:: A Ray of Hope :: Sai Joshi x New Lead FF [Note - PG 21*17/04] - Page 5

Originally posted by: Gurveen

Totally love the concept

Atleast naw Sai and savi will have a proper family who will really love and appreciate them

Please continue

Thankooooooooooooooo🤗

I'm so glad that you liked it!

Originally posted by: theshadowdiva

Why am I so so so excited for Sai to see opposite a new ML? Thank you so much for this story! 🤩

I seriously want Shantanu Malhotra to kick Virat's a$$.

Thankooooooooo for the support🤗

Sai deserves a new lead!

And Shantanu will definitely do that!

.Chapter 2.

"Maushi! Kya aap mere liye dahi-shakkar leke aayenge?" yelled Sai, as she gave her hair one last brush and looked at her reflection in the mirror.

The reflection that stared back at her didn't seem like herself at all. It looked far too serious, as if it had no reason to smile. Well, of course her reflection would only reflect what is there. And she had become extremely serious, with little to smile for. Savi was the only reason for her happiness, and ever since Virat's arrival, this reason too seemed to be fading away.

"Sai... Baada..." Usha Maushi stood at the entrance to her room with a bowl of dahi-shakkar in her hand. "Tu ek job interview ke liye jaa rahi hai. Apni zindagi mein ek nayi shuruat karne wali hai. Itna serious mat rehna. Ab se jo bhi tumhare zindagi mein hoga, accha hi hoga." said Usha Maushi, as she fed her a spoon of the sweetened curd.

"Haan Maushi. Aap theek hi keh rahe hai. Ab jo bhi mere zindagi mein hoga, accha hi hoga." said Sai, more to herself than Usha Maushi, as took in a deep breath and let the calmness settle in.

"All the best Sai beta! Yeh naukri pakka tumhari hogi." said Usha Maushi, as Sai touched her feet and left for the interview.

...

"Dr. Sai Joshi, welcome to Sanjeevani! We're very proud to have you here! You've shown a very good presence of mind during the bus accident last week, and we need more people like you." said Dr. Rajveer Khanna, the Director and Chief Surgeon of Sanjeevani hospital.

"Thank you Dr. Khanna. Sanjeevani is one of India's best hospitals with the best staff. Aur yahan itni famous aur renowned doctors ke saath kaam karne, unse seekhna, it was my dream. And I can't believe that it's coming true now." said Sai, remembering how she used to tell her Aaba that she would work in Sanjeevani one day.

"We look forward to working with you Dr. Sai Joshi. Your expertise as a trauma surgeon is much needed everywhere. Ab aap aayiye, main aapko dusre doctors aur staff members se inroduce karwa deta hoon. We're hoping you could join us by next week." said Dr. Khanna, as he led Sai towards the meeting rooms.

"Sure Dr. Khanna. Main next Monday se join karungi." said Sai, as she stepped out of his cabin.

...

"Hello... Maushi! Mujhe naukri mil gayi Maushi! Main Monday se join kar rahi hoon! Wahan ke jo Director hai na, woh mere surgical portfolio ko lekar bohot impressed the! Bol rahe the ki woh bohot khush hai ki yahan join kar rahi hoon!" Sai excited shouted over the phone, making Usha Maushi smile.

"Sai, Baada, maine bola tha na, ab jo bhi hoga, accha hi hoga? Dekha! Ab tum jaldi ghar aa jao. Savi bhi ghar wapas aa gayi hai, aur hum teeno milkar celebrate karenge." said Usha Maushi, as she got up to make Modaks and Vada Pav for Sai.

After a long time, Sai felt like she had something to look forward to in her life. She finally had a job as a Trauma Surgeon, that too in the hospital of her dreams!

"Bappa! Thank you, thank you, thank you so much, mera saath dene ke liye!" said Sai, as she happily skipped down the stairs.

However, in her excitement, Sai had forgotten to see the puddle of water in front of her. Within a fraction of a second, her foot made contact with the puddle and she felt herself slipping, going down and down... until she was just about to make contact with the ground. Sai shut her eyes tight, waiting for the impact of the fall, but it never came. Instead of the hard ground beneath her back, she felt a pair of strong arms snake around her waist, holding her tight.

