Rohit threw his phone on the bed.

'What the hell does that mean?'

Rohit had immediately called up Sonakshi, and she hadn't answered. He had tried again, and then again.
Finally, she had picked it up.

'Rohit! I'm so sorry! Mera phone hospital se hi silent pe laga hua tha..I didn't realise.'
Sonakshi greeted him.

'Yeh sab kya hai, Sona? Kahan ho tum?'
Rohit's voice increased in pitch, but Sonakshi didn't notice.

'Rohit! Actually mein abhi bahar aayi hui hun. Baat karna thora mushkil hai. I'll call you later, okay? Byeee..'

And Rohit had stared at his phone as the call disconnected.
He now paced the floor, working himself up in a fury.

'Mera phone kaat diya? Mera? Matlab, yeh tak nahin bataya ke kahan hai, kis ke saath hai! Bas, 'I'll call you later' bol ke chali gayi!'
Rohit walked over to the window, and looked out at the lights over the city.
The view which had brought him peace till now, seemed to be making him feel stifled.
'Aakhir yeh kon sa naya dost  aa tapka, jis ke baare mein mujhe nahin bataya..or woh bhi aisa jis ke saath seedhay dinner pe hi chali gayi..'
He slammed the glass of the window with his fist, angry at himself, for letting his thoughts run way ahead of him.

Kya kar sakta hun..siwaye intezaar..

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

Sonakshi laughed at something one of the doctors said.
Picking up her fruit juice, she took a sip, as she took in the lively conversation going on around her.
The doctors of her team, and her nurses, were having a great time. And Sonakshi realised, that she wasn't bored either.

Mujhe laga nahin tha, ke mujhe maza aayega yahan sab ke saath..but this feels like 'me' time..
What are you thinking, Sona? Ofcourse you get your 'me' time at home too..Rohit ke saath to..

Sonakshi immediately felt guilty, enjoying herself without Rohit.

Phone pe bhi uss se theek se baat nahin hui..ghar jaate hi call karungi..pakka..

'Don't you like the food, Dr. Sonakshi?'

Sonakshi mentally shook herself, as she realised that she was being spoken to.
She looked at Dr. Rahul, who was looking at her enquiringly.

'What? I'm sorry, I..'

'Hmm, I can see that you were lost somewhere..maine poocha, khana pasand nahin aaya kya? Kuch or order kar dun?'

Sonakshi looked down at her plate, which was still full.
'No! No! It's good! Mein kha bhi rahi hun..thanks!'
She quickly forked her pasta and had a bite, to show him.
He nodded, and turned back to his food.

Sonakshi had thought that Rahul would try to get smart with her in the car ride to the restaurant, but he had been only courteous, discussing work and general things.
At the restaurant even, he had not been too loud, talking and laughing like everyone else.
Sonakshi was beginning to think, that maybe her earlier impression of him, had been a bit in haste. He was a nice, sensible guy.

'Ab yeh to boss lady hi batayengi..kyun?'

Sonakshi looked up to see all eyes on her, and realised that she had again gotten lost in her thoughts.
'Kya batana hai?'

'Yehi, ke dessert mein kya order karna hai?'

'You guys go ahead, I'm full!'

'Aray, aise kaise? Celebrate karne aaye hain or meetha na khayen? Not done! Kuch to meetha hojaye..kyun?'

'Yes! Yes!'
Everyone agreed, and so she relented, as they ordered some yummy treats.

Sonakshi glanced at her watch, realising that it was getting late. She had asked the nanny to stay back a bit late tonight, but she had thought she would be free by the kids' bedtime as well.
Rahul noticed her fidgeting.

'All okay?'

'Hunh? Yeah, sure!'

'No, you keep glancing at your watch..'

'Hmm..I thought I'd be home by now..it's kind of getting late..'

'It's just almost ten..is that late?'

'For me it is..woh actually ghar pe..'

'No problem! Come on, I'll drop you home..'
He started to get up.

'But you are enjoying yourself. I'll just call a cab, and go..'

'Oh, please! Ab itna bhi badtameez nahin hun mein..ke le ke to aaun, or jaane ko bolun ke chali jao..come on!'
Rahul stood up.

'Kya hua?'
Someone asked.

'Dr. Sonakshi ko ghar jaana hai..'

'Oh, ma'am! Abhi to mazaa araha tha..abhi se..'

'Inhe kuch kaam hai..'
He put in before Sonakshi could open her mouth, and she gave him a look, which he ignored.
'So..will see you tomorrow..'

'Kal Sunday hai, Dr. Rahul!'

'Han, to? I have to be there..aap log rest karna..hum jaate hain..'

Sonakshi wasn't liking his speaking up for her, as if he had the right, or she wasn't there.

'Good night, ma'am! Thankyou for coming!'
Everyone stood up to say their goodbyes, as Sonakshi and Rahul left.

There was silence in the car.
Sonakshi didn't really feel like talking to Rahul.

'Are you upset?'

