Short stories: Fourteenth one up; Page 13 - Page 3

Nidhi came to know from someone that it was Ashu's birthday the next day...she had started to develop feelings for him but couldn't express it ever. But she definitely wanted to make it a special day for him...she went to the market and brought a present for him. Next day she went to meet him in his cabin and wished him on his birthday. "Thanks Dr Nidhi but as everyone knows I don't celebrate my birthday ever...so you should also take care of this... He said. She told him that birthday is always a special day and that comes just once a year...so it should be celebrated in a special way... and she offered him the present she had brought for him. Initially he refused to accept the present but she kept it on his table and asked him to throw it away if he doesn't want to keep it. After she left he got busy in his work and forgot about the present but while leaving for home in the evening, he saw it and he picked it up and went home. On reaching home he opened it and found a light blue shirt inside...a smile came up on his face as this was his favourite colour but he had never thought someone would know it without him telling her. He was impressed with her sweet gesture and he thanked her at heart for giving him a present on his birthday...his first ever in his life. Next day he wore that same shirt gifted by her and went to the hospital...Nidhi saw him wearing it and her smile gave him an immense pleasure which was unknown to him till now. He too responded with a thank you signal through his eyes which could be seen and understood only by the one for whom it was meant.

The lift doors opened and he found her standing inside alone...she straightened when she saw him. He asked her "where are you going? She told him that she was on her way to the ward on the 5^th floor as she was posted there on her night duty. The lift was on its way up when suddenly the lights went off... His fears which were there in his heart since childhood came afresh in his mind when once he was stuck alone in the lift for more than two hours. He usually avoided lifts but since he had hurt his right foot few days back...he had to use them. He closed his eyes... stumbled out of his fear ...tried to hold on to something... his hands took support of the lift bar...and instantly he spoke up...Baba jaldi aa jaao Baba...mujhe darr lag raha hai... Nidhi heard this and not being able to understand anything...but she could make out that her strict Dean was scared inside the dark lift. She held his hands and tried to comfort him...Sir don't worry...main yahin hu ...aapke paas...dariye nahi. He held her hands tightly and held onto him until the lights came on... she found him sweating, shivering and anxious. "Aap theek hain Sir? she asked and he signaled that he was fine. The lift started again and both of them came out and he went towards his office. She accompanied him and as he sat on his chair... she offered him water. He had water and asked her to leave as he was fine now... she needs to report on her duty and he didn't want any problems to any of his patients. She was about to leave when she turned around and said...Sir... apne andar ke darr ko bahar nikalne ka sabse achha tareeka hota hai ki us darr ka samna kiya jaye...koi apna saath ho to yeh aur aasan ho jaata hai...aur aaj aapne us darr ka samna kar liya hai...ab aapko lift mein darr nahi lagega... She was about to leave his office when he called her name...Dr Nidhi... She stopped and looked towards him...thank you so much ...he said and she smiled on hearing this and she went to complete her work in the ward.

End of this😊