Chapter 18: Chapter 18

*Palak Pov*

Am I really doing the right thing? I thought again, even while packing up my things. I don’t know why, but after I made that decision two weeks back to shift to Mumbai, I felt the need to ask myself again and again whether I really need to be doing this.

Yes! I want to be close to him, but then again this is my life too which I settled for myself. But then again, my Dad had a hand in this and that extra thought is pushing me more towards the shift.

“Have you packed everything?” Tina asked, finishing her work and walking towards me along with Veer.

“Yeah! Was it fine to handle those patients?” I asked, glancing at the files I passed to them.

“Kind of! It was a good thing that you informed them ahead. We all know they generally don’t like to change their consultants. Anyway, we will be getting a new doctor soon and that will help us more.” Veer replied instead of her.

“I still can’t believe that you were selected to send to the main hospital. They never touched you before and this time they chose you for a long term too.” Tina sighed with a worried look.

“I know you want this too because it will bring you closer to your boyfriend. But still let me whine…” she added before I can open my mouth.

“Try to come back after finishing the term. But you will not if you get married, right?” Veer was talking to himself more than to me with the way he is just going on with the topic.

“Married?” Tina and I asked him at the same time.

“Do you know something that I don’t know? You guys are hiding something from me?” she asked looking at us.

“No! I am just talking in a general sense. We all know how serious she is when she started dating itself as she was completely against it. And I think he is also serious about her with the way you are even shifting to be near him. So, the next step will be marriage, right? Or you never thought about it?” he asked, frowning at us.

We both stared at him in shock. Since when did he start having a good opinion about him in the first place? I glanced at Tina and I can see that even she has the same doubt.

“I think talking about marriage is a long stretch.” I whispered, smiling at him and he gave a nod before we changed he topic.

“So, how will you leave today evening? Did you book the train or will he come?” Tina asked, walking me out of the room with my stuff.

“He said he will come. I need to go home and finish packing my remaining stuff at home for movers too.” I replied, smiling, and it slipped when I saw Senior walking into his cabin.

“I will go and talk to Dr. Rohit.” I added, nodding at them before rushing towards his cabin, but paused near the door whether to go in or not.

“You can place them here, Dr. Palak. It will be easy for you.” One of the nurse gestured the chairs and promised to look after them.

“It’s okay! Can you open the door for me?” I asked her coming out of my thoughts, knowing well I will never be able to open it myself and I am glad to have this box as an excuse to ask someone else to do it.

“Yes?” he glanced up hearing the knock, but immediately paused when he saw me standing there.

“Palak!” he whispered while I walked towards the table and calmly placed the box on it.

Before I can open my mouth, my phone started ringing and I immediately lift it, feeling it as another excuse because I don’t have any idea about what to say.

“Palka? I don’t think I will be able to come and get you today. I have a sudden shooting during lunch and it may stretch.” I frowned hearing David’s voice.

“But I didn’t book any train or a cab. You didn’t know about this before? I will think of something.” I mumbled at the end.

“I will take you there. I need to go to the main hospital today for some work too.” Senior offered hearing my words and I immediately panicked.

How can I spend these few hours in his presence when everything changed drastically this way? Before I would have been more than fine, but not now and maybe in the future but definitely not now.

“Who is that?” David asked and that brought me out of my shock.

“It’s Dr. Rohit! I am in his cabin to have a word with him.” I replied in a whisper and he went silent for a few seconds and before I can cut the call he started talking.

“I will be there for some time and just wait for me. You need not go to hospital tomorrow, right?” asking that he kind of surprised me and after I said yes, he hung up.

“My boyfriend said he will come and pick me up.” I mumbled dropping my phone into my bag.

“I know he will. And I really don’t have any work at the main hospital, but just wanted to make him come here for you.” He said shaking his head while I stared at him in surprise.

“What do you mean, Sen… Dr. Rohit?” I asked and he gave a surprised look with my words too.

“It’s Mr. David, Right? I saw the way he was jealous about you and I felt he will definitely come here if I offer you to drive to the Mumbai.” He replied and this time I stilled.

“How?” I asked, feeling completely confused regarding how he found about that.

“I had a feeling when he was injured and you took care of him and I kind of guessed too, because I found you different in his presence.” He explained and I don’t know what else to say.

“Thanks for this help for making me shift to this hospital.” I mumbled after a few minutes while he sighed.

“I didn’t do anything this time. They wanted you there last year itself, but I blocked it and this time I didn’t. But I want to ask you something.” He mumbled clearing his throat.

“Why didn’t you opt for shifting completely and just to be a transfer doctor? They would have been fine to hire you completely.” He asked frowning.

“Because… because I am still comfortable to be here rather than some other place. I know I will be fine to come back here after some time if I want to in future and I don’t want any new complications and wished to have the power to come here whenever I feel good about everything.” I explained staring at him.

