In Preeta's Hotel Room

"Yes ma'am. I will reach in 15 minutes." Preeta said on the phone, putting on her shoes. She cut the call and looked at the time.

It was eight in the morning. Preeta needed to be at her workplace at eight-thirty. It was her first day and she was nervous.

Preeta was working as physiotherapist in one of the reputated London Hospital. Some months back, she got an offer to transfer to the Mumbai branch since they were in need of one. She refused.

But with the new problem that had rised in her life and the solution is found in India, she accepted the offer. Thankfully, it was still available. Her boss in London wanted her to go to India because he knew that she was Indian and she was very good in her work. That's why he didn't give the offer to another person since he knew the best person for that was Preeta.

Preeta locked the door of her room and left the hotel. She really need to rent out an apartment. Since she didn't exactly know for how many months she would be here, she couldn't spend the rest of her life in an hotel room. She decided to settle first in her old environment before searching for a place to live.

She booked a taxi and gave him the address of the hospital. She reached there at eight-fifteen. She paid the driver and went inside the hospital. She was amazed by the interior decor and was feeling very lucky to work here.

She went to the receptionist and said, "Hello! I'm Dr Preeta. I'm here to meet Dr Agra, senior physiotherapist of this hospital."

"One minute ma'am." The receptionist made some calls while Preeta looked around, examining precisely the hospital.

The hospital was nearly the same as the one in London since they are under the same company. But this one has more an Indian touch and Preeta couldn't help but feel proud. After all she is Indian despite living in London for five years.

"Excuse ma'am. Dr Agra is ready to meet you. She is on the second floor. When you get out of the elevator, go straight and turn on the first right. Her cabin will be the first." Preeta thanked the receptionist and went to the elevator.

Following the receptionist's instructions, she turned right to find another large corridor and Dr Arya's cabin was the first on the left. Preeta knocked the door and entered after hearing a small yes from inside.

"You must be Dr Preeta. Please have a seat." Dr Arya said, standing up. Both of them shook hand and sat down with Preeta in front of her.

"Welcome Dr Preeta. It's a pleasure to be working with you. Your boss from London send me your resume and I must say I'm very impressed. I'm happy you accept the job here." Preeta smiled at her and thanked her.

"Actually, our old physiotherapist got into a grave accident and we have very few physiotherapists, the majority are still interns. We send some request to the other branch and the London one send us yours since you're Indian."

"Dr Preeta I don't want to stress you out but there is one case which is very important. Actually the patient's family is one of the trustee of this hospital. You can understand the huge responsibility that we have. I want you to do your best for this patient. You will need to go to their house the morning before coming to the hospital as her personal physiotherapist. Just for today, she will come here so that you can communicate and examine her but as from next week, you will do her treatment at her house. She is an elderly person and travelling at this age is not suitable. I hope you understand."

"Yes ma'am, I completely understand. It isn't a problem. We are doctors and it's our duty to help people. I will do my best to treat her and I won't let our hospital down. It's a question of our reputation."

"Thank you so much Dr Preeta and please call me Dr Divya, ma'am makes me feel old." Both of them chuckled.

"So okay Dr Preeta, I will show you your cabin. For today, you have only this special patient else you're free. You have time before the appointment. You can settle down and organize your work. Come."

The left the cabin and went to the next one, opposite of Dr Divya on the right. It was as big as the one in London and the same as Dr Divya's.

"You can change it to your taste. It's for our own benefit. Working in an environment to our preference makes working more fun and we can do many things. I will let you settle down. All your files are already on the table. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me."

"Thank you so much Dr Divya." The latter smiled and left for her cabin.

Preeta looked around and smiled. She started rearranging the room to her taste. After that, she sat down and started reading the files of all her patients.

"I forget to ask her the name of this special patient." Preeta said loudly. She was going to ask her but at the same time her phone rang. It was Shristi.

"Hi Shristi. How are you?" Preeta said cheerfully.

"Hey Preeta. I'm fine. Are you free?"

"I'm working today. I have an appointment at 11 but else I'm free why?"

"You know this weekend is my engagement with Sameer right? I know you need some time but don't you think it will be a good idea if you attend this ceremony?"

"I don't know. I don't want to ruin your ceremony. I know everyone is very upset with me and I don't want to ruin their happiness."

"But Preeta, we don't have much time. It's only a matter of time before he discover that you are in India." Preeta heard a knock and asked the person to enter. 

She was giving her back to the door. Hearing the door opening, she turned round, her phone still on her ears. But she nearly dropped it when she saw the two people accompanying Dr Divya.

"I-I'll call you later. Bye," Preeta hanged up the phone shakily, not waiting for Shriti's reply.

"Dr Preeta, meet Bani Luthra and her daughter-in-law Rakhi Luthra." 

All the three women stared at each other in shock.

