Let's be friends

"He has a patient here.."

"Patient? Any relatives?" Nihan asked skeptically.

"No.. not relative.. someone else.." The doctor said.

"Can I visit them?" She asked and it sounded more like a request than a demand.

"wait... why are you enquiring about him? Are you from media?" The Doctor stared at her questioningly and perplexed. Nihan rolled her eyes, searching for words.The doctor was still staring, expecting an answer and finally she smiled and said. "No..no..no..no..... I am not from media.. I am just.... just a huge fan of him.. I just asked out of curiousity.."

"Oho... Kids these days...." He laughed out loud as if he heard a joke.

"please doctor... Can you tell me?" She softly pleaded with a cute face and he was convinced by that. He thought a little bit and spoke. "Look Dr. Nihan.. you your self is a doctor and also Malini's friend. So i trust you. But I don't want any headache for me in the future. "

"Sure Doctor.. You can trust me.." Nihan nodded her head and said in a serious voice.

"Fourth floor, Room no. 453.." He took a deep breath and said. After thanking him, Nihan quickly ran to the room and stopped in front of the door. She pushed the half closed door and looked inside. At first glance it may seem doubtful whether it is a hospital room or not. The interior was designed as if it was a V.I.P suit of a seven star hotel.

She pushed her head inside completly through the door. But couldn't see anyone there. She looked around and made sure that no one is noticing her, then entered the room. Nihan jumped into the empty bed, thoughtfully observing each corner of the frozen room.

"Who will it be? Who's that VIP who's been kept here so secretly?" She thought.

"Or may be.. It must be his girlfriend.." Nihan was thinking about all the possibilities. But she was sure that no one will love that rude, arrogant monster. Suddenly she remembered his face and the way he looked at her. There was no particular reason for it. Just some moments she spent with him, some kind of feeling. it filled in her thoughts and her face lit up, lips widened and her heart began to beat faster.

why is she worried about his personal life? Even if he has a girlfriend, it has nothing to do with her. Nihan kept all her useless thoughts and decided to leave.

At the same time, A nurse brought Devaki inside, who was in a wheelchair. And Devaki's mother ran to Nihan as soon as she saw her.

"oh dear... you are here.." She said in a pleasant voice. Nihan smiled a faint smile in the sense of yes.The nurse helped Devaki to lie down on the bed and then left the room.

"come dear... have a seat.." The old lady said to Nihan.

"How do you know Abhay.. i mean Abhay khanna.. how do you know him?" Nihan couldn't hold back her eager and asked without a preamble.

"About whom you are talking about?"

"The man who arranged all these for you.." Nihan clarified.

"oh yes... That young man with a kind heart.."

Nihan was really surprised to hear this from her mouth. She addressed Abhay khanna as a kind hearted man. Is it really possible to hear some nice words about him. Nihan nodded yes in surprise.

"That day, some people came to our house after you left. At first I thought they were your people. And only after we came here, i got to know that they were people of the grand father who received our varun's heart.."

The old lady took a glass of water and gave it to Nihan. Nihan drank a sip and said nothing and heard her silently.

"He is taking all responsibility and cost of the treatment of my daughter here.And also he promised, he would repair the damage of our house. "

Nihan could not digest her words. After all Abhay was the one who made the mistake from the beginning. Now all he tried to do is give some compensation. she doesn't understand the fact that how these people are satisfied by his money.

"does it change what he did to you?" asked Nihan.

"No dear, of course not.. At first, we did not agree to him. But my heart melted when he came today and sincerely apologized to my Devaki ."

"What...? you are saying that Abhay khanna came here and apologised to Devaki didi??" Nihan asked,disbelief in her eyes. The old lady nodded yes and smiled calmly.

"But apologising cannot wipe out his mistakes..." Nihan murmured.

"That's true dear.. But tell me onething. who doesn't make mistakes? Mistakes happen from everyone including you and me. But few people seem to admit it, apologize and correct it. If we accept such people now, they will not repeat these mistakes in their life again. So, this mother wanted to give him a chance. Am I wrong??" She stopped speaking and looked at her for an answer.

She is right. Thought Nihan. If an arrogant person like Abhay Khanna has come down so much, he has undergone a lot of changes. Or maybe something went wrong with her judgement of him. Suddenly a kind of despair overwhelmed her heart, thinking how she over reacted without fully understanding him.

She put the glass down on the table, got up and nodded her head. "No," said Nihan. "You did the right thing.."

***

Nihan went to a shop she saw on the way back from Devaki's home. She ran her fingers through each of the items there. And finally found an expensive fountain pen. She bought it and packed it as a gift.

She headed straight to Seven Hearts Medical Company, located in the heart of Mumbai. The Security man , standing in front of the big entrance door, blocked her from entering inside.

"You can't go in.."

"I want to see Mr. Abhay khanna.. " said Nihan.

"Do you have an appointment..?" The security man asked Nihan in a robotic voice. And she shook her shoulder as no. Nihan realized that arguing with him is useless. She decided to wait for him there.

