It is that sometimes we cannot control things. Whatever that is meant to happen would happen and no one can stop it.

The first thing that doctor said after coming out of the operation theatre was addressed to the mother, whose name she had already heard Tiyasha, "You should have been extra careful with your autistic child."

Shreya faltered. She was already on her feet anxiously waiting for the recovery news of the kid. But when she heard the doctor, she blinked and stared at the group of people in awe.

The child was autistic and injured himself due to the carelessness of his guardians. She couldn't believe how irresponsible parents could be towards their specially-abled child!

Tiyasha wiped away her tears and regretted. "Yes, I should have been. I didn't know he'd do something like that. How is he now?"

"He is out of danger. However, he's still unconscious and has lost a lot of blood. I'd really want you to be present with him 24/7. This child cannot be left alone for even a minute. They are extra sensitive and I hope you already know that."

Tiyasha only nodded her head sadly.

The doctor continued, "I should have informed the police, but considering your family's reputation, I am not doing that."

It was Rishi who answered this time, "Thank you so much, Doctor."

"Autistic children like yours are prone to throw tantrums. So, you better take care of him cautiously," the doctor said before walking away hurriedly.

Shreya saw Ashwin coming out of the OT. He assisted the doctor in the operation. They exchanged a look while he mouthed 'wait' and went to the changing room.

Tiyasha and Rishi were still outside the operation theatre when Ashwin came and led Shreya towards the exit.

"The kid is autistic?" Shreya asked, somewhat between being concerned and relieved.

Ashwin nodded, "And belonged to a rich family."

"That's not what I asked," Shreya rebuked, "What happened to him? I mean how did he injure himself?"

"Rich people and their extensive lifestyle."

"Ashwin!"

"His mother, Tiyasha Chatterjee is a famous social activist. Most of the time she remains busy outside of her house. Meeting, procession... these are her daily schedule. For the same purpose, people often come to meet her in her house. As you already know, autistic kids don't like crowd and noises. So, that's what happened. Tiyasha Chatterjee had arranged for a members meet-up and they suddenly got more interested in loud pop music than their meeting issue. She got so immersed in discussion with her fellow members, that she didn't even realize her son had a panic attack. He hit his head repetitively on the floor and injured himself seriously."

"So, he was alone when that happened?"

Ashwin shrugged, "Unfortunately."

"And his father?"

"She's a single mother. No one knows who the father is."

Shreya raised her brows at the unexpected revelation. But then a thought crossed her mind. She caught a hold of Ashwin's hand and stopped him abruptly.

"Arey! What?"

She looked at him as her eyes twinkled, "Are you thinking what I am thinking?"

He scrunched together his eyebrows for a moment. Both of them exchanged a meaningful look until the realization crossed his face. "I'm not sure if I want to do it, now that the kid is in a critical situation."

"And that's exactly why I'm saying this is the right time. They would need someone to look after him."

"But first you need to talk to Dr. Suniti."

"Yes of course. I don't have a problem with that but you have to talk to her about my proposal."

"Fine!" Ashwin grumbled then resumed walking.

Shreya wasn't sure whether she should feel happy that there was still hope or feel bad about the child. She decided it would be better if she just stayed calm right now.

Dr. Suniti was most probably in her thirties. She was short and had a distinctive temper that caused others to be cautious while talking to her.

Ashwin knocked on the door which was already open before asking for her permission, "Dr. Suniti, may we come in?"

She looked up from her desk and squinted her eyes at them. Her eyes swayed between both of them. Shreya took a deep breath when the doctor nodded and asked them to enter.

Ashwin exchanged a quick glance with Shreya before saying, "Doctor, I hope you remember about my request. This is my friend. She's qualified to have a position in the kids care."

Dr. Suniti didn't let him continue after that. She held up her hand at him and focused her attention on Shreya. "Your name is Shreya?"

Shreya was slightly off guard at her sudden interrogation. She stuttered, "Uh- y-yes. Shreya Mitra."

"Look, right now the hospital does need a hand in the kids care, but we have received more than fifty applications for the same post. Some of them are really impressive, with more qualification and experience. Compared to them, you're nothing. Since, Ashwin requested, I agreed to meet you in person. I'll just give you two minutes to be precise, to convince me why I should recommend you to the HR department. Am I understood?"

