Chapter 6

*Palak Pov*

"What is actually happening here?" I ignored his question while writing down his progress, but couldn't help but smile understanding his irritation.

"I am asking you this question for the past few days and you are just smiling." He continued while I waved at Tina who started walking towards us finishing her work.

"Is this how the patients are treated? None of the calls for you are being attended like before." I glanced at his face hearing those words.

"If it was anything serious then they would have called me for sure." I assured him and passed the report to the intern who walked away to place it on my table.

I thought everyone will behave like this just for that day or even the next day, but didn't expect them to continue it for one whole week.

They are not being disrespectful or anything towards him as he is still a patient in this hospital. However, the way they used to heed his demands before regarding me has completely changed and that is definitely effecting him.

"Well?" he asked, staring at my face.

"You remember our movie date, Palak?" I turned to see Veer standing near to us smiling at me.

"Yeah! I will be there directly from my place." I replied and he walked away nodding.

"You are going on a date with him?" I glanced back at David's face to see a blank expression, but somehow I can understand he is mad right now.

Another new change that occurred because of the last week's incident is that I am trying to not block others from my life. How can I ignore them when I realized they actually care for me?

I know it's too much of a progress just because of their consideration, but I am weak in that way. I care too much about those small incidents where I let the people in if they consider me even a little. That's how I ended up being close to my senior as he was always there to help me whenever I got troubles even during the college time.

"Even Dr. Tina is coming with us." I don't know why I explained that point but somehow I blurted it out.

"Oh! But I heard you usually don't go out for movies whenever they asked you." His words shocked me for sure.

"How do you know that?" I asked him, frowning, not liking the fact that he knows so much about me and I was not the one who provided that information.

"Many were too forward to give so much information about you. Of course that was until last week." He added, but I continued to frown at him.

"It was not that personal you know." He continued and I finally gave him a nod understanding his words.

"I am answering everything honestly for every question you are asking. Why can't you do the same?" he asked, frowning this time.

"And don't tell me because you are my doctor because of which you can't answer personal questions. As the conversation we are having just now is not at all professional." He pointed out when I didn't reply.

"Fine! I thought you would have realized already what is going on. Don't you remember saying to one of the nurses that I am your girlfriend when I was lying on the bed?" I asked him in a whisper so that others can't hear my words.

"She told everyone about that? But I thought as she is old, she will not get involved in all this gossip." He mumbled in a shocked tone.

"Anyway, they are angry at you for playing with me even though you have a girlfriend. They are protecting me in this way." I explained and he still has a shocked expression which made me chuckle, but I covered my mouth to not let others hear.

"Well, I just need to explain that it was you in my room." Saying that he stood up and glanced around the room.

"Wait!" I said holding his hand, but he just ignored me before taking a step towards the office room where Tina and a few others are standing.

"Don't do this." I whispered, holding his hand tightly.

"Why? You caused me to stay confused for one whole week not answering no matter how many times I asked you. Was it fun for you?" he asked and this time he definitely looks mad.

"Just because I am trying to pursue you, everything you do is fine?" he just continued and a few glanced at us hearing his raised voice.

I shook my head at Tina and Veer when they started walking towards us hearing his voice. I wish I can shout back at him right now for the way he is behaving.

"Please calm down, Mr. David. You are disturbing other patients. We can discuss this matter in your room." I mumbled politely and he finally glanced at my face.

He stared at me for a few seconds before walking away leaving the room and I stood at the same spot for a few minutes before following him.

We both didn't share a word even though we ended up in the same elevator. I fisted my hands trying to control the anger I am feeling right now while I felt him staring at me in intervals.

"Go on!" he said the moment we both entered his room.

"What?" I asked him frowning.

"Shout at me like you want to." He replied, glancing at my fisted hands.

I didn't relax them, but didn't utter a word too, while he just stood there folding his arms. We stood like that for a few minutes and he finally sighed before sitting on his bed.

"I think I am not that mad about everything as you were being casually with me unlike before. But I messed it up with my behavior today, right?" he asked and I glanced away from his face not wishing to give him any reply.

"I am still waiting for you to be mad at me." He added breaking the silence after a few seconds.

"But why?" I asked him, frowning still not understanding why is he so obsessed with that.

"If you are mad at me then you are not treating me as your patient anymore, right?" he pointed out and I finally glanced at his face hearing his words.

"Like you pointed out, I already started treating you not just as a patient during this whole week. And unlike what you think, if I am mad at someone, then I just block them completely from my thoughts." I explained and he nodded his head hearing that.

"So, it is completely a stupid move if I make you mad at me? Fine! I understand you don't want to block me from your thoughts." His last sentence shocked me a little.

"From where did that analysis come from?" I asked, to which he gave a small smile.

"You wouldn't have explained it if not for that fact, right? Is there anyone to whom you explained that point?" he asked and I really don't have any answer to his question.

"You will not tell anyone about that incident right?" I asked, shifting the conversation and he gave a smirk before taking out his mobile from his pocket.

