Anaisha reached her home at eight in evening after her day-out with her batch mates. In just one word, it was ... Awesome!

The group of interns first met up at a decided point around 10 in morning. They first went for a movie, though none of them paid much attention to the movie as they all were busy listening to Neha and Nikhil's commentary throughout the movie.

Though Nikhil wasn't too outgoing and crazy like Neha but then he too was a Punjabi Munda and sense of humour ran in his genes! Sure no one in his family was as chilled out as him but that was a different thing. He and Neha kept making fun of each and every actor in the movie and their dialogues from the beginning of the movie to the end. The relief was that they bought tickets for a movie which didn't have much audience and no one was disturbed by their nonsensical commentary.

After the movie was over, they all decided to have lunch. Rhea, Yuvraj and Annie thought they'll go to some fancy hotel but to their amusement, Shivam suggested and took them to one of his favourite food joint, a Dhaba styled small hotel which he was frequent to. At first they were all apprehensive and grimaced with reluctance, but as Annie along with Nikhil convinced them, at last everyone agreed. After having the first bite of the food, they were glad that they said yes to have lunch in that hotel and thanked Shivam. Though the hotel was small but the food was delicious. Rhea suggested that they should make this place as their gang's 'Food Adda' and they all agreed.

After that they just roamed around in Hauz Khas village, Connaught Place and lastly went to India Gate and sat there on the grass and talked about anything and everything. They clicked many pictures, ate street food while roaming and chillaxed. As it was getting dark, all of them decided to go home and take some rest as from tomorrow their department duties would commence.

Nikhil and Shivam left on Nikhil's bike while all the three girls went with Yuvraj, as he was dropping them home in his car. He being Dr. Anuj Oberoi's brother, Aarav had no issues with him dropping his sister and the other two girls home. But that's different that before allowing Yuvraj, he gave Yuvraj some advices. Sometimes Anaisha's brother just embarrassed her like anything.

"You know, Mom, today was one of my best days. It was fantastic! My batch mates are really cool and friendly. It's nice to work with them," said Anaisha, sitting on the bed in her parents' room while munching her dessert, her favourite Kheer made by her grandmother, Aradhna.

Khushi smiled seeing her cute daughter's merriment while folding the clothes and smilingly said, "Yes, it's good you are getting along well with your batch mates. But, baby, concentrate on your work as well. This one year is a chance for you all to sharpen your skills and knowledge. So utilise it well."

Anaisha nodded and continued eating her Kheer.

"Aarav was telling me the other day that from tomorrow your department duties are starting, so which department you got your duties in?" asked a curious Arnav. To be honest, he never wanted his princess to take up Medicine. For him, his baby girl was too delicate and fragile for this profession, which come with casualties, deaths, difficult tasks and hard work every day. But then, he couldn't hurt his daughter's feelings so he accepted her decision. And he was proud of her for her undying determination and devotion to her demanding profession.

"Yup, Dad, I've been assigned duty in cardiology department under Dr. Kabir. Well I've heard he's amazing in his field, you know his success rate is same as Bhai's. So I'm hoping to learn a lot of things from him," said Annie with her eyes sparkling with passion.

Arnav sighed with relief on hearing this piece of information. He was glad that his daughter got duty with Kabir, as he could trust him with his daughter, because of knowing him for years. Well, like father like son! Arnav was just as overprotective of Anaisha, as Aarav was. And with his daughter having duty with Kabir, he just felt relaxed, after all the Gujrals and Thapars were very close family friends and he knew well how decent and well-behaved Kabir was.

Not just that, infact for Arnav and his wife, Kabir was like their own son and whenever he was at their home they always made him feel like home. They knew there were issues in Thapar family because of what happened some years back, which neither Kabir nor his parents, Karan and Shilpa discussed openly and the Gujrals respected their space.

Though the past couldn't be changed, but Arnav and Khushi both tried to be there for them all the time. Kabir too was very close to them and visited or called to check on them once in a while, which they really adored about him.

"That's great, baby, and I'm sure you'll get to learn a lot from him," said Khushi, settling beside Anaisha.

"Yes, I agree with Khushi. But, princess, if you want I can still talk to Raghav about lessening your workload, you know, you won't have to work much," said Arnav, vaguely hesitant as his wife and daughter both stared at him irritably.

Well they can't blame him, because as a father, he was ought to be always tensed for his daughter. He thought she was too naive and innocent to take on the world alone and wanted to do everything that he could to make her life easy and smooth. But what he didn't know that in future, he'll get to see the other mature side of his daughter which he never got a chance to know.