After a few hours, Abhay khanna's car has reached in front of the building. The security man ran to the car and opened the door for him. Nihan smiled very brightly with a hope as she saw Abhay Khanna and Uday Khanna getting out of the car. But Abhay pretended like he didn't see Nihan and walked inside passing her. While Uday, who was following him, did not forget to smile at her. She tried to smile back.

"Do not get angry Nihan.. just remember why you came here..." Nihan murmured herself, controlling her anger at his attitude.

"Abhay...." called uday and said. " don't be rude.. you saw that girl standing there. didn't you?"

"so what..?" Abhay showed no emotions and sat on his chair coolly.

"What if she has something important to tell you??" Uday sat down on one of the chairs in front of the table and asked calmly.

"Where is the file of our new project?" Abhay changed the subject immediately. He doesn't want to discuss about it. To avoid uday's further doubts he opened his laptop and pretended to be busy working on it.

"it's already in your email.. check it" answered uday, showing no interest.

"Did you finalise the plot?" asked abhay in a serious tone.

"we have already selected three plots. You can choose and finalise one.."

Abhay stared at the screen for a while. And suddenly raising his eyes at uday, closed his lap and announced. "Rejected.."

"What..?" Uday couldn't believe his words. He tried so hard to find these places. And he just rejected it. Uday couldn't accept this at all. Abhay raised his eyebrows with a question mark.

"And what is the reason Abhay...?" Asked Uday.

"First, There are no facilities for waste management. second, it is too crowded place, not apt for our company.. "

"And the third one??" Uday looked at him with a slight hope in his eyes.

"I didn't like it.. you can go now.." Abhay replied. it was clear in his voice that he wanted to end this conversation here. Uday knew him well. There is no use of arguing with him. Once he decided, no one can change his mind.

"okey then.. i will go and find a better place.." Uday got up from his chair. Abhay gestured him to go. Uday smiled at him and disappeard.

Abhay leaned back in his chair. He pressed his right elbow against the handle of the chair and rubbed his lips with his fingers. After few minutes of thinking, he called someone and said. "Let her in.."

He stared at the door, with hope in his eyes and a hidden playful smile on his lips. Soon Nihan appeared in front of his eyes. He could not take off his eyes from her. She was wearing a red full sleeve kurta and blue jeans. Her long dark hair was in a ponytail down her back. Her hands were held tightly to the cord of the bag lying across the chest. Abhay could see how nervous she was.

"May I come in...?" She asked. He blinked, meaning yes, without taking his eyes off her. Nihan went in and stood in front of his desk.

"Dr. Nihan hyder khan..." He called out in a funny tone.

"yes.. Mr. Abhay khanna..." Nihan copied him with confidence.

"mm.. I am impressed. " Abhay leaned back to his chair. Smiled, rubbing his lips with his fingers.

"Can I sit here..?" Asked nihan, showing one of the chair.

"yes, yes sure..."

Nihan sat into the chair and let out a long breath. suddenly, a prolonged and general silence followed them. She was confused not knowing what to say or what to do. Because his silence was worst than his anger. when the silence became uncomfortable, She took out a well wrapped gift from her bag and pushed it gently toward his side on the table.

Abhay took it in his hands. While observing the box carefully, he asked her. "And what is this?"

"Thanks and sorry.." She replied.

"Pardon.." He couldn't believe his ears. Abhay had never expected her to say sorry and thanks to him. He was surprised to see her like that.

"I just said Thanks and sorry to you.." She repeated her words in a gentle way. And Abhay smiled. A smile of conqueror.

"Dr. Nihan hyder khan herself came to me and even said sorry and thanks... Did the sun rise today in any other direction? I mean how is this possible...?"

Abhay didn't want to let go of her easily. He was waiting for this moment for long. He wanted to make fun of her. For no reason, he just wanted to make her angry.

"Look Abhay.., I am not here to argue with you.. I know, i made a mistake.. . When it was realized, I felt the need to correct it. That's all. Got it? " unable to control her anger, Nihan jumped up from her seat and said with pride.

Abhay put his gift back on the table, laughed out loud, clapped his hands and stood up from his chair.

"Now.. That is better.. That's the Nihan i know.." He walked over, stood in front of her, and leaned against the table. He folded his arms and looked at her with a naughty smile on his lips.

"Sorry...." Nihan tried to hide her shyness in her warm smile.

"Again..?" asked abhay in a romantic voice, looking in her eyes.

Nihan was paralysed by his act. She could not understand what was happening to her. She just wanted to apologise to him for what she has done to him and leave. But he is too close now. And his eyes, there is a playful smile, a deep affection. In which, she forget herself, she forget everything else. Like a charismatic magnet, he is attracting her. Both Nihan and Abhay were completely lost in each other for some minutes.

"Excuse me sir..," The two were shocked and moved away hearing Andrea knocking on the door.