“I am sorry to make you feel that you need to go away from this place.” He apologized again.

“I am sorry for not being more understanding about this situation. I could have stayed here itself, but this time I don’t want to stress myself much.” I apologized back because I can’t ignore the fact that he clearly cared for me no matter how it started.

****

I sighed, sitting on the floor after sending the movers away. I tried to make them leave this place as late as possible.

But Satish already assured me that he will handle the luggage somehow even if I don’t reach there by the time they reach the place I am shifting to.

I closed my eyes, waiting for him and opened them in shock hearing the footsteps. He entered the bedroom looking completely tired and just stared at me.

“I thought it would take some more time.” I mumbled, staring at him without blinking at all.

I know we talked to each other frequently but I missed looking at him directly like this. This is another benefit for shifting closer to him as I can meet him whenever I want to.

“I rushed here immediately after the shoot and took leave from company for the evening.” Saying that he walked closer before sitting beside me leaning on the wall.

“Were you fine to make those movers take care of everything?” he asked removing his tie and unbuttoned the top ones.

“I was fine! But what happened to you?” I asked, frowning at him after getting to see his face from near.

“Why?” he asked, frowning back.

“You look completely tired right now and are those black circles. How did you shoot like this?” I asked, placing my palm on his cheek while tracing the dark circles under his eyes.

“I managed with makeup and they will manage with photoshop. And I may look worse right now because I drove here.” He replied, closing his eyes and leaned into my touch.

“Let’s move! We can reach early morning if we start now.” he added yawning and shifted to get up, but I took hold of his hand to stop him.

“You need to take proper rest right now and we will just have our dinner too. We can start in the early morning itself.” I proposed and he kind of looked like he wants to do that too.

“But we can’t go to a hotel right now. I didn’t bring my mask at all.” He mumbled frowning.

“It’s okay! I will order something for us and we can stay here. I already have one blanket with me and I cleaned the floor properly after they took the furniture.” He sighed before nodding.

We finished our dinner with him discussing about his work while I calmly listened to him and he didn’t ask about what I talked to Senior and I didn’t tell him too.

“You came to me because you didn’t want me to feel stressed to share the journey with him, right?” I suddenly asked because I can’t accept Senior’s logic at all.

“Hmm… yes!” he whispered before finishing his dinner and we packed the trash properly.

“I still don’t understand why you want to stay at ladies PG. You can just shift into my place.” He asked again and he was asking that question from the moment I told him about my plan last week.

“You stay at a hotel, David.” I pointed out.

“I will look for a new place like this and we both can stay together.” He gestured around and I sighed.

“I don’t know! It feels different to even think about staying in one place with you in Mumbai. I know we already stayed together here, but it doesn’t feel same.” I explained and he just shook his head.

“And we are just dating. If press finds out about us living together, it will be trouble for you.” I added and this time he didn’t push the topic.

We both laid down and I spread the blanket over us. I tried to make sure it is covering both of us before closing my eyes and it’s a good thing that the fan doesn’t belong to me otherwise we wouldn’t be able to stay at all.

However, he started moving without drifting off into sleep making me open my eyes and turn to lay on my side to stare at him.

“What’s wrong?” I frowned, but he continued to shift before sighing.

“I want a pillow.” He replied, making me chuckle.

“I just kept this blanket thinking I have to wait for long. I should have thought about pillow too.” I mumbled teasing him while he just rolled his eyes.

“I will try to adjust. You just go to sleep.” Saying that he closed his eyes but continued to move showing his discomfort and I just stared at him.

“Here!” I mumbled shifting my hand to spread it before tapping on it.

“You want me to use your hand as a pillow?” he asked, realizing what I was trying to say.

“Why not?” I asked back shifting a little to make it possible for him to move his head.

“You need to have a good sleep to drive us back. Or else we can just hire someone.” I added and he finally followed my words, but turned to lay on his side.

“Let me know if your hand hurts.” Saying that he closed his eyes while I continued to stare at him.

After a few minutes he again shifted, but this time to move closer to me without opening his eyes and I placed my free hand over him smiling and he followed the suit.

“I don’t know why, but whatever troubles I face just disappear when I spend time with you.” He whispered in a faint voice and it looks more like he is sleepy and not completely conscious.

“I am glad to know that. Even I feel good to talk to you after work.” I whispered, moving my hand to caress his face.

“But I wish you don’t get tired this much because of your work.” I added pressing my lips to his forehead and he snuggled more into my arms.

“Then just get married to me.” Saying that he drifted off into sleep while I stayed awake, not able to make out of his words whether he is serious or not.

But am I really ready to even think about all that? I shook my head before patting his back and he gave a soft snore and didn’t wake up after that until I woke him up to leave.

