Chapter 1
A beautiful black haired girl ran against the heavy downpour to reach her car after a tiring day in the hospital. The dimly lit street enhanced the radiance on her face, streaked by rivulets of rainwater. Her brown eyes shone in the moonlight.
While packing her bag, she had received a message from her mother that her parents, and uncle, and aunt would return late at night. She walked to the parking lot briskly to seek shelter from the rain.
As she was about to close the door of her car in the hospital's parking area, a sound made her turn her head.
"Hey miss, you are forgetful, I know, but, I'm shocked to learn that you can even forget your bestie," shouted Surbhi.
"Your company affects you, so you're the reason of my forgetfulness, and secondly, I thought it's your marriage anniversary so you might be going on a date with Akash. Now, hop in before I zoom past you," Saumya replied, smirking.
"So, how was the day?" asked Surbhi.
Smiling, Saumya said, "It was great. Tiring as usual, but great. I love how we get to help people. That feeling of accomplishment when you know that you made someone's day. It's indescribable yet blissful." Her eyes twinkled.
Her friend smiled.
"I agree. The satisfaction which comes with being a doctor is so joyous."
She turned to her friend. "What are your plans for the day? I mean, it's your marriage anniversary, right? Akash should take you on a date."
Surbhi's face fell and her lips parted in distress.
"Akash has a night shift today. Maybe tomorrow we will go out."
Saumya could sense that something was amiss. She was accustomed to Surbhi's chatter throughout their short ride home. Today seemed an exception as her friend silently stared out the window.
"What happened?"
"I don't know, Saumya. I have a feeling as if something is wrong. It's an intuition, you can say."
"Oh, so you have become a fortune teller, huh?"
Laughing, Saumya continued, "Don't think about it. I guess you're being paranoid. All is well. Don't worry, nothing's wrong."
Turning towards the right, the girls reached Surbhi's apartment.
"Bye, Surbhi. Everything is going to be okay." She tried to reassure her friend.
Saumya's eyes seemed to have constricted as she stared at her friend's retreating figure. The glow, which Endymion's lover bestowed upon her face, now faded.
"Everything is going to be alright Saumya. Don't be paranoid," she consoled her racing heart.
With newfound enthusiasm, she headed for her final destination for the night.
She dozed on the couch in the living room with a book in hand. That made it evident that she had fallen into a deep slumber while trying to pass time until her parents' arrival.
As her phone rang at midnight, her sleep was broken. It took her some time to realise that her phone was ringing.
"Hello," she said.
"Hello, Saumya this is Akash speaking. I am really sorry for what I am about to share..," said Dr. Malhotra, Surbhi's husband.
A beat of silence passed. In a matter of moments, the calmness of the night lost its beauty. Her mind raced with endless possibilities. What could have made Akash call her at such an odd hour.
"What happened Akash? Why are you silent? Please tell me what happened?"
"Saumya, it's about your dad. While returning from the event, he suffered a heart attack. This lead to a car accident as he was driving the car. We believe he might have experienced Angina Pectoris today as well which is an indication that the blockage causing Myocardial Infarction is severe. But since it has already caused a heart attack... We'll do as you command," finished Akash.
His speech was met with silence. She could feel her hands growing clammy as she stared in a daze. An array of memories seemed to swirl in her mind's eye as she sat on the couch. Every ounce of sleep and exhaustion evaporated in thin air. Her heart raced. Endless possibilities and scenarios raced through her mind. What if... No. They will be okay.
Sometimes, we give a sense of reassurance to our heart. Our mind knows that it's all fake. That the repercussions will be severe. But, we live in denial.
After regaining composure, Saumya told him to make arrangements for an immediate surgery after seeing the reports he had mailed her.
"Good morning, Princess," said General Shobhit Mathur.
"Good morning, Papa. How is your pain? Mumma told me you were having chest pain and couldn't sleep the whole night. You could've woken me up. You know your health is my priority. Is it any better? No, you come and sit on this couch. I'll check myself," said Saumya.
"Oh, it's alright, Princess. Go for your surgery scheduled at 8. If I feel uneasy, your mom will call you, because I know you don't believe me," replied Mr. Mathur.
"No, the health of every patient is important. Come and sit here," said Saumya unconvinced.
"Oh Princess, you go . Don't worry about a tough army officer like me. My limbs and body are still the same, powerful. Don't worry. I'll be alright," said her Papa trying to make her come around.
"Okay, but tell me if this happens again and drop by the hospital if you can. I have to run some tests," said Daddy's Little Princess.
The sound of honking the horn brought Saumya back from reminiscing the events of the previous week.
3 Years Later
It was a dimly lit room. Akash stood beside Saumya as Surbhi held her arm to support her. There was a table and chair which were empty.
"No...I will do it..." Saumya's voice trembled.
"But your hands are trembling..." Akash said.
Soon, she was out in a brightly lit corridor which had many chairs lined against the walls and many rooms on either side of the corridor. Within seconds, Akash came, and stood beside her.
