Nandini's POV

"Yes! Are there any more patients for the day?" I asked through the telephone sitting in my cabin as the previous patient left.

"No Doctor. There is none for now." Comes a reply from the receptionist.

"Okay then, I'll go for a round before retiring back for today. In case there is any emergency case. Do inform me." I spoke, to which she replied positively before ending the call.

A walked out of my cabin with my stethoscope n bag, holding few files as walked into a few of my patients in wards. Today I need to go back home as soon as possible as Princess is at home with Mom n Arjun. Even Navya n others might be there, but I'm not sure if she's comfortable or not or if she's okay after the panic attack, if she needs me or not?

First, I checked on the woman who's being admitted n operated for a building collapsing accident which caused her severe damage to her spinal cord. She has started responding to my treatment n hopefully get well soon. Then I trolled around passing a few more of my patients with encouraging smiles n assuring words to them n their attendants. Lastly, I entered the ward of my favorite yet naughty person who is sitting on the bed leaning his back at the bedrest, his head covered with a sheet to prevent infection in his brain... And he is reading the comic adventure story in interest.

When I entered the room, he peeked out of the book n smiled brightly spotting me.

"Whats up Rahul?" I exclaimed cheerfully.

"Ceiling is up... but I'm down... with u" he replied with a naughty smile.

"Oh! I believe u don't need any checkup anymore as ur answer is enough to say that u r fit n fine, young boy" I spoke while putting my bag n files on the side table n opened the widow widely, letting the sunlight n fresh air enter the isolated room.

"Right, then u should leave me soon... My friends must be waiting for me for months." He said with a bit sad tone as he's hell bored sitting alone in his room all day long. He's occasional visitors consist of his nurse, ward boy, cleaner, a few doctors, n his mom a few times.

"Surely I'm willing to let u go soon but before that, we need to make sure ur wounds r healed completely to avoid any chance of further damage. ...And the good news is This handsome boy is recovering at the jet speed n more possibly u would heal by the next week." I broke the news.

"Really?" He is surprised.

"Really! But u should take ur food properly for u to heal speedily. I heard that u denied eating broccoli n soybeans." I faked anger in my face.

"Umm... Sorry... But those taste awful... Yuccckk" he made faces.

"Okay...but then also u should try eating them for increasing ur immunity to fight against germs n become a strong boy.
I'll tell them to change the recipe to make it tastier for u" I suggest.

"great... And this series of books r wonderful... I loved it. But..." he trailed.

"But?"

"But... it got finished in three days... this the last book of the series n will get over today only. then I'd be bored" He voiced.

"Fine... I'll get u more of this kind tomorrow. Happy?" I chuckled seeing his faces. Cute boy!

"Super happy!" he laughed.

"Ok, I'll go n give instructions to change ur food to tastier. ...U continue" I said n walked out to find his nurse n instruct them accordingly.

While inside the room, Rahul looked back at his book. He's lonely here as his single mother worked day n night to make money for his treatment. And his favorite n cheerful doctor, Nandini, brought him books to pass his alone time... They used to spend some time together happily making Rahul more bright in spite of the distress of loneliness n pain of treatment.

...Tring... Tring...

Nandini's phone rang, grabbing Rahul's attention n he looked towards her bag that she kept on the side table. He well knew where she'd kept her phone as he's seen her before also. So, being naughty n curious, he opened the side chain of her bag n took the phone out. The caller's name reads 'MM'. This made him more curious n he swept the green button to attend the call.

"Hello... Nandini" a male voice came from the other side.

"Hello"

"Amm... Who r u?"

"I'm Rahul. Who r u?"

"I'm... Who's Rahul? And why do u have her phone?" He sounds angry.

"I'm Rahul Mehta, and She left her phone with me and went out for a minute... Why r u looking for her?"

"Why would I tell u that?"

"Becoz I'm his boyfriend. ... And u r very rude. Don't call her again." With that, Rahul cut the call furious with the angry, rude, arrogant tone of other person.

Rahul put back her phone n looked at his book before mental noting that he'll warn her doctor to beware of this rude man.

Manik's POV

I finished the advertisement photoshoot quickly n walked out as there is no more shooting today as the direction is absent. I took it as my chance to spend some time with Nandini n also Fab5 has called to start with our song with Blue Voice this evening.

Keeping everything in view, I drove the car to Nandini's hospital so that I could pick her up for Lunch n spend some time together before heading further to Fab5.

I know she has not forgiven me yet, so I need to keep her close n talk to her, understand her, gain her forgiveness... I want to do so! I will!

Thinking she might be busy with her operation n all like the previous time, I thought to give her a call while driving there.

Instead of her, her phone is picked up by a male, named Rahul, who introduced as her boyfriend! Seriously? That angered me & I was about to say that the one u r addressing as ur GF is My WIFE, goddammit.
But before that, he cut the call calling me Rude n not to call her again.

The jealously n anger rushed in my blood n the grip on the steering tightens, I pulled off the gas n fasten the speed of my car to reach the hospital as fast as possible n stop that Rahul n strangle him. Huff!

I parked my car n rushed towards her cabin. On my way, I spotted the receptionist n asked her about Nandini's whereabout to which she told that she's off for troll.

Our words got heard by the nurse standing there n she answered my question " Dr. Murty is in Rahul's ward right now."

"Where is it?" I TRIED sounding calm in spite of my rushing blood n fisted palm. She told me the ward no. & I rushed without wasting any minute.

I opened the door to his ward all of sudden n was about to burst out... when I heard

"Wow Rahul, That's was really great comic one. U r too good Young boy" She cheered. I looked at the only male species present in the room; a teenager of maybe 13.