****

“Just stop somewhere the moment you feel sleepy.” I added again after we left my place three hours back.

“Sure! And you can sleep if you want. I know you couldn’t sleep at all because of me and packed everything by yourself too.” He pointed out.

“It’s okay! I will sleep at my new place.” I assured him.

“What new place? Do you know that gents are not allowed to that PG? Did you purposely take it instead of the flat like before?” he asked scoffing.

“You are really angry about this, aren’t you?” I asked, smiling and he just gave a silent treatment after that.

“Fine! If there is a house like I was staying and under the budget I am looking for then I will shift there immediately.” I promised realizing even I don’t want to stay in some hostel with all restrictions.

“Send a message to Satish to shift.” His words made me frown.

“Don’t tell me you already found a place. Why didn’t you tell me? You know how hard I tried to find a place like that? And you didn’t help me at all.” I accused him and he gave a guilty look but I immediately messaged Satish.

“It is near to Satish’s place and he thought you wouldn’t like it. He told me just yesterday when he went to check the hostel you were going to stay and gave a list of restrictions to me.” He shook his head.

“So, I should actually thank him.” I mumbled sending another message thanking him.

“You can just thank me. He is my manager after all.” He pointed out while I just rolled my eyes.

Somehow he managed to drive continuously with one break to Mumbai even though I tried to make him stop a few times but he didn’t budge.

“Is this area fine?” he asked, stopping the car near a two story building.

It will be far from the hospital, but it’s fine I guess. And I don’t think I can take his whining anymore about the place I am staying too.

“What about my furniture?” I asked getting out.

“It’s already done and here is the keys.” I turned to see Satish walking towards us.

“Thank you so much. It was a good decision of mine to support you from the beginning.” I said, smiling at him while he just shook his head.

“You mean that you didn’t support me at all?” I ignored him but couldn’t help but smile at his whining because of my words.

“But seriously, thanks for taking all this effort to help. It must have been a huge trouble.” I added, but he cleared his throat while glancing over my shoulder.

“He paid me extra for all this. So, don’t worry about it. I already paid advance for this and the Hostel gave back the advance too. That amount was enough for it. And I paid the movers with the money you transferred.” He explained the details without pausing.

“You took money from her to pay movers? Why didn’t you ask me?” David asked, stepping forward, but I stopped him using my hand.

“He was helping me and he needs to listen only to me regarding that.” I pointed out before glancing at Satish who is slowly backing away.

“I will take my leave then. I already got the groceries, but just basic ones with the rest of the money you sent.” He continued and walked away before David can say anything else.

“You are so lucky to have a manager like that.” I commented while staring at David’s face.

“He is lucky to be a manager for me. You don’t know what and all works other managers do.” He scoffed while I just smiled at him.

“Want to take some rest before leaving?” I asked, taking out my bag from the car but he took it from my hands calmly without saying a word.

I took a deep breath and opened the gate, hoping I need not meet anyone and introduce myself today. To top of that he still doesn’t have any mask and it is better if we don’t get into trouble the day I shifted to this place.

We both finally reached the second floor and unlocked the door. However, I paused for a second before taking a step inside.

“What’s wrong?” he asked frowning.

“This will be my home from now on, right? I am feeling nervous right now like always.” I replied, taking a deep breath.

“Not for long.” He calmly whispered while I gave him a questioning look.

“Are you okay now?” he asked, holding my hand and we both walked inside after I took another deep breath.

I checked everything and this place is kind of more spacious than the last one but not much. He just walked into the bedroom while I glanced at the bag on the table.

I smiled looking at the breakfast before following him only to find him lying on the bed. I took out my brush before stepping inside the washroom only to pause in surprise.

“Did you tell him to buy all these too?” I asked from the door and he just shrugged without giving any response.

“Don’t tell me you are going to hijack my place and that’s the reason for this change.” I mumbled raising my eyebrow.

“Are you going to block my entrance?” he asked, lifting himself up using his elbows.

“When I couldn’t do it at the place where I had complete power, what can I do at this place where you have complete power?” I asked back and he immediately sat up.

“So, you will listen to everything I say?” he smirked while I gave him a sincere nod.

“Of course! Now, brush your teeth and have the breakfast Satish brought for us.” I ordered before turning around to brush my teeth.

“I should have known better.” He grumbled and I chuckled at his reaction.

****

“You are going to get a television and I will not accept any other answer.” He commented staring at the ceiling like me.

After breakfast, I covered the bed with the covers and the put on the curtains. He even helped me with arranging my clothes in the closet.

We even had our lunch, but now we are lying on the bed idle while staring at the ceiling. It seems he is finally bored with just lying down like this and I don’t blame him.

He was working non-stop all this time and today he took leave for my sake. Now, he is getting the after effects for it.