"Dad, please," said Anaisha indignantly, "I want to have a normal experience, like I told you earlier."

"Okay," said Arnav halfheartedly.

"And don't ask me this again or else, I won't talk to you again," added Anaisha.

"Fine, I won't! Happy?"

"Very," replied Anaisha and continued talking to her parents and grandmother Aradhna, who joined their conversation, for some time before retiring to her room.

Next morning, she woke up early, got ready in a light blue dress and left for her work as she didn't want to be late on her first day of duty with Kabir. Though her brother told her that it won't be like last time, but still she didn't want Kabir to get upset with her, atleast till her duty with him was over.

Anaisha reached the hospital some twenty minutes before 9:30 am, Kabir's usual time to arrive at hospital and the time for her duties. Dr. Rai briefed all the interns and wished them luck for their department duties after which he dispersed them as it was time for the duties to commence.

On her way to Kabir's office, Anaisha didn't know why but she was getting some negative vibes, right from the time she woke in morning. But as it was more necessary for her to keep her concentration and focus away from distractions, she ignored her gut feeling, thinking it to be her nervousness.

Before entering Kabir's office, Anaisha tried her best to stay calm, all the while repeating to herself that Dr. Kabir wouldn't trouble her today like he did on her first day. With shaky hands, she knocked on the door. A few seconds later, a reply came in Kabir's authoritative voice, "Come in!"

"Good morning, Dr. Kabir," wished Annie, a vibrant smile plastered on her lips.

"Good morning, Dr. Anaisha," said Kabir, looking up from his file, "Ready for your duty?"

"Yes, Dr. Kabir, absolutely ready," said Anaisha confidently.

Kabir gave a nod on this, and then in a serious business like tone said, "Before we start with our work, let me tell you a few things which you ought to know and should follow while working with me, okay?"

He took a pause to hear her reply, for which she shook her head affirmatively to let him know she was fine with it. She had heard that working with him was not easy, well actually had seen it too. But still it'd be better if he'd just tell her what all she was prohibited from doing while working under him.

With her affirmative reaction, he continued, "First of all, I'm very clear about keeping my personal life away from professional life. We maybe friends and acquaintances but during the duty hours, on professional front, I'm just your senior and you are my junior and nothing else! Secondly, when it comes to my patients, I have zero tolerance for any sort of mistake. You must be aware that even a smallest mistake can cause someone's death, which is something none of us wants. So keep that in mind! Thirdly, I hate it when my time is wasted by someone for no apparent reason. So make sure not to waste it. Then make sure your cell phone is either switched off or on silent mode because I don't like getting disturbed ... " He went on and on for God knows how many minutes.

Anaisha stared at Kabir with amusement mixed with astonishment as he spoke continuously about his rules and regulations. His endless speech made Anaisha wondered if he would ever stop? What he had told her was supposed to be a few things but it turned out to be so many things which if compiled could be called a 1000 page long rulebook. And what about his not wasting his precious time, what was he doing now? She couldn't decipher.

Nevertheless, Anaisha listened carefully to each and every word of Kabir's, though she wanted to laugh at his long list of rules. Did he live his life like this, with so many rules and regulations? She'd really pity the girl, who'd marry him as the poor girl would have to endure his strict rules. My heartfelt condolence will be with his future wife, Anaisha mentally giggled while thinking this.

"And lastly, while assisting me in a surgery, be quick and attentive towards the patient. Though you won't be assisting me or any other doctor any time soon according to the rules of the hospital. But still, I won't tolerate even a tiniest carelessness towards my patient. That's all now. I hope my instructions are very clear to you, right Dr. Anaisha?" asked Kabir, his gaze on Anaisha.

"Yes, Dr. Kabir. I'll do my best and will try not to disappoint you," said Anaisha with utmost sincerity.

"I believe you won't," responded Kabir, his lips slightly curled into a smile, which made Anaisha wonder why was he always so uptight and restricted.

But she couldn't ponder more on it as there was another knock on the door of Kabir's office and with Kabir's permission, his interns, Dr. Jay and Dr. Sara, walked inside the room, holding a small stack of files each.

"Good morning, Dr. Kabir," wished both Jay and Sara, and then Sara added, "Sir, these are the files you have asked us to get for your CRRI intern."

