Kashmakash S2 Th 3 Chap 8 Pg 129 June 26 - Page 11

Chapter Six

Ashu gives a rueful smile and continues to talk over the phone: Baba, I am 42. Aur waise bhi, yahaa iss medical camp mein kaisi party..Ji..Hum log kal dopahar ko yahaa se niklenge. Lucknow pahoonchte pahoonchte raat hojaayegi..Ji..Ji baba. Ok. Abhi rakhta hoon. Bye. (He cuts the call but continues to look at the spread of greenery in front of him until her voice reaches him from behind)

Nidhi: Good morning sir.

Ashu turns his head sideways to see her: Good morning.

Nidhi: Aap ke baba ka phone tha? (He raises his eyebrow and a slight flush stains her cheeks) I didn't mean to eavesdrop sir. Woh..buss..I couldn't help overhearing a little when I was walking up here. (His reply is a lopsided smile and a nod. She takes a deep breath as if gathering all her courage before pulling out the gift wrapped box from the cover and extending it to him) Happy birthday sir.

Ashu: Who told you? (Mischievous eyes and smiling lips are the only answer.) Toh aap florist ke saath saath detective bhi hain Nidhi Verma!

Nidhi grins: Ji. Aur kabhi kabhi waqt milne par apna medicine internship bhi karleti hoon. (He shakes his head and huffs out a small laugh. She extends the gift once again silently and this time he takes it)

Ashu: Thank you. But what is it?

Nidhi: Kholke dekhileejiye. (He tears open the wrapper and opens the box to find a dark grey, light grey and blue coloured cross striped tie. The soft cloth slides between his fingers like a gentle caress. A smile graces his face)

Ashu: A tie? Its lovely..par iski kya zaroorat? I mean..

Nidhi smiles: My mom always used to say "The year you were born marks only your entry into the world. Other years where you prove your worth, they are the ones worth celebrating. "

Ashu nods in acknowledgement: But I hardly ever get a chance to wear ties Nidhi. I am either in scrubs or this..(He gestures his formal shirt with rolled up sleeves and trousers. Her smile though still graces her lips, the light in her eyes dims making him cut his sentence off) But yeah..I guess I can wear for the meetings with the management though. (His heart leaps in his chest at the way her face lights up in delight once again. He carefully places the tie back in the box and puts it in the cover that she extends to him. A slight pause and then) you miss your mom very much, don't you?

Nidhi nods: Aap bura na maane toh ek baat poochu? (At his nod,) Aap ki maa..?

Ashu: She passed away when I was 7.

Nidhi fists her fingers to stop herself from reaching out and touching him: I am sorry sir.

Ashu looks away: It was a long time ago.

Nidhi: Time doesn't matter sir. Whether we are 2 or 20 or 40, we still miss our mom..we need her irrespective of our age. (A heartbeat of pause and then) Toh aap aur Dr Mathur hi..

He runs a distracted hand through his hair: Baba..baba adopted me after my mom passed away.

Nidhi blinks a little taken aback: Oh. Toh aap ke pitah?

Her tentative question locks his jaw and he replies in a voice completely devoid of emotion: Dead.

This time her fisted fingers grip her kurta as she battles her desperate need to go to him: I am sorry sir. (After receiving a jerky nod in response,) My mom was my best friend. It tears me up inside whenever I think of her. But I am teaching myself to remember all the good times I had with her..the way we played around and experimented while she taught me to cook, the way she used to join me and Anji, meri bachpan ki dost, in a game of shuttle..(She meets his eyes as if asking him if that's what he does too.)

Ashu leans against the rock: I try not to think.

Nidhi mimicks his position a little away from him and turns her head towards him: Koshish toh keejiye sir. Did your mom sing?

Ashu becomes quiet for a while as he tries to think back and search for some bank of good memory amidst the sea of pain and fear of those childhood days: Once..(He clears his throat) Once my..my father was out of town for 2 days. Ma took me on a picnic..to a nearby park. We spent the whole day there..laughing and playing. I taught her to kick football (A rueful smile) what little I knew anyway. (She smiles) Yes. She used to sing..had beautiful voice. She sang lullaby to me until I was almost 6.

Nidhi nods: So you take after your ma. Your voice when you sing is truly melodious sir.

Ashu straightens from his slouching position and checks his watch: Chale? Patients would be coming, right?

Nidhi: Happy birthday once again sir.