“Sure! But you will be paying for it and even the monthly subscription will be paid by you.” I mumbled, turning on my side to stare at his profile.

He followed my suit to stare back at me saying, “Are you not bored?”

“Sometimes! But I am not bored right now. When will we have this free time again? I will be busy with settling in the new place and you will have your own work.” I pointed out.

“Then what shall we do together?” he whispered shifting closer and I didn’t move away from his proximity.

“You are looking better now. Have a good rest even today.” I traced his face, but he took hold of my hand stopping my moments.

These few months I felt a distant feeling from his side, but from yesterday it was like earlier. I guess it was all because of his busy schedule and I thought too much about it.

He shifted more before pressing his lips to mine and I kissed him back without any hesitation. He gave a surprised look, but didn’t stop his moments.

Everything is going to be fine now and his gestures removed all the doubts I had before shifting back here. Maybe I can start thinking about our future too, and next time I will try not to ignore his question if he brought it up.

*Satish Pov*

“Ms. Palak!” I called after her the moment she walked out of the gate to leave.

“What are you doing here?” she asked in a surprise tone.

“I am here to drop you at the hospital.” I replied, gesturing the car David sent me with to drop her properly and also to give whatever information she needs.

After one year, I still don’t know what is he thinking regarding this situation. All I can do is to follow his orders and hope to have a good ending for everyone.

“You shouldn’t have. I already found about what bus to take.” She mumbled clearing her throat.

“Still! It’s your first day and he had to leave for work early because of his absence yesterday. So, let me do this and he will feel good.” I explained and that actually made her accept this.

However, she sat in the passenger seat and thanked me again for managing everything for her yesterday. She talked about the areas we were passing and how they changed in her view.

“Before last visit, how many years was it since you visited this place?” I asked when we stopped at the red light.

“Two years! Even before that I stayed at college hostel and I was clearer about the areas near to that and my home. I don’t know many places and mainly this part of the city, but I kind of researched some.” She explained.

“You told me the area, but not the hospital.” I asked when we were about to reach the bridge she asked me to drop her.

“You just drop me here. I don’t think it’s a good idea to join for work in this celebrity car.” she replied and I know she is right because it will attract more attention than normal one.

After she got down, I repeated my question about the hospital. She calmly told me the name and walked off while I sat stunned after hearing the name.

I drove directly to his company and immediately reached his cabin after waving at his secretary only to find him talking to someone using the phone.

“They already gave you a VIP patient? Seems like you had a good resume.” He joked while I gestured him to cut the call.

“You need not show resume for this job? Why?” he asked and I repeated my action.

“Wait! I will call you later. And I hope that patient is not like me.” After he hung up with a chuckle, he threw an irritated look at me.

“What happened to you?” he asked frowning.

“Do you know the hospital where she is working?” I asked frowning back at him.

“No! Should I know?” he asked, raising his eyebrow.

“It’s the same one from where you got yourself shifted to Lonavla’s branch. And it is just ten minutes from this company too.” I replied and he stared at me in shock.

“How could you not know where your girlfriend is starting her work?” I asked shaking my head.

“There was no reason to. Wait! Where is my brother?” he asked, rushing out of the cabin, passing me and I followed him to his brother’s cabin only to find it empty.

“He went to what?” he asked, raising his voice.

“Physiotherapy! He had a morning session today, but will have an evening one from tomorrow onwards.” His brother’s secretary answered while he just rubbed his forehead.

“What should I do?” he asked, glancing at me when his secretary informed him about the meeting.

“Before that think about what you were doing until now.” I whispered and saw him walking towards the meeting room with too much in his head.

His work increased more because of the recent promotion, but all these new things happening will cause too much trouble for sure.

*Third Person Pov*

“You already know my answer to that, Harsha.” He stated towards the question his doctor is repeating again.

“I have done everything as your friend until now. But I can’t continue this without you bringing any guardian with you.” Doctor stated and this time he doesn’t seem like he will budge.

“I will just go to another hospital then.” He said shrugging.

“Sure! Then the next moment your family will get a call.” Doctor pointed out and sighed, checking the details of the new doctor again.

“You already made three of my doctors give up on you with your stubbornness. I am going to assign a new one and she just transferred to this place. I hope you will not make her run back to her old hospital. And she will be having complete information about you this time.” He added closing the file.

“Why? Why should she know?” he asked, frowning, not liking the fact that someone else will know about this.

“That’s how she works. She needs to know everything and she will give the best therapy based on that.” Saying that Doctor called the front desk to send the new doctor.

He stilled when he saw the new doctor who entered the cabin and when Ravi called her name, it’s confirmed who she is. Why does it have to be her? Is this also a plan where he just became a pawn right now? Do they want me to get involved no matter how much I am protesting.