"Good morning, Dr. Jay and Dr. Sara," said Kabir, "Oh, that's good. Keep the files here and go and check the patients in private wards. And after that, tell Dr. Shaarav to collect the reports from Path labs of the tests done yesterday of my patients in room no. 304 and 410, and go through them."

"Sure, Sir," responded Jay.

"Good, get going now or you both want to give a condolatory speech to Dr. Anaisha before she start her duty with me?" said Kabir sassily, having caught the looks his interns were giving to Anaisha, who looked bemused.

Sara and Jay shook their heads and left the room at once, glancing just once at Anaisha, who still was bemused, not getting whether they were giving her such looks because of the previous time or because it was really hard working under Kabir.

Once Sara and Jay left, Kabir passed Anaisha the small stacks of files which infact were his patients' case files. She took them and Kabir asked her to read these files before she'd leave with him for OPD.

Anaisha did as to what Kabir instructed her and in two hours, she finished reading all the fourteen files of the patients of Kabir who were in mostly General Ward. After this, around half past eleven, she followed Kabir to OPD or Out Patient Department where one more intern of Kabir, Dr. Ryan was waiting for Kabir with all the documents and list of patients whose diagnosis was supposed to be done today.

Along with Dr. Ryan, Anaisha assisted Kabir while he was interacting with his patients about the symptoms being experienced by them to diagnose the disease. While Kabir was busy hearing out a patient who had been experiencing frequent shooting pain in his chest, Anaisha conversed with Ryan, who while talking cleared Anaisha's doubt on the number of interns working under Kabir.

"Dr. Jay and Dr. Sara mostly monitor and handle the patients in private wards and intensive care units, and assist Dr. Kabir in surgeries. While I work here with him during his OPD schedule or when he's being an external consultant and during emergencies I have assisted him in surgeries as well. There's one more intern, Dr. Shaarav, who looks after Dr. Kabir's patients in General Ward and also the reports and tests that Dr. Kabir prescribes for his patients. Frankly, Dr. Kabir has the least number of interns working under him, unlike other senior doctors who have 5-6 interns or even more interns working under them, and not to forget junior doctors like you. I guess its because Dr. Kabir spends maximum time here in hospital, so he doesn't need many interns to work under him or because his working style is extremely organised and systematic which minimises the chances of confusion and errors caused by the chaos and messiness done by us interns."

This piece of information, again made Anaisha wonder the reason for Kabir's strange, vaguely isolated self. True, she had seen her brother work, and honestly the workload and pressure was immense and enough to make anyone go nuts, but still her brother managed his time for his family and Leher between his crazy work schedule. Kabir on the hand, worked continually for around 14-15 hours a day (having gotten to know from Ryan) or even more, with few exceptions like when he was awfully tired or when he had to attend some medical conference. Didn't he have any personal life, his family or even a girlfriend to spend his time with or was his work the only thing he loved? She didn't know.

When the OPD schedule was over, it was already lunch time. Anaisha and Ryan walked behind Kabir, with files to his office. They kept the files in the cabinets in Kabir's office which were already sorted with name stickers on them, making it easier to find the files and patient history by just seeing the names on the cabinets which were like OPD, General Ward, Private Wards, ICU etcetera. The rest of data was saved in the electronic server of the hospital, which Kabir didn't prefer much over his handwritten diagnosis document files.

Ryan went to join his fellow interns for lunch. Anaisha, who was about to follow his suit, turned to glance at Kabir, who was neck deep in the case file he was reading. Won't he have any food before resuming his work, this question arose in her mind and she couldn't help asking.

"Aren't you going to have your lunch, Kabir? I hope I can call you Kabir during breaks," said Anaisha, manifest hesitation in her tone.

"Er ... no, I'll just have my black coffee, and yes, you can call me Kabir," said Kabir, a little taken aback with her question.

"Why? Are you some robot or machine that your black coffee would work like fuel for your body or are you keeping some fast?" asked Anaisha darkly.

"No, there's nothing like that," said Kabir defensively, "I'm not hungry, that's it." He looked away from Anaisha, fearing her to catch his lie.

"Yeah, I can see it, working continuously for long hours surely fill people up with immense energy to go on without food," said Anaisha sarcastically. She then added, "Have your food on time, Kabir. Don't neglect your health, atleast for your patients." Saying this, she left his office as she knew after this she was bound to get overbearing, even invade his personal space and she didn't want to do that.

With her exit, a wholehearted smile found its way to Kabir's lips. He knew Anaisha was right and her concern was genuine but what made him amused was her way of speaking it. It was similar to how she used to speak when they were kids, her arrogance intact. A memory of a childhood event came back to him and his smile grew bigger.

