my desk, scribbling notes and checking off tasks on my to-do list, and realised that I was late for my date with Mom.

As I rushed to my car, a wave of gratitude washed over me. I couldn't help but marvel at how far I'd come. Every sleepless night, every gruelling shift, and every moment of self-doubt had been worth it. Becoming a doctor was not just a career choice—it was the realization of a lifelong dream that had demanded unwavering dedication and sacrifice. The countless hours spent in study and practice had forged me into someone capable of making a real difference in people's lives.

***

Back at the mall, Mummy and I were on a mission to find new clothes.

"Srishti, how about this red top?" she asked, holding up a bright piece.

"No, it's too flashy. I don't like it," I said, shaking my head.

Here we were, at the mall, navigating the labyrinth of stores. Malls are a godsend—everything you need under one roof, saving us from the hassle of running around.

As we navigated through the bustling aisles of the mall, I glanced over at Mum, who was carefully examining a display of clothes. Our shopping trips were more than just errands; they were a cherished ritual, a simple reflection of our close-knit bond. Mum and I had always been cut from the same cloth—both practical and unpretentious. We shared a love for straightforward, uncomplicated living, which extended to our shopping habits. While others fussed over the latest trends, we found joy in the basics, savouring the comfort of each other's company. Our conversations, filled with laughter, shared stories, and some street food, were the real treasure of these outings, making each trip an endearing reminder of our uncomplicated, yet deeply connected lives.

"Hey, come back from the dreamland, London girl?" I was snapped out of my thoughts with the cheerful voice of my mom.

"Just browsing. Show me what you've picked out."

Mummy handed me a bundle of clothes. "See these shirts, jeans, trousers, and kurtas."

"Mummy, this is too much. I already have plenty of clothes."

"New place, new wardrobe. And we still need pyjamas and T-shirts for sleepwear."

"I'm exhausted," I cried, following her like a reluctant shopper.

After four hours of relentless shopping, we finally collapsed on the couch at home.

"Want some tea?" Mum asked as we settled in.

"Woman, don't you ever get tired? Come here and have a seat!" I exclaimed on her never-ending energy.

"And anyways, Papa and Avi will be here soon. We should go straight to dinner." I replied, and on cue, the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it," I said, heading for the door.

"Papa!" I greeted him with a smile as he entered.

"Srishti, here," said Avi, my younger brother, shoving a package in my hands.

"What's this?"

"Your favourite ice cream and jalebi," he said, a mischievous grin on his face.

Okay, I take my words back. He can be sweet sometimes!

***

As I settled onto the bed after dinner, my body finally relaxing after a long day, Avi shuffled over and plopped down next to me, his laptop still open and glowing. His fingers tapped away at the keyboard, but his attention was split between his work and me.

"Need any help with that?" I asked, my voice softening as I watched him.

He didn't look up, but his tone was teasing. "If you can design these cards while also magically making my files disappear, that'd be great."

I laughed, shaking my head. "I'm pretty sure that's not in my skill set. Besides, you'd just criticize my work anyway."

"True," he admitted with a smirk. "But you're always good for a laugh. Seriously though, it's going to be weird not having you around."

"Yeah, I know," I said, my voice tinged with a mix of excitement and apprehension. "London is going to be a whole new world. I'm excited but also a bit nervous about the change."

Avi finally looked up, his expression softer than usual. "You'll do great. Just remember to call us often. And don't let the excitement of London make you forget about us back here."

"I won't," I promised. "It's just... everything is so overwhelming right now. From packing to finalizing the paperwork, it feels like there's so much to handle."

"Need any help with the packing?" Avi offered, his tone sincere.

"That'd be nice," I said, grateful. "I still need to figure out what to take with me. Mum keeps telling me to pack light, but you know how I am with all my stuff."

Avi chuckled. "Well, if you need any more help, just let me know. And don't forget, no matter how far you go, you've got a whole team here cheering you on."

Aww...my little brother is all grown up.

I smiled, feeling a mix of warmth and sadness. "Thanks, Avi. It means a lot. I'm going to miss this—miss you guys."

"Same here," he said, nudging me lightly with his shoulder. "Just make sure you keep in touch. And remember, no matter how glamorous London seems, it's still just a city."

I snickered "Oh, c'mon, are you forgetting we are Delhiites? Nothing overwhelms us." And we shared a genuine laugh.

As I watched him return to his work, I felt a pang of affection mixed with the bittersweet reality of leaving home. The thought of my new life in London—filled with academic challenges and exciting opportunities—was both thrilling and daunting. But as long as I had the support of my family, I knew I'd be able to handle whatever came my way.

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

So, here's another one for my lovely readers!

Let's aim for 50 votes for this chapter...and you all will get a quicker update on the next one 😉😉

From this chapter onwards, I'll post a random question at the end.
(Hopefully that'll give us a chance to interact more 🤗)

So, let's start with something simple and easy to answer-
Do you have any hobbies? 🤔

I'll share mine in the next update !!

❤️ K