The Regency hospital pharmacy was always crowded, thanks to the ample amount of patients that came and went since there was no other hospital nearby.

The schedule for the pharmacists had been clear, according to the head of the department Dr Shah who was strict with a tolerance level of...well..zero.

"Sakshi?" Someone was calling her and Sakshi blinked her eyes open "what?"

"That patient over there" Piyush, her colleague and senior in charge nudged "he's waiting since forever".

Sakshi wiped her forehead with a tissue "my shift is over" she groaned in exhaustion.

"Not until Yuvika takes your place" Piyush said sternly. Sometimes Sakshi would wonder if he was gender biased as he always complained whenever there were ladies around. Or probably it was her imagination.

"I called her...she said she'll reach in ten minutes" Sakshi said hopefully "can I leave now?"

"No" the reply was quick, much to Sakshi's irritation "attend to him"he pointed towards the patient.

Sakshi nodded and after giving the medication, came back to the counter and slowly took out the phone after observing if anyone was around. Usage of cellphones were strictly prohibited on duty.

There were five missed calls, four from Amit and she sighed. He never called unless something was important. That's the way he was, atleast with her.

They had been engaged six months ago after she was done with her internship. It was purely arranged by her parents and the wedding was scheduled after a year since Amit was pursuing his PhD in software programming.

She had liked Amit during their first meeting itself. He was a simple and sweet guy and it was his charming personality that had attracted her to him, probably the only time they were on a date. Both the families were traditional for that matter and neither of their fathers had encouraged any more dates. Although she had wanted to learn more about him, she had to console herself with the notion that he wasn't uptight or orthodox, like her father. It was one silver lining in her boring and monotonous life.

And much to her delight, he had gifted her an iPhone during their engagement and they had exchanged numbers. The late night conversations and funny banter kept her wanting for more.

"Sorry I'm late!" Yuvika came panting towards her and shoved her handbag on the desk "got stuck in the traffic".

Sakshi breathed a sigh of relief "thank God! I'm all about to faint". Yuvika rolled her eyes "you're acting as if it's your first day".

Sakshi gritted her teeth "I know! Every single day feels that way...thanks to that Piyush jerk" she swore "I don't understand why he hates me so much!"

Yuvika gave a sly grin "seriously? You don't know?" Sakshi shrugged "well..it's not my fault my parents fixed my wedding with someone else". Most of the staffs knew he had a huge crush on her, well...most of them except Sakshi herself "he should have mustered up courage and spoken to my parents instead of sending mixed signals".

"He's a coward" Yuvika said simply "and you're better off with Amit than that jerk...anyway don't you have to go somewhere?"

Sakshi stifled a yawn "we're going to Amit's house for dinner...his sister is coming home".

"That's great" Yuvika wore her apron while Sakshi removed hers and kept it in her locker "wasn't she the one who conceived much later?"

Sakshi nodded, after lighty washing her face and applying a gentle amount of compact "after ten long years".

"Whoa! She must be in cloud nine" Yuvika said, keeping her cellphone in silent mode while Sakshi got ready to go "it's hard to say what's on her mind" she drawled.

It was half true; she had a little liking towards her future sister in law. It wasn't like she was hostile but Sakshi always found her comments a little irksome as she always complained about anything in general.

"I've to go...wish me luck" Sakshi waved at her friend who laughed "you need it girl". She knew her friend's family very well.

Sakshi called Amit as soon as she got into the hospital cab which drove away slowly, much to her annoyance.

"I called you so many times" Amit answered without wasting time on greetings "are you still in the hospital?"

"Just left" she heaved a yawn "I was extremely busy..there were too many patients. What about you? How was your day?"

"It's weekend sweetheart" he said with a chuckle and she couldn't help but feel a little envious at his time schedule. He worked in Infosys and had two days off the week.

"Lucky you" she mumbled dismally "so what's the big deal with the dinner?"

He let out a soft laugh "it was Amrita's idea...she wanted to have a get together..and there's going to be a surprise".

At that, her heart lifted "what is it? Please tell me". He paused for a moment and she was sure he was going to tell her as there were no secrets between them. At least that's what she thought. Amit was like an open book. He said what was on his mind.

"I can't tell you baby...you'll see tonight" he said "okay...I've to go..see you tonight" he hung up after a short 'love you and can't wait to see you' monologue.

She frowned and kept the phone in her bag, wondering what the surprise was until she got back home.

◇◇◇◇◇

"Did you call her?" Ranjit asked his wife for the umpteenth time as he pressed his shirt neatly in the living room.

"I did and she didn't call me back" Soumya replied from the kitchen as he cleaned the sink "you know they're not allowed to use mobile phones while on duty".

"Some hospital" he muttered in irritation "I told her not to join a private hospital but a small pharmacy and she won't even listen".

Soumya who was used to his usual grumbling came out of the kitchen "it's good for her work experience. Once she gets good exposure, she can join a pharmaceutical company...or probably clinical research".

"I hope so...whatever she does, I hope she doesn't disappoint her in laws" he murmured. She refrained from replying as she knew how particular he was when it came to her daughter's fiancee and his family.

The doorbell rang and she was glad. Sakshi walked in and threw the bag on the side.

"I called you.." Soumya began but Sakshi held a hand "I know...I'm on it" she said impatiently and darted towards the bathroom "mama? I need a strong cup of tea".

Ranjit watched her go and turned to his wife "look at her ordering around" he muttered "can't even make tea for herself".