"Little Kitty hasn't changed at all." These words escaped his lips without his knowledge, astounding him vaguely. Shaking his head, he picked the intercom up and ordered sandwiches and strong black coffee for himself, before resuming reading his file.

Subsiding the concern for Kabir by saying that he was a grownup and it was his life, Anaisha made her way to the cafeteria where her friends had already gathered and were waiting for her.

Taking a deep breath, she walked upto her friends and sat down next to Rhea. They ordered some snacks and took out the homemade food lunch boxes that they brought from home. While eating, they conversed about what they got learned from their seniors till then. All of them like Anaisha, had only gone through case files or attended the OPD or helped in filing reports, and no other thing.

Only because according to the hospital rules, during the initial phase of the internship, interns will only learn about different departments of hospital, procedure of different surgeries, OPD, general stuff, etc. Only after few months or precisely during the mid phase of their internship, would they start assisting in surgeries for a period of two months alongwith 15 days of Anaesthesia. Before that, they would only learn by watching the surgeries being formed, which they'd do even after assisting in surgeries.

But just like all rules have exception, this rule to had one. The exception was simple, if there was an emergency, then this case could be an exception to the said rule. This exception to this rule was allowed so that emergency case patients won't have to bear any loss.

The lunch break soon got over and all the interns left to resume their duties. Heading back to Kabir's office, Anaisha wondered whether Kabir had his food or not. She didn't know why but she felt something strange about Kabir. He was very unlike the men of his age. What she had heard about him from her brother and parents about Kabir, he was quite reclusive and so were his parents, whom she had met last, some 6-7 years back. Neither Kabir ever attended much parties nor did he ever take offs from work. On the top of that, he acted always guarded and emotionless, never actually even smiling, she had seen this in morning. It was so intriguing.

But somehow she refrained herself from thinking about this and knocked on Kabir's door. He called her in and felt delighted on seeing a cafeteria waiter taking away a tray containing a used glass plate which had some bread crumbs and an empty coffee mug. She turned to look at Kabir who was in turn looking at her, with thoughtfulness in his eyes which was soon replaced by embarrassment as he found Anaisha looking at him.

Tearing his eyes away from Anaisha, he got up and said, "We're going to General Ward now, I have to check on my patients there."

Giving a nod, Anaisha went along with him to the General Ward. Dr. Shaarav, Kabir's fourth intern was already there with few reports in his hands. Kabir took the reports from him and started to examine them while Shaarav interacted with Anaisha and gave her a few files to go through. Apparently they were the files of the patients Kabir was about to do the checkup of.

The checkups began and Kabir did the checkups while Anaisha and Shaarav recorded the checkup information on the notepads. One by one, Kabir did the checkup of all of his patients, only of General Ward and not of any of those patients who were admitted in private wards and ICUs, either suffering from severe cardiovascular disorders or recently operated.

The checkup took around a couple of hours and then Kabir declared to going back to his office. While on their way back, Kabir stopped in front of Children's Ward. With a smile on his lips, he went inside while Anaisha contemplated whether to follow him or not. At last she did.

But she shortly regretted her decision as the little monsters who had troubled her a lot on her first day, as soon as they saw her, gave her sly grins, making Anaisha apprehensive about interacting to them. So she stood near the door only and saw Kabir happily chatting with the kids. This was probably the first time she had seen Kabir with his guards down and carefree. He appeared genuinely happy.

And this again raised a set of fresh questions in her mind. While going through the files she was given in morning, she was somewhat confused after reading a three files. Kabir, as far as she knew, only handled the cases of adults, full grown people, but still he was working as an external consultant in few cases associated with patients under the age of 10. And even more puzzling was that all the kids had the same disease, Congenital Pulmonary Valve Stenosis, a rare pulmonic valve disease in children.

But even then she didn't wish to bombard Kabir with all of these questions of hers and decided to stay silent. Few minutes later, Kabir left the Children's Ward and went back to his office.

By the time they returned back to his office, it was six in evening and Anaisha's duty was supposed to be over in an hour's time. She had learned quite a few things today which she decided to make notes of so that she remembered them.

With Kabir's permission, she settled on the sofas in his office and started writing down what all she had learnt today. When she was done, she picked up a cardiology book to read, specifically about the cardiovascular disease Arteriosclerosis.

Kabir, who had gone to check on his patients in private wards, came back and saw the book she was reading. He settled on the sofa opposite to Anaisha and amusedly asked, "Any doubt, Dr. Gujral?"

