9~ The Plan
ADHYAY
"You seriously are thinking to propose Akriti?
" Yash shrieked as I told him about my brand new plan of finally confessing my feelings for Akriti.
I mean why not? What's the worst thing that can happen?
She'll reject me right? That's it! If I don't tell him now then I'll have to see her getting married with that bastard of hers and I don't want to take the risk.
"Yup and I need your help", I said, playing with my pen while plotting how to make everything perfect for her. I don't want to overwhelm her by extravagant things but I don't want it to be simple either. It should be something calming, which mirrors my feelings for her.
"If I advise you, you'll beat my ass so nope, I won't help you especially when you are my wife's brother", Yash said and I groaned. Why does he always needs to pull Adrija in our matters? First she denied to help me and now he? I hate this couple, I swear. They are such a pain in the ass.
"But I am your best friend", I argued as I heard some commotion from the other side. I don't even comprehend how his clinic is so noisy!
"Look Adhyay, I can give you so many ideas but then don't say that how nasty I am", he warned and I choked on my own saliva. His brain definitely is in the gutter!
"I am asking ideas for a date not wedding night idiot", I rasped, rather angrily. I don't even want to know how these two end up doing things but they always mention it whenever I talk to them. There's is limit for being excited! How can they be so casual about it?
"How else do you think Adrija and I ended up together?
" He teasingly said and I disconnected the call.
I don't want to hear how these two consummated before their wedding, absolutely disgusting and they talk about it openly, not before our parents of course.
If Adrija's mother hears about her living with Yash before marriage, she'll get a cardiac arrest and her father?
He will kill Yash, so nope they never told them about this.
"Sir, you have a patient", the nurse announced with a knock. Trying to focus on my work, I allow the patient to come in. However, all throughout I was wondering how I should impress Akriti.
"Dr. Adhyay! How have you been?" My regular patient, Mrs. Rita Joshi chirped as she barged in my cabin with the nurse and her husband . I forcefully smiled at her and nodded.
"I'm fine Mrs. Joshi. How are you? Are you following the prescription?
" I asked, forwarding my palm, signalling her to sit on the chair.
She and her husband took respective seats and she nodded, gleefully.
I don't like this woman even a bit. As a doctor, I shouldn't be judgemental but she always pisses me off by taking her daughter's name.
"You are such an angel Dr. Adhyay! The medicines are working", she excitedly chirped and I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes. Why wouldn't they work? They have been developed after years of research and I already operated her tumour out.
"That's great, you just need to keep following the diet and the medicines, there won't be any problems if you do", I said. Looking at the nurse, I asked, "Did you get her EEG done?" She nodded and handed me her case file.
Checking upon her recent report, I mumbled, "Everything is getting back to normal.
Just follow the routine and we can now shift the appointments from every month to every three months".
Even though I wanted to happily dance about her recovery but I maintained my professional attitude.
I didn't wanted her to think that I dislike her visits but I do.
However, for my hospital, it's bad. We aim to give the best services.
"Every three months?" She asked, her tone full of uncertainty. I nodded and passed her the reports, trying to signal her and her husband that they can go now.
"Thankyou doctor Sahib. Our daughter was almost thinking that you are making a fool out of us", her husband said and my jaw literally fell on the floor.
His daughter was thinking that I was looting them?
Seriously? Do I look poor enough to fool them?
And who is his daughter? Just a MBBS graduate!
I have done my MBBS, post graduation and super specialisation from AIIMS Delhi!
"Haha newbies often think that", I mocked, fisted my palms. How dare she! How dare she question my treatment plan! How can she even question an accomplished doctor?
"She has done MBBS, how is she a newbie?" Mrs. Joshi asked with a smile, though it seemed taunting. I didn't wanted to be rude so I softly said, "Look Mrs. Joshi, to be an accomplished doctor, we need to do post graduation and then super specialisation from a recognised medical college".
Her mouth fell opened as she absorbed the newly fed information. I wanted to bash out at them but I maintained my calm. My mother always taught me to wound with wisdom and not anger.
"Doctor sahib, that silly girl doesn't knows anything about medical field.
We would be grateful if you help her", Mr. Joshi said and I internally groaned.
Not again! Why are they so adamant to get their idiot daughter married to me?
Every month, they twist the talks and end up asking for my hand for marriage.
I do understand that I am a handsome man with a decent salary but they need to understand that I don't want to marry their daughter.
We almost have a decade age gap and I already love Akriti!
There is no one who can replace Akriti from my heart.
My essence begins with Akriti and ends with her.
"Waise doctor Sahab, did you find a bride for yourself yet?" Mrs. Joshi asked and I groaned mentally. Not again! I don't really understand why everyone wants me to get married so desperately!
I nervously smiled and lied, "Y-yes, she is my long term girlfriend".
Even though I felt bad for lying, I just smiled.
