The room was brightly lit. It had a three-tier bunk bed on the right, whereas three closets rested against the left wall. The walls were a tint of pastel and adorned by various murals depicting a forest. There was a door in front.

She was standing near the window, viewing the scene in front of her. Turning around, she faced the window. A cool breeze caressed her cheeks and her hair strands danced with the breeze. It was like a breath of calm in a turbulent sea. The mild afternoon rays fell on her angelic face. She desperately wanted to talk to someone. Taking out her phone from her pocket, she called her best friend.

"Hello Surbhi. Long time, huh? How's everyone there?"

"Everyone is fine here. How are you? Your semester is over, right? Please come here. Everyone misses you here."

"I want to come too but I am planning to do an internship this summer. That would give me extra credits here."

Sighing, Surbhi replied, "Okay, whatever you feel is right. You know, yesterday Pia said her first word- Mumma."

"Aww I really want to meet her but..."

"Your studies are more important. Don't worry you can always meet her after the fall semester."

Humming in response, Saumya said, "So how are your studies going?"

"The usual fretting about before a deadline. All of us have decided to do group study this semester."

"That's a great idea."

Humming, Surbhi questioned, "Why are you so silent?"

"Well it's not necessary to keep on babbling always, is it? But this time you're right. I'm fed up of James and his cronies."

"What did he do this time?"

"He came along with his girlfriend and cronies in the basketball court. I was playing with Aashi and Sam. Standing in front of me he started begging me to be his girlfriend."

With rising anger and louder tone, she continued, "I turned around to leave. Liza, who had been clinging to his arm since the beginning, said, 'Oh don't worry, James. She doesn't deserve you. She is such an ugly fat slob.' My anger reached its zenith. No one has ever dared to insult me in public."

Saumya's voice boomed like a quake as she continued, "Turning towards her, I looked at her defiantly. I said, 'Hey Sam, have you ever seen a sumo? Because there's one standing in front of us who is clinging to James' arm.'

Surbhi gasped audibly as the two girls burst out laughing.

"I am used to handling such bitches and jerks but what irks me is that all such people only seem to trouble me."

"Well, you surely insulted her in front of a huge crowd. I am glad I never got on your bad side."

"Well, Surbhi, this treatment is reserved for those who get on my worst side. It was good to let it out though."

"Uh hey can I call you back later?"

"Akash has come, hasn't he?" Saumya asked, smirking.

She could almost feel her friend blushing.

"Yeah we are going to watch a movie."

"What?!" Saumya squealed. "He asked you out and you didn't bother to tell me."

"I have told you this umpteen times, Saumya. Please can talk less loudly. My ears may bleed any minute. Why do you always talk so loudly?"

Shrugging, she replied, "That's how my voice is."

"Ugh, please try to speak in a low volume."

"Okay, Aunty," Saumya replied in a sweet and soft voice.

"I am not an Aunty," Surbhi shouted, outraged.

"Well you wanted to listen to my sweet voice but it's only reserved for an Aunty so..."

"Okay bye. Akash is at the door."

Smiling mischievously, Saumya said, "Don't forget to use protection."

She could imagine her friend's cherry red face.

"Oh shush. We are only going to watch a movie. Now, bye."

"Bye."

Saumya sat up on the bed with a jerk. Cold sweat was dripping down her cheeks. She was in her room which was dimly lit by the sun rays.

Saumya it was all in the past. You should stop reminiscing about the past. Now, get up and get going.

With this, she willed herself to stand.

_______________

She had just gotten out of the Operation Theatre when her phone started vibrating. Washing her hands in the attached washroom, she took out her phone.

Surbhi calling.

"Hello Surbhi."

"Hi. Are you in the hospital?"

"Yes, of course. Why are you asking this?

"Actually since Akash returned yesterday, he suggested that we should go and watch a movie. It has been so long."

"Why do you want me to be the third wheel? You are a couple. Go ahead and enjoy yourself."

"No, I mean..."

Rolling her eyes, Saumya said, "I don't have a date. Now, if you're done, I need to meet a patient to discuss about the surgery."

"Please, Saumya. Just one more time. Akshit can be your date."

Startled, Saumya replied hurriedly, "Woah no. We are not going on a date."

"Please Saumya. Please just this once."

"But what will I say to Akshit? 'Hey Akshit, let's go on a movie date.'"

"Of course, Saumya."

"No Surbhi, that's not going to happen."

"Please do it for us, Saumya. Please. I won't pester you for anything ever."

Huffing, she replied, "I highly doubt that but okay."

Surbhi squealed making Saumya cover her ears.

"Surbhi, I may turn deaf."

"Oops sorry! Okay so I will message you the details."

Saumya heaved a sigh after disconnecting the call.

Oh boy it's gonna be quite awkward. What should I do? Saumya, you are really a fool. Why did you agree to Surbhi's request.

Saumya what's there to panic? It's just a date. Why are you hyperventilating? Okay, call him and tell him the entire ordeal - her brain advised.

And so the clicking on the mobile screen began. After typing and re-typing million times she was finally satisfied with the text.

Hey Akshit! Hope you are doing good. Actually Akash returned to Delhi yesterday. He really wants to hang out with you. Apparently Surbhi praises you a lot. If it is alright with you, can you please join us for a movie? PVR, Select City Walk, Saket at 4:30 p.m. today.

Message sent.

Seriously Saumya, you actually wrote a letter to him. Why do you always complicate stuff?

Saumya kept glancing at her mobile's screen for any notification. Her apprehension was surprising even to her own self. Why are you so nervous? It's just a date, no biggie.

Time seemed to have slowed as she awaited the arrival of her patient.

Ping...

She quickly grabbed her phone to check the new notification.

Hi Saumya! I am doing good. Hope you are well too. I would love to join you guys today. I will be waiting there. See you soon!

_________________________