In Every Heartbeat

Start Note : in case of usage of any Hindi word from which our international or non Hindi speaker are unaware of, an English translation will be provided just after the word.

"stop!!!!" I screamed at top of my voice, trying to get the attention of the conductor of the bus that I nearly missed. I fixed the strap of my handbag which was slipping off my shoulder. I again call out to him, the bus is now picking up speed. The conductor finally noticed me and turn to the other side to relay my message to the driver. The bus finally came to an halt, screeching its tier.

I sprinted awkwardly to catch my bus, causing traffic to build up. As I hurriedly made my way towards the bus, I could feel the eyes of frustrated drivers on me. Finally, with a burst of energy, I managed to catch up to the bus just as it was about to pull away. Gasping for breath, I climbed aboard and felt a wave of relief wash over me. Taking a moment to compose myself, I found solace in the fact that I had made it in time because I don't want to get late on my very first day of internship.

As I walked down the aisle, scanning for an available seat, my eyes landed on an empty middle seat on the right side of the bus. With a newfound relief, I hurridely claimed the seat, deciding to take the window spot. The bus started moving, and as I settled into my seat, I couldn't help but feel a sense of nervousness of my first day.. The hustle and bustle of the city outside the window seemed to fade away as I leaned against the seat.

My life had been a total marathon since childhood. First, I ran in the race of becoming the topper, than in the race of aspirants and now for this bus. I turn to slide the window glass to let some fresh air in. the air carelessly messes with my hair which is not so well maintained. I lean my head against the window frame to see the outside world. The chatter of other students around me seems to fade away as I slowly get lost in my thoughts but the sudden vibration of my phone in my hand makes me come out of my mind. I presses the button to see a message pop up on my screen from my uh...dad. Without checking out the message, i closed my phone, letting out a breath of peace.

Things never been easy, never. Whenever I thought its over, it just all-over-again. I never had time nor energy to live my life like any other girl of my age who would want to experinece romance but the only thing I ever craved for was affection and that craveness of affection gradually converted into craveness of peave over the time. I embraced loneliness, trying to fill the void with another void. Shifting to a new city, away from my emotionally unavailable dad finally gave me a chance of embracing the real me.

You can heal with time but the scar of the fight that I had withtin me will be left as the reminiscence of the war that I never won.

I looked around in the bus, everyone is busy in their own world and there is this man who is across my seat in other row. He appears completely engrossed in a captivating novel, his disheveled hair artfully obscuring his face in an intriguing manner. The gentle rays of sunlight gracefully filter through the window, delicately illuminating the tousled locks that frame his visage. Clad in a pair of sleek black pants, a partially unbuttoned white shirt, and a pristine white hospital coat, his attire exudes a sense of effortless sophistication. It is a sight to behold, for even if he were to be seated in the luxurious confines of a Lamborghini, he would not possess the same magnetic allure as when he is lost in the pages of a book, completely absorbed in his own world, oblivious to the outside distractions of the bus. I was completely lost in my thoughts when our gazes unexpectedly locked. The intensity of his stare was so powerful that I couldn't tear my eyes away. Embarrassment flooded over me as I realized how long I had been staring. His pupil grew darker as he stares at me. I quickly turned my flushed face the other way breaking free from his invisible force. Only God knows from how long I've been staring at him.

I bit my lower lip, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over me as my first day got off to a less-than-ideal start. My face flushed with a deep shade of crimson, and I desperately wished I could find a way to disappear into this thin air. Avoiding eye contact, I couldn't summon the courage to meet his gaze again. Just as I was sinking deeper into my self-consciousness, a girl clad in a pristine white coat approached me "Can I sit here?" I startled. I lifted my gaze to find myself face-to-face with a girl. My eyes intantly went up to her attire. She had our college white coat on, maybe she is also an intern? I nodded my head with a friendly smile on my face. I grabbed my bag and shifted to corner giving her space to sit. She smiled genuinely and sat down beside me, putting her bag over her lap

After some mintues as we both got setteled in our seats, she spoke up. "I'm Sanjana Mehra and you?" she turned her head to face me. "I'm Mahak Verma" I replied with a smile. "Are you also an intern?" I asked, while looking at her. She nodded. "I'm so nervous, I just hope I get along with everyone else" it was clear from her words that she aint much of extrovert."don't worry everything will go smoothly even I'm also nervous" I said trying light up her mood. We both shared a lighthearted laugh, acknowledging the underlying anxiety we both felt.

