In a city like Mumbai that never sleeps, there's no end to the cheer and partying, but there's also nearly no end to the number of people suffering. It's a busy day for the doctors, nurses and staff of the Medicity Hospital, a high-profile hospital located in the Bandra-Worli suburbs.

Priyanka enters the doctor's break room, wondering why so many people fall sick each day, and why the patient influx never seems to diminish. She's just finished assisting with a surgery in the surgery hall B-3, changed out of her surgeon gown in the restroom and now she's here, yet the adrenaline of operating on a patient doesn't leave her nerves. It might be as Dr Samarth says, maybe she has a lot to learn, a lot to grow.

The slight agitation she feels recalling her colleagues' remarks vanishes when she spots another colleague, cardiovascular surgeon Dr Sahil Goyal. She, Dr Sahil, Dr Samarth and one more Dr Ruhana are all of same age, joined the hospital around the same day, but they have their own departmental work cut out for and achievements to name, and she's always felt she's slightly lacking. That's not a bad thing as it only motivates and boosts her confidence to emerge stronger, so she's fine.

She must be lost in thoughts. Sahil addresses her in a friendly tone.

"Hi! Priyanka!"

Priyanka smiles at Sahil, shaking herself out of her thoughts and greeting him with a small wave. The two of them grab their individual tumblers full of water and get seated on a couch. A friendly conversation begins.

"So, done with your surgery?"

"Han," Priyanka answers Sahil's query. "Done. I assisted Dr Samarth with his surgery. Can you believe it? Assisted! But he doesn't even value my work! Ugh!"

Sahil smiles and pats Priyanka's back, but she goes on. "He's so mean! Sahil, I tell you, he's so full of himself! Pura hospital ko lagta hai he's charming but he's the meanest guy in the whole world!"

Sahil watches Priyanka vent it out with a smile. He's good friends with the girl and he doesn't mind lending an ear when she needs it.

"Pata nahi! Why did Bhagwan ji give him good looks?" Priyanka is still mumbling.

"Hmm... Maybe he's done some good karma. That's why..." Sahil says, nodding thoughtfully. The both of them sip their water.

"Sahil... that's not good logic..." Priyanka says finishing her drink and setting her glass down on the centre table before them. "But..." she glances at Sahil, nodding and smiling, "you're also good-looking, you should be more popular! Although I think you're already popular!"

"Ahan! Thank you..." Sahil chuckles. "Hmm... I dunno about popularity. What can I say when the girl I want to look my way gives me a side eye?" he points to the two people who've entered the room. "Wo dekho! Doob rahi humari naiyya! Our boat is sinking!"

Priyanka laughs at the phrase and its translation. Looking where Sahil is pointing, she finds Dr Ruhana and Dr Samarth taking a seat on another couch that's lying across the room and chatting up with each other.

Priyanka's smile drops as she glances at the duo, but not for the reasons one expects. She raises an eyebrow at Sahil. "Did you say humari? Ours?"

Sahil simply nods, looking at Ruhana and Samarth who are now smiling at each other. When Ruhana notices him and waves, he waves back, trying to look cheerful though he's a bit disappointed. Ruhana is his best friend. Why! Why doesn't he have the guts to tell her that she's become someone so special and important to him? Agh! Sahil Aryan Goyal has turned into a chicken!

"I know you are in love with Ruhana," Priyanka addresses him in a soothing voice, "lekin... you said humari naiya! Our boat?"

"Yeah. Come on!" Sahil turns so he's facing her and folds his arms. "Come on, don't even deny it! You have a thing for Dr Samarth!"

Priyanka's jaw drops. She fights back the blush spreading across her cheeks and stares at Sahil. "Really?"

"Really!" Sahil remains stubborn. "You have to admit it!"

Priyanka sighs, looking away. Eventually, she shakes her head and mumbles, "it doesn't matter."

From the corner of her eye, she can see Ruhana and Samarth talking, staring at something over their phones and chuckling at something they found funny. "Sahil, Ruhana is your bestie! Why don't you tell her you love her?"

Sahil sighs and Priyanka looks at him.

"I try yar. But it's like they say... whenever I try to confess, I get nervous and... I guess I'm more nervous about ruining our friendship."

Priyanka sympathizes with him, nodding subtly. "Yeah, but... you should be a little more confident. Ruhana is also my best friend so I'd be the happiest if she and you are together!"

Sahil smiles, but that disappears abruptly when Priyanka says something absurd. "But I can't force her to fall in love or help you... I mean... nobody can force someone to love somebody, so..."

Sahil shakes his head. "Wow! I dunno if you are cheering me on, or dragging me down. Hey, she's your best friend too! You're her college friend and... I've lost touch with her after college. And you two are women, which means you can have this girl talk, so why don't you ask her and find out what she thinks of me?"

"No way! What should I do? Walk straight to her and ask... hey what do you think about Sahil, any special feelings?" Priyanka drops her voice, but she still stresses each word.

Sahil sighs. "Arey nahi! But you could subtly try... in other ways!"

Priyanka mumbles she will try, but the problem is that she may not be subtle. She adds, "but I can assure you Dr Samarth and Ruhana are just friends. I can say this as Ruu's bestie!"

Sahil heaves a relief and places a hand over his chest where his heart lies, watching Samarth and Ruhana walk out of the break room. Ruhana has just turned to him and smiled, and mumbled the words, see you later. He's happy, but he doesn't know if he should be hopeful.

"This is stupid..." he mumbles as Priyanka watches his antics with a funny look in her eyes. "I'm a cardiovascular surgeon but if this goes on someone must operate on my heart! I mean, whenever I see Ruhana with this good-looking male doctor, I feel like a part of the endocardium of my heart is coming apart! Or... more like tearing up, I guess..."

Priyanka giggles. She's an aspiring orthopaedic surgeon but she knows this much - the endocardium is the innermost wall of the heart. So Sahil's endocardium is ripping apart because Ruu is talking to some hotshot male doctor? Lol, that's so sweet!

"Sahil, you must be watching a lot of medical dramas." Priyanka can't help but pass that remark and that earns Sahil's mock glare.

"I can see why Dr Samarth can't put up with you... you can be a bit dense sometimes and have a loud mouth."

Priyanka gapes at him. "How mean! I'm not talking to you, Dr Goyal!" She uses Sahil's formal name, which the directors of the hospital use. "And I won't help you with finding out how Ruhana feels about you!"

Sahil scrambles to apologize. "Arey, mazak tha yar! I personally think you're cute. Those traits are cute."

Priyanka throws him a funny smile. "Haha! Pehle kyun na kaha? But okay, you're my good friend, so I forgive you!"

Sahil nods and heaves a sigh of relief. As he pats her back, Priyanka shows him a genuine smile. She loves good-hearted teasing and light banter with Sahil. After all, not every doctor can be your friend. She's lucky to have Sahil and Ruhana on her side!

Sahil makes a suggestion they move to the cafeteria and grab some coffee. Priyanka agrees and the two of them walk out of the break room together, not noticing two pairs of eyes are on them as they now walk down the hallway that leads to the cafeteria.

***

AN: Part 2 coming soon!

This was for RuVineet and also myself. So I hope she likes it. Love ya, dear! <3 xoxo

Everyone who read, please vote and comment! Thank you!