Sandhya's POV

" Glad to see, all of you on time. Now you all will go for your rounds with me, check all patients and will make small notes about them. Dr Chirag and Dr Ajay,  you will make notes about their problems, medicines, what should be given, what quantity should be given and at what time.  And Ms Sandhya you will see what should be their food according to their diseases and their problems you will come with the complete food plan for them.  Three of you will show everything to me tomorrow first thing in the morning.  Am I clear??"  He asked looking at me.

" Crystal clear sir... " I said sarcastically. He glared at me.

" You better be, or you will face the music tomorrow. Now follow me and be ready to make your notes about all of them." He left his room and we followed him. He went to the ward where his patients were.

We met the first patient. He was a 65-year-old man, who got operated 2 days back. I noted all his particulars.

Then the next patient was a 10-year-old boy who had a hole in his heart. Aww... poor child. He was so scared. He was not even eating anything. He was to be operated in 2 days.

I talked to him for two minutes and told him whispering that he is a very good looking strong boy. And he need not worry about surgery, as Dr Vikram will take care of him. He just needs to follow the diet chart and take medicine on time. I winked at the little boy and he smiled.

There was another old lady with high blood pressure problem. We went to all the patients one by one noting their requirements and their problems.

After the rounds were completed, Dr Rathore went, to do a surgery.  We all went to the cafeteria to have a cup of coffee. I was very tired. I called Shubh and informed him to come in an hour.

We had our coffee and I decided to make food plans for all the patients right away.

I kept working for around 45 minutes and made diet charts for all of them according to their respective problems, age, food habits.

I was ready to leave, as our duty hours were over when Dr Rathore came to the cafeteria. He got a coffee for himself. He looked at me and came towards me.

" What are you doing here. Your duty is over. " He asked me.

" Yes sir I was going, I wanted to finish my work as I was free.  It is finished now, so I was leaving as you entered. May I take your leave now?"

" Yes, of course, You may. " He said sipping his coffee.

" Thank you sir " I left the table and started walking towards the door. I could feel his eyes on me.

I was surprised to see Shubh here, I thought he would wait near reception or near parking. He smiled at me and asked me, " So, how was your first day here? " He asked me enthusiastically.

" It was good, nice experience "

" Hey, I am very hungry, I want to eat something first. So how was food here?" He asked me dragging me towards the cafeteria.

" I just had a coffee, It was good." He led me towards the cash counter and asked me, what would I have?

" I am not hungry, please let's just go. You should not eat all that ."

" Oh, it doesn't matter... Chill yaar. "

He bought a plate of pasta and two coffees. " What will you have?"  He asked me.

" Nothing, You know that. "

"Ok, have at least one spoonful." He said and I ate it. I was very much aware of the eyes which were staring at me.

Shubh enjoyed eating and then we went out of the hospital. He drove us home. I went to my room, changed into something comfortable and then came back to the living room. My aunt and uncle were not at home. So I made dinner for both of us.

I was still thinking about the game destiny was playing. I am supposed to assist a man, whom I thoroughly despise. I mean there were more than 10 doctors, Yet I got to work with him.

" What is going on in that cute little head of yours? " Shubh asked me.

" What?? Nothing is wrong. Why do you think so?"

" I know you since the day you were born, Now tell me.."

" But there is nothing to tell. "

" Ok, if you say so. But I am not convinced, just giving you some time. Take your time and tell me when it is comfortable. Or, I will have to find it myself."

" You are so irritating sometimes. I am telling you, it is nothing. "

" Fine, I will find it myself." I just rolled my eyes and went to my room stomping my feet.

I slipped into slumber the moment my head touched the pillow.

******

I got up with the chirping of birds, that was coming in my room through the slightly open window. I did my morning routine and got ready for the work. But I was tensed, as I knew I had to face him as well so I went to the kitchen and prepared breakfast for everyone. I made Aaloo Paranthas for everyone. I also made stir-fried Idly. I laid the table with the help of a housekeeper. 

We all had breakfast together. Uncle loves eating paranthas. He usually says that I am blessed by goddess Annapurna ( goddess of food). I love cooking food so I do it, whenever I am happy or sad... Means I do lots of cooking.