"Saumya, your mom is no more. Uncle is no more. Chachu and Chachi are no more. Pia has a forehead injury and a fractured radius but it's not very critical," Akash declared with a heavy heart.
Panicked, Saumya opened her eyes.
It has been more than 3 years Saumya. Why do you still have this dream? Nothing is the same, but life must go on, if not for your sake then for Pia's sake. She is your responsibility.
Her musings were interrupted when an eight year old girl barged into her room. Wearing a cute pink pajama with white top, she looked her age. Her black innocent eyes stared cheerfully at Saumya. A smile etched on her fair face as she jumped up on the bed.
"Good morning, Baby Bear," Saumya greeted the girl, her Chachu's daughter Pia, with a smile.
"Good morning, Princess. You remember that you have to come to my school for the function, right?" The girl asked in her sweet voice.
Saumya could never stop herself from smiling as her Baby Bear called her how her Papa used to call her.
"Which function?" asked Saumya, while tapping her finger on her chin as if trying hard to remember. All she received was a hole burning glare, but it wasn't enough to make her relent. She tried hard not to laugh. Pia was exactly like her. It was Pia's antics which reminded her of her old self. Not being able to hold any longer, she burst out laughing just as Pia started punching her arm. Ever since that incident three years ago she had been Pia's only family and support system.
"Okay, baby, let's get you ready for school. I'll be there at 1 p.m." Saumya dragged Pia to her room.
"Freshen up, and I will prepare breakfast, okay?" said Saumya.
"Okay, Mommy," Pia replied sarcastically.
Saumya could only roll her eyes.
Pia's school bus arrived and she went to school. Waving her a goodbye, Saumya drove to the hospital, all the while struggling to push back the old memories which had resurfaced.
******
Surbhi reached a door in the modern white corridors of the hospital bearing the name plate -
Dr. Saumya Mathur
Cardiac Surgeon
Senior Resident of Department of Cardiology
Without much thought, Surbhi entered the cabin to be greeted by the familiar sight of her friend engrossed in reading a book of surgery. She always used to think if not for Pia, Saumya would definitely be a workaholic.
"Hey, how are you?" Surbhi asked.
Saumya looked up from her book and smiled on seeing her bestie.
"Hey, I'm fine," came her reply.
"You are not fine. Tiredness and sleepiness is etched across your face Saumya. You had another nightmare, right?" Surbhi said concerned.
"Yesterday was tiring, and I have to spend time with Pia too since she is alone all day. This leaves me with little time for rest. You know this very well, Surbhi. Don't think too much about it. Okay, tell me how are you now?" Saumya said.
"It was only food poisoning, I believe, because I vomited only once," Surbhi said.
"Still, please do run some tests, okay?"
"Well, stop worrying about me. I wanted to ask if you even opened the envelope I gave you," Surbhi questioned.
"No," came a monotonous reply.
"Saumya when will you get married? You can't hang onto your past. At least have a look at the envelope. You believe none of these men can be your husband? You have to enjoy your life too. Do you even remember you had a dream - a dream of researching in cardiology at AIIMS. You have to live your life," Surbhi tried to convince her bestie.
"I am enjoying my life with my lovely sister. I believe nothing goes as planned Surbhi, and some dreams are meant to remain dreams. I love my life. This is the reality. But, Pia is my baby. I can't just marry anyone. Just tell me, will any of these men love Pia like I do? Will any of them be ready to take her responsibility? Just answer me, Surbhi," Saumya said with watery eyes.
Her tired eyes looked for someone's understanding. Her lips seemed to follow their own rules as they parted. Her eyes twinkled with unshed tears. Surbhi's question was only met with silence.
"Surbhi, I have a patient coming up. I guess it's time you resume your job as a doctor too," Saumya said, reclothing herself in her strong demeanor.
Surbhi went out of her cabin, and entered the hall leading to her cabin.
Akash was in her cabin waiting to know how her operation marriage went. What he never expected was that she would enter the cabin with tears rolling down her eyes. Akash got up from the couch where he was seated and hugged her.
"Akash, she was never the one to hide things from me. Today, when I was talking to her it didn't feel like I was talking to a childhood friend. It felt as though I was talking to a distant stranger. She has forgotten that she had a dream too - a dream of researching at AIIMS New Delhi. I know you will argue that she is working in AIIMS, but what about the research work? She was halfway through it," pausing for a deep breath she continued, "She has closed off herself from everyone. She is not the Saumya I knew who was sarcastic and witty. She is no longer the girl who would talk like she has met me after ages. She, who was chirpy and talkative like none, that Saumya has gone. Today when I asked her about the proposals, she said that no one would be ready to take Pia's responsibility and love her as his own. She has to stop being so cynical. But it's not entirely her fault as well. Why Saumya was the one to lose everyone she loved? Why only she was made to suffer so much? Why Akash?" Surbhi said trying to control her overflowing tears.
She looked into Akash's glassy eyes, and hugged him even tighter.
"Don't worry, honey, we will do everything in our power to help her. She is my baby sister. I will never let her suffer," Akash said with determination.