"What is your number?" he asked unlocking his phone and I finally gave him mine after a few seconds.

"Aren't you worried that I will call you frequently and disturb you?" he frowned, not even noting down my number.

"You didn't expect me to give my number?" I asked realizing his question.

"No! I don't like getting your number by pressuring you. It's a good thing I didn't save it." He replied, putting it back into his pocket.

"And you need not worry about it. If I wanted to, I would have not made up such story in the first place." He added, giving me an assuring smile even though a slight one.

"Thank you!" I mumbled smiling at him with comfort which kind of surprised both of us right now.

I took out the small notepad from one of my pockets along with a pen before noting down my number. I paused for a second holding it in my hand tightly before plucking it out from the pad.

"Here is my number." I passed the note on to the table beside his bed without glancing at him and took a step back to leave.

He held my hand before I can take another step asking, "Why are you giving me that?"

"Honestly, I don't know why I am doing such thing. I just hope you will not make me regret by calling me all the time and disturbing me." I joked at the end still not staring at his face.

When he didn't say anything after that, I glanced up to see him staring at me with a curious expression. I can understand his confusion as even I, am confused why am I even doing this.

"I can't promise that you will not regret it." He whispered and cleared his throat before letting go of my hand.

"Aren't you getting late for a movie date?" he asked when I continued to stare at his face not understanding how to take his words.

"Yeah!" I mumbled, turning around to leave while still processing his words in my mind.

"Tell me the story if it is any good." I smiled at his parting words and walked off.

****

"Did you enjoy the movie?" Veer asked when we walked out of the theatre.

"I should have got up in the beginning itself." I mumbled ignoring his question and continued to walk towards the gate with him following me.

"I will drop you." He offered, holding my hand when we reached the parking lot where his motorcycle is parked.

"I will take an Auto to my place." I mumbled, pulling my hand away and rushed to leave the building while he walked to his vehicle in a hurry realizing my intent.

It was supposed to be a movie date with Tina too, but he said she will be here soon and made me walk into the theatre. Even after the movie started, he didn't tell me that she is not going to come to the moment, the seat that was supposed to be hers got used by someone else.

They both lied that she is part of this, but it was actually only for Veer and I. This was his new way of going on a date with him.

I can't believe I trusted them and ended up like this. I thought I was being too harsh on him even though he tries to be helpful whenever there is a need but this is like too much.

"I am sorry, Palak. I just thought you will feel good and you will be fine with it." He followed on his motorcycle while I stood waiting for an empty auto.

"I told you many times that I can't think of you as anything other than a friend. After this, I don't know what to even think of you." I said without hesitation and he gave a hurt expression hearing my words.

What did he expect by doing this? Doesn't he know after all these years that I hate getting deceived more than anything? Am I overreacting too much?

"Let's talk later, Veer. I hope you understand that I am in no mood to have any word with you." I mumbled finally getting an empty auto and got into it.

I leaned back closing my eyes not understanding why everything ended up like this. This was my first step towards getting close to them emotionally as a friend, but it just got lost in a worst way possible.

****

"What happened to your friends now?" I stared at David's face hearing his question, but he is glancing over my shoulder and I know whom is he staring at.

"Nothing! Is there any problem while walking?" I asked when he got down from the ramp.

"As you can see I am completely fine right now." he replied, still glancing at them at intervals.

"Do you want to have a word with them and find out the reason?" I asked him, frowning and passed the phone from the table at his session finished.

"I really want to know the reason behind your disappointed look, but not from them." He replied staring at my face this time.

"Like I said, it's nothing at all. They both planned something and I didn't like it." I mumbled passing the report to the intern and he walked away holding it.

"Don't tell me you ended up going on a date just with him." I stayed silent hearing his correct assumption which he is saying generally, but even he stared at me in silence realizing he is right.

"Don't forgive them at all." He stated walking away to go to his room and I snorted at his words after he is at a safe distance from hearing that.

"Dr. Palak!" Tina mumbled, walking towards me.

"Just give me some time, Tina. I will be fine after that and you need not worry about it." I excused myself and left her alone to get my stuff and go home.

****

"Why is there so much commotion today?" he asked, looking outside while I worked on his shoulder to check the limit he can rotate his hand putting the pressure.

"There was an accident today early morning. Didn't you hear?" I asked back, releasing my hold on his shoulder while he continued the exercise.

"No! Was it a huge one?" he asked frowning.

"Yeah! The driver of the truck was drunk and he hit a car and somehow it ended up having a few more vehicles part of it. By god's grace no one lost their lives." I explained while he stopped doing the exercise completely hearing my words and got down from the table.

"We will be getting more patients soon." I added, remembering the report I got two hours back from senior.

"Are you glad that you got more patients?" he asked, frowning and I frowned back at his words.

"It is better to have them as our patients getting the therapy than them being in a state that can't be helped at all." I pointed out gritting my teeth and he took a step back hearing my words.

"You can go to your room if you don't want to exercise anymore." I added taking the report from the intern and signed it before walking towards the room not even glancing at him.

