"Di where are you going?"

Hearing her sister's voice, Saumya turned around.

"I am going to the hospital," she replied, exasperated.

"But why Di?"

"I told you Esha. It's an emergency."

"But Di it's already 10 at night. How are you planning to go. It's unsafe to go alone."

Rolling her eyes, Saumya said, "It's not the first time I am going late at night. Moreover, girls are not weak. Remember, we learned Tae- Kwon- Do in school."

"But..."

"I am hearing no more of it. I will lock the house and take the spare key. You sleep in your room."

With a flaring nose and frowning face, Esha stared as her sister turned around and locked the door.

"Hello... Are you ready?" she whispered into her phone.

"Aye aye Captain," a deep masculine voice replied from the other side.

-----------------------

"Saumya, where are you going all alone?" She could very well recognise the voice just about anywhere. However, this was unusual. She was in the garden of her own home. How was it possible?

"Chachu," she whined, "I am going to the hospital. I have a night shift. I can go alone. I lived alone in the UK."

"You are not going alone anywhere. Wait, I will drop you."

"But..."

Raising his hand, he continued, "Call me when your shift is over."

Rolling her eyes, Saumya mumbled, "I am not a baby."

"Did you say anything?" Chachu asked while glaring.

A gush of wind swept her hair on her shoulder sideways. A sad sigh escaped her lips. A sad longing tugged at her heart. Standing in front of her home's door, she was chiding her heart for being so miserable. Leaving every feeling behind, she started walking towards her car.

"Hey, Saumya, where are you going?" Akshit's voice made her look around.

Standing on the street, he was waving at her. It had been three days since they had talked. Even during dinner each day, Akshit was busy answering Esha's questions.

She shouted, "Hospital. There's an emergency."

"I will drop you," he proposed.

"It's alright. Don't fret about it. I'll go."

Somehow her heart fluttered at his proposal. She had, however, grown used to controlling her temptations. Decorum wouldn't permit this.

"Oh please, I can always help a friend."

Her heart skipped a beat. So he truly considered her as his friend.

Stop it, Saumya. You have never been like this- she mentally scolded herself.

"What if the friend is not in need of help?"

"To offend and to judge are distinct offices; and in their nature opposite," he said with his signature lopsided grin.

Huffing in defeat, she said, "Take my car."

"Okay and yeah call me when you're done," he said grinning.

The two sat in the car as the car zoomed out of the driveway.

A song was playing on the stereo. It was a soulful song.

Gali mein aaj chaand nikla,

Tum aaye to aaya mujhe yaad,

Gali mein aaj chaand nikla.

Staring out of the window, she was singing without any gloss of manner as if enchanted. The sky, the stars; all seemed to talk to her. She was so relaxed. She felt like a free bird.

Akshit turned his head towards her as soon as a soft and melodious treble entered his ears. He was staring at Saumya. She looked so beautiful as she stared out and sang carelessly. She had no cares and worries. For the first time, he had seen her so calm and happy from inside. His heart was happy to see her enjoying her life.

Yeh naina bin kajal tarse,

Barah mahine badal barse,

Ki rab se yahi fariyaad,

Gali mein aaj chand nikla.

To Akshi,t it seemed as if she was singing this song for him. It felt that they were meant to be here. They were meant to enjoy this moment. A strange feeling had crept in his heart. His heart was racing with each passing second. He felt a sudden urge to hug her.

The song came to an end breaking Saumya's trance. Her imbecile heart realised what she had been doing. A blush crept up to her cheeks as she realised Akshit's stare.

Averting his gaze, he said, "You are a great singer. You could have been a successful singer. Why study so hard?" Playfulness was evident in his tone.

"Singing is as much a part of me as is surgery."

Smiling he said, "So you seem to like this song. Any specific reason?"

One of the major things he had learned so far was that, Saumya would only answer when asked to. He was curious to know how a person who denied that she liked singing was forced to sing. Which spell had been cast on her?

"Actually I like soulful songs so..." she stuttered.

Nodding, he asked, "So you like singing?"

With widened eyes, she said, "Nope."

"Your act states otherwise."

"I like listening to melodious songs."

"I don't believe you. Only a trained classical singer can sing this song so well."

Sighing she said, "I am a trained classical singer."

"Wow! So any favourites?"

"Uh no."

"What a bummer! Why?"

With an abashed smile, she said, "It's been a long time since..."

Hearing her words, he felt hurt and guilty. He felt that he should have prevented this from happening.

Akshit be pragmatic. You met her three weeks ago. Why are you feeling guilty? his mind reasoned.

"Akshit... Akshit," she called out.

"Yeah sorry. So we have reached eh? Call me when you're done."

"No need Akshit. I will ask Pihu to drop me."

"Does Pihu have a night shift?" he asked with a knowing smirk.

Realising her blunder, she said, "Yes sometimes."

"I know you're lying. Just call me."

With an embarrassed smile, she muttered, "I'm not a baby. I can go alone."

As she turned around, he spoke up, "Always remember Saumya, you can call me anytime for help. We're friends and friends have each other's back."

Nodding, Saumya turned around. Her heart was filled with gratitude. For the first time, she felt her mom's words were true. There was someone whom she could rely on.

----------------------------

As Akshit reached home, he found Esha standing at the door.

"So how did it go?" she asked.

"It went well, I guess."

Esha wiggled her eyebrows as he shook his head.

"Aww you're blushing," she said smiling. "Okay I won't tease you. Tell me what happened?" she said with a serious countenance.

"I told you nothing happened. By the way, thanks for your help."

"Boys are so difficult," she said while shaking her head.

"Okay then bye."

"My words had no impact on you. Are you human?" she said.

Smirking, he asked, "Did you say anything?"

In a deadpanned tone, she said, "Good night. You should sleep now. It's quite late."

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