We chatted briefly and swapped numbers. We were deeply engrossed in our conversation when our bus suddenly came to an abrupt halt. The screeching sound of the brakes filled the air, causing everyone to jolt in their seats. As I turned my attention back to Sanjana, a sudden commotion caught my eye. A frail elderly woman had just boarded the bus, coughing loudly and struggling to catch her breath.

Before I could fully comprehend the situation, a loud thud echoed through the bus, sending shockwaves of panic through my body. My heart skipped a beat as I watched the lady collapse, her frail body crumpling to the floor. "what happened to her?" Sanajana asked with terrified look on her face, the confusion and fear crosses everyone's face in the bus.

The bus driver parked the bus at side of the road to avoid creating any traffic. We both got up from our seat and made our way to the lady. She gasped for air, my concern evident as I knelt beside her. Her silence persisted, pain evident in her hisses. I licked my bottom lips nervously, desperately trying to think of a solution. The crowd of onlookers seemed hesitant, their indecision hanging in the air. I could sense their fear and uncertainty, but I couldn't let that deter me. "Can anyone assist me?" I inquired, scanning the faces of those around me, desperately seeking help. The room fell silent as the seconds ticked by, and I could feel the urgency mounting within me. They exchanged glances, their eyes filled with concern and uncertainty, but none stepped forward to offer their aid. The weight of the situation began to weigh heavily on my shoulders, and I could sense the gravity of the moment. "Someone, please call an ambulance!" Sanjana exclaimed urgently, her voice filled with a mix of fear and determination, as she dropped to the ground beside me, ready to do whatever it took to ensure the lady safety. The room erupted into a flurry of activity as people scrambled to find a phone, dialing the emergency number with trembling hands. The sound of their hushed conversations and frantic footsteps filled the air, a symphony of urgency and hope.

I gently grasp her hand, feeling her pulse with three fingers on her wrist. As I touch her delicate skin, I can sense the rapid and irregular rhythm of her heartbeat. The intensity of the moment weighs heavily on me as I murmur, "Her heartbeat is fast and erratic." Sanjana, who Is kneeled beside me, looks at me with deep concern, her eyes reflecting the worry that fills my own heart.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, I suddenly exclaim, my voice filled with urgency, "She's experiencing Ventricular Fibrillation!" The words hang in the air, echoing the fear that grips both Sanjana and me. In that moment, time seems to stand still as we grapple with the realization that this woman's life is hanging by a thread.

My eyes widen, mirroring the mixture of shock and desperation that courses through my veins. The weight of responsibility presses down on me as I wonder if I can provide the help she so desperately needs. My hands tremble involuntarily, a physical manifestation of the fear and uncertainty that consume me. My shoulder dropped low.

The guy who had caught my attention earlier approached us abruptly, gesturing the crowd to step aside. It was evident that he was the same individual engrossed in a book earlier. I turned towards him, intrigued by his intentions. As he knelt down beside the lady on the ground, his face became visible. In that instant, I couldn't help but be captivated by his profound, enigmatic black eyes. Without any hesitation, he calmly instructed us to perform CPR, "we have to perform CPR on her. The ambulance may take longer to reach because of the traffic. We cant risk her life over this". His gaze shifted between me and Sanjana, conveying the urgency of the situation silently. With flawless coordination, we acknowledged his guidance and prepared ourselves, relying on our training to approach the task with utmost professionalism and unwavering determination.

My eyes landed on her purse. Could I call someone from her family? Without hesitation, I grabbed the purse and opened it, searching for her phone. Unfortunately, her phone had a fingerprint lock. Desperate, I tried each of her finger. Time seemed to stand still as I anxiously pressed her fingers against the scanner, waiting for that elusive moment when the lock would finally give way. With each failed attempt, my frustration grew, but I refused to give up. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the lock clicked open, granting me access to the phone's interface.clicked on the contact labeled 'Raj' and dialed, holding the phone to my ear. After few rings someone answered the call -

"Hello Mausi ?" (In Hindi, your mom's sister is called as Mausi)

"Sir it's not your Mausi but I'm Dr. Mahak Verma, your-" i was cut off in middle with his sudden outburst of questions

"Who are you and where is my Mausi ?" He said in his deep serious voice.

"Sir, your Mausi just got a Ventricular Fibrillation in our bus-" he again cut me off in middle

"What ?!?! Where is your bus ? Is she okay ? Is her condition serious?" he scareamed over the phone. I could hear the hustle from his side.

I took a deep breath before answering him.

"Your Mausi's condition is serious, we are on our way to AIIMS hospital and don't worry she will be fine, we are conducting an Emergency CPR until the ambulance arrives."