His voice startled Anaisha and she looked up at him. With pursed lips, she kept the book aside and said, "Yes, I have one doubt."

"Shoot then, I'll clear it for you," said Kabir.

"Okay, so ... ," and so she put her doubt in front of Kabir, who very calmly cleared it.

But all of a sudden, a nurse came running inside Kabir's office and told him that one of his patient in private ward was having severe breathing problem, sweating profusely and his heartbeats were also decreasing. His, this patient, a retired army officer, was here for the operation for implantation of artificial pacemaker. The operation was scheduled for tomorrow but with the information provided by the nurse, it seemed like it had to be done at this moment only.

Kabir rushed out of his cabin, toward the private ward. Anaisha went after him. Expertly, Kabir checked his patients and realised that the surgery was needed to be done immediately. Turning to the nurses, he told the them to do the arrangements for the operation.

"But, Sir, three of your interns aren't free. Dr. Jay and Dr. Sara are busy with patients of room no. 203 and 301. Dr. Ryan had already gone home. Only Dr. Shaarav is free, but you'd need atleast two more doctors, and I don't think anyone is available right now," said the tensed nurse. Turning to Anaisha, she added, "Sir, Dr. Anaisha can fill in for one doctor and for other, another intern, Dr. Yuvraj can fill in. Dr. Aarav have freed him just some minutes back as he's busy in a surgery."

"Okay, great, just page Dr. Yuvraj to report to OT quickly," said Kabir, "Dr. Anaisha, you'll be assisting me now along with Dr. Shaarav and Dr. Yuvraj."

Anaisha just shook her head nervously in response. It all happened so fast that she didn't even have a minute to think. She was nervous as hell as this would be the first time she'll be assisting her senior in surgery and also witnessing it being performed.

Calm down, Annie! Just be relaxed. Don't worry, it'll all be fine. Chillax! She told herself in a tone of self assurance, although it wasn't working at all.

Only she knew, no matter how much she tried to calm herself but her nervousness was increasing even more with each passing minute which in turn was making her restless and tensed. Praying in heart for the surgery to go well, Anaisha went inside the changing room and changed into a surgeon's gown.

With the commencement of surgery coming near, Anaisha felt fear and nervousness engulf her. Pretty much true to what her father thought about her, she was too delicate and soft-hearted for this profession. But she was trying to overcome that because for being a doctor, one needs to be detached and stone hearted in a sense because if they won't, then they wouldn't be able to treat their patients properly. This is why the same people, who consider doctors as Gods are the same people, who consider doctors as the most merciless people but only if they would know how hard it is for doctors to watch people suffer and how they trying their best to save lives.

Honestly, Anaisha still needed time to get accustomized to working in a hospital and seeing all these things being performed. True, in medical school, she had interacted with patients and had seen surgeries being performed. But seeing a surgery being performed and participating in it, are two completely different things!

So her freaking out was no big surprise. But Anaisha knew she couldn't let her vulnerability get the best of her. At this moment, what mattered the most was the patient who needed to be operated. And the only way to save him and keeping him alive, was by this surgery.

Around half an hour, Kabir entered the OT, followed by Dr. Shaarav, Dr. Anaisha and Dr. Yuvraj. Unlike Anaisha, Yuvraj was super excited to assist Dr. Kabir in this surgery. He felt like his dream had come true, not even a bit nervous, rather he was determined to do his best.

All of them had worn the surgeon's gown, gloves, and face masks. All the arrangements had been done and it was time to start the operation. The family of the patient was waiting outside the OT, praying for the best.

The patient was here for implantation of artificial pacemaker as the Sino-Atrial node of his heart had weakened which was causing problem in the working of the heart as the SA node is the cardiac muscle which initiates the beating of the heart. So an artificial pacemaker had to be implanted. Though it was not at all a crucial surgery but there were some complications in this case which had worsened the condition of the patient and increased the risks.

The retired army officer was supposed to get only an artificial pacemaker a day after, as two days back he had been operated for Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), a cardiovascular disease because of which the arteries of his heart were blocked by fatty substances which had hardened the artery walls and causing hindrance in flow of blood. After the surgery, he was kept under observation in the ICU for one day then shifted into private ward.

But due to some issue, best known to Kabir, the implant was preponed. The implant was actually supposed to be performed as a minimally invasive surgery a day after, since the machines used for it, had a few technical issues which were being repaired but the situation had forced the doctors to perform it before the scheduled time. NLHRC being a top hospital, extra machine were always available. So a spare set of the machine was brought in use and the OT was prepared.