Shocked, she opened her eyes, looking up to see who her "rescuer" was... and her breath caught in her throat. A pair of chocolate brown eyes stared back her with a concern she hadn't felt in a long time. She let her eyes travel around further, taking in the perfectly angular nose, soft pink lips, a broad forehead with a frown on it...

She snapped out of her reverie as she took in his familiar features. It was him. Shantanu Malhotra. The man who saved her.

"Are you okay, Dr. Sai?" Shantanu's voice came out in a low whisper, his hands still around her waist.

"Y... Yes, I'm okay." said Sai, wondering why her brain had forgotten how to form words in her head.

"Thank goodness." said Shantanu, the expression of concern turning into an expression of amusement.

"Main... main actually aapse baat karna chahti thi Mr. Malhotra." said Sai, awareness setting in once again.

"Boliye." Shantanu waited for her continue. It was then he realized that he still hadn't let go of her. His hands were still around her waist, holding her close to him. Sai seemed to realize this at the same time too, because she pulled away immediately.

"Ummm... actually, I wanted to thank you. You saved my life. Thank you for bringing me to the hospital and getting me treated on time." said Sai, gratitude evident in the very tone of her voice.

"Arre, woh toh kuch bhi nahi tha Dr. Sai. In fact, mujhe aapko thank you bolna chahiye, because you saved Sneha's life. Sneha baby meri jaan hai. Bhaiyya ne mujhe bola bhi tha, ki main Sneha ko accompany karoon uss trip pe, lekin ek business call ke wajah se main rukh gaya. If anything had happened to her, main khud ko kabhi bhi maaf nahi kar paata. Aur uss mushkil waqt mein, jab log khud ko pehle bachane ki koshish karte hain, aapne baaki saare parents aur bachchon ki jaan bachayi. Seriously, hats off to you, Dr. Sai." said Shantanu, giving her a mock salute, making her lips pull into a small smile.

"Mr. Malhotra, main ek doctor hoon. Aur logon ki jaan bachana mera farz hai. Aapko mujhe thank you bolne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai. Ek aur baat. Main bohot shukrguzaar hoon ki aapne uss din meri madat ki. But I can't let you pay for my treatment. Yeh cheque lijiye aap. And please don't refuse, because I will find a way to get the money to you somehow." said Sai, taking his hand to place the cheque on it.

Shantanu could smile at Sai's straightforwardness as he pocketed the cheque. From this one gesture, he could easily figure out that Dr. Sai Joshi was not someone who would sit back and let people do things for her. She was someone who made it a point to help herself and everyone else around her. She was someone who valued her self-respect and dignity over everything else. He felt the respect he had for her rise more and more until it filled him.

"Okay, Dr. Sai Joshi. I understand that you don't like other people doing things for you. Okay, fair enough. Issi liye, without arguement, main yeh cheque le raha hoon. Lekin, for saving my niece's life, you must help me pay you back." said Shantanu, making a puppy face that made Sai want to laugh.

"I saved your niece's life, and you saved my life Mr. Malhotra. Ab hisaab barabar." said Sai, noting the look of disappointment on his face.

"Nahi. Hisaab barabar nahi hua. Jis situation mein aapne Sneha baby to bachaya, woh ek bohot hi dangerous situation tha. Aur jis situation mein maine aapko bachaya, woh ek normal sa situation tha. So, no hisaab barabar. You have to let me make it up to you. Agar aapne maana nahi na, mere bhaiyya aur bhabhi mujhe maarenge, aur mujhe bhi bohot bura lagega." said Shantanu, continuing to make the puppy face, much to Sai's amusement.

"Okay, okay, fine. You can make it up to me. What do you suggest?" asked Sai, laughing at Shantanu's antics. Her carefree laugh brought a big smile on Shantanu's face too.

"This weekend, you must allow me to take you out for lunch. Please mana mat karo. And no, I'm not trying to creepy, and I promise ki main aap pe line bhi nahi maarunga. Food is the only way I know how express gratitude, or anything else for that matter." said Shantanu, his words making Sai laugh further.