Ashu's eyes devour her before quickly looking away: Thank you. (For the first time today, I have found a memory of my mom with a happy smile on her face. Thank you, Nidhi. Thank you so much. Both of them make their way back to the tents. Their arrival at the medical camp coincides with a few villagers shouting and bringing in an attempted suicide victim. And that effectively diverts and prevents the rest of the staff in noticing the fact the dean and intern have probably gone for "a walk in the woods." With that walk and that conversation and once again without his conscious effort or knowledge, their relationship takes another step further in the personal arena..this time completely smashing the wall around his heart. Their conversations and lunches and dinners, even while done amidst the whole group of doctors and staff during the rest of the trip, just solidify that step.)

Ashu's residence:

BB walks into the house: Hiraman! Hiraman..Ashu aagaya kya?

HK comes out of the kitchen wiping his hands: Abhi tak toh nahi. He called about an hour ago to say they have almost reached KGH. Aap abhi abhi Jeevan Sandhya se aarahe hain. Jaake thoda fresh hoke aaraam keejiye. Aajayega.

BB nods: Dinner mein kuch achcha banaya hain na? You know he comes back from these camps tired and irritable. (HK nods)

Ashu: Hi baba!

BB turns towards the door with a wide smile on his face: Arre Ashu..tu aagaya beta? How was the camp?

Ashu puts his bag in the hall and comes to the kitchen to get some water: Hi Kaka. Camp achcha tha baba. It went quite well actually. (His smiling face turns towards HK) Zor se bhook lagi hain kaka. Dinner ready hain kya?

HK exchanges a quick glance with BB: Haan haan beta. Dinner bilkul taiyyaar hain. Tum jaake nahaake aajao mein itne mein parosta hoon. (Ashu nods, gives them both another smile and goes up to his room with his bag in hand.) Mathur saab..yeh

BB nods: Haan Hiraman mein bhi wahi dekhraha hoon jo tum dekh rahe ho. He is back from a 3 day medical camp and he is in a good mood. No growling answers..no tired and irritable face..come to think of it, I rarely ever saw him this..this content and happy. Kuch toh hua hain. (BB's thoughts immediately go to that girl..Nidhi. Is she the reason?)

About the same time: Anji's room:

Nidhi comes running and hugs Anji before twirling around with her wildly: Arre..arre..arre..Nidhi..sambhalke. Slow down buddy. Mujhe chakkar aajayega. Chodna. (Nidhi leaves her and both collapse on the bed panting) Baat kya hain? Kya..hua kya?

Nidhi hugs the pillow: Pyaar! Mujhe pyaar hua hain Anji. Bahut saara..dhed saara pyaar! I feel..I feel like singing and dancing and shouting from roof tops. Listen everyone! I, Nidhi Verma, am in mmm..

Anji closes Nidhi's mouth with her hand: Shhh..ma sunlegi. Chillakyon rahi hain?

Nidhi hugs a pillow: It feels good Anji. It feels so..so..good. I love him..I love him..I love him..

Anji sighs and decides to divert the topic for her own peace of mind: Achcha..ok..FINE! How was the medical camp?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH0OiEcuzhI

Nidhi: It was good. I gave him the gift yesterday and we talked. Uske baad we got busy with all the patients and today was all about doing a follow up reminder kind of a thing with the patients. (She hugs the pillow tighter.) Tum jaanti ho Anji..when we reached KGH and everyone were leaving for their houses, he didn't move from the entrance until my taxi arrived. Ranga was talking something to him but he went inside only when I sat in the taxi and gave a small wave. (She gestures the small movement of her 4 fingers before bringing herself back to the present) Achcha mein chalti hoon. Ghar bhi nahi gayi abhi tak. I came here straight after getting down from the taxi. Kal baat karte hain. Bye. (And leaves like a joyful whirlwind. I have probably gone completely crazy But I don't care. I love Dr Ashutosh! Her lips softly form his name..Ashutosh! She reaches home, which is right beside Anji's and practically does a jig on her way inside. DB opens the door and Nidhi takes her in her arms and twirls her around. DB gets startled and gives a small yelp yet can't help but smile. Nidhi's face is glowing, her eyes are bright and shining and her smile is full of delight. She sees her Baba and on an impulse gives him a hug, laughs out loud and runs inside her room with her bag, closes the door, throws the bag aside, falls on her bed and rolls over a couple of time. Suddenly she gets up again and opens her cupboard to take out the kurta that she bought for Ashu and opens it, goes in front of the mirror, puts in front of her, closes her eyes and imagines him wearing it and smiling at her. Startled, she opens her eyes, runs her hand over it softly and places it back in her wardrobe. She picks up the towel and heads towards her bathroom doing a waltz with her imaginary partner before stopping in front of the bathroom mirror. I will see you tomorrow, right? Oh yeh raat kab guzregi aur yeh subah kab aayegi?