Kabir and his team were all ready for performing transvenous implantation, a common method of pacemaker implantation. Before entering the Operation Theatre, Kabir took a deep breath. No matter how big or small the surgery was, for Kabir all his cases were extremely important, and he always did his best to save his patients' life. Though it was a small operation but due to the previous surgery it was quite crucial plus the patient's condition. But Kabir knew, it'll be fine.

The patient had been given general anaesthesia and the operating team was waiting for him to become completely unconscious. Generally, in pacemaker implantation surgery, only local anaesthesia is given but here the case was different.
The tray containing all the instruments required during cardiovascular surgery were kept beside Dr. Anaisha and Dr. Yuvraj as they will be passing them to Dr. Kabir when he'll need them. Dr. Shaarav was standing beside the X-ray monitor screen which was needed to make out the internal section of the heart.

Once the patient became unconscious, in his utmost serious voice, Kabir said, "Dr. Shaarav, Dr. Yuvraj and Dr. Anaisha, now listen carefully, once the surgery starts please pay full attention to me. Whatever instructions I'll give, listen them properly and react quickly. No mistake will be tolerated. I know, Dr. Anaisha, Dr. Yuvraj, it is your first surgery and trust me if the situation wasn't like this, I would've never asked you two to assist me. But no issues now! I hope you both know the names and usages of all the instruments which will be used during the surgery. When I ask you for instrument, immediately pass it to me. Be attentive and quick. Is that clear to you both?"

Anaisha and Yuvraj looked at each other, then Kabir and replied with sincerity, "Yes, Sir!"

Kabir nodded and said, "Good! Now let's start the surgery. Dr. Yuvraj, check if the patient is completely unconscious or not, again. Dr. Anaisha, once Dr. Yuvraj confirms that, pass me the scissors and chisels."

Yuvraj did what Kabir instructed him and the surgery began, but Anaisha was not feeling well inside the OT. She was having the feel of uneasiness and nausea here. But still, she was doing her best to help Kabir. Yuvraj, on the other hand, had no such issues. Infact he was doing better than her. Shaarav was the most relaxed one, having assisted Kabir multiple times over the past one year.

Anaisha's uneasiness was acknowledged by Kabir who had noticed her uneasiness. He knew that she wasn't prepared for it, mentally and emotionally. But he didn't have any other choice then to make her assist him. He had seen her blood-drained face which turned paler when he was making incisions on the chest of the patient, and few more cuts on the skin above the chest to make a pocket for the small pacemaker machine. All this made her uncomfortable and even her hands were shaking while passing him the instruments.

As her condition was just worsening, Kabir signaled Dr. Yuvraj to take Anaisha's position and pass him the instruments. Though Kabir felt sympathetic toward her but that didn't mean he wasn't irritated. He understood, this was all new for her and she was trying hard to help him but still, she should try harder. Dr. Yuvraj was also assisting him and looking at him, no one could say that this was his first time in OT.

"Dr. Anaisha, pass me forceps and cottons, fast," said Kabir, without even looking at her, rather his eyes were glued on the X-ray screen. They were more than half way through the surgery and at this moment, Anaisha felt even more nauseatic. She was feeling dizzy but tried her best to avoid it. Picking up the forceps and cottons, she was about to pass it when she saw blood coming out of the small incision on the patients' chest and this was the last nail on the coffin! It was enough for her. She was not that strong hearted but still she endured it but not anymore now.

Few seconds passed and Kabir furiously wondered why hadn't she passed him the forceps as he was now on the verge of being pissed. It was a crucial condition and she... . He seriously regretted appointing her in this surgery. Damn it! Anger visible in his eyes, he turned toward her to scold her but saw her hysterical face full of tears.

His looks instantly softened and he gazed at her with a mixture of agitation and sympathy. This all was awful now and divided Kabir in two parts. His infuriated part wondered what the hell was wrong with her? She was not so weak hearted, then why the hell was she behaving like this? He couldn't understand. If she was like this on her first surgery what would she do when she'd do such surgeries on her own? She should've tried harder to get accustomized.

But he looked at her face once again, and all his anger went away, replaced by only sympathy and concern as he had developed a soft corner for her, not from past some days but from the time she was a kid. The empathetic part of him felt bad for her as he knew it was all too much for her. If in his power, then he wouldn't have assigned her for this. She wasn't prepared and now this was taking a toll on her. And the worse part was he couldn't even calm her as this was a crucial stage of the surgery. It was not her fault that she was behaving like this.