I stayed back for another hour while arranging the patients for all of us with senior being busy with other work. When I took out my bag, I checked my mobile and found a few missed calls and messages from an unknown number.

'I am sorry! Can I have a word with you?'

'I can understand you don't want to talk to me, but I really need to say something before this day ends'

'Going to ignore my messages? I guess I will talk to you tomorrow.'

"Was there any call from Mr. David's room for me?" I asked the nurse who walked to the lockers.

"No! We are not getting any calls from the past few days." She replied giving me a nod and walked towards her locker while I turned to stare at my phone.

"It's okay!" I whispered to myself removing my coat and took hold of my bag before walking out of the room and ended up taking the elevator to reach his room.

I took a step into his room and found him watching a race on the television, but he switched it off when he glanced at me.

"You didn't go home until now?" he asked frowning.

"No! I had extra work today." I replied, putting my hands in my jeans front pocket, feeling awkward to stand here after our earlier conversation.

"I was being too sensitive earlier. I just hate it when someone drinks and does such stuff. I hate the situation where someone gets completely drunk. I shouldn't have taken it at you." He explained clearing his throat.

"Okay! Even I shouldn't have reacted in that way. I shouldn't have cared whatever your thoughts were." I mumbled, but he shook his head.

"I didn't mind that. I guess that was your most honest reaction you showed to me." He said staring at my face.

"I never acted near anyone. I just control my emotions or I just feel there is no need to express them and let go of them." I pointed out with a force while he frowned hearing that.

"I am sensitive towards that. I hate when people say lies or act near me. So, my solution is to never do that to someone else. That is, I will never lie or act near others." I explained hoping he can understand.

"That's why you are that mad at your friends?" he asked and I gave him a nod.

"Now I talk normally with them. I am just slightly disappointed, but I can't hang on to it at present. If this has happened after a few days, then it would have been something else. You don't understand me, right?" I added at the end when he gave a confused look and he nodded at my question.

"All I can say is that you just need to never do the things you hate so much and that's the best and first thing you could ever do. If you are not satisfied with just that then start trying to tell the others near you to follow such. If they listen to you then it's for the best and if they do not, at least you tried right." I added staring at his face.

"What happened?" I asked, frowning when he just stared at me without saying a single word.

"I... I... thanks for understanding. I guess I am glad that we were able to resolve this and glad to hear your suggestion too." He replied offering a smile.

"It is already late and you need to go home. Otherwise, I will worry whether you reached your home safely or not." He added when we didn't say another word for a few seconds.

"Yeah! I will take my leave." I mumbled leaving his room still feeling awkward with his sudden change in behavior after all that conversation.

The major part that kind of trouble me regarding him is that he seems different at different moments. It doesn't feel like he can be described in one particular way.

****

"He is getting discharged today, right?" Tina asked when I walked towards the water can after sending away my patient.

"Yeah!" I mumbled, still feeling confused about his recent behavior.

After that day, he stayed completely silent during the sessions not talking about anything as if I am a complete stranger and I am not getting that part at all.

That's what I wanted from the beginning and I got it towards the end, but it feels too uncomfortable to accept it as there seems to be a reason behind his sudden change.

Was I too out of line with my words last time or was my suggestion horrible? I can't ask him that straight out no matter what and he is getting discharged today to top of that.

What am I expecting in the first place? Nothing right, then why is this sudden discomfort? I sighed, rubbing my eyes, hoping he will act normal, at least before leaving.

"We all will miss his persuasion methods for sure even though they stopped during these two weeks." She mumbled smiling at me.

But what I miss are the conversations we had during these last two weeks. I gave her a nod and walked off throwing the cup away not wishing to hear any more about him.

None of them will talk about him again after today and I just need to hear all this just for today. I couldn't help but think whether I gave him all the needed instructions or not.

Do I have anything else to instruct him about when we meet later as he leaves? I sighed, pushing away my thoughts and finally walked into the senior's cabin when he called for me.

"Mr. David will be getting discharged, Palak. Did you leave out anything?" Senior asked, looking at me and I gave him a nod before glancing at David.

"Take some more time before you start racing, Mr. David." I mumbled to which he just nodded with his blank expression.

"I already gave instructions regarding that and he even has a private trainer to whom the reports will be passed down." Senior explained and shook his hand when he stood to leave.

"Thank you for your help, Dr. Palak." He said forwarding his hand towards me, but he is looking at me like I am a complete stranger.

It's okay, Palak! This is what he wishes for and you were just his doctor all this time like you explained to everyone.

"You are welcome, Mr. David." I gave him a polite smile that I give to all my patients shaking his hand and took my hand away within a second.

I left the cabin to find his manager walking towards the cabin who paused looking at me. He cleared his throat before giving me a nod and I nodded back before continuing to walk into the therapy room.

I found a patient already waiting for me and got involved with the therapy while pushing away each and every thought about a patient who is just a stranger right now. That's the way things happen around and it is not the first time for a patient to leave the hospital. I was just being silly and need to gather my thoughts like a professional.