"Offo Mr. Malhotra! Maine ek pal ke liye bhi nahi socha ki aap mujhpe line maarne ke liye mujhe lunch pe bula rahe hai. And okay, if you insist so much, then I will let you buy me lunch this weekend. Lekin, main apni beti ko bhi saath mein leke aaungi. Usko bhi restaurant food bohot pasand hai." said Sai, remembering Savi's love for junk foods.

"Deal... aur main Sneha baby ko bhi leke aaunga, taki Savi ko bhi accha lage. So, Saturday at 1 o'clock then?" asked Shantanu, extending his hand for a handshake.

"Yes, Saturday, 1 o'clock. Pakka." said Sai, giving him a firm handshake.

"I'll pick you from you place then. Bye!" said Shantanu, before walking into the hospital.

"Okay, bye!" Sai turned around to leave the hospital, her spirits strangely joyful and enthusiastic.

She knew that she had a lot to worry about - Virat and his family who were constantly interfering in her life, Savi's growing attachment to Virat and the complications it brought for her, Pakhi and her unnecessary resentment towards Savi... so many problems to be resolved. But at this moment, she was indefinitely happy.

It's weird how just talking to one person can shift your mood completely. And that's what she felt when she was talking to Shantanu Malhotra. His easy demeanor, his easy-doing personality, and his light-hearted talks made her forget how messed up her life was for a brief moment.

It was at that moment, when she was thinking about this person known as Shantanu Malhotra, that a thought hit her like a rock...

Did she just agree to go out on a date with him?

...

Precap: Sai and Shantanu go on a "non-date" (as quoted by Sai), where they run into a shocked Patralekha and Virat.

Author's Note:

Hey guys! I'm so overwhelmed with the responses this SS got! And I'm having so much fun writing this! I really hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and drop in your feedback in the comments, so that I can improve my writing. Also, if you have any particular scene about the leads you want me to write about, let me know, and I'll try incorporating it in the story!

Love,

Niya ❤️

So thrilled to see that Sai has got a good job. It makes me feel happy to read about someone like Shantanu immediately recognize Sai for being a kind hearted, dignified person. I just want her to be valued, admired because she deserves it and its soothing to see Sai meet people who are also equally kind, intelligent and considerate. I am happy that Sai will have a chance to meet Sneha and Shantanu and have a good time at lunch...it'll be refreshing to see her enjoy the little things in life. I hope that V and P dont ruin her day.

Will look forward to the next part! Jaldi update karna....and thank you for writing something like this.

Ohh ohh ohhh !!!!!! Sanjeevani hospital brought all the memories of those days... Update was awesome dear... Well whatever Sai says it is definitely a date for me.... Devar bhabhi will witness this wow!!! Forget Virat I am more interested to know how will Pakhi react to this... I mean Sai spotted with someone more handsome than Viiiiirrrrraaaaahhhhhttttt

This is too good yar❤️❤️ loved the update. Falling in love with Sai and shantanu pair on their first convo itself😍 waiting for non date and shantanu family intro😃

Ahh!! Feeling the flutters already😳

Sai has got a job she long deserved, thank goodness kahi pe toh theek ka job Mila😶‍🌫️

Amazing update ❤️

i would suggest to send this story to vanku , he might atleast get idea for a better romantic story in ghum,

Very nice story

Finally Sai gets a good job and that too her dream job....Yayyyy for my girl!

Secondly, Shantanu and Sai interact properly 🥳🥳 I really need a couple name for them...do you have anything in your mind?

I already like the light hearted convos between them, Sai needs a ray of sunshine like Shantanu❤️ he is so cute 🥺

Why do I feel Virat is gonna be like "why are you meeting this man" and when Sai says that's none of his business he is gonna say who Savi meets is his business and just create a scene. I can't wait to see their reactions 🤣

About any scene between the leads, do you think you could maybe write a scene later on in the story obviously where Sai gets a nightmare and Shantanu comforts her? I love such vulnerable scenes between leads .. something of similar sorts would be so sweet and soft!

As usual, loved the update and I am excited for the next part! Thanks for the tag❤️❤️❤️

Sanjeevani=DMG

*Hum to chale the Dost ban kar* it's memorable.

So the update is very very good, Sai got the job and I hope she has the best environment with the OG Cast.

I am very excited for the upcoming revelation.