His conscience told him to make her go out because if she stayed here even for a minute then for sure she'd collapse, which wasn't right. Sighing, he went ahead with what he felt was the need of the moment.

"Dr. Anaisha, out of the OT! Now! Go out Fast!" ordered Kabir in a loud but soft voice.

Everyone in the OT was first shocked on hearing him speak so loud but then they all felt this was right since they had seen Anaisha's condition.

As soon as Anaisha heard him, she looked at Kabir, who blinked his kind eyes at her and assured her that it was fine. Keeping down the instrument she was holding in her hand, Anaisha ran out of the OT.

After her exit, Kabir and the rest of the team resumed their work. It took them some 35 minutes to complete the surgery, and it was successful. Though the surgery was simple but because of earlier CHD surgery, it was a bit complex.

Walking out of the OT, Kabir went to the changing room to get rid of his surgeon's gown and gloves. He first washed his hands with antiseptic soap, then changed his clothes. Buttoning up his white shirt, Kabir washed his face and walked out of the washroom attached to the changing room.

"Dr. Yuvraj, you were really amazing throughout the surgery, I must appreciate you for this. No one would believe that it was your first surgery. Thanks a lot, buddy," said Kabir appreciatively to Yuvraj who was sitting in the changing room.

"Don't say thanks, Sir. It was my dream to work with you. I should be the one thanking you for letting me assist you," said Yuvraj, looking slightly hesitant, "By the way, Sir, if you don't mind then please can I say something?"

Kabir shrugged his shoulders in response and Yuvraj continued, "Don't be angry on Anaisha. It was her first surgery and she wasn't prepared for this. So her reaction is plausible. I know, you don't like any sort of carelessness towards your patients but still please try to understand her situation and forgive her for this. That's all I had to say, Sir. You, yourself are very much sensible and mature than me. Anyway thank you, Sir!"

Yuvraj's concern for Anaisha, vaguely amused Kabir, making him realise these young interns were competitive and naive but still they had concern and care for each other and this sense of responsibility toward loved ones which take ages to come.

"Don't worry, Dr. Yuvraj, I won't scold Anaisha. I understand her condition that is why I sent her out of the OT. I'll talk to her about it calmly, it's okay. These things happen. Not such a big deal. You go home now and take rest," said Kabir calmly.

Yuvraj left, and soon Kabir too left for his office. Just few minutes after he went to his office, a worried Aarav came, who told Kabir that he wasn't able to find Anaisha anywhere. It was half past eight in evening, and it made Kabir and Aarav even more tensed. They promptly left Kabir's office for searching for Anaisha.

While searching, they asked many of the staff people about Anaisha but seemingly none of them had seen Anaisha. At last a nurse informed them about Dr. Anaisha's whereabouts, as she had Anaisha going toward the terrace alongwith Dr. Aashika Mehra.

Thanking the nurse, they both went toward the terrace, only to find Anaisha still crying and hugging Aashika, who was trying to calm Anaisha down with her soothing words but it wasn't working at all.

Aashika knew Anaisha wasn't at all at fault because she too herself felt like that when she assisted her senior in her first medical surgery. It was just that her reaction wasn't like Annie's, nor was it this intense.

"Chhoti, stop crying now. You know na none of us like seeing you cry. It's okay these kinds of things happen. Stop feeling guilty now. It's completely fine if you backed out," said Aarav in a bid to calm his sister, standing just beside her.

Aashika and Kabir just stood near them, both of them feeling helpless, especially Kabir, who felt guilty seeing her condition. Why did he always have to make her cry? It was his entire fault, again! But he will compensate for it, now only unlike last time.

"Guys? if you don't mind then can I talk to her alone for a minute?" said Kabir, looking at Aarav and Aashi, both exchanged a agreeing look and affirmatively nodded. They knew right now only Kabir could calm Anaisha down because, after all, she was assigned for the surgery by him only.

"We'll be waiting in Aarav's Bhai office," said Aashika, before exiting the terrace.

With her brother and cousin sister gone, Anaisha felt even more ashamed of herself for being so weak and wanted to run away from there as she really couldn't face Kabir after how she behaved during the surgery. With her mind already numbed with all the crying, she still tried to think about a way to escape this the inevitable conversation with Kabir.