I packed, stir-fried Idly for Shubh and myself. He insisted that he would drop me. I said that I can go on my own, but he said he would do it.

He dropped me at the hospital and said, " Are you sure, You have no problem? You are unusually quiet since yesterday. Come on sandy tell me, what is bothering you? "

" There is no problem, Bhai please be rest assured. " He just nodded, though he was not convinced. He left, but I knew he will try to find out.

I went inside and then reached the Cardiology department. Ajay and Chirag were already there. We all said good morning to each other. Chirag was a very funny man he started telling another funny story of one of his friends. It was so hilarious that we all were enjoying it so much.

Just then we heard a phone ringing. We all looked into that direction. Dr Rathore was standing there. We all became very serious at once. We all followed him inside his cabin.

" So, how was your first day here in the hospital, yesterday?  " He asked us.

" It was good sir." Chirag and Ajay said.

" What about you Ms Sandhya? Did you enjoy your first day?"

" Yes, I did sir," I said, avoiding looking at him.

" Ok, let's go for the rounds and see, what you prescribed for the patients."

We followed him to see the patients. He asked different questions from all of us regarding the medicine, the food, the diet chart. Chirag and Ajay answered all his queries about treatment and medicines.

I presented him with a diet chart for every patient.  He raised one of his eyebrows and looked at me.

We went for our rounds. The young boy was denying to eat the porridge that was given to him for breakfast. I went to him and asked, " What happened, little young man? " He smiled faintly and said, "This is very boring, I don't want to eat this. "

" But this is very good for you. You want to grow into a strong, handsome man. Right? Then you need to get operated. You'll have to eat healthy food."

" But I can't even think of eating it. It is tasteless. Moreover, I hate it. You try and taste it. I don't want to eat anything at all. "

I tasted it and whispered near his ear, " Ok, dear if you eat this, I will give you something tasty and interesting to eat. Finish at least eat half of it."

He looked at me for a few seconds and then smiled and said, " Promise? " I grinned and nodded.

He picked up the spoon and started eating it. I smiled and ruffled his hair a bit and said, "Good boy, I mean young man."

He smiled and whispered, "Just remember your promise." I nodded.

I had almost forgotten about a certain someone, who was standing right behind me.

Sandhya's POV

I had almost forgotten about a certain someone, who was standing right behind me.

The moment I turned, I froze as he was staring at me.

I averted my eyes from him and walked to the next patient. He did not say anything for the time being, but I think he is going to scold me very soon.

Ajay and Chirag were also looking at me with their eyes wide open. I guess they also think that I would be scolded for that.

We finished our morning rounds and were free for some time so I took my bag and went to meet that young boy. I served him some of the stir-fried vegetables Idly. He looked pleased to see that colourful dish. I smiled and said, " You will have to eat all the veggies with idli.  You can't just eat idli and leave the vegetables. " He nodded.

He ate a spoonful of it and his face lit up. He smiled and said, " Wow this is amazing. " I smiled and said, " Now promise me, you will eat whatever is offered to you, as you are not well and are about to get operated, so you need to eat a certain kind of diet. After you are recovered I will get you something nice to eat, I promise. But for now, you will have to follow the diet." He nodded and thanked me for the food.

I said bye to him and turned to go when I bumped into a hard wall. A human wall.  I didn't know that someone was standing right behind me. I looked up to find none other than Dr Rathore himself.

Oh God !!!

" Miss Sandhya, please follow me."

" Yes sir. " I followed him to his cabin. Once he was seated he said, " So what is the explanation for what you just did? " His cold eyes were piercing through me I was scared but I didn't show it. I answered him very confidently.

" Sir, I just gave that young child something he would have loved to eat. He hated that food which was served to him and he asked me to taste it. I tasted it,  it was tasteless and I just give that child something he could eat. I made him eat whatever was given to him too and he promised me that he would eat everything which would be served.  I just wanted to cheer up that child because he was really scared about the surgery he is going to have.  What is wrong with that? I just wanted him to be happy and whatever I served him, was absolutely healthy. I know my job sir, I don't know what you think about me, but I know my job very well sir. "

" Let me be a judge for that, Serve that thing to me. I want to see if it is really healthy. "

" It is healthy sir, It is just plain idli stir-fried with a minimal amount of fats in it with lots of veggies. " I said

" So, why are you scared of me tasting it? " He again raised one of his eyebrows as if challenging me. I would rather die then let him taste anything I cooked. But he was challenging me, I couldn't back out.

