Ashutosh PoV:
Rudrani was so angry with me for my words. She was about to say something but stopped noticing the arrival of my mom.
"Rudrani, how is the job sweety?" Mom asked her so affectionately.
"It's good madam. Thank you so much."
"Oh No dear, This is nothing. you are a hard working girl. I appreciate it. I just gave a bright student a chance to become more brighter."
"Ashu, what are you doing here?"
"Mom, as it's weekend, I wanted to work. After all treating patients is my favorite past time. Gaining Knowledge and having fun in children's ward too"
"Ok Ashu, both of you carry on. I have some important meeting. Come home early. And Rudrani take care of yourself." Mom said smiling and left to her cabin.
I was about to leave too but Rudrani called me.
"Sir, one minute"
"What my love? Do you want me to spend for some more time with you?"
I am sure I am getting on her nerves. But her comebacks are so funny.
"Look sir, I have respect on you as you are Prerna madam's son. Please let me keep that respect. Already my life is ruined due to an obsessed lover. Still I am struggling to come out of that agony. This job is very necessary for me to continue my education. Kindly don't trouble me. I am sorry, if you felt bad for shouting at you before your friends. I will never do that again. Please don't trouble me." she said joining her hands.
I understood that she was scared of my action.But, it's true I really want to marry her. I thought to say that but what if my parents disagree with my decision? I can't leave my parents. If I make Rudrani accept me but my parents disagree, she will get more hurt. I shouldn't hurry in this decision. The atmosphere in the room became serious all of a sudden. I just nodded and went to my cabin silently.
In the evening, dad returned home from his trip.
"Hey Ashu, are you ok? Why are you so silent today? It doesn't suit you. Did you fight with your friends?" Mom asked me.
"Mom, I want to talk about something with you and dad"
"Tell me Ashu, is everything okay?" mom asked caressing my hair.
"Dad and mom, what will you do if I love anyone who doesn't match our status but is really good at heart?"
"Are you in love with someone Ashu?" Dad asked me.
"Dad, I saw a girl recently. Her behavior and attitude really amazed me. I felt she is the one for me. But, I didn't propose her as I am least interested to roam with her and show the crowd that I am in love. I want her to be my wife. It's important for me to protect her self respect. I really feel she is my soul mate dad. It's like some kind of connection.
Dad, I don't want to fight with my parents who raised me with lots of love till now for a girl whom I saw just few days back. Fighting with parents for love won't show my heroism, right. I love you both and I will respect your decision. Only if you agree, I will proceed" I said to dad.
"Ashu, who is that girl?"
"She is a doctor too" I said
"Is it Artika? We have no objection but I don't think she is suitable for you or our family. Anyways think one more time Ashu" mom said.
"Mom, it's not Artika. It's Rudrani" I said
"Who is this Rudrani Ashu?" dad asked and mom explained everything to dad.
"Ashu, we are not at all bothered about her financial status. But, please understand her mental status. She may be in depression with all those happenings. We want a cheerful daughter in law who keeps all of us happy" dad said
"Vilok, I agree that she is in pain now but I too know that she is bold. I think she fits easily into our family. Think once" mom said to dad.
"Fine then. How can I say No when both my wife and son love that girl already? But, I want to talk to her once"
"But dad, please don't talk anything about my love because I didn't propose her yet"
"Ok Ashu. You don't worry." dad said.
Rudrani PoV:
I was so disturbed with Ashutosh sir and his behaviour. I didn't like him. How can he comment negatively on a girl who wear scarf? Wearing scarf doesn't mean that a girl done wrong. Girls have their own reason to use scarf. Covering face doesn't mean hiding herself. Why men are like this? Why they are so narrow minded?
I got scared of his behaviour in the ward. How can he be that rude and call me his love? who does like that?? He want to marry me and torture me just for confronting him for his wrong words. Anyways, I must be very careful with him as I can't leave that job.
Next day, I went to the hospital for night duty. Peon came and called me saying sir is calling me. I don't know what will he talk now. This idiot Ashutosh became a terror for me within one day.
"Excuse me, sir. May I come in"
"Yes, come in"
I went inside the cabin and Thank God! It's not Ashutosh.
"Are you Ms.Rudrani?"
"Yes sir"
"Please take your seat Rudrani. I am the MD of this hospital, Dr Vilok"
"Namaste sir"
"No formalities. I heard from my wife Prerna that you are working here for part time. Rudrani, every year we offer education to few meritorious medical students. We will sponsor you. You can study happily without working and getting stressed"
"Thank you so much for the suggestion sir. But, I want to work. I don't want sponsorship. Sir, I think people will accept sponsorship only when they can't help themselves. But, here I can help myself through this job. If I continue my job, I can complete my education and another student will get benefited through that sponsorship. I love to work and this positive stress helps me to grow" I said and sir looked at me.
"I am sorry sir, if I sound rude"
"No no Rudrani, it's ok. I understood you well through your words. Actually am impressed. Self respect, confidence and helping nature are clearly visible in your words. Keep it up. God bless you."
"Thank you sir" I said and when to the wards to check on patients.
"Hi my love, whats up?" Ashutosh said patting on my shoulder.
"Your head is up. Don't touch me idiotic sir." I yelled at him.
"Ok cool, so what did you decide about me?"
"What's there to decide?"
"About our marriage my love"
"Will you please stop talking about it? Don't you have any work other than this?"
"Why? Are you not ready to marry me?"
"Why should I? I know nothing about you and you are already in love with your friend. If she comes to know that you are behaving like this with me, she will get hurt"
"My love, my friend will be my love forever. I am asking you to marry me not to love me" he said
"Disgusting" I said and went to next room with case sheet.
He too followed me.
"Why are you following me"
"Wherever you go, my network follows"
"Oh, Are you a Hutch dog?"
"No I am your would be husband who follows you in every birth"
"Please leave me"
"My love, if you go on refusing me, you will get a husband with bald head, white moustache and a complete idiot"
"Aren't you an idiot?" I asked getting irritated.
"Yes, but only 25%. I am way better than many men"
"God! Why are you irritating me Ashu!" I used his nick name all of a sudden.
He smirked. I was feeling so embarrassed, he is my senior. How can I call him with his nickname?
"What did you say?" He smiled again.
"Nothing, I am sorry sir. I don't know how suddenly..."
Suddenly my phone rang. It was a call from home. I excused myself and went to the corridor to speak. My mom called urgently home saying Dad wants me immediately at home. I was getting so scared what happened. I immediately took permission from Ashutosh sir and went home. I was getting so tensed. I entered my house and got the shock of my life. I just don't understand what the hell is happening with my life.