With my sudden intrusion, they turn to me.

"Manik! U here?" Nandini asked in shock.

"U know him, doctor?" the boy asked. She turned to him a looked for sometime before answering.

"Ya, he's..." she was cut by the excited boy.

"Manik Malhotra, the actor. I've seen him on T.V."

"U here? Any problem?" she asked.

"Umm... I'm here to take u for lunch if u r free." I hesitate as she might deny me... I think she'll.

"Actually, our friends need to discuss it further, If u don't have any surgeries today." I added before she could deny me.

"She's free now. About to go back home." Rahul replied before she could.

"Umm... Ok. Give me a minute" she said meekly before turning to Rahul.

"I'll leave then. U take care n don't be choosy for ur food. And I'll bring more comic adventure books tomorrow.
Bye Young boy!" She picked up her bag n files in one hand n waved her hand.

"Bye Preety Doctor" She shouted waving her back.

'This teen, flirting with my wife' I glared at him before walking out with her.

----------------------

Nandini's POV

We entered a house a little far from my hospital, I wondered why we came here instead of having lunch in a restaurant, but I followed him.

This is our first time having lunch alone, together.
To be honest, I'm a bit anxious, nervous, worried about how will it go, what will he say, what will I answer... and a bit excited n looking forward to know Manik, the real one.

Instead of going into the house, we halted at the lawn with trees, bushes n flowering plants around n shooting, fragrant air is blowing... I liked it n smiled feeling it.

"Do u like it?" He asked watching me smile. I nodded.

"Where r we and why?" I asked what I wanted to for so long.

"We r at one of our farmhouses... for lunch." he answered before pulling the chair for me which is between the lawn. Gentleman!

"Lunch... here?" I asked while taking the seat. He came forward to take his seat.

"here we can have a peaceful lunch, void of any fan disturbance." And I can spend more time with u afterward   he wanted to add. I nodded n soon a servant came with the food n served us. I thanked him n started digging to it.
I was damn hungry!

"U must be hungry?" his words made me conscious that his eyes r on me. I looked up from my almost finished plate.

"Let's have dessert" he waved n the servant came with fruit custard.

We started having it. It tastes wonderful.

I caught him staring at me occasionally n he would smile every time his eyes held mine. ... I was confused about whether to reciprocate the smile or stay stern.

I think I should just smile n act normal. He supported me with Princess's arrival n also during my revelation of being a singer. He never questions since then.

Manik's POV

She looked nervous n conscious around me... She barely smiled looking at me. But she happily dug into the food. Maybe Hungry! Looking cute while eating.

We r having dessert while I just couldn't stop staring at her. I was what to talk to her n how to initiate?

"Umm ... u have custard on lips" She pointed. I wiped the corner of my lips.

"Bit left" she gestured. I looked at her n roamed my finger praying that I got it wrong so that she keeps on talking. At least she's paying attention to me.

"Let me!" She said n picked up the napkin. I was in cloud seven. I bobbed my head forward for her to reach me.

She leaned forward n kept her eyes on my lips concentrating in wiping the custard from my face with the napkin she held. And my eyes on her, observing her. I want the time to stop right away.

She looked up after cleaning me & her eyes held mine. ... We r continuously looking at each other's eyes. Our faces r not far, yet far... But what's matter is. we r lost... in eyes.

...Lost...

She looked away awkwardly n moved back to her seat n i too looked here n there to ease the environment.

"So..." She spoke after a few minutes.

"So?"

"Should we get back home?" Here I'm wanting to spend some time together.

"Actually, we can directly head back after we discuss our song. Even Fab5 r coming after their works, in the evening." I tried to make her agree.

"Oh! ... Ishita is home. If she..."

"Mom n Navya r having a good time with her. And Arjun has become her friend. She's fine. I checked on her." I cut her before she complete.

"Ok!... Then?
What should we do?" She asked.

"Let me show u around." We walked around the lawn n then entered the house n roamed for some time. It was not as big as our mansion but, 4bhk flat with large garden n parking.

"U r quite famous for ur voice." I initiated.

"um- Thanks"

"Many of ur fans wanted to know u. Why don't u come forward?"

"Well. I'm already a doctor, a busy one. And appearing as a singer will cause commotion around n will gain attention in other way around. um-Dad may not like this too." I frowned.

"U don't like attention? But u married to someone who is in limelight." I voiced. she looked at me before turning forward.

"That's not my choice" she whispered looking down but I heard as we r walking together. I felt hurt.

"I know, we r not allowed to get to know each other before marriage. And mostly forced into it. But can we give this a chance?" I manage to utter courage n spoke it out. She stopped walked n turn to me with frown n confusion.

"I know... u don't like me... Maybe u hate me for what I did.
But believe me. I was drunk that night, even Soha was drunk n she suddenly kissed me.
I know this excuse is not justified but... I don't know, why, I saw u with my eyes closed when I was with her. ... I'm guilty of what I did. n I'll accept my punishment too.
And I'm sure that, I misunderstood my admiration for her as a hardworking n dedicated colleague... I don't love her."

There was silence prevailing with only eye talk between one pleading eyes n other relieve eyes.

"I won't force u with whatever decision u take. I just wanted to gain ur forgiveness as I don't want to make my mom's choice questionable. She said that Dad wanted his best friend's daughter to marry me. I respect him a lot n even mom's decision, so I married u.
In fact, I'd thank them to get me a chance to get to know u. U r really an amazing person. I don't have words to describe how much I respect n admire u as a person. We all did."

"So. will u give me a chance to get to know more about u?"

***************

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