Next day morning: Ashu's residence:

BB looks up from his newspaper: Good morning beta. Kya baat hain aaj der se ute aur taiyaar bhi nahi hue? KGH nahi jaana hain kya?

Ashu sits beside his baba: Nahi baba. Jaana hain. But I will go in the afternoon. Have to make a report about the camp and present it to the management. Will wrap that up, have lunch and leave around 1.30-2.00. (Just then his phone rings. He frowns at the unknown number and lifts it) Yes?

Nidhi: Good morning sir. Mein..Nidhi.

Both eyebrows touch his hairline: Good morning. Kahiye detective Nidhi Verma. (Nidhi responds with a hearty chuckle. Ashu gets up and with the phone in his hand, goes to the front lawn leaving baba behind with a contemplative look on his face) May I ask how you got my number?

Nidhi: Sir..woh..uss din jab mein aap ke ghar aarahi thi..Dr Ranganath gave me your address and phone number. Sir..aap KGH aaj aarahe hain?

Ashu: Why?

Nidhi: Nahi..woh..buss..poochna tha. I am going to be under you from today na..(A dark flush steels over cheeks at that statement and as if realizing what she has just said, Nidhi starts stammering too) Oh..jeez..uh..I..I mean sir..my duties from now on will be in the department of Neurology. (He closes his eyes as an image of her dances before him..a slightly horrified embarrassed expression in eyes and her cheeks a delightful shade of pink.)

Ashu looks at his watch: Ok. Its 10 now. Do the rounds and update the case sheets for the post operative patients. I will be there in an hour or so. I have a management meeting at 4 so please make sure they don't give any appointments between 4 and 6.

Nidhi's voice raises up in excitement: You have a meeting today, sir? Oh. Ok. Will do. Uh..rakhti hoon sir.

Ashu: Ok..this is your number? Can I save it?

Nidhi: Sure sir. See you soon.

Ashu: Yeah. (He stuffs the phone back in his track pants and goes up to his room taking the steps 2 at a time. Since the presentation was half done the previous night, he quickly finishes the rest and gets ready in a suit. A dark grey one with a light blue shirt inside. His eyes are bright and shining as he stands in front of the mirror and knots the tie given by Nidhi. BB enters Ashu's room after a soft knock.) Ji baba?

BB: You are off to KGH now? (Ashu nods and starts unplugging his laptop and putting it in his bag) But you said you would go after lunch na?

Ashu's hands pause for moment in their task: Woh..baba..actually..

BB: Ashu, sach bata beta. Baat kya hain? Woh jo uss din aayi thi..Nidhi…who is she?

Ashu: She is an intern at KGH Baba. She told you that na.

BB looks deep into his son's eyes: That's it? An intern? She means nothing to you?

Ashu's gaze slides away from his baba: What could she mean to me Baba? I just met her last month for the first time.

BB shakes his head: Tum usse kab mile yeh important nahin hain Ashu. For someone to mean something to you, all you need is a chance to meet. That's all it takes sometimes.

Ashu huffs out a cynical laugh: Kya hua aaj aapko Baba? Woh ladki yahan aake ek din aapko rasam kya khiladiya, aap toh din mein hi sapne dekhne lage? Baba, Nidhi ek bachchi hain. Mujhse shaayad 18-20 saal choti hain. Uske baare mein mein aise kaise soch saktha hoon? Aur woh mere baare mein aisa kyon sochegi?

BB: Beta, pyaar umr ko nahin dekhta. Jisse jab hona hain hojaate hain. (And he hastens to assure his son) Aur issme koyi galati nahin hain Ashu. Agar tumhe Nidhi se..

Ashu cuts him off: Baba, buss..mujhe kissi se koi pyaar nahin karni hain. Aur pyaar karke mein kya karoonga Baba? Jiss tarah mere baap ne meri ma ki zindagi tabah kardi, mein bhi kissi aur ladki ki zindagi tabah kardoo? Kya yeh aap ko manzoor hoga Baba?