Their was a long silence before he cuts the call.

"Is any of her relative coming?" Sanjana asked. "I don't know but her nephew is coming i guess, he cut the call without answering" i said." He may be on his way" she said i nodded "i also think soo". "I'm now starting CPR" that man said. Taking a deep breath, I mentally prepared myself for what was about to come. With a nod, I braced myself for my first real-life encounter with performing CPR.

He positioned his hands on her chest, counting aloud before exerting forceful compressions. Her unconscious state led to a nosebleed, prompting me to hastily clean it with my napkin. Fear caused my hands to tremble. "Don't worry she will be okay" that man said while looking at me. I gave him a small nod. We persisted with CPR, maintaining a professional demeanor for 10-15 minutes, never once wavering in our determination to save her life. The room was filled with tension and anxiety, our hearts pounding in our chests as we continued to perform the procedure. Every compression felt like an eternity, every breath held in anticipation of a response.

There is no sign of movement in her. "Is she okay?" I said, wiping her nose blood. Sanjana continues to rub the lady's hand to improve blood circulation. "We need to do an emergency surgery," he said, breathing heavily. Suddenly, sweat drop hanging at the end of his hair strand. the sound of an ambulance siren reaches my ears. "Maybe ambulance is here !" One of the student said. Some other interns ran outside to help ambulance know that the lady is in this bus, providing them with all the necessary details.

After successfully getting the lady inside the ambulance, ensuring her safety and well-being. With a mix of relief and concern, I attentively observed as the ambulance slowly pulled away, its siren fading into the distance. As the vehicle disappeared from sight. The weight of the situation lingered in my mind.

Suddenly, as I was lost in my thoughts, I felt a gentle touch on my shoulder, bringing me back to reality. Startled, I turned around to find Sanjana standing there, holding out my coat. With a tinge of sadness in my voice, I murmured, "Uh... it got wrinkled." In a similar fashion, Sanjana, wearing her own slightly creased coat, chimed in, "Mine did too. We were too pressed for time to search for another pillow." Letting out a weary sigh, I reassured myself, "It's alright, after all, we are doctors. It is part of our work" A sense of pride washed over us as we exchanged knowing smiles "welcome to the world of medicine !" she says excitedly.

After we entered the bus my eyes automatically searched for that guy who helped me. Sanjana noticed me standing at the entrance without moving. "Mahak come !!" She call out to me gesturing me to take my seat. I sat down beside her putting my bag on my lap.

After the bus started and we are again on our way to AIIMS Sanjana whispered to me "you were looking for that guy right ?" She said while raising both of eyebrow in a teasing way.

"No....." I said while looking forward trying to avoid the conversation but i can feel sanjana gaze on me. "It doesn't matter if you admit it or not i know what's going in your heart" sanjana said while resting her back against her seat, closing her eyes. You looked at her shockingly. "And what's going in my heart ?"

You said while raising an eyebrow but she didn't opened her eyes. "You already knew it girl now let me take some rest !" She said while folding her arms getting comfortable in her seat. I smiled looking at her."don't worry, he got a call so he had to leave with the ambulance as the ambulance is also going to AIIMS.". She said. "When i said I'm worrying for him ?" I asked her. She didn't answered she just smiled.

After boarding the bus, my eyes immediately scanned the crowd, searching for the kind stranger who had helped me earlier. It didn't take long for Sanjana to notice my hesitation and she warmly gestured for me to join her. Grateful for her invitation, I made my way towards her and settled down, leaning my back against the seat. Take in breath of relief after all the hustle.

After the bus started moving, Sanjana leaned in closer and asked in a hushed tone, "Were you searching for that guy?" With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she playfully raised both eyebrows. I attempted to deflect the conversation, quickly responding, "No..." However, I couldn't escape the intensity of her gaze fixed upon me. It was as if she could see right through me. "Whether you admit it or not, I can sense the emotions stirring within your heart," Sanjana uttered calmly, closing her eyes and adopting a composed, almost clinical tone. I looked at her shockingly. "And what's going in my heart ?"

I said, raising an eyebrow in a questioning manner. but she didn't bothered to look at me. She continued to keep her eyes closed. "You already knew it girl, now let me take some rest !" She said while folding her arms in front of her chest, getting comfortable in her seat. I also turned back, taking glance outside the window. His face remained fixed in my mind as if he is still infront of me."don't worry, he got a call so he left". She said in a reassuring tone. "When i said I'm worrying for him ?" I asked her. I know what she is trying to do. "You don't have to say that, it was clear in your eyes". She said. I could feel my cheeks turning hot.