The Rehabilitation Centre of Delhi greatly prided itself on its image of maintaining perfect discipline and order, whether it be the behavior of the patients or the routine of events in the place. And Khushi, having been here for almost two years now, was very well aware of this fact. Thus, surprised would have been an understatement when she saw the nurse-Madhumati, she reminded herself, take a detour from the usual pathway to her daily sessions into her own room. It was standard-a nurse would lead, or rather,
her to her therapy sessions at exactly 11:30 am, where her mind would would be poked and probed to get her to unveil her dark secrets to set her on the road to recovery. Hadn't worked on her though, she thought smugly, as she entered her room suspiciously.
"Madhumati?" She asked glibly, trying to inject the right amount of saccharine and adopt the soft, timid tone she'd seen Payal use with the orderlies. She had to assure the hefty looking woman that she was not insincere to get her answers. "Why are we here?"
Madhumati eyed the tiny woman in front of her apprehensively. She may be small, but that scheming mind was never up to any good. It was no secret that every therapist assigned to her case had abruptly left, citing vague reasons for their departure. One thing all four of them had in common was the green colour they all turned to at the mention of Khushi and that sheen of sweat on their forehead, as she smiled at them innocently. This girl was definite trouble, an evil manipulator behind that angelic smile.
But till now, she had not caused any chaos and something under that impish smile reminded Madhumati of herself.
"Your new doctor wants your introduction to be given in a comfortable place for you, he says. Rather caring, I would say." She said hopefully. An instinct in Madhumati told her that Khushi was hiding a side of her behind this sarcastic, crude exterior, a goodness waiting to bloom. She'd seen how protective she was of the meek Payal -- shooting vicious glares at male orderlies if they grabbed Payal too roughly or touched her inappropriately, and then, as if a switch had been pressed, she transformed back into the cold indifferent person, brushing off Payal's tentative attempts at conversation.
She heard a mocking laugh and turned towards Khushi. "Oh sure, I can't wait to be acquainted with him!" Khushi said dryly, sarcasm dripping from her voice thickly.
"Well, that's great, because neither can I." A smooth voice announced. Khushi whirled around, so fast that her feet lost their footing and she saw herself spiraling down. She screwed her eyes shut, bracing herself for the fall, until she felt strong arms go around her, stopping it. Smoldering deep chestnut burned into her as she stared up at him, transfixed. His ebony hair was set back neatly except for a few stubborn strands in the front falling astray. His lips curled into a secretive smile as he pulled her up, straightening, and patting down his pristine white lab coat. Khushi looked around and saw that Madhumati had already left. She gulped.
"Careful Miss Gupta..that was a disaster waiting to happen. I'm Dr. Arnav Singh Raizada, your new attending physician." His words broke Khushi's daze, and she noticed his knowing smirk, as he leaned forward, offering his hand. His eyes never left hers as she took his hand and shook it firmly. He looked around the miniscule room before he walked agily to the slightly tattered sofa and sat down. Khushi could feel his piercing gaze on her; the blood rushing to her hairline and she felt herself heat up.
"Take a seat, Khushi." The way he said her name, almost tasting it on his lips...no!
"Don't I get the couch?" She asked innocently. Ah! Now that would catch him off guard, and he would turn into a stammering, blubbering idiot. Just like the rest of them, she thought pleased, meeting his gaze challengingly.
"Of course, now if you're so ready to spill your guts out-" he stopped mid-sentence as he saw Khushi stiffly walk up her bed and promptly sit herself down. She wouldn't tell him a thing! Ever. Khushi bristled as she heard him say something suspiciously sounding like 'thought so' under his breath. His nerve...
"Doctor Mathur wasn't feeling too well after your last session." He said quietly, his voice mildly amused.
"Really? Wonder why?" Her voice leaked boredom as she began to count the dust motes on the wall opposite. A silence stretched as she could feel his eyes on her but she refused to look at him. A smile touched his lips and he leaned forward into her personal space, as Khushi felt her insides freeze. Damn! Why was this room so small? She felt his breath wash over her as he spoke.
"You like doing that, don't you? Unnerving them...scaring them. You like having that power over them, don't you?"His voice was deceptively soft letting out a quiet chuckle as he leaned back. If Khushi was terrified at how accurate his assumptions were, she didn't show it. She leaned back sharply, and exhaled, not knowing she was holding her breath. "I don't know what you're talking about, Doctor Raizada."
"I hate to be...such a judge, jury and executioner, Miss Gupta, but I think you do." His eyes, a liquid gold seemed to draw her in until she couldn't breathe. "So I'd love to here it from you, what exactly did you say to Doctor Mathur that made him retire early, hmm?" His long fingers stroked his chin as he leaned in once again. Khushi struggled against his intoxicating smell to gain some footing, some dignity around his man, as she snapped, "I didn't say anything. It's not my fault he was such a damn wuss." With him, it felt like she was unravelling within minutes.
"I don't appreciate being lied to, Miss Gupta. I can be very persuasive when I want to." The liquid in his eyes hardened, as he stared hard at her, chewing his lip, as if desperately trying to claw her mind apart.
"Persuasive? Is that supposed to be a threat?" Khushi wondered aloud amusedly, raising her eyebrow.
"Life gets very boring here, doesn't it? Let's just say, our sessions together will be anything but that." He smiled at her then, before getting up gracefully and striding elegantly out the door. Khushi stared at the door long after he left, before throwing her pillow on her face and falling back onto the bed. Who the hell does he think he is? She thought furiously. Doctor Arnav Singh Raizada. The most handsome, intriguing man she's ever met. Screw him, she thought contemptuously. In no time, she would wipe that smug grin off his face. If he thought he was going to win, he was in for something else.
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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