Rakhi Luthra stared at the woman standing in-front of her. She was no more the girl she knew; she changed into a beautiful and mature woman. She had a familiar glow on her face but couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was. Preeta smiled painfully and bent down taking the blessings of both women. 

"So Dr Preeta, I let you examine her. Mrs Bani, she will be your new personal physiotherapist. She will come to your house everyday to do your treatment. If you have any questions, feel free to ask her. Excuse me," Dr Divya nodded at Preeta, mouthing her a good luck.

The room was silent but the atmosphere was heavy. Preeta didn't know what to do; she had so many things to say but no words could left her mouth. She already had tears in her eyes but she tried to remain professional. 

"H-How are you Dadi?" Preeta asked.

Rakhi came forward and cupped Preeta's face. She then pulled her into a hug and Preeta hugged her back. Both of them were crying. For the first time, Preeta felt at peace. She has always considered Rakhi as her mother. Rakhi broke the hug and slapped her lightly, chuckling in tears.

"Where were you all this years? When did you come to India? You didn't even call us. How could you forget us? Don't you consider us as your family?" Preeta shook her head, holding Rakhi's hands.

"No Rakhi Aunty. You don't know how much I miss you all. God knows how I spent all these years without you. You are my family."

"Then, why didn't you come and meet us?" Dadi spoke up for the first time.

Preeta looked down in shame. She couldn't tell them the truth. Rakhi understood and smiled faintly. She made Preeta looked up and held her face.

"It's okay bacha, tell us when you're ready. When did you come back?"

"Yesterday morning Aunty."

"Who knows you are here? Does Sarlaji knows?" Preeta felt her heart clenched.

"Just Shristi. She didn't know I was here until I met her. Infact I was just talking to her before you came." 

"Rakhi Aunty? How is everyone at home? Ananya? K-Karan?" The elders looked at each other tensely. Finally Dadi spoke up,

"Can we talk about it later? My leg is paining," Preeta then remembered exactly why they were here, they were so caught up in their reunion that they forgot the actual reason for being there.

"Sit there dadi. I will check you." Preeta guided her to the examination table and started examined her.

Rakhi watched her proudly. That woman had really changed. The way she was examining dadi with caution and dedication bring a warm feeling to her heart. After all she was like her daughter. She was so proud of her achievements in her professional life. Rakhi wasn't angry on her; she knew that Preeta must have her reason for taking this step. But her daughter-in-law and son didn't understand neither do they want to understand. For them Preeta was at fault and she only bring them pain.

After a while, Preeta sat on her chair with both Dadi and Rakhi in front of her.

"I will prescribe some medicines for her leg pain and a cream to put on every night. I will also work on a new diet food plan for her so from now on, no excessive oily foods. Rakhi aunty please do watch over her." Preeta said glaring playfully at Dadi while the latter pouted.

"But Preeta. I love my oily food. Okay I will cut down my consumption." Preeta smiled brightly and continued to write some notes in her reports.

"Well I think that's all for today. As from next week I will come to Luthra House for your treatment. Okay?" Both ladies nodded but then Rakhi looked at her tensely and said,

"But Preeta...what about Ananya and Karan?" Preeta froze.

She had forgotten about these two. She knew both of them will behave coldly with her which might led her to cry but she can't mix her personal and professional life together.

"Rakhi Aunty. I will come to your house as Dadi's physiotherapist and not as a family friend. This is my job and my duty since I'm a doctor. I will not let my personal life ruin my professional life nor will I mix them together." Preeta said determinedly.

Suddenly Rakhi got a message from Karan asking them if they had finished so that he can come pick them up. Rakhi replied with a yes.

"Let's go mummyji, Karan is coming." Preeta froze again, her heart started beating loudly.

Since Dadi was having difficulty to walk, Preeta helped Rakhi by holding her Dadi's other hand. They got out of the hospital, waiting for the arrival of Karan.

Suddenly a small shout was heard. The women turned towards it and saw a small boy running towards them.

"Par-dadi, dadi. Chucks said that he is coming. He went to buy an ice-cream for me because you were taking too much time." Preeta watched the small boy in shock. Then the boy noticed her.

"Hello, my name is Arhaan Rishabh Luthra and you are?" Preeta looked at Rakhi who nodded, confirming her doubts.

Preeta bend down to be at his level and shook his little hand, tears already forming in her eyes seeing her nephew whom she loves so much.

"Hello I'm Dr Preeta, your par-dadi doctor." Preeta felt her heart being stabbed a million times.

She has already realised that Arhaan didn't know her when he asked who she was. She didn't blame him; he was only one year old when Preeta left. But it does hurt to know that her sister didn't tell him that he has a maasi. Preeta could felt her hope fading little by little. Her sister must be really angry with her to go to the extend to not even tell her son that he has another aunt and she is her sister.