I seriously don't want her to go to my mother and engage her with her sweet talks and ask her for my hand for marriage.
And like my mother is, she would straightaway agree when she hears that Mrs. Joshi's daughter is a MBBS graduate.
I saw Mrs. Joshi's smile flatter and she suspiciously looked at me. Before she could say anything, the landline rang and I wasted no time in picking it up, hoping it was en emergency. I needed to escape from the situation badly.
"Hello", I spoke on the phone, and saw the couple looking at me.
"Sir, it's an emergency. OT number 5", the nurse spoke and I took a breath of relief.
Finally! I masked my expressions with a fake sad look and disconnected the call.
Looking at Mr and Mrs. Joshi, I said, "Mrs. Joshi, from my side, there is nothing to be discussed about your situation for now.
Let's meet three months later. Please continue the medications and the diet.
I shall now go, I have a patient to attend".
The couple nodded providing me the much needed relief.
I swear I haven't met someone more infuriating than them.
How can they even think that I will marry their daughter?
I am no pedophile. How can someone marry a person ten years younger than him?
They did all of this in olden days but come on? Why does that nowadays?
───── ??☆?? ─────
I watched my hands clean after the successful emergency surgery.
The patient had a road accident with severe head trauma and five fractures but we managed to save him.
He is out of danger now. Looking at my injury, I sighed.
It's been a week since I last met Akriti, I haven't heard about her after that.
Ever since that day, I am making plans to propose her but it's not that simple.
Coming out of the changing room, I went back to my chamber but as usual there was a suprise waiting for me, my very own sister Adrija. I casted a bored look at her and grumbled, "What do you want? As much as I remember, I gave you your salary ten days back".
She huffed and stood up. Crossing her arms, she shrieked, "Do you think me of as a gold digger?"
I lazily sat down on my revolving chair and teased, "Then what else are you?"
She rolled her eyes but instead of a snarky remark, she excitedly chirped, "Nope, today I am here for something else. Do you want to know brother?"
"No, get out", I said and opened my laptop to work on the presentation for the next CME. She raised her eyebrows and teased, "What if I tell you that's its about your lady love?"
Hearing her, I instantly closed my laptop. With my heart pulsating faster than it should, I demanded, "What's it?"
She smirked, the audacity of her. But I let it go because it's about Akriti. As long as she has some good news, I am ready to ignore all of her stupid deeds.
"Well, we are going for shopping today", she said and sat down on the visitor's chair. My face fell and I grumbled, "What does it has to do with me?"
"That's the catch brother. I'll lie that I have an emergency patient and request her to wait in the hospital.
Meanwhile, you can casually walk in my chamber, acting like you were finding me and boom!
Talk to her sweetly and impress her", Adrija narrated her plan.
Though, the plan seemed good but is she sure about this?
Wasn't she the one who told me that she won't interfere between Akriti and I? And now she will lie to Akriti?
"Are you sure?" I asked seriously. She nodded and smiled like a Cheshire Cat. I blinked my eyes, looking at my sister. How can she even think of lying to Akriti? What if Akriti comes to know about her lie?
"Before you start with your lecture about lying, let me tell you that I seriously have a patient and I deliberately told Akriti that we can go at five in the evening.
If you agree, I'll ask her to wait or else, I'm cancelling the plan by saying that I have a busy schedule today", Adrija said.
I shook my head and then nodded. As long as I get to talk with Akriti, I am fine even if Adrija has to lie. One lie won't hurt right?
"Fine, call her and ask her to wait for you", I told and she clapped her hands. Jumping off her seat she hugged me, leaving me dumbfounded. My sister seriously needs psychiatrist to check up on her.
"Yayy! My brother is finally taking steps!
I know Adhyay that the day isn't far when you will wear a sherwani and take vows with Akriti.
Ohh! It will be so amazing that I am crying.
I'll buy the costliest lehenga for myself.
The groom's sister should look beautiful, right?
" She chattered and I facepalmed. I haven't even talked to Akriti in a week and she is already ready to buy a lehenga?
"Calm down Adrija, this is a hospital, not your circus!" I shriek shaking her shoulders. She glared at me, the shine in her eyes vanishing in a second.
"You are so ungrateful Adhyay, I am helping you, risking my friendship but here you are! You are such a meanie", she grumbled and I sighed. I know she wants the credits, she is such an attention seeker.
"Ji meri behen, thankyou so much for your help, I don't know what I would have done without you", I sarcastically retort and she sniffs. Making a pout, she said, "I am going, don't get embarrassed. I don't want my efforts to go in vain".
She angrily stomped her foot, not waiting for response and stormed out of my chamber.
I smiled shaking my head. No matter what, she is cute, my little sister.
She always helps me and I will make sure I do some actual conversation with Akriti and even hint that I love her.
Maybe, if she gets the signal, she will too ponder about my feelings for her.