"Good morning everyone!" the Dean started. "As you all know that you are the 10 interns chosen for this hospital.
You should consider yourself lucky for this. The hardwork you've done till now was nothing compared to the one you should be doing here. So I hope to see the dedication in your work. I now want all the doctors to introduce themselves" he finished coldly and walked to his seat.

The senior doctors one by one introduced themselves and then came the last one. "Good morning" she smiled "well I am Nyonika, a senior doctor as well as an instructor for all you interns and I look forward to mentor you" she winked at fab 5 to which they smiled mischievously. "Please excuse us for five minutes and I'll get back at you, by the time you can get to know each other."

She along with the doctors and the Dean exited the hall to discuss something.

Everyone got up and three other interns introduced themselves as Rahul, Ankit and Shweta. They all mingled well and started conversing on random topics except for Manik who was lost in his own thoughts. All this while he had been taking a few glances at Nandini.

Manik's POV

God! She's changed!

The girl who was always dressed in Indian attire is now in western. Skin fitting jeans and top! Looks pretty 😊

She's become more beautiful no doubt in that.

Her hair which always used to be plaited. And now...but open hair like this suits her more.

Her chubby cheeks, those eyes, her beautiful smile 😍 which I've hardly seen since morning.

Wait! Manik?

What are you doing? Noticing the changes in Nandini Murthy??

Wese toh thik se bolta bhi nahi tha tu uske saath.

End of POV

"Saale! Kya karraha hai tu yaha akele?" came Cabir asking who noticed him at a distance. "Kiske khayalon me khoya hua hai?" he raised his eyebrow with a notorious smile.

Manik composed himself: what? Aisa kuch nahi hai. Chal.

They went to the newly formed group. Nandini was all okay till now but after seeing Manik, her nervousness was back.

"So interns!" Nyonika's voice startled them and they looked at her.
"Ready for the hospital tour?" she asked with a smile. Everyone nodded. "So lets go"

-----------------
Nyonika - Not only Manik's mother, but also a mother to fab 5. They all are very attached to her. A very sweet loving person but quite strict and professional when it comes to work. Apart from Manik, Cabir also calls her mom.
----------------

They all had a look around the hospital, the special rooms, the machines. Nyonika also informed them about some patients who needed special treatment. Everyone was enjoying but time to time, Nandini kept on asking more questions by which Nyonika got impressed and answered her.

Manik's POV

Oh God! Kitne sawaal puchti hai yeh?
No wonder she was in a topper in school.

What's her age? 21?
Iske parents ne kuch zyada hi jaldi admit nahi kardiya isse school me?

And look at me! I'm 23, and we're on the same level now. Good going Ms.Murthy!

End of POV

Nandini had decided to ignore all what was going on in her heart and mind and only to concentrate on what she supposed to but she wasn't quite successful as she kept on stealing glances at Manik.

After around 3 hours of the hospital tour, explaining them each and everything they had to know, Nyonika asked them to take a break for lunch since it was almost 1pm and asked them to meet after lunch for some more information about the patients.
---------

The interns were heading to the canteen when Manik walked to Cabir's side.
Wrapping his arm around his shoulder he asked "Cabir, don't you think we need to talk?"
"Do we? No, I don't think so" replied Cabir casually.
"Yes we do!" said Manik as he told the others they'll catch up with them soon.

Fab 3 nodded and Manik dragged Cabir to the nearby bench and settled there.

Cabir knew he can't escape.
C: ok shoot!
M: wow! (he smirked) fast ha?
C: puch na
M: ok so...you came here for three months ago for 2 weeks, toh itne time me, how did you gel up with Nandini so well? (he raised his eyebrow)
C: dude! (he chuckled) rishta chahe jo bhi ho, agar banna hota hai na, toh even one moment is enough!
Coming to your question, we had a good equation from the start. And when I was here, she wasn't keeping too well issiliye I used to visit her everyday. (he looked at Manik) satisfied now?
M: hmm...but how come she's so changed...I mean..her looks..
C: woh aisi hi thi...that look was for school
M: what? But why?
C: ab har koi question ka answer toh nahi hoga na mere paas. Aur wese bhi Tu toh hamesha kehta hai that looks don't matter to you?
M: ofcourse they don't...what I'm thinking is why did she have to do that? She should be herself, wherever she goes...
C: Aree hoga na koi reason
M: hmm
Cabir's mischievous mind was on.

C: wese....what's going on?
M: what's going on?
C: nahi matlab..tu Nandini me itna interest dikharaha hai...have you started liking her?
M: (lost) hmm, maybe
He realizes what he said
"What? No ways!"
C: so you don't like her?
M: I do...no! Mera matlab...I don't know! But you know what? I'm going

With that he hurriedly left from there not giving Cabir a chance to talk.

C: hmmmm (rubbing his hands with a smile on his face) atleast kuch toh interesting mila.