Shreya took less than five seconds to nod her head. She knew what she wanted. If she could convince her, more than half of her problems would be solved and the rest would be taken care of by Dr. Suniti herself.

She nodded. "Yes, I understand."

"Good. Then please go on."

Shreya inhaled and blurted out, "I want to be the personal care giver of the kid who's just been operated in the emergency section."

"What?" Both Ashwin and Dr. Suniti asked in unison.

Shreya didn't give them time to say anything else before she continued, "I learned the kid is autistic. I have specialization in taking care of autistic children. I know, I have no related experience for the post I have applied, but I do know one thing, I am good with kids. If you could recommend me to his family, I think that would be best for me than to compete for a post that I know would never be mine."

Dr. Suniti stared at her for a whole minute. It was hard to contemplate anything from her expression. When Ashwin noticed how awkward the ambience was getting, he started, "Doctor, I don't know what is she saying. I- I think there must be some misunderstanding. I-" He glared at Shreya for making the situation awkward and tried to normalize it. "Let me have a word with her."

But Dr. Suniti wasn't even listening to him. Shreya could tell that from the doctor's unwavering gaze that was fixed on her. A few seconds later, she asked Shreya directly, "Do you know who they are?"

Shreya shook her head. "Not really. Just that, they are rich." She exchanged a look with Ashwin who had given her this information. Ashwin looked almost horrified when she blurted it out like that.

Dr. Suniti snorted, then responded with a vague sentence, "So much to overlook the rest."

Ashwin stood there flabbergasted while Shreya looked at Dr. Suniti hopefully. She seemed to have a conversation with her own. After a brief pause, she said, "Alright. I'll talk to Ms. Chatterjee. If she agrees, then you'll be lucky. Otherwise, I'm sorry."

Shreya nodded. "I understand. Thank you for your time."

The moment they stepped out of Dr. Suniti's cabin, Ashwin gripped Shreya's throat. "What did you say?"

Shreya wrapped her hands around his wrist and tried to pluck it off. "What? You told me that. They are rich and all."

"That doesn't mean you can openly say that to doc. Gods! I feel so embarrassed right now." Ashwin let go of her throat and shook his head.

Shreya grinned. "You wanted me to seal my mouth when she just asked me to sell myself?"

"Just shut up, okay?" His eyes twinkled when he added, "Have you ate anything? Because, I'm famished."

"Okay let's eat then. I'll take burger."

"Fine!"

They went to the hospital cafeteria and waited until Dr. Suniti called Ashwin and asked him to meet her around five, which was literally half an hour later.

Ashwin turned to Shreya after hanging up, "Seems like your luck is in favor today."

"Yeah, hopefully."

"What else? How's things between Naveen and you?"

Shreya rolled her eyes. "You already know shit, Ashwin. It's on and off always. I'm not sure about him, and he's too chickened out to say things to my face. I don't know if things will ever work out between us."

"Relationship issues." Ashwin nodded sagely. "I'm glad I'm single."

"Good for you."

They chatted for a while then went to Dr. Suniti's cabin again. This time the door was closed and from the sounds coming from inside, it was evident there was someone else. Ashwin knocked on the door and Dr. Suniti's voice was heard immediately. "Come in."

As expected, Ms. Tiyasha Chatterjee and Mr. Rishi were already sitting there, talking to the doctor.

Dr. Suniti introduced them to each other. "She's certified in Special Needs Caregiver programme. I am positive that she's suitable for the work."

Tiyasha gave her a critical stare and said in a harsh tone. "My Dev is specially-abled. I don't want any inconvenience in his care."

"There won't be one, Ma'am."

She nodded once, then exchanged a look with Rishi, who immediately said, "Can we discuss about her remuneration with Abhimanyu first?"

Tiyasha agreed before asking her, "What is your name?"

"Shreya Mitra."

She nodded. "Shreya, come to the Isha Mansion around 9 in the morning tomorrow. Hopefully, Abhimanyu will be home at that time. We'll discuss about the rest of the formalities then."

"Thank you, Ma'am. I'll be on time."

Dr. Suniti then said, "Good. Ashwin, Shreya, you may leave now."

Both of them thanked her and left.

Coming outside the cabin, Ashwin grinned at her. "Your treat, tonight."

"Deal."