Chapter 10

I walk into my music studio, heading towards my cabin. Perhaps, today would be a better day; with a positive attitude, I come across, Alisha, my secretary. "Alisha try and call Ms. Sharma again for the auditions; she was the best out of all the singers, well that is what I have heard. Anyways try and schedule another appointment with her ASAP! Thank you and perhaps by tomorrow!" I order her; slipping quietly in to my office, to find another stack load of business deals and new singer applications. Frustrated, I pick up all the files and throw them on the couch, and begin my relaxing session.

An hour later, Alisha walks in a bit scared and joyful at the same time. I glance up from my work and wait to hear her speak; not understanding my reaction I nod. "Sir, Ms. Sharma said she is willing to come to the auditions tomorrow so long as you still want her to sing; she apparently had some personal and business issues the other day. And she said the decision is completely up to you!" Alisa spoke with a calmness in her voice. "umm alright let her know I will call her in a few hours and discuss the details! Thank you, you may leave now!" Alisha nodded and left my cabin. Turning away from her I glance at my desk searching for a particular file.

"Alisha, can you bring Ms. Sharma's file in?" I ask on the intercom; "sure Angad sir!" Alisha spoke on the other end and walks several seconds later with a blue file. "Here you are sir!" her voice suddenly enthusiastic; I watched her carefully as I took the file and as she turned to leave. I mumbled to myself and glanced at the file; opening it I found a long list of music she preferred, who had recommended her, her specialty and family history. Taking a skim through the entire file, I flung it towards my couch and finish up the work load.

"Armaan! Armaan!" Riddhima screams after me but I refuse to turn around; what was the point? She had judged me unknowingly, yeah I would flirt but why did she say all that too me? I know what my job is and how to do it! I mutter curses under my breath and turn around sharply; only knocking Riddhima down with me; apparently she had only applied the brakes to her long legs when I turned around. I narrow my eyes and speak in an oddly cold voice, "what do you want now?" she pleads helplessly with her eyes; rolling my eyes I turn to walk away when she grabs a hold of my hand. "I'm so sorry Armaan, I didn't mean it, I just thought you were messing around again, I'm terribly sorry!" I turn slightly upset; "yeah well that doesn't cut it, sorry doesn't make the pain go away from what you said about me! I had always wanted to become an actor, but I let my dreams die, to do as my parents desired for me to do so! And now as a doctor I try my hardest; but there always has to be once person who judges me incorrectly and puts me down! Not only did you hurt my ability as a doctor but my feelings! Now will you leave me alone; I have a date with my patient!" I walk away with a huff towards the children's ward and refuse to turn around.

"Hey Gauri sweetheart, how are you today?" I question my "date". She rolls her eyes at me; yanks my hand and drops a kiss on my cheek. "I missed you handsome!" I stare at her in disbelief and respond with a correct choice of words; "Gauri sweetie, you are one fast kid! And they said nowadays teenagers are very much in a hurry, what about little ones?" I nod my head negatively while a slight smile played its way around my face. Gauri laughed; her laugh echoing throughout the entire room; bringing life to such a dull room. I smiled at her and pulled her into a hug; she smiled back happily.

"ouch!" I yelp in pain to find Shaurya throwing me dangerous looks; my eyes become wide; literally ready to burst from their sockets. "Oye, she is not your sweetheart, she is my sweetheart, I plan on marrying her so back off uncle! Go marry Dr. Riddhima! Btw kinni soni kudi aa!" he mumbled the last bit to himself. I slapped him playfully on the cheeks, "looks like you learned from the best!" he winked at me one last bit before I walked out of the room dropping kisses on every child's room. "Dr. Mallik! These are for you; an anonymous sender dropped them by!" Sister Lovely spoke to me causally but something told me otherwise. I turned and grabbed the gift; a card and a teddy bear. I smiled it was cute although it was a gift for a girl something made me feel happy inside.

I glanced at the teddy bear; pulling it against my chest as if I were a five year old; I remember vividly doing it then too. With a chuckle I opened the card and pulled it out carefully. It read, "I'm sorry, I should not have said that; I judged you before knowing you….please forgive me and give your friend a chance to realize who the real Armaan is? Love Riddhima." I reread the words, perhaps mistaking them but no they were still there; suddenly confused and slightly happy I looked up to find Riddhima holding her ears as if she too were a little child. I laughed she looked so adorable and pulled her into a tight hug. She refused to hug me back but slightly as I was about to part she hugged me back; the warmth I found in her hug made me complete, oddly enough I felt as if I had found everything.

This Armaan is too much; but what can I do he is a sweetheart, I judged him I paid the price he hadn't talked me in a week, what was I supposed to do? Just let him continue to be bad at him when both of us were partners; I couldn't let that happen and plus I loved it when he bugged me, thankfully I took the right step and asked forgiveness! He forgave me and now look where we are! We are friends, no I change that best buds! Anyways I should get back to work….

Taking a deep breath to get myself working again I walk near Armaan and find him lost in thoughts. Leaning towards him I was just about to ask when Dr. Keerti walked towards us, "you both from today and until the end of the week will work in the Gynecologist Ward; now head on over, both of you!" I nod slowly and take a hold of Armaan's arm and walk near the ward; finding many pregnant woman just about ready to give birth. "Oh by the way Dr. Mallik and Dr. Gupta you two are assigned to a certain case already, Mrs. Sampley will be ready to give birth by the end of the week and you two are to be there to help her give birth naturally; along with that she has a few complications with this pregnancy but knowing that both of you have dealt with such cases you are assigned to hers!" I nod and walk towards Mrs. Sampley; a young woman perhaps in her mid-twenties!

Armaan smiles at her and begins chatting away with her; talking casually and calmly about her pregnancy; whether she is extremely excited or worried; if she has chosen a name. Somewhere in their conversation I found myself lost in Armaan's sweetness and everything about him was starting to make me feel more joyful; snapping out of my thoughts I spent the entire evening with Mrs. Sampley keeping her company and routinely checking for any increase in blood pressure; a drop in heart rate or anything at all…

"dada-bhai! I have to go now, it's time for my meeting with Mr. Khanna; can you drop me or should I pick up a cab?" I question bhaiyya but he just throws me a glare, grabs his keys and takes me by the arm towards his car. I roll my eyes at him, he could have just said he was going to take me but instead he shot me a look. I laughed at him and switched the radio continuously looking for a good song; finally finding the perfect song I glance up and find bhai paranoid. I chuckle at his expression and turn around, "Kripa you are such a silly little girl!" he mutters to himself but luckily my sharp ears heard it; I smiled proudly at him and waited for the red light to turn green. Suddenly I was anxious to meet this new singer, why he wanted to sing with me and because I was well, rather intrigued by his name, Angad, it certainly had a hint of magic in it.

Moments later I find myself sitting next to bhai in the waiting room hoping to find this Mr. Khanna come through soon; closing my eyes I take a deep breath and feel Karan bhai hold my hands tightly and flash me a smile; "you can do this sweetie, I know you can!" I nod suddenly enthusiastic towards him and hear, "Ms. Sharma, Mr. Khanna is ready for you!" I nod towards her and gather all my courage walking towards his cabin with dada-bhai by my side. This was it…I was finally going to meet the guy who gave me a breakthrough…nothing could be better than this! Except for my family of course!

to be continued thursday...because tomorrow is my lil' sisters bday!! and i have to deal with other stuff hehe thanx for the comments everyone...keep them comiing it keeps me going - sukhi