It was another busy day at work. Though they had all reached the Hospital together, yet they have not been able to meet in between. Not even during the Lunch time.
There was a surgery and Ragini knew very well that Nachiket would be busy all through. It was finally 5 p.m. when he entered her cabin, exhausted, and slumped down on the sofa. A concerned Ragini left her desk and went and sat down beside him, her fingers interlacing with his.
'What happened Nachiket?' she asked. 'Hope the surgery ...'
'... went on fine. It was successful. The guy will live' he said and smiled at his wife tenderly. He kissed her forehead briefly
'I am just tired. And I have this headache ...'
Her eyes widened in consternation but before she could say anything, he continued, clasping her fingers tighter
'There is nothing to worry about Ragini. Please. I am just hungry, I haven't had anything to eat today.'
'But you promised Nachiket that you would not miss your Lunch, even if we are not eating together. You could have called Ranbir at least.'
She was now mildly agitated.
His hand was now on her back
'Relax Ragini. I am sorry. I was so worked up about this surgery. The guy I operated upon today is only 2 years elder to Ranbir. I was scared.'
'Let me order for a sandwich for you now' Ragini ventured. 'Then we are going out for Dinner tonight.' Nachiket smiled as Ragini slipped into her bossy avatar, it never failed to turn him on.
She dialed a number and ordered for sandwiches and some coffee. Then, she turned to him
'You better freshen up, you look ... hmmm ... super tired. The coffee will be here in no time.'
And true to her words, by the time he returned, her cabin was awash with the uplifting smell of freshly roasted coffee.
He smiled.
...
Ragini informed Ranbir and the other children that they would not be home for Dinner, and asked them not to wait for them. By the time, they left for the restaurant, Nachiket was feeling much better and his mood has revived. They hired a cab to the restaurant, leaving the car behind at the Hospital parking, and slid closer to each other towards the middle, reveling in the feeling of togetherness, as they gazed outside.
Ragini noticed that Nachiket was still quiet throughout the journey, and she decided to find out about what was bothering him so much.
Dinner was a simple affair, and Nachiket too opted for vegetarian dishes, much to Ragini's concern. They ate in companionable silence and were soon on their way home. As the Cool Cab wove it's way back through the busy streets, Ragini asked
'Nachiket, what is it? What is bothering you so badly?'
He looked at her and sighed, and then he answered
'I have to go to New York for a month or more, Ragini and it's urgent.'
Her face fell
'What happened?'
He sighed deeply as he explained
'I was handling quite a no. of high profile clients there. Some of them are bigwigs and their case histories were not divulged much, except to a select few. Since I was treating their families and them well, and since some emergency has come up, they need me to fly down to US. Inspite of me not being a part of that Hospital. Inspite of me giving a proper handover of the Case Files.'
He stayed quiet for a minute and then continued
'I called the Dean and tried to talk out of it. He wants me to come down for some time, explain to a few of these insistent families, and then return. A few of them are local mafias'
He turned towards her abruptly
'But Ragini, I will be back soon. I have to be back soon. I can't stay away from my family, from you, not anymore. We have stayed apart for way too long.'
She was dumbfounded. She knew as a Doctor, of course treating patients was the first priority though they were not expecting like this now. It was vague, dumb, yet fantastic and she knew she had to support him
'Don't worry Nachiket, we will manage. It's just for a month. Ranbir and I will handle the hospital over here, and we have an excellent panel of Drs here. Will speak to Samir to see if he could loop us in with a few Cardiologists for the time being. You don't worry. Just promise me one thing though - you will take care of your health please.'
'And you?' he asked, his voice dropping by an octave, as he touched her cheek. She smiled in response.
His arm went around her shoulder and he pulled her close.
'When do you have to leave Nachiket? she asked, her fingers now on the lapels of his blazer.
'By this weekend' he answered sadly.
She hid her face in his chest for a fleeting second, and sniffled.
Edited by poetic - 9 years ago
