Chapter 3

2 years ago

Adi

@ZA_Ray

Chapter 3

After the confirmation from Nikki, Abhimanyu quickly contacted Apollo Hospital regarding the transfer, he also needed to consult Dr. Keerti which was just a formality. However, she was reluctant at first but after seeing Nikita's mark sheet and recommendation letters she happily agreed that the new doctor would be an excellent addition to the team in fact, the current interns could do well with a bit of competition. 

Abhimanyu managed to sort everything out in less than 2 weeks, though he informed Nikita that she can take another month to shift, he did it out of formality because truth be told he couldn't wait for her to join. 'Strictly for professional purposes.' he kept telling himself. But again his stars were lucky for him and Nikita agreed to join after all the formalities were done because apparently she already had plans to attend some personal work in Mumbai during this time. 

There was a knock on his door which made Abhimanyu look up from the contract paper and his smile broadened when he saw who it was.

"Nikita! Please come in."

"Hello, Abhimanyu. How are you?"

"I am great. How are you doing, if I can even ask that as I know I am the one to be blamed for all the hassle that you are going through now because of the shifting."

"Don't worry about that, it's all taken care of. And I am sorry that I am bothering you even before I officially joined. I just want to go through the contract and finalize it before actually starting my duties from Monday."

"Not at all. I myself appreciate it if these things are sorted at the earliest. I have your contract right here." Abhi said as he handed Nikki the document that he was holding when she entered the room.

"So it's my contract you were smiling at? You must love paperwork huh?" Nikki teased.

Abhi blushed at her statement but fortunate for him Nikki didn't say anything else as she busied herself going over the contract thoroughly. After she was satisfied with the terms she signed the documents.

"Welcome to Sanjeevani. Now you are officially part of the team." Abhi said putting his right hand forward.

Nikki took his hand and shook it "Thanks, Abhi... uhh Dr. Modi. I should start addressing you properly now, I guess." she said with a twinkle in her eyes. Even though she knew he was a senior doctor but these friendly banters just came naturally to her. 

"Please don't be so formal. You are already doing me a big favor." Abhi smiled "And if you have some time now maybe I can show you around the hospital, though the official induction will be taken by Dr. Keerti on Monday."

"Yes, sure. I would actually prefer to be prepared beforehand."

"I thought so too." and with that Abhimanyu took Nikita on a small tour of Sanjeevani.

They stopped at a small private room and Abhi opened the door for Nikki to enter. 

"And this is going to be your office. It's a bit small but I hope you can manage."

"What? Abhiii...Sorry I mean Dr..."

"Please no formalities." the senior doctor stated once again.

"Okay.. but as far as I know interns don't get any private office."

"Yes, they usually don't but you will not be working as only just an intern you know? Apart from your regular hospital duties, you will also have to work on the project and research work and make reports so I figured you will need an office."

"This doesn't seem fair. The other interns might not like it." Nikki looked guilty.

"Please, Nikita. This is the least I could do." Abhi insisted.

Still looking unsure Nikita nodded, and they exited the room.

"Our last stop will be the nurse station, that is where all the interns report to Dr. Keerti." Abhi said but seeing Nikki still feeling awkward he changed the topic "But enough about Sanjeevani, tell me how are you settling down? I could have helped you with accommodations but you didn't ask for any...uh are you living with a relative or friend?" Abhi asked hesitantly not sure if it was too much of a personal question and remembering Dr. Rustam's condition about her personal information.

"Don't worry about it. I have a family home here." 

"Oh! I didn't know you were from Mumbai."

"I am not," Nikki said wriggling her fingers. Abhi saw that but couldn't understand why she was getting so anxious about it. Seeing his questioning look Nikki went on "My family lives in Delhi... usually but... uhhh we have a house here as well." she hoped he wouldn't ask her any more questions regarding this.

Meanwhile, Abhi noticed they reached the nurse station and the interns were there as well so thought he will introduce them to Nikita. But before he could say anything someone shrieked "NIKKKIIIIIIIII" and before Nikki could look up properly she was engulfed in a bear hug and lifted off the ground. Instinctively her arms went around the person's neck but she didn't need to see who it was. Nikki could recognize this voice and these arms anywhere in the world. 

Abhi was stunned by his intern's behavior "Dr. Malik behave yourself!" he said in a steely voice trying to control his anger. Other interns and nurses who were standing there were also surprised.

On the other hand, Nikki couldn't help but giggle at this, "Armaan stop! Please put me down." 

Giving her another tight squeeze Armaan slowly put her down but still holding onto her shoulders and keeping her at arm's length he looked at her appreciatively. "It's been so long Nikki and you look so good," he said pulling her closer to him and giving her a kiss on the forehead.

"Dr. Malik" Abhimanyu warned again.

Armaan rolled his eyes and pulling Nikki in a side hug he turned towards the senior doctor "Dr. Modi if you had any friends then you would know this is how you are supposed to greet them, especially if you met after such a long time." 

"Armaan." Nikki chided, taken aback with his rudeness. 

Ignoring her rebuke he went on "What are you doing here?"

"Why are you so surprised? I told you I was gonna come to Mumbai for your wedding prep and functions." 

