Sanjeevani Hospital

Delhi Branch

Coming out of the hospital, Malar scanned the parking lot, before resting her eyes on Ajey’s car.

Approaching the car, Malar softly tapped on the window pane, which instantly caught Ajey’s attention.

Unbolting the door, Ajey patiently waited for Malar to get inside.

Settling down on the seat, Malar secured the door behind her.

With a stack of archaic papers lying on her lap, Malar turned towards Ajey and cheerfully mouthed “hi…how was your day Ajey?”

That was it, Ajey’s heart just melted at Malar’s tired yet smilling face.

Eagerly replying her Ajey stated “hello yaar…mera din toh bada hi normal sa tha!!!…(eyeing the bunch of papers)…par laagta hai tumne Salman bhai ka aaj kuch toofani karte hai wala advertisement kuch zyaad hi seriously le liya ki hospital ke saare cases utha layi ho!!!”

Chuckling at Ajey’s choice of words, Malar tried to defend “nothing like that… I was just planning to study few old cases for reference…”

Nodding his head in understanding Ajey concluded “okay madam…filhal toh main tumhein ghar lee chalta hu…phir jitni marzi ho utni paddhai kar lena…because trust me…you look awfully tierd!!!”

After giving a meek smile at Ajey, Malar shut her eyes and rested her head on the window pane.

Letting Malar realx, Ajey turned on the ignition key and took to the main road.

While stirring the wheel, Ajey’s eyes unintentionally landed on Malar’s face.

Seizing the moment, Ajey serenely studied her each and every feature.

Admiring Malar’s brownish tresses captured in an awkward bun, Ajey frowned a bit on why they had to be held captive by the cruel rubber band. He then observed Malar’s extensive eyelashes flawlessly concealing the dark circles below her eyes. Malar’s piercing nose which seemed a little bit puffed at the moment, left Ajey introspecting. And finally when his eyes touched Malar’s delicate lips, he badly wanted to find out that how they looked when she smiled heartily.

Ajey’s mental session of appreciating Malar’s beauty would have continued, but unfortunately she opened her eyes and directly looked at him.

Hell embarrassed on being caught red handed, Ajey insatntly diverted his gaze on the main road and whispered to himself “SHIT”

A perplexed Malar enquired “mere chehre pein kuch laaga hai kya Ajey???”

Not at all meeting her eyes, Ajey answered “nehin toh…”

Ajey was busy in mentally cursing himself for ogling at Malar. While on the other hand, observing the sweat beads trickling down of Ajey’s forehead that to when the air condition was turend on left Malar concerned.

A worried Malar instantly asked “Ajey you are sweating badly!!!...tumhari tabiyaat toh theek hai naa???”

Misereably trying to dodge Malar’s scrutinizing gaze, Ajey tried to distract her “arrey main bilkul first class hu!!!...tum naa…gaana sunno!!!”

Nervously he started fiddling with the stero, while Malar’s eyes were still on him.

As soon as the stero came to life, it started playing an old Bollywood song.

Suhaana safar aur yeh mausam hasin
Humein darr hain hum kho na jaae kahin

Getting alert that Malar won’t like the song; Ajey exclaimed “ruko main abhi station change kar deta hu…tumhare London mein thodi naa hindi gaane chalte honge!!!”

Ajey was about to move his hand towards the stero, when he was stopped midway by Malar “let it be…I love listening to old hindi songs!!!”

A bit surprised Ajey, double checked “really???”

Suddenly becoming all enthusiastic and energetic Malar started explaining “actually my Dadi is a classical singer…and old hindi songs are her life as my Dada ji used to sing them for her…issliye bachpaan mein na lullabies ki jagah I have grew up listening to old songs!!!”

Seeing Malar talk so freely for the first time, Ajey simply added “lullabies ke jagah old bollywood songs…now that’s an interesting childhood!!!”

Reminiscing about her childhood, Malar aimlessly stared outside the window with a faint smile lingering on her face.

Tapping his thumb finger on the sterring, Ajey was fully engrossed in humming the song.

Facing him, Malar politely insisted “Ajey…you can sing loudly…I won’t judge!!!”

Passing her a goofy look, Ajey confessed “woh…I just got carried away with the song!!!”

Giving him a small nod, Malar requested “Ajey…please sing…”

To make him feel at ease, Malar got back to looking outside the window.

Malar was busy in counting the number of cars they passed, when her ears caught Ajey’s voice.

Woh aasmaan jhuk raha hai zameen par
Yeh milan hum ne dekha yahin par

Ajey sang feeling a bit shy.

Though he absoulutely loved singing, yet with Malar around him things seemed a bit abnormal. Rather he started acting abnormal not at all being able to keep his calm demeanour around her.

Meri duniya
Mere sapne
Milenge shayad yahin
Suhaana safar aur yeh mausam hansi

Ajey completed the song, not before halting the car in front of his house.

On reaslising that they had reached, Malar unbuckled the safety belt and got down of the car without uttering a single word which made Ajey feel a little sad.

Sulking like a baby Ajey started fiddling with the safety belt.

Closing the door, Malar bended near the window and said “thanks for the live concert Ajey…your voice is soulful…”

That was it Ajey couldn’t stop his cheeks from turning red.