BB forcefully shakes his head as a no and catches hold of Ashu by his shoulders: Ashu, tum tumhaare pitah ki tarah nahin ho beta. You are different.

Ashu looks at BB with resigned eyes: Different? Different how Baba? You were his friend all those years ago na. You know that I look like him, I have his temper aur kya pata mauka aane par mein bhi closet alcoholic banjaau. Aap unke itne achche dost the and even you didn't know what kind of a person he actually was until everything came out in the court.

BB: Ashu, if you were like him, you wouldn't be talking like this in the first place. And I have brought you up since you were 7 years old. Janam dene wale se zyaada paalne wala zyaada influence karta hain beta. Krishna ko Devki ne janam diya. Par woh hain toh Yashoda Nandan hi na.

Ashu pulls away and turns to pick up his bag: Baba, yeh sab baaten sunne mein achche lagte hain. Bottom line is I have his genes. And there is no written guarantee that I won't become like my biological father. I studied this subject Baba. Abused kids have more chances of becoming abusive partners and parents. And I refuse to take that kind of chance on Nid…on someone else.

BB smiles and folds his hands: Dekha Ashu. Dil ki baat hooton par aahi gayi na. Tu Nidhi se pyaar karne laga hain. Aur yeh baat mein tab hi jaan gaya tha jab meine tum ko uske saath gaana gaate dekha. You tell me Ashu, when have you ever sung in front of others? You never did that before. Par uss din teri aawaz mein koi hichkichahat nahin thi. Aur jiss tarah se tum uski taraf dekhrahe the, your eyes told me the truth then itself.

Ashu: Uss din ki baat alag thi Baba and it won't happen again. I WON'T let it happen again. Chalta hoon. (He picks up his bag and leaves the room. A few moments later, BB hears the sound of Ashu's car backing out of the garage. You can deny all you want Ashu. But the fact is if it's destined to happen, neither of you have a choice. Nidhi tumhaare dil mein suraag karchuki hain Ashutosh. And some day soon you will realize that its not a curse but a blessing.

KGH Parking lot:

Ashu's car comes to a screeching halt at his usual parking space. But the person inside it is still sitting in the car with absolutely no knowledge of how he got there. He keeps hearing his baba's words. "Dekha Ashu. Dil ki baat hooton par aahi gayi na. Tu Nidhi se pyaar karne laga hain." How did this happen? WHEN did this happen? Mujhe Nidhi se pyaar hogaya..kyon? I don't want this. I never wanted anyone in my life. I don't want. No! (His eyes look at his own refelection in the car mirror. Gritting his teeth, he removes the tie with a swift tug) Not now..not ever! I will make sure of it. (He locks his jaw) No matter what..I will make sure of it. Ek achchi ladki do baaten kya karli tumne apne hosh khodiye? Nahi Dr Ashutosh Mathur! most definitely NOT! (He makes a move to throw the tie in the empty seat beside but his fingers form a fist around it and refuse to cooperate. With a rough growl, he shoves it into his trouser pocket and gets down from the car.)

Department of Neurology:

"Dr Nidhi, do you know what Acoustic Neuroma is?

Nidhi, who is doing rounds with one of the PG, Dr Vedant, looks up from her note pad with a slight frown on her face: It arises from cells that form a protective sheath around the nerve fibers and typically grows around the 8^th cranial nerve. But some times, it can be found in other cranial or spinal nerves too, right?

Vedant nods: (He gestures towards the patient on the bed) Dr Ashutosh had performed the surgery on this guy. The goal of the surgery is the complete removal of the tumour without harming the 7^th cranial nerve, which controls the facial movement or causing hearing loss. I was there in the OT that day, you know..(He shakes his head in wonder, his admiration obvious.) I tell you Nidhi, sir has magical hands.

Ashu: How is the patient Vedant?

Both Vedant and Nidhi swirl around to face the person of their mutual admiration. Nidhi's entire face lights up before dimming a little as her eyes take in his suit minus the tie. He said he would wear the tie when there is a management meeting. Why didn't he? (She bites her lower lip) May be he didn't get a chance to unpack as yet. Kal hi laute na camp se. With that thought, she smiles at him: Good morning sir.

Ashu gives a vague nod without looking at her directly: Vedant, whats the progress? (And listens to the update before listing out further instructions and change of medications to some of the in-patients.) Who is going to be in the night shift tonight?

Nidhi: Me sir.

