Arundhati placed her palm on her forehead, leaning on the bed rest. She sighed and felt her eyelids growing heavy.

Before she could fall in the arms of sleep, a ring called her back.
She took the call, ignoring the odd hour as it was her doctor, as well as her good friend Manjula.

"Aru...I'm sorry to bother you now..but when I called you in the evening, your maid picked the call and complained that you have not been taking the tablets since three days. Is it true?"

"You called me at this time to scold? Anyways, my tablets are over. I need to get new ones."

"How many times should I tell you to buy them when there are a few left. If I was here I would have bought you. I'll be coming back in a week. By the time I want you to be hale and healthy. Do you hear?"

"I'm fine Manju. Depression is not a big disease. Please don't bother too much."

"Depression IS a terrible thing Aru. I can't trust you upon anything after what had you attempted to do three years back. Please listen to me."
"Alright. I'll buy them tomorrow..."
"Right. So... how's your work going on?"

"Its really pleasant. Did I tell you about Vasisht?"

"Vasisht? That doc from Canada?"
"Yes. He's really sweet. I mean.. I didn't know him much before. We just interacted professionally. But I think he'll be a good friend..."

"Happy you found someone to lean onto while I'm away... ok...its getting late. Sleep now."

Arundhati plugged the charger to her phone and retired to bed, swimming in the pool of thoughts.

She met Manjula five years back, in a medical conference. She was a psychiatrist.
Through a little interaction, they became close and the extremely introverted Arundhati felt comfortable around her.

Getting to know her more as the time passed, Manjula learnt that Arundhati wasn't the same introvert in childhood. She was an energetic, chirpy child, living happily with her parents. As the thunder struck to their happy family, her parents met with a fatal accident while returning from Goa. She was forced to live with her uncle, who was the only blood relative she really knew.
Fate played its game again, and she learnt that she had become a burden to her new family. They weren't very pleased with her decision to pursue medicine. Although she managed to look after the fee by selling all the property that belonged to her parents, she was time and again taunted, for no fault.
Her uncle tried to get rid of her in various ways. He even forced her for marriage many a times with someone more wealthy, but less a human.
He did succeed, when Arundhati got a secure job in a reputed hospital away from her hometown, and decided to bid a good bye to her old life.

With all these unexpected events in her life, she learnt not to trust anyone, not to love anyone and not to depend on anyone. A human she was, and very slowly she fell into the clutches of depression due to her loneliness, oblivious to herself.
After several attempts, Manjula succeeded in medicating her to bring back her happy life.
***********
Surya, the once famous business tycoon, sat in a dark room, lit with no light, burning a cigarette.

He heard a knock and refused the need to open. When they became prominent, he fisted the chair aggressively and walked shabbily, to open the door.

Vasisht stood with his hands folded, and a very disgusted look seeing his friend in this way.

"Vasi..its you...how come?"

"What's wrong with you Surya? What is all this?"

"Hmm..my wife complained is it?"

"No. I can see it. How many times have I tried calling you. No answer. And every time I visited your house, you weren't present. I feared something wrong might have happened."

"Its nothing... come in."

"Are you and Sanvi alright?" Vasisht asked, after maintaining a needed silence.

"I thought so...these ladies I tell you...complaining about each and everything..."

"And I sense her complaint is genuine Surya...what's with all these new vices? You weren't like this before?"

"Time changes Vasi..and so should you..." Saying, Surya held a glass of water and offered to Vasisht.

As Vasisht drank, he loosened his tie.

"...and after knowing some truths...you will be compelled to change with it..." Surya said, his tone sounding dangerous.

"What truth is that which makes you so not good?" Asked Vasisht.

Surya smiled. "It is better hidden within me. You must be getting late for work..."

"Your wife is in the living room. Please take care of her..."
Surya smiled again, "I will..."
*************
"Busy doctor?" Vasisht asked, peeping formally into Arundhati's cabin.
She turned to the voice and soon a smile adorned her face.

"No much work today..." she replied.

"That's good. Because today is my birthday." He smiled the sweetest one.

"How is that good?" She chuckled, "...and many happy returns of the day..."

"It is good because you could spare a little time of yours to wish me."

Glancing at him, she realised he was still at the door.
"You are flirting with me Doctor! Please come in.."

"Me!? Flirt!? No ways... I am saying this to all the other colleagues as well... I like to get wishes on my Birthday by everyone..."

Her smile faded a little.

Before she could say anything more, the HOD or Pediatric department, Dr. Dileep excused himself before entering the cabin.

He wished Arundhati a good morning and turned to Vasisht.
"Vasisht could you please take my duty today. I have a little work. I'll take up your this Sunday..." he pleaded.

Vasisht agreed.
"He didn't know today was your birthday..." Arundhati asked as Dr. Dileep left.

Rubbing his nape, Vasisht walked away, giving a sheepish smile.

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