|| Behind The Veil Of Lies: A NiBir SS || chap 7: pg 42, 30/7

*3:45pm, Woodbridge hospital,*

"May I come in Sir?"

"Yes Dr.Kirti! You had asked for a half-day off, hadn't you?", asked Dr.Umesh, not looking up from the psychiatry journal he was reading.

"I had sir! But, all thanks to Dr.Shyam for ruining it", muttered an irritated Kirti, which caught Umesh's attention.

"What's the matter?", he asked.

"Sir, Dr.Shyam has taken a half-day today and is on leave for the next two days. So, you are referred to a case he was supposed to handle." informed Kirti.

"But, why me? Where's Dr.Nisha? Isn't she the one who's assigned to handle his cases in his absence?", enquired Umesh.

"Sir, it's for her he's taken the leave.", she sighed.

"Sorry?"

"Sir, Dr.Shyam is coaching Nisha for the upcoming PG exams. So, both are on leave for the next two days and Nisha will be given a half-day thereafter untill her exams", explained Kirti.

"Where is he coaching her?"

"In his quarters Sir."

"Kirti, you do know the probable consequences of this right? Nisha may...", trailed off an uncertain Umesh.

"I'm aware of it sir. But, how do I make Nisha understand this?!. She's promised me to be back by 8pm and latest by 9pm. If she doesn't return by then she's asked me to come to the quarters.", she stated.

"Alright then! Now, get me Dr.Shyam's patient's case history.", said Umesh closing the journal he was reading.

"In a minute sir!.", with that Kirti rushed out of Umesh's cabin.

*9:15pm, PG hostel,*

"Kirti, is Nisha back yet?"

"No sir, and her number is not reachable", spoke a tensed Kirti over the phone.

"Shyam's phone is switched off too!. I knew this was a bad idea! Kirti, join me at the staff quarters in 10 minutes ok?", ordered a worried Umesh.

"Ok sir!"

*At the quarters, in front of Dr.Shyam's door,*

"Sir, the door is ajar! But, why is it so silent inside?!", whisper-asked an anxious Kirti.

"Let's go in.", whispered back an equally anxious Umesh.

They walked in but stopped in the hallway gasping at the scene that welcomed them.

"Nishu!!", gasped a shocked Kirti, moving forward but stopped short when Umesh held her back.

"No Kirti, don't", said Umesh, his gaze fixed over a particular spot.

"But sir, Nisha needs...", started Kirti who was on the verge of tears, but was cut off by an emotionless Umesh,