Ashu nods, his eyes still on the patient chart: Ok. I have a surgery posted tomorrow morning at 6. So please make sure you give all the necessary instructions to the patient and her attendant as soon as you sign in. Vedant, please give her the list. (With a nod, he returns the charts to Vedant and walks out of the ward.)

4 days later:

Nidhi signs off from her duty and starts walking through the corridor, lost in thought. What is wrong? Why is he not smiling at me any more? Forget smile, he has not even looked at me properly in the last few days. Lunch ke time pe bhi nahi aarahe hain. Either he is busy or he is already done with his lunch by the time I go to the canteen. Why? Did I do or say something to offend him? (Her steps falter) Have I in any way made my feeling obvious to him? Does he think of me odd and weird because of that? But he is not objecting to my flowers, is he? What do I do? Should I ask him? (A slight shake of her head) No. I can't do that. What will I ask?

Her thoughts get interrupted as she nears the casuality and the sounds of a weeping female reach her ears. Without further thought, she goes inside to find a boy of about 6 and a woman, his mother probably, crying and wringing her hands helplessly beside him. Nidhi crouches down before him and sees his dislocated shoulder before looking at the blank expression on his face. She talks softly to him and asks the staff to call Dr Rao and removes his shirt to check over the shoulder. What she sees makes her take a step back. His back is a series of crisscross marks. Some old and some as new as a day. Someone has beaten this little boy with a belt. She carefully turns the boy around and holds his hands: Beta, aap ko kisi ne maara? Kisne? (The boy doesn't reply. Same still face and stoic expression. Nidhi then looks at the mother.) Aap ke bete ko kisne maara? (The mother also doesn't reply. Nidhi looks at her closely and sees that the woman has a blackeye which is almost healed and one side of her face is swollen as if someone has hit her hard.) Aap ke pati kahan hain? (The woman's face turns pale at the mention of her husband and she jerks away.) He did this to you and your son? (After a few seconds the woman gives a small nod. Nidhi immediately backs off.) Aap yahan baitiye. Dr Rao aate hi honge. Wohi aapke bete ka ilaaj karenge. Yahi pe rahiye. Ok? kahi jaayiyega nahi. (Then she backs off quickly and backs out of the exam room. She meets Dr Rao outside and explains the situation to him in low tones and he directs her to inform Dr Ranganath and Dr Ashutosh. She goes to Ranga's cabin and tells the whole story, asks him to inform the police and make sure the injuries are photographed and documented. No matter what, I am going to convince the woman to file charges against her husband. God! What kind of people are there in this world! She asks Ranga where Dr Ashutosh is and is told that he would be near the ICU because one of his patients is out of the coma. She goes in search of Ashu and finds him outside ICU talking to someone, the patient's family probably. Nidhi stops a little away from him and waits for him to finish the conversation and within a few moments he wishes them all good luck and turns towards her with a completely neutral expression: Yes, Nidhi?

Nidhi: Sir, there is a case in casualty..

Ashu: Head injury?

Nidhi: No sir. Shoulder dislocation.

Ashu frowns: Then call Dr Rao.

Nidhi: Sir, that kid is about 6 years old and he has belt marks all over his back. His mother is not in any better sta..

Ashu doesn't listen to the rest of her sentence. His brisk walk takes him to the casualty and his look falls on the boy and the mother. The look on their faces is so familiar to him that he takes an instinctive step back and his back hits the door. The nurse is putting an ice pack on the woman's cheek and Dr Rao is examining the boy's shoulder. Ranganath is filling up some form and making a call on his cell phone. Before he can go and ask Dr Rao on the update, a man of about 40 enters the room. "Yeh aap log mere bete ke saath kya kar rahe hain?"

Ranganath walks towards him: Aap kaun?

"I am Rajender. She is my wife and that boy is my son."

Ranga: Can you tell me how your son got hurt?

Rajender gives a negligent shrug: Bachcha hain. Iss umr mein kuch na kuch toh lag hi jaata hain. Not to worry. Now I am here. I will take care from here. You just treat them and discharge them.

Ashu comes close: Suna nahi Dr Ranganath ne kya poocha? He asked how did your son get hurt. (His voice is calm and very very controlled.)

Rajender: And didn't you hear what I said? It's none of your damn business.

Ashu in the same calm voice: I am making it my business. Now answer the question. Uss bachche ko kisne maara? (That still soft voice is sending shivers down the spines of the staff of KGH because they know what would follow. It is the calm before the storm and the storm is about to hit the shore. Even Ranganath takes a step back. Nidhi is looking on and is biting her lip to stop herself from calling out to Ashu)

Rajender takes a step back as Ashu calmly advances one step towards him: Get away from me and send those two along with me.