"Yes, but what are you doing here? In Sajeevani?"

"I was planning to give you a surprise but I guess it can't get better than this..." Nikki's eyes sparkled  "I am joining Sanjeevani." she announced.

"So, you are the new intern who is supposed to join? Oh my God, Nikki." again he pulled her in a hug.

Abhimanyu was feeling uneasy with the scene taking place in front of him. "Aheemmm..." he cleared his throat "So, you both already know each other."

"Yes." Nikki gave a big smile "Remember I said I have some personal work here? It's because I was supposed to come down for this idiot's wedding."

On the contrary, Armaan replied, "Know each other?" he scoffed "She is my BEST FRIEND since medical college."

Nikki gave him a nudge with her elbow, she couldn't understand why Armaan was being so rude to Abhimanyu.

"It's okay Nikita.." Abhi said noticing her action, even though it was getting difficult for him to control his anger now. 

"Dr. Malhotra." Armaan interrupted "Her surname is Malhotra."

"I know what her name is Dr. Malik." a nerve in his temple was visibly ticking.

"What is wrong with you?" Nikki asked exasperated then turned towards Abhimanyu "I am so sorry Abhi..."

"Dr. Modi" Armaan interrupted again "His name is Dr. Modi."

"Oh. My. God!" Nikki cried out loud.

"What? Dr. Modi doesn't like it when he is addressed so informally and he also addresses his interns like that. I am just giving a reminder." Armaan said, clearly knowing he was getting under his boss's skin.

"Dr. Malik you are not an alarm clock, nor a Google Calendar that it falls under your duty to give reminders." Abhi retorted back. "And as for addressing, I can decide who gets to call me what."

"So, she gets to be an exception? Why? What's so special about Nikki to you?" Armaan knew he was pushing his limit but he couldn't let go of this chance to rile up Abhi.

"I don't think I need to answer you that," Abhi replied clenching his fists and trying to keep his anger in check.

However, Nikita lost her temper "Armaan you are being obnoxiously rude. You should apologize."

"What?" 

"You heard me. You should apologize. And make it sincere." she said sternly.

"I don't think you know your friend that well Nikita." Abhi gave a smirk knowing fully well Armaan would never apologize, that too to him.

"But he knows me very well, don't you Armaan?" Nikki asked Armaan. Her hands were on her hips and even though she was smiling but Armaan could see the fire in her eyes. He stared back trying to hold his reserve but he could sense the danger. He knew he could look Abhimanyu in the eyes, push his luck, and still come out alive. However, with this 4'11 girl, he always had to bow down. Plastering a fake sweet smile on his face Armaan turned towards Abhi "I am sorry Dr. Modi for overstepping my bounds." 

Abhimanyu blinked in surprise. He wasn't sure if he could believe his eyes and ears.

The interns who were watching the drama unfold before them till now gasped in shock. They were used to the taunts between Armaan and Dr. Modi but never in their wildest dreams they could imagine their stubborn friend apologizing to their Saru Boss. 

"Good boy," Nikki said sarcastically while patting Armaan's head and then turned towards the other interns "Sorry everyone, we got carried away... OMG Rahul is that you?" 

"Yeah.." Rahul smiled sheepishly understanding why Nikita was so surprised. Back in their college days, he looked like a stereotypical nerd with his heavy glasses and his nature to constantly nag the teachers. 

"My my... you changed so much." Nikki exclaimed as they hugged. Then she turned her attention towards others "Ridziiii..." she recognized the girl whose millions of pictures she got from Armaan and hugged her as well. "It's so nice to meet you finally!"

Riddhima happily hugged her back. If there was any other girl, Riddhima would have been very jealous of the interaction she saw between Armaan and Nikki, but she knew Armaan loved Nikki as a sister and over the years Nikki and Riddhima became friends as well and talked over the phone. In fact, if the couple had any quarrels Ridzi would call Nikki and she would straighten Armaan out. 

Riddhima introduced Nikki to Atul, Anjili, and Muskaan.

"Oyee tune to Armaan ka bara baja diya...heh heh" that's the first thing Muskaan said after the introduction, which made all their friends laugh.

They turned to see Armaan who stood still, arms crossed over his chest, pouting, clearly not happy that he had to say sorry to Dr. Modi.

"Thora ego kaam karega to maar nahi jayega." Nikki replied back and upon hearing that Armaan made faces at her.

Abhi observed the whole interaction "Well, it's good to know you are friends with some of the interns already and I am sure you will get acquainted with the others in no time." 

"Thanks, Abhimanyu." Nikki smiled.

He nodded "I will see you on Monday, and meanwhile if you need anything..."

"In that case, we are here for her." Armaan jumped in.

"I was going to say just that." Abhi gave a fake smile, irked for getting interrupted again. "Goodnight interns." He gave one last look at Nikki and walked away.

It was annoying that she was friends with these reckless interns, especially being best friends with Armaan but he was also impressed with her. The act she pulled today was... 'Magic' Abhi thought to himself 'The girl who can make Dr. Armaan Malik apologize is of another league. Pheeeww Abhimayu, you should be careful as well...you never know what is in store for you...'

Author's Note:

I hope you liked the update, please do leave feedback, it will mean so much to me