Chapter 2 – Yeh Lamhey
At exactly 6:45 AM, a flashy car took a turn at the staff parking lot of Sanjeevani. After parking at his assigned spot, Azaan got out of the car and took a good look at the hospital. He took off his sunglasses and put on his lab coat. Trying his best to hide his nervousness, he strode forward.
***
Afreen quickly got off the rickshaw and paid the driver. Once the driver counted his money and left, she turned to stare at Sanjeevani just as Azaan had. She slowly smiled and snapping her hair back, she gracefully walked in.
Once inside, she asked the sweet receptionist, Sister Lovely, the way to the locker rooms. Sister Lovely was more than happy to guide this pretty new intern.
Afreen thanked her once she reached her destination and Sister Lovely left. Afreen noticed that someone was already present in the locker room. It was probably one of her fellow interns, she thought to herself. She walked in and found a locker with her name on it. The lock required the combination which she'd memorized the moment it had been sent to her through mail the week before.
In minutes, she had her locker open and her purse and other necessities stored inside. She locked it and turned around to see the tall young intern still standing in front of his locker, muttering to himself as he struggled with the lock. Without thinking twice, she walked up to him and softly asked, "May I help?"
Azaan turned around, surprised to see the attractive girl who stood before him. He hadn't heard her walk in for he was too busy trying to open his locker. For a moment, he was completely lost as he looked at her. She was dressed in a simple white shalwar suit with silver hoops in her ear rings and silver bangles on her arms. She wasn't outright stunning like an actress, but her simplicity, sharp features, and soft voice captivated him.
Confused by Azaan's behavior, Afreen waved her hand in front of his face. Azaan blinked as he came out of his trance-like state. "Oh, yes, no, I mean, its okay, I got it." He turned back to his locker and tried his luck at the lock again, mentally kicking himself at the same time. Afreen stood there, watching him as he lazily picked at the lock. "Are you sure you don't need help?" she asked politely. Azaan turned to her, "Huh? I mean, uh, actually, I think I do need help."
"You think?" Afreen asked, slightly raising her eyebrows. Azaan began to fumble again until Afreen let out a small giggle, which made him realize she was teasing him. He smiled sheepishly and moved back after handing her his locker combination. He was surprised as she swiftly turned the knobs of the lock and opened the locker within a few seconds. "Here you go!" she said cheerfully.
"Oh, thank you so much!" he replied. He mentally patted himself in the back for saying the words smoothly without fumbling at all.
Afreen responded by giving him a small smile. Azaan returned the smile and ran his hand through his hair consciously. Afreen turned around and took a step forward.
"I'm Azaan Khan by the way" Azaan said from behind her. She paused in her step and did a quick 180 degree turn. She looked at his outstretched hand and shy smile, and any form of hesitancy instantly left her as she put her small hand into his larger, manly one. "Afreen Hasan." Afreen, he thought, suited her perfectly.
She slowly took her hand away once she heard approaching footsteps. Turning around, she unknowingly brushed her long hair across Azaan's face, completely entrancing him yet again. He only opened his eyes when he felt someone's voice behind him. "Excuse me" the person said. A bit annoyed, Azaan moved out of the way and then faced the person. The voice had belonged to a tall and slender girl. Clad in dress pants and a shirt with a stylish tie, Anjali Gupta reflected modesty and attitude. Slightly intimidated, Azaan took a step back and returned to his locker.
Once he turned around, he took notice of the other people who had entered the locker room without his knowledge. I'm totally oblivious to everything around me today, he thought to himself. Finally back to his complete senses, he took a look around at his fellow interns.
Another simple yet elegant girl was standing at her locker, dressed in an orange shalwar suit with her open hair flying. Yeh Saari acchi conservative type larkiyan hain, sivaye uss I'm-all-that type, (All look like nice, conservative girls except that one attitudish one) he thought to himself, indirectly referring to Anjali in the latter.
Ridhimma closed her locker and, giving him a polite smile, nervously walked away without introducing herself. Anjali slammed her locker and confidently followed her. Afreen gently closed her locker as well, deciding to follow suit. Azaan waited until she was a few steps ahead before following her out. He wasn't sure if she was aware of his presence, but he was definitely aware of her. He couldn't help but look at her reflection in the windows as she passed.
While walking, he quickly jerked back as he realized she'd stopped at a door. This must be the conference room Kabir Bhai told me about, he thought.
Instead of immediately entering the room as he expected her to, Afreen put her hands together and prayed that her day goes well. Yet again, Azaan was awed by this beauty in white. With a wide smile on his face, he dreamily watched his angel in white. This day was going better than expected, he thought.
***
No questions this time, but constructive feedback is much appreciated. 😊
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