" Oh, I am not scared of you, I am very sure the food is very healthy. "

I served a spoonful of idly to him. He stared at me and tasted a bit of that. His face was expressionless, but I knew that he loved it.

" Well Ms Sandhya,  this was your first mistake, so I am just giving you a warning. Just don't do it again." I just nodded. He finished what I served him. I wanted to kill him.

Chirag was trying not to grin. Ajay had a faint smile on his face. I turned my back to him and made a face of a killer who wanted to kill him. Chirag could not contain his laughter and Dr Devil A.k.a. Dr Rathore glared at him.

I instructed the diet chart of our patients to the concerned authorities. It was almost lunchtime so we all went to the cafeteria. My friends were not there so I sat down with Chirag and Ajay. My friends also came in 5 minutes. We started having our lunch.

Chirag teased me about the fact that my food must have cooled down Dr Rathore's anger. As he was fuming earlier, but after eating it, he just let me walk away with a warning. My friends also started teasing me. I was getting annoyed. They all tasted lunch. I did not get to even taste It.

We took our rounds and I saw that the old man was having some problems with the earlier diet plan he was following. He was allergic to dairy products.  So I changed his plan

The old lady had her BP under control now. I went to meet the young boy he was so happy to see me that he hugged me. I hugged him back. He thanked me as I changed his diet a bit and made it more interesting. He was talking about some animated series. He told me a funny story and I was laughing when I saw that Dr Rathore was looking at me as he must have entered into the ward.

I said bye to the boy and left the ward. I went back to the Cardiology wing. We just got a circular that there is a freshers' or welcome party on the next Saturday which was 12 days from today. We all were supposed to attend the party as it was mandatory. The dress code for the party would be formal. There would also be a beauty pageant for interns where one lady and one man would be titled as Miss intern and Mr Intern. We all were excited and discussing,  what to wear.

Our duty hours were over and my phone started ringing, I picked it up, it was from Shubh. He was already waiting for me to come out. I took my leave and came out, Shubh was waiting there. He smiled at me and asked me about my day. I just said it was good.

" So you are not going to tell me? Fine... Don't tell me. But don't say anything, if I find it myself. Then I won't listen. Is anyone bullying you? "  He caught my hand and asked.

I patted his hand and said,

" Shubh please, I am not in any kind of trouble. I am not tensed, and nobody is bothering or bullying me. Just relax and by the way, Who is your latest girlfriend now?  You are hiding things from me." He just made a face.

" I know you are trying to distract me from the topic, but let me tell you, I am not going to get distracted. I know there is some problem, I can read your face.  You were very excited to join the hospital, but now you don't seem that interested.  So something is wrong somewhere you better tell me yourself. "

" You are just imagining things. Now please,  let us just leave. "

He shook his head and made me sit in the car and then slipped into the driving seat. We drove back to our home.

His friend Sumeet was waiting for him there at home. He smiled enthusiastically at me, but I just nodded with a faint smile and went inside.

Both of them came in. I wanted to drink water, so I went to the kitchen. I knew Shubh was very bad in the kitchen so I offered to make coffee for both of them. Shubh went to his room to change into comfortable clothes. Sumeet came to the kitchen.

He is always being extra nice to me and become protective of me. I really get annoyed with him. He behaves as if I am his responsibility.

" You joined that hospital right?"

" Hmmm "

" How is it?  Are you enjoying it ?"

'Yes, I am. "

" If you ever have any problem pls let me know..."

' Why? "

" What do you mean by why? Just because you are my friend."

" Correction !!  You are Shubh's friend, not mine. If I'll have any problem. I will tell him. "

" I wanted to talk to you about something. I think I am falling in love with you. Will you be mine? I will keep you very happy and protected. " He caught my hand and started pulling me towards him.

" What?  Just leave my hand. I am sorry, but I don't feel the same for you. I  don't feel comfortable with you. Never talk to me like that again."

With that, I went to my room. I felt that I was a bit rude to him, but I don't want him to get the wrong ideas. He already thinks that we have something Between us.