PIHA'S POV:
[TWO DAYS LATER]
14TH, MARCH.

I sit at the dining table as I greet Mom, Dad and Di with all smiles.

"Good morning to you, Piha beta. You seem excited today. What's up?" Dad passes me a curious look.

I inwardly gasp. Why would I be excited? Just another day in my life.

"No dad, nothing like that. I'm excited every day because I love what I do, right?" He smiles

"Are you a little more excited than usual for the results?" He says putting a bite of dosa in his mouth.

Yes, the Neet PG results are going to be out today but like I mentioned that's not what I'm waiting for.

"No, dad. I'm a bit nervous though. You know na- that the Neet PG score doesn't stand that much importance to me. It's PGIMER that's important. If I don't pass that then I might consider the Neet PG rank."

"Yes beta I know that but don't say such a thing okay? You'll make it. What time are the results going be out anyway?"

I nod at mom as she passes me a plate of dosa.

"They should be out by five in the evening, but the website will surely crash and given to that, I'll check my result when I come, I mean we'll check it together okay?" I assure him.

"We will, Piha. Just don't stress yourself, it'll be all right." Mom spots the little nervous thought at the back of my head.

"Yes mom I won't, thike? (Okay?). But you know na, it's been like 7 years since I have given Neet UG, a bit of nostalgia's hitting me." They smile.

"I little of nervousness isn't bad though, Piha." Di winks playfully.

We continue with our breakfast.

"Aaraya, what's up with you and Utkarsh Birla, I know you're mature enough to settle your own problems. But just wanted to know as I saw him outside our house that day." Dad leans his elbows on the table moving forward.

"Dad it's nothing..it was late so he said he would accompany me home, nothing else." She says casually.

Okay, I'm missing out on something. Di didn't tell me that.

"It's safer without him." Dad mutters under his breath and read I bite back a chuckle.

"Dad!" Her voice sounding as if offended. "He's not a bad person, there's no harm in being friends with him. He's safe okay?"

I continue munching on my dosa as I enjoy the little drama.

Feels like I'm watching a Indian daily soap.

"Okay, he's safe right? Then call him home, we want to meet him too. Let me see how safe he is, what say Piha?

I smirk. "Why not dad?" We hi-fi and mom giggles causing Di to gape at us.

If that's what dad wants why not, I mean it's not bad to be sure of his intentions right?

Or is it that you're expecting Raghvansh to come?

My jaw drops. Why would he come? He's just Utkarsh's friend, not his family. They must be close NO? I wish had friends too.

"Oyee, where are you lost Piha?" Di wriggles her eyebrows and I eye her to stop before Mom, Dad find something shady going on.

No way I'm going to tell them about Raghvansh sir, I'll be gone. They'll keep a track on me too, if they get to know. I look at my plate to find it empty. Oh looks like I'm done with breakfast.

Get going already, Piha. Beloved eyes can't wait to meet the deep blue orbs.

I widen my eyes. Something's gravely wrong with my internals.

What say internals?? Want a MRI scan?? I smirk as I hear them groan.

"Okay guys, I think it's time. Maybe I should leave now." I say and watch Di bite back a smirk.

As you might have guessed I have a session with Raghvansh sir today and I'm not at all nevous or excited for that.

Nope, no sarcasm there.

I pick up bag as mom kisses my cheek and I grin. "Common bye mumma. I'm getting late!"

I wave at them as I leave.

____________

As I reach the reception I greet the receptionists and one of them signals me to wait.

I already have my file with me.

Then what's up here??

"Dr Piha, Dr Mehta wants to meet you in his cabin, now. Sounds like you're about get a promotion!" She winks at me.

Promotion??

Didn't I just join Fortis? But a promotion sounds fun, my insides grin.

I wipe off my happy thoughts. Keeping my backpack in my office I head to Dr Mehta's office

Knocking at the door, I open it as I hear a faint 'come in'.

I flash him a smile and take seat.

Dr Mehta, head of the orthopaediac department and one of the most dedicated doctors I've ever seen. I've always admired him from far, when he used to attend our annual meets as the chief guest. And now I get to work along side him, isn't that where hardwork gets you.

"Good morning to you Dr Piha."

"Good morning Sir!" I notice how weird it sounds to call someone Sir now, apart from the Blue eyed man.

"Anyway Dr Piha, I won't beat around the bush, I've called you here to inform you that you'll be assisting the senior orthopaediac surgeons in surgeries from next week. So I wish you luck for that and I'll ask someone to send you the schedule."

He continues- "Don't worry Doctor, I know as its your first time, there won't be too long oncalls but short calls won't give justice to your abilities. So let's keep it medium."

WHAT??

I hope Dr Mehta isn't joking.

I'll be assisting in surgeries. It's hard for me to believe it. It's always been my dream to enter the surgery hall wearing those green scrubs and surgery gloves. I can't freaking believe my ears right now.

"Sir just to confirm, I heard it right, didn't I? I'll be allowed to assist in surgeries from next week, right?

He chuckles and says - "Yes Piha, you'll be able to assist in surgeries after next week. I did await for such a reaction from you." He smiles. "All the best!"

