Vikram's POV

In the morning, I reached the hospital and went to my cabin... All three of them were already waiting there for me. We all went for the rounds.

They are were working very hard. The little boy was to be operated today. He seemed to be very scared. Sandhya was trying to cheer him up. She even said that once he will be alright, she would cook his favourite dish. She even said that Dr Rathore will mend his heart and then he would grow up to be a fine young handsome man. The boy blushed a bit.  She smiled and ruffled his hair. He also started smiling. She is really sweet with... Others.

They all went to have

coffee afterwards. I also went to the cafeteria to have some coffee with Gautam. He was discussing his discomfort which he feels whenever he meets Mehul and Megha. I understand his problem but somehow my eyes and mind were wandering towards a certain someone sitting in another group and smiling beautifully.

She is so friendly with everyone... but me.

Why does her smile vanish when she looks at me?  Why am I thinking about her??

" Are you even listening? Come on Vikram... This is not fair. " Gautam was irritated now. I hugged him and said that we would find a way.

I went to Operation theatre to operate the little boy. After three hours I came back to my cabin. The operation was successful. I was very tired. Just then someone placed a coffee and sandwiches in front of me. I looked up to see Dr  Chirag.

I smiled and said, " Thanks, Chirag but you didn't have to. "

" It is ok sir, you must have been very tired. Please have it. you also need energy like the rest of us. " He said with a sheepish smile.

I chuckled and drank coffee.

" Thanks for your concern Chirag. "

He just smiled and nodded. He went out of my cabin and I had just taken a bite of that sandwich when I thought of calling someone.

I realised that I forgot my phone with Gautam. He had taken it to make a phone call and I left for the surgery. He must have thought that he should not disturb me, so he did not come to give it back.

I ate the sandwich fast and took another one in my hand and came out. I found Sandhya and Chirag having coffee while Ajay was talking on the phone.

They had their back towards me. I was passing by when I heard Chirag asking her," Why did you send coffee and sandwiches to him? What I don't understand is why didn't you give coffee and sandwiches to him yourself? He did not say anything to me. He wouldn't have said anything to you as well. "

What?? She sent me that, but why?

I wanted to know what was going on. so I kept standing there.

" I sent it as he looked very tired and hungry. He was operating during lunchtime.  And in answer to your other question, well, I have my reasons. "

What does that mean now???

Was she concerned about me?

No, she is not even friends with me. Then why did she bother to send me food?  That was so confusing.

I went to meet Gautam, but he was not in his cabin. A nurse came and gave me my phone back.

I was coming back when I saw that she was talking on the phone with someone. I was curious about her due to the earlier incident.

" Shubh, please go and order it right now. Otherwise, we will not get them on time.  I think we have to buy for 40 people as there are around 35 people there..... Yes, Give the order for 40 of everything. We will buy the sweets in the evening itself....... 2 kilograms of any sweets. See this is 4, you just place the order for the snacks. Then pick me up. Ok?  I will go and talk to sir. "

I just turned to go to my cabin as I didn't want her to know that I was listening to her conversation. I went to my cabin and settled myself in my chair. Within 2 minutes she knocked on my door.

" May I come in sir? "

"  Yes, you may. "

" Sir, there is a request, I need to go somewhere today. It is very important to me, can I go?"

"  Your duty hours are not over yet. "

" Sir, I will work for 2 more hours tomorrow, please. If you want, I can come back after 3 hours today itself.  It is really important to me. "

" Ok, if it is so " I was saying to her, when all of a sudden, 

Dr Aakash Khanna came into my cabin.

" Oh, I am sorry, I did not know, that you had company. " Aakash said looking at her.

" It is ok sir, I was just leaving." She said to him.

" Not so fast, Ms...? " He said smiling at her.

" Actually, I came to invite you all, for a party tomorrow at 8 PM. Don't even dare to say you can't make it. It is my birthday tomorrow. So Vikram, I want you and your team to come. It seems Gautam has already left. I will call him but you also remind him to come ."

" Sure sir, Happy Birthday in advance. " She smiled at him.

Wow !! she smiles at everyone except for me. What have I done to her?

Aakash left and she turned to go.

" It is ok if is so important for you,  you may leave and there is no need for you to come back today." She nodded and said Thanks, but did not smile at me. 

Just then her phone started ringing she went out and picked up her phone, " Yes, I am coming out." I was just so curious, that I followed her.

She was like a riddle. A challenge.

She went out of the hospital and that man was standing there. She slid into his car and he drove. I also followed them. He stopped his car near a very famous sweets shop. They both got out of the car and went inside. I followed from a distance. They bought many snacks in large quantity and some sweets and juices.

They came out with lots and lots of stuff and loaded everything in the car. So she is partying with her friends. It is ok, I will catch her red-handed.

They again settled in the car and he drove away. I was after them.

How dare she say, that it was very important to her when she has planned to party. I had to teach her a lesson.

What kind of games was she playing??

I kept following them. Who was that guy to her? 

Does she trust him so much that she can go out with him so easily?  Why does he come every day to pick and drop her?

For god sake, is she insane?  She is going along with him. What if he... ? Oh no !!

I saw that the speed of his car was getting low. I also lowered my speed.

They finally stopped near a building and I could not get anything.

What?? Why is she here?? What are they up to?

They finally stopped near a building and I could not get anything.