While she was doing so, Kabir gazed at her for a couple of minutes. He observed the play of different emotions on her tear stained face and felt a strong urge in his heart to wipe the tears off of her face but he couldn't do that, it wasn't right.

But this urge of his puzzled him as he didn't know why he was feeling sympathy for Anaisha when he couldn't bear even a tiniest carelessness toward his patients. What was so different about her, that he didn't want to hurt her, at all? He really couldn't comprehend.

"Now for a minute stop crying and listen to me," said Kabir, his stern tone tender and mingled with genuineness, "Stop being ashamed and feeling guilty, please, Anaisha. I know you think you let me down or disappointed me but the truth of the matter is, I'm not at all angry or disappointed by you. In fact to be honest, you made me feel proud."

Anaisha, who was feeling awfully condemned, was flushed after hearing what Kabir had said. Not just her but Kabir himself couldn't believe his own words, and his cheeks turned slight pinkish. All he knew at the moment was that he had to make her feel better and uplift her gloomy mood, to make her cheery and chirpy.

"Yes, you made me proud. It feels so good to see that my student, who has just joined hospital and was feeling uneasy and nauseatic, still tried her best to assist me and didn't let her condition affect the surgery till she could manage. You did your best, Anaisha, and I'm happy with that. So stop crying now. You know I don't like seeing girls cry and especially my Ms. Mindless-With-Big-Fat-Ego, who doesn't look good while crying. She's a fighter not someone who sits and cry. And then, this wasn't really a big deal. So stop crying and give me a big smile. C'mon smile now," said Kabir, passing her his white handkerchief.

With hesitation, Anaisha accepted his handkerchief and wiped her tears. He made the smiling gesture with his hand which made her smile merrily.

"T-Thank y-you s-so m-much, Dr. Kabir. I promise I'll work harder now and won't e-ever back out like I d-did today," said Anaisha in her lumpy voice, wiping the last few drops of tears from her face.

Kabir smiled at her and politely said, "Your welcome! Let's go now. Aarav's heartbeats must be faster than the F1 racing cars and he's hyperventilating for sure. C'mon!" Anaisha smiled and they both went to Aarav's office after which Anaisha left for her home and Kabir returned back to his office.

After having her dinner, Anaisha was lying on her bed and was replaying the terrace moments in her head. She felt really better after Kabir consoled her.

Though they both had known each other or it should be said that she had known him for just a week but she now knew her earlier instincts about him were completely wrong and stupid. Kabir was far from being the person she had perceived him to be, he rather was really a genuine and compassionate person. Although not sure why but Anaisha felt really delighted that he was proud of her.

But the way he consoled her, was what she liked the way he handled and consoled her. For once, he wasn't uptight or like his usual self while consoling her on the hospital terrace, he was really warm and sweet. And given the situation, any other person in his place would've been mad at her but he wasn't, which was strange and unusual. And that's what made him different!

She guessed maybe his qualities and nature were the reason why Kabir and her brother had been friends for so long and her parents were so fond of him and considered him as their own son.

Frankly, after her first day of internship, she had presumed him to be this rude and strict doctor, but now that's changed completely. But there were questions, that had risen after what all she had seen during her duty with him, there was something holding him from being too happy, his every action was calculated and well thought. He was like a robot, a mechanical machine working for long hours with no other way to go. But then again, it was too personal to quiz Kabir about this. So Anaisha decided to brush this off and enjoy the time of her internship under him.

On the other hand, Kabir was himself astonished with his own behaviour. Why the hell he didn't scold her? Why the hell did he console her like that? If it would've been anyone else in her place, then Kabir would've scolded that person very badly but with Anaisha, why was he so lenient?

He was extremely puzzled because of his own behaviour and the soft corner that he seemed to had made for Anaisha. With no idea why since the time she had entered his life, he'd been doing things which he had never done before!

There was one reason, plausible enough. Anaisha was Aarav's sister and he had known her as kid, so maybe this had affected his behaviour with her. And beside she was a nice girl and today wasn't her fault entirely. But still why couldn't he see her in tears? Why did he behave differently with her?

These questions were starting to give him a headache now. So he pushed all his thoughts away and went to sleep, having returned home just around midnight. In his mind, he knew he needed to get his thoughts cleared and under control otherwise the damage they'd do would be unrepairable.

But one thing was sure, he had seen a different side of her. The sensitive and soft side of her along with her childhood charm, which to be honest he liked a lot, even as a child. And he knew, this grownup Anaisha had more to herself than he had ever seem, and he liked that. Maybe her too! Maybe not!