I give him the biggest smile ever and take my leave mumbling a 'bye'. I grin to myself, walking to the VIP ward.

I need to call my family now. They would be so proud of me!

Maybe I should've recorded Dr Mehta speaking, because I'm sure they wouldn't believe it too, just as me.

I enter the ward to only find Raghvansh sir dug in his phone.

His eyes meet mine as he lifts his gaze- "I was waiting for you, Piha." he smiles causing my heart to melt.

Why does he have to smile? Makes it difficult for me to not stare at him.

"Sorry Sir, Dr Mehta wanted to meet me. So just spent a couple of moments there." I quickly divert my gaze, keeping my belongings on the table at the far end of the ward.

"No worries." He says and I gesture him to sit on the electric hospital bed.

My hand reaches out for his x-rays kept on the side table and I scan them for a minute.

Doesn't look good.

"Sir there's no improvement in your knee injuries." I look at him just to see him sigh. "You'll have to start with physical therapy. Not much, just thrice a week for now. If there seems to be any improvement we'll decrease it to two, okay?"I say.

He groans. Okay, he probably hates therapy. But better therapy than rehabilitation, right?

"Is is neccessary?" He sniffs showing me puppy eyes.

OKAY, I can't any longer. Will he stop behaving this cute?!

"Yes, it is. Otherwise there'll be high chance of injuries later, which might affect your game." I say looking away.

"I'll attend therapy instead." He replies instantly. What else did I expect? He loves the game, it's visible in his ey— the way he could do any thing for it. A smile makes its way to my face.

Dedicated and Passionate. Isn't he?

We shift to the table as I explain him about the situation and possible therapies within 40 to 45 minutes .

I search up the rehabilitation centres in Malaysia and UAE as they play their next matches there.

"I'll email your manager the numbers and gmail IDs of the respective centres around your match venues and Pune of course." I say as he nods. "Your sessions begin a week later."

"Sure Dr Deshmukh and anyway as per the health regulations, my physician needs to fill up the fitness form for the Malaysia tour coming up. Just wanted to inform you prior, I've submitted the form they'll probably give to you soon."

"Okay." I say and nod. "I'll see you next week." We get up.

But.

Ain't I joining the surgery department next week. Does that mean this is the last time I'm meeting him.

No, it can't be. I feel a pang in my heart. I mean we have been catching up with each other at the beginning of our day, during morning and late evening for the past week. It feels good, his text makes me happy for a while but the rest of my day is dull as usual.

We can speak this way for a few days, for a while but not forever right. I'm sure he doesn't feel the same way I do. We're not even friends.

It feels as if someone has taken away something from me. I look at him as he says- "Bye, Dr Deshmukh. Till we meet next." He smiles and I stare at him, knowing it's the last time we meet.

Should I like acknowledge him— saying he was co-operative and I loved working with him. Hell no, he'll think of me as a freak, I'll just say like.

Yup that's good do it Piha. I prepare myself with a little nod.

"Raghvansh Sir." His name rolls of my tongue smoothly, too smooth for my liking— almost seductive.

I continue- "I just wanted to say— it was great working with you Sir, in fact it was amazing to even get a chance to meet you. I wish you all the best for future. I hope you achieve everything you wish for, Goodbye." I say. It wasn't meant to come out vulnerable.

"What's wrong Piha?" He shoots me a questionable look.

Huh?

Didn't they inform him? Oops maybe they're going to later.

"Nothing sir." I try to cover it up but to no use.

He stares for minute and gestures me to speak. I can't help but answer- "Actually, I've got the orders to assist in surgeries and you're going on tour now and after that I'll be going for my post grad. I don't think we'll meet after this but it was great to know you." I smile trying to mask my sad self.

I watch his jaw drop. "They didn't inform me, Piha." he grits his teeth.

He didnt know, should have asked him before my rant.

Is he angry? Why would he be angry? Probably he's all happy saying- 'Finally, Inner peace. I won't meet this girl after today, yeah!'

Haha.

Ouch.

He looks at the floor and smiles. I knew he would be happy.

"Firstly, congratulations to you, Piha. it's a great achievement, I'm sure it was your dream like every other medical pass out. You've earned it." He says and his smile fades.

Honestly, I did not expect him to congratulate me- "That's very sweet of you Sir, it means a lot."

"Secondly Piha, I guess you might have understood but let me state anyway, I do not like the fact that you won't be my doctor any longer." His blue orbs reflecting fire.

I gape mentally and feel my tachycardia heart beats, not in literal sense though- "O-Oh."

"But don't make it sound like a goodbye. I hate that word. I'm sure we'll meet a lot in future given to Aaraya and Utkarsh and also our place." He winks at me playfully.

I feel my heart go into the tachyheart beat situation again. The wink was unnecessary.

"Yes, surely. We will." I sing a happy song mentally as I don't shutter.

"I'll see you soon, Piha." He leaves.

~√~√

Author's note*

Hey, hope you're doing well!
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The next update will be out on 29th, Tuesday.
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