(Navya wasn't around when Cabir had come)

Canteen:

All were busy talking and having lunch when Manik came and sat right besides Nandini.

She choked on the water she was drinking on seeing him so close to her.
"Nandu kya hua? Tum thik ho?" asked Navya worriedly.
"yah...I'm fine" she managed to say.
"You okay?" asked Manik.
Nandini words were stuck in her throat. All she could do was to nod.

Cabir too came and ManBir had their lunch along with others.

After that, Nyonika took them to the wards informing them about the patients as she had said.
Everyone was concentrating keenly as this was very important.
-----------------

It was 4pm when Nyonika decided to call it a day. "So, first day was pretty good. From tomorrow, 8am! I want all of you to be punctual."

Soon everyone dispersed and headed towards their respective homes.

---------------------

Malhotra mansion:

"Kya mom! This isn't fair! From now on, I'll be around you the whole day and I can't even talk to you about our personal lives. Woh chodo, I can't even call you mom!" cribbed Manik as he rested his head on his mother's lap.

Nyonika smiled. "Toh kya hua? Ghar par toh you can do anything na?"

M: Haa but phir bhi....ye sab aapke pati ki vajah se hua hai
N: Manik!
M: Aur nahi to kya! Who asked him to be so strict and arrogant?! And on top of that why did he even ask me to join HIS hospital.
N: because he wants to see you infront of his eyes
M: yeah right!

Raj Malhotra - a very arrogant man. Cannot compromise with his profession. He wants Manik to be independent thus the strict behavior. He doesn't even mingle much with his own family.

--------------------

Next day, Silverstone Hospital:

Everyone was on time and they were allotted their duties. Since it was the start, they were divided into two groups for two days - Manik, Cabir, Rahul, Nandini and Navya in one group and the rest in the other.

Both days were quite eventful without much conversation. Everyone was quite focused on what they were doing as no one wanted his/her impression to be spoiled in the beginning itself.

Somewhere down the line, Manik, who apart from concentrating on his work, had been noticing Nandini.

----------------

Cabir's home:

M: Yaar ek baat puchni thi
C: tu kabse itna formal hogaya? Puch na
M: But before that, let me warn you. Don't you dare take this conversation to any other level!
C: Oh-kayyy! So lemme guess...it's about Nandini?
M: yeah
Cabir nodded.

M: don't you think she's changed?
C: Aree yaar kitni baar yahi baat bolega?
M: Cabirrr! I'm not talking about her looks!
C: then?
M: her behavior! She's changed. I mean as per what I know and remember, she used to be quite chirpy, smiling all the time. Aur ab dekh, she doesn't even smile properly. Do you know anything? Kuch hua hai kya?

Cabir raised his eyebrows.

M: what?
C: you actually remember Nandini too well to notice her behavior ha? (he asked smiling)

Manik glared at him.
"I had warned you! Ab batayega ya me jau?"

C: ok ok relax!
Yaar, even I don't know! She was ok when I met her last, and even I've noticed this. Kal se I wanted to ask her but chance hi nahi mila. But I'll ask her soon!
M: hmm

-------------

NavNi's flat:

They settled on the bed after dinner and Navya thought of starting the conversation.

Nav: Nandu tu thik hai na?
Nan: Haa kyu?
Nav: it's almost two weeks, humne notice kiya hai ki tu kuch badli hui si hai.
Nandini got alert.

Nan: Badli hui si? No Navya I'm ok.
Nav: Dekh Nandu, I've asked you even before. Par tuje abhi nahi batana hai toh it's ok, I'll wait. But please tum aise mat raho. Pichle ek hafte se, you're not eating well, not talking well. Humne hospital bhi join kiya, still you're not happy. Fab 5 mile, unse bhi tu thik se baat nahi karti. Jo bhi problem hai, let it not affect you. Muje woh purani wali Nandu chahiye bas! Aur hum hain na tumhare saath, jo bhi ho, I'll help you in it, you know na?

Nandini who was silently listening to her, nodded.

Nav: I'm giving you time iska matlab ye nahi ke tum muje kabhi nahi bataogi. I want to help you out, wese hi jese tumne humara har kadam par saath diya hai. Ok?

Nandini nodded again with a smile. Navya too smiled, wished her goodnight and drifted to sleep.

Nandini replayed Navya's words in her mind and tears brimmed in her eyes.

Nandini's POV

She's right! I have lost myself!

I wasn't like this!

Nandini! What's wrong with you?
Where did all your positivity go??

Since I've got to know that...

Arghh!

Forget it! What I'm doing is not good. Neither for myself nor for Navya. She cares so much for me aur mein?

I have to face the reality and be strong and positive.

Yes!

You'll get your Nandini back Navya.

__________________________________

Done!!! 😊😊😂😂 too long, is it? 😜
Anyway, please keep voting and commenting so that I can know your reviews on it.

Ok thanks bye 😘