A Mistrusted Trust AK/AR *NEW* pt10, pg54 2/05 - Page 4

A Mistrusted Trust

Chapter One

The hospital was soon over crowded with a mass number of people, waiting in despair to be treated. Some shouted, while others cried and moaned in pain. It was past midnight which explained the lack of service by the medical staff. An accident had occurred as two trains collided, causing passengers from both sides to suffer.

She stood silently at the doorway, like a robot watching the awful sight infront of her. She cursed herself for the umpteenth time for picking up that little cellphone of hers. Couldn't you just shut it off when you already saw the name flashing?, a voice inside her asked. Don't be so heartless you fool…they need you! Another voice fought back. A bunch of doctors rushed in, shoving her to the other side of the wall harshly. Before she could respond, a sharp voice held her back. "Dr. Rhidhimma! You were suppose to report to the front desk as soon as you step your foot in Sanjeevani. Do I need to remind you that it's an emergency call? Now, without wasting time anymore, follow me!", Dr. Shashank's loud voice commanded from the end of the corridor. Rhidhimma looked down guiltily and regretted her decision of coming here even more.

"And Dr. Rhidhimma, you are going to attend the patients being admitted in the general ward. Sister Lovely will be helping you out.", Dr. Keerti assigned her the duties, the "easy" ones as expected. Rhidhimma looked up, sighing in relief. Before leaving she took a quick look at the number of young doctors her age, standing like soldiers in a line, eager to help out in any way they could. She rolled her eyes, grabbing her stethoscope and the white cotton coat from the table as she left the tension filled room.

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*click* He unlocked the main door and quietly entered inside. The sound of the birds chirping faded as he closed the newly polished gate behind him. He moved his eyes around the dim lit hall admiring the wonders of renovation. Taking a last look, he climbed upstairs, falling on the comfortable bed with a thud, the second he entered his room.

Just before he could close his tired eyes the wall clock played the hourly alarm as it struck 5 in the morning. Ahh! Someday he is going to chuck this thing out of the house, he thought. "Angad baba? When did you arrive?", a voice called from a distance. Great! Another interruption! He sighed heavily and looked at kaka standing beside the door. "Kaka you haven't slept? How many times have I told you not to wait for me…go get some rest kaka! I am going to have a nap too.", Angad said in the politest manner he could carry at the moment. "But…", kaka was interrupted before he could protest further. "Yes. Yes. I have eaten. Happy? Now, please kaka I want to sleep…have to reach office at 9, don't forget to wake me up!", he persisted closing the door, finally sending kaka away. Kaka has been working for the Khannas from a few decades. He was proud of his hard-working 'Angad baba' yet irritated of the idea of him coming late nights just as he did now. He has always been a workaholic…kaka sighed and left to perform his early morning prayers.

Angad slowly crept on his bed atlast after changing into a pair of black sweats. Pulling on the comforter, he closed his eyes, giving in to the deep sleep. It was another one of those days, again, where he would force himself to work, work, and just work.

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The warm sunlight cheerfully entered the elegantly decorated greenish blue room. Another cold gust of breeze rushed in, making her shiver slightly. She quickly peeked in to find it was morning already! Spreading her arms around the bed carelessly, she let out a rough yawn. Her hand crawled towards the side table to pick up the little electronic device.

She redialed the number crazily for the fifth time. First, a wrong number. Second, an invalid number. Third, on engage and so on. She vowed to kill him if it wouldn't work out this time. Who on this earth told him to switch his number? The dial tone reached her ears as she impatiently walked back and forth. Pick it up already!

"h-Hello?", he said lazily without bothering to open his eyes. "His royal highness woke up?", she replied from the other end, trying hard to stay calm. He sat up suddenly with a jerk and pushed away the heavy blanket which ended up on the floor, adding to the mess created by him. He knew she wouldn't leave him today. "uh…Hii…kkkKripa…", he stammered. "Good morning to you too Dr. Armaan Mallik!", she shouted back.

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"Kripz how many times do I have to apologize?", Armaan followed her towards the kitchen. "I am not talking to you Armaan. Now, step out of my kitchen.", she warned him holding up the long stirring spoon. "ooohh…I am so scared Kripz…please don't beat me up with 'that'", he rolled with laughter, holding on to his stomach. "ARMAAN!", she groaned and chased him through the whole apartment, still clutching on the spoon.

"Ah! Okay I am really tired. Let's stop!", he fell on the couch, grasping for breath. She hit him lightly with the spoon, retiring herself beside him. "How did your meeting go?", she asked finally. "Great, as usual. The hospital has some quite interesting characters. I think it will be fun to work there." He grinned evilly and gave her a wink. "Armaan…you would never change. Thanks to me that I woke you up this morning or ahem Mr. Overconfident would never be able to make it to Sanjeevani today.", she smiled widely. He smirked ruffling her silky brown hair, while irritating her to the core.

"So, when do you start?", Kripa asked enjoying the delicious pasta. "Right from tomorrow. At 9 am sharp.", he chuckled zipping up his jacket. "By the way you make a really good cook!", she said suppressing her laughter. Never could she let go of an opportunity to torture Armaan. Kripa started laughing as she remembered the way she made him cook as a payback. "Laugh all you want sweetheart. We will see who will be the one laughing when my time comes.", he said playing with his food. "Dream on as that is the only place where something like this would ever happen!", she winked, and emptied the left over coke from the can in a gulp.

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"Okay Kripz I am leaving.", Armaan shouted standing at the door. "You are still here?", she said stepping out of her room. She could sense the migraine coming along. That long call had already numbed her ear completely. "Come here, Kripz.", he ordered seriously. Kripa straightened her shirt and quickly tied her hair in a messy bun.

"You okay?", he asked as she held her head in her hands. "Yeah. Don't worry Armaan. I'll be fine.", she assured him. "Don't forget you have an appointment with Khanna Groups and Company tomorrow.", Armaan reminded her, pulling her in a quick hug. "I know Armaan. Now go home.", she said again. He kissed her head softly, smelling the sweet shampoo and left saying his 'byes'. Just when she was about to close the door, his voice stopped her. "Take the medicines properly…Take Care!", she smiled, locking the gates gently.

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