"Sorry to disturb you sir.. But you have to sign this..." Andrea looked at them both suspiciously and gave the file to Abhay. Abhay silently brought it and started to read it.

Meanwhile, Nihan looked around the office. The office was completely elegent and rich in style. it was very large according to Nihan. At one corner there was a small shelf filled with small and big trophies which catched her eyes. She took one of it and slowly fingered through the letters on it.

"Best businessman of the year.. Abhay khanna.. " Her lips twitched.

Abhay was observing all her movements all this time with a sweet smile on his face.

"Sir..." Andrea woke him up. He raised his eyebrows at her with a question mark. Terrified, Andrea showed him the file.

'oh yes, the file..' how can he forget this. Why is he acting so strange today. He immediately signed it and returned it as if he remembered something he had forgotten. After Andrea left, Abhay walked to Nihan.

"Did you achieve all these...?" Nihan asked, with eyes wide open.

"hmm...." Abhay looked proudly at the trophies.

"Great....!" Uttered Nihan. Her eyes were filled with wonder. At such an early age, he had achieved a lot. it really amazed her. Suddenly, she felt respect toward him.

And the moment their eyes were locked again, Nihan corrected her voice and said. "So... I hope there are no misunderstandings or problems between us now. "

Abhay frowned his face and shook his head, meaning 'it can be'.

"Well.. then..." Nihan stretched her hand to him and said. "Let's be friends..."

Abhay thought for a minute, then shook her hand and smiled. Both froze for a second.

"so..?" asked Nihan, breaking the silence.

"So..?" He repeated her words in a childish tone.

"I should go now.."

"Okey.. " Abhay took his hand back and stood straight. Nihan passed a very sweet smile at him for a last time and walked out of the room. Abhay stared at her image through the glass wall until she is disappeared from his eyesight.

After she left, Abhay sat down in his chair and continued his work. Soon his eyes catched the glimpse of that glittering package which was lying on the table. He opened it in a hurry and found a fat beautiful fountain pen which was very different in it's style. He leaned back in his chair again and stretched his legs out, his piercing gaze crawled over the pen. The memories and the moments he had spent with Nihan sparkled in his eyes.

"Unique, cute and very special.." He murmured himself, a lovely smile has appeared in his lips. He was sure that something is happening to him. something which never happened before. Constantly sinking in her thoughts, He is unable to hold his smile back, not anymore. love is visible in his eyes, lips and everywhere in his face.

Uday saw his blushing face from the door and couldn't believe his eyes.This is the first time he is seeing Abhay smiling. He was always a dippressed, angry person from inside and never had time to recover from it. He forgot to smile all his life and finally Uday found him smiling, and that too very happily.

"Abhay... is this true?" screamed uday as he sat on the chair opposite Abhay.

"What...?" Abhay hid the packet, looked straight in his eyes and asked in a serious voice.

"You are smiling..."

That was an unexpected answer. Abhay has never realized that he was smiling all this time. And why was he smiling? He had no answer for that. So, he ignored the question and went back to his work.

"wait, wait... Are you alright? Did you get any fever or something like that?" Uday jumped from his chair and touched Abhay's forehead with his palm and asked.

"What..?"

"look Abhay.. you are not yourself today.. How did this angry young lion king changed into a sweet white rabbit? But I think I know the reason behind it"

Abhay could not gather the meaning of uday's serious comments on him. He glazed at him to complete his words.

"I think you are in love Abhay.. " said Uday, leaned back in his chair.

"Don't talk nonsense.. " Abhay declared in his usual cold manner. That doesn't make sense. How can he love the girl who disobeyed him this much. And the concept of love is really far from him. He was sure that he will never fall in love with any girl in this life. especially for Nihan. No Never.

Uday was still laughing. Abhay got angry at his childish behaviour.

"Did you find the plot..?" Abhay asked, changing the topic.

"Oh yes..! And you can't find any fault this time. This one is perfect than the orphanage." Uday gave the file and said confidently. Abhay observed every details very carefully and gave it back.

"What happened?" asked uday with a confused expression.

"i liked it. go on.." he stated, without changing his cold attitude.

"Thank God Abhay.. " Uday jumped with joy and screamed. "okey now.. i am going to give this good news to everyone.."

"What good news?" startled, Abhay jumped to his feet and asked.

"about this one Abhay ... this one.." Uday showed the file and repeated his statement with a very naughty smile.

"oh.." His body relaxed in response. soon uday completed his sentence. "Don't worry Abhay.. about that one.. " he paused for a moment raising his eyebrows and continued. "i will keep it a secret."

"nonsense.. didn't you want to go visit grandpa..?? just get lost..." Abhay ordered, trying hardly to hide his cautious face.

"Iam leaving Abhay.. i am leaving.. " said uday, opening the door and walked away. After making sure that he was gone, Abhay sighed in peace and took the pen Nihan had given him a little while ago, hid it in his pocket. And Engaged in his work again as nothing happened.