Sonakshi ignored him, checking her phone instead. She saw Rohit's message for her to call him when free.

Yeh to abhi dus minute pehle ka hai..he's free..damn! I wish I could call him now..

'I said, are you upset?'

Sonakshi looked up at him.
'Why would I be upset?'

'You were fine in the restaurant, laughing and talking with everyone..ya it's just me?'

'Tum assume bohot karte ho mere baare mein..or apne baare mein bohot ghalatfehmiyan bhi hain..'

'But, maine kya kiya aisa?'
He took his eyes off the road to look at her.
'Yeh to batao..'

'I really didn't like you speaking up for me, as if I wasn't there..mein..'

'Ohhh! Achaa! I'm sorry for that..'

'I can speak for myself..don't need anyone to do it for me..'

'I'm sorry..magar you are getting the wrong impression of me, and I don't want that..'

'Why? Itna kya zaroori hai ke mein tumhe pasand karun..tum..'

'Because, I think you are a beautiful person, and I like you..'
Sonakshi gave him a glare.
'I mean, your personality, you as a surgeon, as a boss..'
Sonakshi shrugged.
'Please, don't get me wrong..'

'I'm not getting you wrong, but I'm also not getting you right..'
She sighed.
'You know what, just leave it..and get me home, please..'
Sonakshi looked out the window, dismissing the conversation.

Rahul have her a look, before turning back to the road.

Big mistake doing this..

They finally stopped in front of her house.

'I'm sorry..'
Rahul said, as she was about to get off.
He made to get out of the car, but she stopped him with a hand gesture.

'It's okay! And thankyou for the pick and drop..'
Sonakshi opened the door.

'You are sure? Mein..'

'Goodnight, Dr. Rahul..'
And Sonakshi left, leaving him looking after her once again.

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

'Ab to pakka so gaya hoga..'
Sonakshi hurried to pick her phone.

She had come home to an over excited Arihaan, and a very much awake Mishaye, because Pari and Ajit had been playing some games with them. The nanny had left some time ago.

'Ihaan maza aaya..inna sara!'
Arihaan had relayed to her, as she had changed him, and settled him for bed.
'Mama, Ihaan baby saath khele..'

'No, beta!'
Sonakshi glanced at Mishaye, who was flailing her hands, as she lay on the bed.
'Late hogaya hai na..ab aap sojayen..kal subah Mama aap ke saath khele gi..'

'Yay! Mama khele! Yay!!'
Arihaan jumped up and down on the bed.

'Aray! Dekh ke! Baby ko lag jayegi..'

Sonakshi had hurriedly settled Mishaye, and then finally Arihaan, and just now settled on the bed.

As she picked up her phone, she saw it ringing.

'Damn! Silent se hataya hi nahin tha maine!'
She connected the call.
'Rohit! I'm so sor..'

'Where the hell have you been?'
His voice was loud enough to be heard out of the phone set.
'Kab se phone baj raha hai..'

Sonakshi's eyes widened at his tone.
'Aray! Aisa kya hogaya, ke chilla rahe ho..'

'Mein chilla nahin raha!'
He shouted.

'Okay! I'll talk to you tomorrow..'
Sonakshi made to cut the call.

'Don't you dare, Sonakshi Rastogi!'

'Pehle tum chillana band karo warna mujhe tum se koi baat nahin karni!'
Sonakshi's pitch was also getting high now.

That calmed him down, somewhat. He swallowed several times, before he finally spoke.
'Mein kuch pooch raha hun tumse..bataogi?'

'Abhi tak to poocha nahin..you are just screaming down the line.'
Sonakshi sighed loudly, trying to calm herself too.
'Mera phone silent pe tha or mein bachon ko sula rahi thi..'

'Theek hai..'
Rohit closed his eyes, trying to control himself, as he leaned against the pillows.

'Kuch aagay bhi bolo ge ya mein jaun?'
Sonakshi asked after several minutes of silence, in which they could just hear each other breathing.

'Sona..mein..don't go..please..'
His voice was a bit regretful now.

'Tum ghussa kyun ho, yeh to bata do..'
Sonakshi laid down on the bed, pulling Rohit's pillow against her chest.

'Woh mein..tum se baat nahin hui..or pata chala tum dinner pe gayi ho kisi Dr. Rahul ke saath..to bas..'

'Ohhh! So this is what it's all about!'
Sonakshi slapped her forehead with one hand.
'Seedha seedha pooch lete..itna ghuma phir ke kyun?'

'Woh, Mom ne bataya ke tum gayi ho..to..'

'To tumhe jalan honay lagi, or woh barhte barhte ghussay mein badal gayi..right?'

Rohit nodded, feeling sheepish, before realising that she couldn't see.
'Mein..'

'Rohit! Mein sirf Rahul ke saath nahin gayi thi..a whole group of people went..'

'Par Mom ne bola..'

'Unhun ne shayad theek se samjha nahin hoga..thora jaldi mein thi mein..woh complicated surgery successful hui to team ne socha ke celebrate karen..mein to ja bhi nahin rahi thi..woh sab peechay lag gaye to..'

