Oh God! It's so late. I hope Pia is alright with Surbhi- Saumya thought.

"Good evening, Ma'am," greeted Pihu.

"Good evening, Pihu. It's quite late already. You should get going." She continued, "Please tell your friend to let me know about the patient's vitals. I should go now."

Nodding, Pihu said, "Sure, Ma'am."

Pihu went out of the cabin after collecting all the necessary files. Picking her bag, Saumya followed suit.

Nodding politely at all the paramedics and nurses who greeted her, she finally reached the parking lot. The sky, with its low ceiling, greeted the tired girl.

Sighing, she said, "Finally, the day's over. Today was so tiring. I wish I could just go and lie down."

She turned around only to bump into someone. Her head was throbbing with pain and her eyes were tightly shut. Her forehead seemed to be lined with numerous folds. She opened her eyes only to come face to face with Akshit. He didn't seem affected by the sudden blow. Instead, he was staring at her. She couldn't stop herself from staring at him.

His eyes were tinged with a slight amber hue at the periphery. The soft skin around his eyes had turned dark. His hair was unkempt. A few brown strands rested on his forehead. His tie hung loosely around his neck. The sky blue shirt he was wearing, had a few buttons open. He didn't, however, seem to mind that.

He was unable to restrain himself from staring at her beautiful face. As always, her face wasn't covered with makeup. Her eyes were looking at him in a curious fashion. Her lips were mildly pink. It was evident that the dust and soil of work had made the lipstick fade. Her hair was tied in a messy bun. A few lose strands fell near her ears, framing her face. The beautiful diamond earrings she wore, were casting their twinkling light in the sapphire atmosphere. Her thick eyebrows shot up, clearly perplexed. Her long eyelashes only contributed to her beauty. Her eyes, with a reddish tinge, seemed to be adamant on making him lost.

All of a sudden, she felt a certain wetness on her head. Blinking, she was brought out of her trance. She looked up only to find that it had started drizzling. Until few years ago, she would have started singing at such an occasion. However, she couldn't bring herself to do it now.

Shifting awkwardly on her heels, she said, "Has Aunty gone already?"

Suddenly brought out of his reverie, he replied, "Yeah her flight was scheduled at 2 this afternoon."

"Do you know how to cook?" she enquired.

He only smiled sheepishly at her, clearly debating.

"It's alright, I understand. Come over for dinner, okay?"

"Uh you don't have to do this Saumya. I..."

"Come on. It's not a problem."

Why am I suddenly so worried about him? Talk about after effects of insomnia.

Smiling a little, she went towards her car. He stood there staring at her dark silhouette till it was reduced to a small dot.

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It was already five-and- twenty past 9. Saumya was staring at the clock in the living room. Her eyelids were heavy. She was sure that soon enough her eyes would droop shut. Pia had already slept in her room after having dinner. Even though Saumya should have regretted her decision, she could not bring herself to relent about her invitation.

The doorbell rang breaking the silence of the house. Shutting her eyes closed, Saumya willed herself to muster all the strength and go to open the door. Trudging along, she reached the door and opened it. There stood Akshit, a bouquet in hand, smiling.

"Come on in, Akshit."

"Thanks for having me over."

Looking at him, she said, "Oh please. We are friends, Akshit. You don't have to thank me over a small matter."

What has gotten into me?

"Oh how forgetful of me. Please take these flowers," he said extending the bouquet of roses.

Saumya, who never had any inclination towards such fair ostents of love, extended her hand to take it.

"Thanks for the bouquet. However, please don't bring one every day. I really love the flowers but the number of vases is limited," she said, smiling at her failed attempt to crack a joke.

Akshit walked inside while she stood there holding the bouquet. He was wearing a light pink t-shirt and blue jeans. Even though it was a casual attire she could feel herself staring.

"I will set the table. Please make yourself comfortable. Do you prefer watching television while eating?" she said, as she rummaged through the kitchen drawers.

"No, not usually. Where is Pia? Has she fallen asleep?"

"Yeah she was quite tired so she slept. Do you prefer spicy food?" she said looking up from the wok in which she had concocted the curry.

"I usually prefer spicy food but there can always be exceptions."

Nodding, she quietly poured the curry in a bowl. Just as she was about to pick it up, Akshit picked it and went to keep it on the table.

"Please, Akshit. You don't have to do this. You must be tired. You don't look well."

"You're tired too, aren't you? It's the least that I can do."

There was no more argument on the topic, as the two quietly set the table. Both of them sat down to have their dinner in absolute silence. The silence was comfortable and neither of the two felt the need to disturb it. Ocassionally, the two would steal veiled glances at each other.

"The food is great. You really are a great chef," he commented.

Even though in her entire life Saumya had never felt the need to be complimented, she somehow felt happy this time. Her lips curved into a smile. Looking at her plate, she said awkwardly, "Thanks but I am no chef. I am an amateur cook."

Smiling, he said, "You are too modest."

She looked up to be greeted by his chocolate brown orbs and an electrifying smile. Somehow, she could sense that he wasn't too good. His eyes were red with fatigue. His shoulders were slumped and his speech was a bit strained. "Maybe he is tired," she thought.

After finishing the dinner, Saumya picked up her plate and headed towards the kitchen. Akshit was still staring at his half empty plate.

She returned to see Akshit still staring at his food.

"I knew the food wasn't good. Would you like to eat something else?"

It took all the strength he had to say, "No." His voice was heavy laced with anguish.

Keeping her hand on his shoulder, she questioned, "Are you alright?"

"I am alright," he said in a strained and deep voice.

She was now convinced that he wasn't alright. A sudden emotion erupted through her heart. Trying to pay no heed to her racing heart and sweaty hands, she rested her fingers on his wrist. After counting his pulse, she said, "You have fever Akshit."

She rested her palm on his forehead. She could feel the heat emanating from his body. She didn't seem to take note of the proximity between them.

Gently removing her hand, he said, "I am alright, Saumya. It's just normal fever."

Saumya felt the urge to retaliate. In a slightly agitated tone, she said, "Fever is not normal, Akshit. I am bringing a paracetamol and some cold water and cloth. You come with me."

Holding his arm firmly, she tried to make him get up. It was difficult to make him stand against his will. For the first time, Saumya realised how stubborn he was.

With knitted eyebrows and fuming nostrils, she said, "Get up Dr. Akshit Aggarwal. You have no choice."

Finally, he got up. Since the only rooms on the ground floor were Pia's and hers, she had no other option but to take him to her room. Making him lie down on her bed, she instructed, "I will be back soon. Close your eyes and take rest. Don't get up from the bed."

She walked out of the room leaving him alone. He could feel a throbbing pain in his head. He wanted to shut his eyes but he was feeling hot. The temperature must be wearing down - he thought. He couldn't fall asleep so he decided to look around. He observed how her room had light blue walls. There was a large bookshelf, piled with books, lined up against the wall. There was a window to the right of the bed. Right beside the bed was a study table. He couldn't help but wonder, "She is such an organized feisty girl. I have never seen her being bossy. Why would she act all bossy?"

His musings were interrupted as she entered the room. Handing him a paracetamol and a glass of water, she stood near the bed, staring menacingly at him. He had no choice but to obey. She made him lie down and kept a cold cloth strip on his head. The cool feeling which crept through his forehead, relaxed the burning heat he was feeling, as sleep engulfed him.

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