"She's tired!" Soumya frowned "and please stop picking on her. She's only there with us for few months!" It was probably one of the few times she had retaliated with her husband.

"I know...God save us from humiliation if we get any complaint from her side" he rolled his eyes as he went back to change into fresh clothes.

Sakshi came out after freshening up and her mother was ready with the tea.

As soon as she got down to gulp the hot tea, her father was beside her "what are you planning to prepare?"

She blinked "prepare what? I didn't get you". She looked at her mother for explanation.

"For dessert" he replied calmly "I told them you're bringing dessert...they were happy".

"But it's too late papa" she tried to convince her stubborn father "and I just got home..it'll be late if I start anything now".

"Gulab jamuns are okay" he chose to ignore her plea "make it fast".

"I'm tired papa" she pleaded and cast a furtive glance at her mother who cut in "it's okay beta...I'll do it..you go wear a nice dress".

Sakshi got up when he stopped her "no! I want you to do it" he turned to her mother "when will she learn if you keep on helping her? Will you go with her after the wedding?"

Soumya went on to say something but stopped when her daughter shook her head. She didn't want one more argument to take place as this was a common routine.

She quietly went to the kitchen and busied herself with the ingredients, slowly wiping the tears that had gathered around her eyes.

No matter how hard she tried to convince herself that her father wanted only her happiness, his harsh behavior towards her and her mother marred them all. It was the way he had been, all through her life and she could only pray that one day he would change his attitude towards them.

Finally, the jamuns were ready and she packed them in the box, much to her father's delight and went back to get ready.

◇◇◇◇◇

Ranjit wasn't in a great mood as they drove silently through the darkness. He kept swearing for small turns and bumps and Sakshi wondered what must have conspired. She couldn't wait to reach Amit's house and see him.

"Don't know what's gotten into Shekhar" he shook his head as they stopped for a brief traffic signal, referring to Amit's father whom Sakshi knew to be as stern as her own. Maybe they were soul brothers in previous life, she would muse sometimes.

"What happened?" Soumya who was seated next to him asked.

"You remember Amit's twin brother?" Ranjit said curtly "the one who had ran away from home".

"Yes...I heard Devaki worrying about him" Soumya replied with concern "what about him?"

"He's coming home tonight" he replied in distaste "for dinner". So this was the surprise Amit was talking about, Sakshi mused.

"That's nice isn't it?" Soumya added in a positive note "Devaki was worried about him....I'm glad he finally came back to his family".

"The nerve of the boy" he muttered in irritation "after ruining his family's reputation, he has the guts to come back like nothing has happened".

Sakshi listened to the conversation in complete silence as he went on and on about how their other son had been a failure "I'm only happy Amit is nothing like him...he's so responsible and hard working, unlike his good for nothing brother".

Even though she hadn't met him face to face, Sakshi had heard a lot about Aman from her fiancee. Although Amit hadn't painted a bad version of him like her father had, he was still disappointed in his brother's career choice though he loved him a lot.

Amit had even shown his picture and Sakshi, expecting an identical figure like him was in for a surprise. They were non identical twins and even though there were some resemblance between the two, one could never tell they were twins.

Aman was taller and dusky compared to Amit who was slightly short but fair. "Why isn't he with you?"she had asked when she never found him during any of the visits.

Amit had sulked at that "you know baba...he had high hopes for both of us..he wanted us to pursue engineering in top IITs. Aman hated science and anything to do with it. After completing his pre degree, he took a course in abstract art".

"Oh my God! That must have triggered your father" she gasped.

"Yeah. There was a huge fight between the two and the next thing we know, baba asked him to leave if he wants to pursue art" Amit explained "Aman left and we thought baba would relent as time passed by but he didn't...it's been five years since he's gone".

Sakshi listened to the story as she pondered over his family. His father was the decision maker, at least that part was clear to her then.

"And now he's coming home for what?" Ranjit went on as there were no interruption "I'm sure he's here for inheritance...Shekhar was saying something about the ancestral land in Pune...he's probably eyeing the property now that his brother's getting married".

Sakshi knew about her father's thirst for money and greed but this had gone a little too far and she couldn't help but retort "not everyone thinks about money papa....he probably misses his family". Even though she didn't know what her future brother in law was like, she felt the need to defend him. He was going to be her family after all.

Ranjit observed her through the rear view mirror "in this century, everything is about money my dear" he gave a short snort "count your blessings that you got a great and financially sound proposal" his voice lowered "and Amit doesn't even have a little sister thank God...too many girls are a mess".

Sakshi went on to say something but stopped; again there was no point in arguing with her father. Some people never improved no matter how hard you tried to convey the message. They looked respectful to the society but inside their mind was filled with deep rooted discrimination.

She prayed they reach soon but her father hadn't stopped his jibe "even though I wished to have son, I'm glad I don't have a son like that who brings shame to the family".

Sakshi had heard this many times and initially she would fret and cry but now she was indifferent and oblivious and was only glad when the car pulled up near the parking lot and Ranjit stopped "be nice to them...and don't speak irrelevant things" he warned both mother and daughter.

Sakshi who was used to this small taunt of his merely nodded and let out a small prayer in the back of her mind.

Oh God! If you're listening, please get me out of this. Please let me be happy with Amit and get away from this maze.

Prayers were to be answered but not in a way she had anticipated....

Hey everybody!!
How was the first chapter??
Please vote and comment...hope you liked the female protagonist...😊(sorry if the chapter was short)
Lots coming soon...
Have a great day ahead ❤❤❤