'Oh!'
Rohit was feeling extremely silly now, for behaving like a jealous fool.
'To yeh sab batana chahiye tha na..'

'Or kis ko pata tha ke tumhare dimagh mein kya chal raha hai? Na Mom ko, na mujhe..'

'Jab maine call ki thi, to bata deti..'

'Rohit! We were in the restaurant, table pe beth ke beech mein kya sab batati..tum bhi hadd karte ho..'
Sonakshi reached for her headphones, and connected it. Her hand was getting tired of holding the phone.

'Okay, fine! I admit I was wrong! I'm sorry! Lekin yeh Dr. Rahul kon hai? Lene to wahi aaya tha tumhe.'

Sonakshi rolled her eyes.
'Tum abhi bhi wahin atkay hue ho..he's a colleague..a fairly new addition to the surgery department. Good looking, young, funny, great surgical skills..'

With every characteristic she listed, Rohit's heart lurched, and he felt something twist inside him.
'Bas, bas..itni tareef kaafi hai..'

Sonakshi heard his irritation in his voice.
'Acha, yeh sab chorro..tum batao..shoot kaisi chal rahi hai..heroine ke saath kya..'

'Woh to mat hi poocho..she's such a..'

'Haww..Rohit!'

'Kya haww? Miss Snotty Samaira is a pain in the..'

'Okay, okay! I get the idea..'
Sonakshi chuckled.

'Can we not talk about work..na tumhara na mera..sirf apne baare mein baat karen?'
Rohit laid down in the bed.

'Sounds like a plan..'
Sonakshi's smile could be heard in her voice.

'So..mere kiddos kaise hain..tum kaisi ho? How are you managing them with work..'
They discussed her routine, and he was satisfied with her explanations.

'Rohit! Kuch ghoomne ka time mila abhi, ya bas shoot se hotel..'

'Hmm..itna time to nahin mila..but mera fellow actor hai, Karan. Uss ke saath aas paas nikal ke chala jaata hun kabhi. Nice guy he is..'

'Chalo yeh to acha hai..someone you can talk to..'

'Yeah! But I wish it was you here instead..kitna maza aata..bachay bhi enjoy karte..'

'Aray..phir shuru hogaye..har call mein yeh zaroor bolte ho..'

'Han, to kya karun..I miss you so damn much..or yeh hum bas baat hi kar rahe hain..apni shakal to dikha do..'

They switched to the video call, and Sonakshi set her phone on the nightstand, still lying down.

'Oh, God! I miss you so much!'
Rohit traced his finger on the screen over her face.
'Neend arahi hai?'
He asked, as he saw her position on the bed.

'Nahin to..kal to waise bhi chutti hai..'

'To tumhari kon si chutti hai..Arihaan or Mishaye to apne time se hi uthenge..'

'It's okay..I'm used to that..'

'Hmm..mere pillow ke saath kya horaha hai?'
Rohit teased, as he saw her tighten her arm around it, as she lay sideways, turned towards the camera.

'Tumhara substitute banaya hua hai..tum nahin sanam, tumhara takya hi sahi..'
Sonakshi also teased him.

'Oye! Ab kya ek pillow se jealous feel karwaogi? Jalan ho rahi hai mujhe uss se..ke woh tumhare seenay se chipka hua hai, meri jagah..'

'Kya Rohit! Tum bhi na..'

'Or nahin to kya? Woh meri jagah hai madam..'

'Han, to isse hataana hai to tumhe aana parega na uss ki jagha..'
Sonakshi smiled, as he groaned at that.

'I wish I could fly back daily..just to be in your arms..neend nahin aati mujhe tumhare bina..'

'Acha? Itni raaton se to jaag hi rahe ho na jaise..'
Sonakshi stuck out her tongue at him.

'Baat ko samjho..technicalities ko chorro..kitni khoobsurat lag rahi ho aise..'

'Chalo acha hai..aaj tareef sun ke bohot achi neend ayegi mujhe..'

'Hum to tareefon ke pull baandh denge..aap sun len bas..'
Rohit had also laid down now, turned on his side.

'Sunaiye, sunaiye..irshaad..'

Rohit recited some poetry for her, which had her flushing a bit.
Sonakshi yawned a couple of times, but insisted he keep talking, even when Rohit asked her to go to sleep.

'Acha lag raha hai..bolte raho na..'

Rohit continued talking, and he could see her getting sleepier and sleepier.

'Sona, woh mein kya soch raha tha, ke Arihaan ki birthday aane wali hai na..or..damn! Mein to wahan honga hi nahin..Sona..'

'Hmm..'

'Kya karne ka plan hai iss baar..kuch socha hai..'

'Hmm..'
Her eyelids had drooped fully now, and he could see that she had slept.
But he couldn't take his eyes off of her.
She looked so beautiful and peaceful, sleeping like that.
He settled deeper into the pillows to watch her, till his own eyes shut, with only Sonakshi on his mind.

To be continued..