Ashu: WHO. HIT. THE. CHILD?

Rajender: Tume isse kya matlab hain doctor? Tumhaare bachcha hain kya? Kahi meri biwi ne.. (Ashu holds Rajender's collar and literally lifts him off the ground. His toes are barely touching the ground and he starts struggling in Ashu's hold.) What do you think you are doing? Leave me. I SAID LEAVE ME!

Ashu: THEN ANSWER THE QUESTION. WHO HIT THE CHILD?

Nidhi by now is scared out of her wits. She is not worried about Ashu getting hurt physically. But if he hits this guy and the guy takes the issue to the police then…she runs towards Ranganath: Ranganath, kuch keejiye. Dr Ashutosh is going to hit that guy now.

Ranganath gives her a "get real" look: You really think I am brave enough to get in between those 2 now? I have already called the police. They will be here at any moment. Don't worry. (Nidhi looks around the rest of the staff members but none seem inclined to intervene or diffuse the situation in any way.)

Rajender finally breaks off Ashu's hold on his collar and almost falls down: Abe poochne wala tu kaun hota hain? Mera beta hain. Meri marzi. Chahe maaroo ya zinda jala daaloo.. (Ashu raises his hand in a fist to deliver one solid punch to his face when Nidhi comes running and literally puts herself between the two men. Ashu's hand stops within an inch of Nidhi's face. She sees his face flushed with anger, teeth gritting, eyes gone red and breath rasping through his mouth. Ashu slowly registers her face tense with fear and a kind of desperate plea in her eyes. He lowers his raised hand, pushes Nidhi and Rajender out of the way almost shoving them away in his haste and leaves the room. Just then the police enter and start assessing the situation. Nidhi stumbles a little, quickly regains her balance and runs after him leaving a stunned audience behind her. He barges into his cabin and is about to bang the door shut when Nidhi stops it and comes in after him and softly closes the door. He goes and stands near the chair that's placed beside the sofa and grips the headrest.)

Ashu: Get out Nidhi!

Nidhi: Sir, please! Calm down. Aap baitiye aur yeh paani peejiye.

Ashu throws the glass down: Mujhe paani nahi peena hain. And I said GET OUT!

Nidhi: No! I have come to say something and I WILL say it no matter how much you shout at me.

Ashu: What do you want to say Nidhi? That I lost my temper? That I should have controlled myself? Is that it? My intern is going to give ME lessons now?

Nidhi: No sir. Your anger is justified. But you can't go around hitting people..

Ashu cuts off her sentence: And that monster? He can go around hitting and torturing his wife and son? Is that what you want to say?

Nidhi: No sir..

Ashu: Ya yeh kehna chaahiti ho ki mujhe unlogon ko apni haalat mein chod dena chahiye. Sab ka apna apna naseeb hain ka bhaashan sunana chahti ho?

Nidhi sighs: Nahi sir par..

Ashu: And whats it to you Nidhi? Mein kya karta hoon, kise kaise maarta hoon isse tumhe kya lena dena? Whats your problem? Saara hospital chup hain lekin yeh Jhansi ki rani khadi hogayi mere saamne. You didn't think once what would have happened if my fist had connected with your face?

Nidhi: That wouldn't have happened sir. And I didn't know any other way to stop you from hitting that guy.

Ashu bangs his fist on the table: Precisely my point Nidhi. Why SHOULD you stop me? Forget about hitting him, I wanted to kill him for what he is doing to his family.

Nidhi: Sir, think for a minute. Police were already on their way. They would have handled it. But if they had seen you hitting that guy, khamakha aap bhi fass jaate na..

Ashu whirls around to face her: Khamakha?? You think I should have folded my hands and waited for the police?

Nidhi shakes her head: Think about your profession for a minute Dr Ashutosh. If that guy launches a complaint against you, it would be a forever black mark on you..

Ashu: Arre bhad mein gaya mera profession aur bhad mein gayi meri career! And whats it to YOU anyway? Agar mein chala gaya toh your internship won't stop. Some other Dean will come and take over. Tumhe koi farak nahi padnewala hain Nidhi.

Nidhi locks her eyes with his: Farak padta hain sir. Bahut farak padta hain.

Ashu: Kyon?

Nidhi: Because I have fallen in love with you! I love you.