What?? Why is she here?? What are they up to?

I looked at the board on the building. It was an old-age home.

What was going on?  What were they there for??

Just then, a man came out and said hello to both of them very enthusiastically. A few men came out and helped them with the stuff they brought.

They went to the garden where arrangements were made for some kind of party and many old people were waiting for them. They all looked so happy to see them.

Everything they brought was laid on the table and both of them helped the workers to serve all the snacks to all of them.

Then there was a large cake which was also there. They both cut the cake and distributed it as well. She was getting very emotional and she was trying to hide her watery eyes. 

Why was she crying? Was it her birthday today?? But then why was she crying??

Everybody was enjoying the food but she was smiling with her eyes filled with tears. That guy saw her condition and hugged her hard.

She buried her head in his chest and cried. he was trying to soothe her.

I was getting uncomfortable by looking at her crying in the arms of another man. But why?? I don't care...

A lady came and drew her out of his arms... Her face was drenched with tears. The old lady wiped her tears.

Thank God !!

" Sandhya please, it is his birthday. We should celebrate it, don't cry, he would not like it." He said and she nodded.  He kissed her on her forehead.

I was not liking that he was touching her or that she was crying.

She tried to smile. All the old ladies hugged her one by one. They all started enjoying. Her face was glowing now. All the people seemed were well acquainted with her.

That man, Shubh was smiling as well. Who was he?? He also seemed to be coming here very often.

A lady insisted that both of them must have some food too. They nodded and had their food. He took a piece of cake and offered her to eat, she took a bite and feed him too.

Who was he to her??

They all were enjoying. It was such a sweet gesture to celebrate somebody's birthday with the old people abandoned by their families. Their family's abandoned them, but this beautiful young lady is celebrating her happiness with them. This girl is beautiful from inside as well as outside.

But what bothered me was,  who was that man beside her. She was very close to him. I felt very uncomfortable to see her with someone else.

A man thanked them for the party and everything and said,

" Beta it is so nice of both of you,  that you come and share your happiness with us. We just love your visits. You both bring light and hope to our lives. We all look forward to your monthly visits. We are touched that you celebrated your grand father's birthday with us. Our children don't bother to even call us. While you both come here every month and bring tasty food and all the happiness and positivity you. The food was awesome.. the party was very good. God bless you." He became very emotional and everyone was smiling with their eyes wet.

Just then an old man said,

" Sandhya beta the food was awesome today but we missed the delicious food made by you. We all feel touched when you make food for us with your own hands. It feels that you care for us so much. " He became very emotional. She smiled and patted on his back. Shubh hugged him.

" That is not fair uncle. I also help her with cooking food. But you all only praise her. " He made a puppy face and everybody burst out laughing. She hit him on his arm and hugged him.

I turned to go and came to my car. I didn't know what I was feeling at that moment. I was speechless.

That girl is so sweet. I mean who does so much??  Cooking so much food for these people... Awesome.  It was such a nice thing that she celebrated her grandfather's birthday with them. But she visits them every month, Incredible...

I drove back to my home. I called my parents that night. They were so happy to hear my voice. My mom wanted me to come home as it has been very very long since I went home. I promised that would come soon.

I kept thinking about her and I didn't realise when I slept.

***********

Sandhya's POV

I reached the hospital, Pooja, Ruchika, Chirag and Ajay were talking.

Everyone was already very excited about the birthday invitation they got from Dr Aakash Khanna.

Dr Rathore came to the department and we greeted and followed him to his cabin.

Dr Rathore had OPD, so we were free for some time. He gave us the instructions for the day. We were going out of his cabin when he said, " Ms Sandhya, Please wait. " I nodded and stood there. He asked me to take a chair, I did so.

" Can I ask you, what urgent work you had yesterday? " He was looking into my eyes as if he was trying to read my mind.

" Sir, I had to go somewhere. "

" But you could have done that today also. "

" No sir, I could not. It was my grandfather's birthday yesterday and I had to go somewhere. "

" To meet him and celebrate his birthday? " He was looking intensely.

" I wish, I could. He is no more. I miss him so much. " A single tear escaped my eyes and I wiped it.

" Then, what did you do? " He asked but I didn't want to tell it was my private matter and I don't want him to know that I went to an old age home. I didn't want him to think that I was trying to impress him.

" Sir, I rather not talk about that. Please... " He just nodded.

" So you are going to Dr Akash Khanna's party? "

" Yes sir, I guess I am going. everybody is going as it would be rude not to go when he personally invited all of us. " She replied.

" Ok, you may go now. " I came out of the cabin and went for the rounds. The little boy was resting he gave me a long list of what he likes.

He wanted me to make anything out of them. I grinned at him and promised that I would make something out of it. I just finished my rounds. I was sitting with all of them when a nurse came and said that Dr Rathore is calling me.

Dr Rathore had two patients, who wanted to have a diet chart as one of them had a very high cholesterol level.

And another one had to reduce weight.

I asked them their food habits, their daily routine and their medical history and made a diet chart for both of them.

When I finally came back everyone had already had their lunch. So I had to do it alone. I settled down in the cafeteria to have my lunch when Dr Rathore also came there.  He ordered coffee and sandwiches. He was coming towards me.

" Hi !! Do you mind if I join you? "

" Ji... I mean, no sir..." I was startled by his sudden question.