Preeta took out a chocolate from her pocket and gave it to him. Arhaan took it and thanked her.

"This is my favorite chocolate. Thank you Dr Pretty." Preeta smiled confusely.

"Oye Arhaan, her name is Preeta not Pretty." Rakhi said to her grandson.

"I know. But her name should have been Pretty. Can I call you Dr Pretty cause you look so beautiful just like an angel." Arhaan winked and Preeta widened her eyes.

Rakhi held his ears and Arhaan started shouting in pain, "Arhaan, don't you have shame? She is older than you. Say sorry!"

"Rakhi Aunty, it's okay. I don't mind. Please don't scold him. Arhaan bacha you can call me Dr Pretty." Preeta said, chuckling. Rakhi released his ears while Arhaan smiled widely.

"Did you see? Say thank you and sorry to her, " Arhaan did as his grandmother said and stated eating his chocolate, "I'm telling you this boy, days by days he is becoming just like Karan. Karan must have teach him how to flirt." Preeta just smiled lostly.

Of course she realised that this was Karan's doing. She has been his best friend for four years. She had seen him flirted with other girls during their university years. She felt nostalgic, thinking how he was flirting with her the same way and she always diverted the subject and sometimes, she did blush.

"Rakhi Aunty, I must go now. Karan will be here any minute now. I don't want him to see me else who knows what he can do." Rakhi nodded, knowing that Preeta was right. Her son is sure unpredictable.

"Wait Preeta. I think you know this Saturday, it is Sameer and Shristi engagement, please attend the ceremony." Rakhi asked her.

"Rakhi Aunty how? I mean I don't want to spoil the ceremony. Everyone is so angry with me." Preeta tried to refused.

"But it's a less risk of getting humiliated," Dadi spoke up, "See Preeta, if you come to Luthra House on Monday and Ananya or Karan see you, you know them, they will try to humiliate you or ignore them. But if you come to the ceremony, they wouldn't want to create a scene and ruin the event so I'm sure they will stay quiet."

"Wow mummyji, you turn out to be intelligent." Rakhi teased but she was really surprised because she was right. Dadi glared at his bahu and then pouted looking at Preeta.

"Preeta I will not take no as answer. And it's my grandson's engagement, so I will dance and then my leg will start paining, they will call my physiotherapist that's you and you will be disturbed and forced to come to Luthra house. So it's better you come because then you will already be here if I'm in pain."

Preeta looked at Dadi and then Rakhi who was staring back at her in hope. Preeta shook her head, sighing in defeat.

"You will not take no for answer," Both women nodded, "Okay fine, I will come but as a guest and as your physiotherapist. I will not stay for long." Dadi and Rakhi squealed in delight and hugged her. Preeta hugged them back, already feeling nervous for Saturday.

"Rakhi Aunty, one last thing. Please don't tell anyone that I'm back to India nor that I'm coming this Saturday especially Shristi. I will surprise her." Rakhi nodded and Preeta took her and Dadi blessings.

"Hey prince, I'm going now." Preeta said to Arhaan who was playing since he was getting bored of their talk and was not understanding what they were saying.

"Bye Dr Pretty." Arhaan hugged her and Preeta hugged him back tightly, relishing this moment. She didn't know when she will again get the opportunity to have her nephew in her arms.

"Chucks!" Arhaan shouted and broke the hug, running towards Karan.

Preeta stiffened and stood up slowly, her back facing him. She turned round to see that Karan was still at a certain distance from them. Dadi and Rakhi looked at each other tensely.

"Go Preeta, I will cover you." Rakhi said coming in front of her. Preeta nodded and ran back inside the hospital. She turned back to look at them a last time.

"Dadi take care and don't stress your feet too much. Rakhi Aunty don't hesitate to call if there is any problem." Both ladies nodded and Preeta turned back to the hospital.

She heard Karan's voice before the automatic door closed behind her and Preeta went back to her cabin, her heart still beating fast at the fact that Karan was on the point to see her.

It's the second say since she is back in India and it is the second time she saw Karan and both times, he didn't even know that she was here.

Preeta leaned back in her chair, eyes closed. Today was eventful the least she can said. She wasn't ready for Saturday to come nor is she ready for what will happen there.

She just prayed that nothing goes out of control and she succeeds in reuniting back with her family.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2945 words.
I'm sure most of you did expect that. No preeran scene but Preeta got to meet her nephew. I feel bad for her but what to do.

Comment down what you think about this chapter. It wasn't that emotional but at least Preeta got to rekindle her relationship with Dadi and Rakhi, two people whom she considers as her own and loves very much.

I will never stop thanking you all for your love and support. We reach around 1.27K reads and we ranked 3 in #preeta and I'm so happy.

Don't forget to vote and comment. See you soon.

24/03/2021