The city beautiful Chandigarh pulsated with an energy that mirrored the lives of its inhabitants. A bright, sunny winter day energized the  busy afternoon of the journalists and cameramen at News Bharat Media. The afternoon sun, peeping through the windows, created an environment that felt lazy and lethargic. 

“Neha, call Mahi,” Advika, the editing manager of NEWS BHARAT, shouted while keeping her P.A. Neha on her toes. It's 12.30 in the afternoon, and the news office is full of hustle and bustle all around. 

“ You asked for me?” Mahi peeped into her senior’s cabin.

“Yes,” Advika replied with a sharp tone, indicating her cranky mood. “You need to go to Mahajan Hospital for an interview with its Medical Director. That hospital has launched a scheme for the poor under which they’ll provide free treatment to them. Go there and collect more information about the same."

“ Aye-Aye, captain! On it, immediately,” said Mahi while raising her toes with dramatic flair.

“ Pagal ladki,” Advika smiled, “Take Raunak along with you since Rishi is on leave today.”

“Okayyyyy.” Mahii sang along.

“How did you manage to change her gloomy mood?” Neha asked Mahi while handling the news report papers. 

“Trust me, even I don’t know,”  Mahi replied, giggling.

“Ok. Now leave before Advika’s temper gets raised again.” ,Neha said, pushing Mahi towards the main door of the office.

MAHI’S POV:

As soon as we left the office, Raunak asked me, “Do you think this scheme to help the poor is in their interest? Or is it a promotional strategy?”

“I don’t really know. There has not been any news of such cheap games from this hospital since now. Their record has been clean as of till now.” , I replied.

“Yeah. But I think that there’s more to this scheme than is visible,” he added.

“You’re an intern, right?” I asked him.

“Yes. Why?” he replied keenly.

“Nothing. Even I was like you during my internship, curious and enthusiastic. It's good to be like that and take a bit of a risk sometimes. But make sure that you don’t forget to be cautious while taking that risk,” I told him.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”, he replied in a serious tone, making me realize that he’s not that spoiled brat sort of guy. He seems to be mature enough to understand the risks involved in our profession. We have to be careful enough while writing the news since it has the power to bring peace as well as chaos to the society.

As soon as we came out of the building, Raunak started going toward the auto stand.

“Hey! Where are you up to?” I shouted at him from behind.

He came to me and said, “Don’t we need to get an auto to reach the hospital?”

“We are using the CTU (Chandigarh Transport Undertaking) instead. It will be cheaper,” I informed him.

He nodded as we headed toward the bus stop. Shortly, the bus arrived, and we successfully managed to hop on.

“I still don’t trust these policies. There must be some back story happening to it. Or else who would do such a big charity for the downtrodden people.” Raunak exclaimed.

“And why do you think so?” I asked with curiosity. This guy is something else. He seems to be so confident about his idea. I wonder what Advika will do after she listens to his theory. Will she give him a chance to follow it.

“Last year, a similar sort of thing happened. A Mumbai hospital started an initiative to bless all its patients. It also gave doctors a chance for public service. The hospital authorities planned to build a temple in it. They gave prasad to all those who visited its inauguration. Along with that, the staff gave them a discount coupon for their next visit. That prasad had something mixed in it. And you know what happened after that.”

“The hospital people had mixed a preservative in the prasad. It caused severe food poisoning to all who ate it. In the name of treatment, doctors misled patients into unnecessary surgeries. They removed organs and made a lot of money. Later, the police found that the hospital board members had a strategy. They wanted to promote themselves and earn black money through illegal organ trading with the mafia. I know this news. I guess you are forgetting that I am a journalist too,” I added.

“Yes, I think that this concept of Mahajan Hospital is also a facade. It hides their inhuman activities.” He nodded and said “ I will talk to Advika about this today.”

“Wait, wait, wait, are you insane? You know this involves a lot of risk.  Do you think she will agree with you? Listen, this is a serious topic. I don’t think she’ll agree and let you follow this. Keeping this aside, you don’t even have a lead to follow for this.”

“I have a major lead in this. And I am sure she will let me follow it after knowing that. Moreover, you were the one who was saying that it's good to take risks sometimes.”

“Achha ji, let's see if our editing manager, dearest, will agree or not.”, I said.

(Okay sir)

“She has to agree if you’re the one making her agree.”

“ME? Why? Why would I go to the lion’s den? Story tumhari, lead tumhari, aur jaake puchhu main. Kyon?”

(The story is yours; the lead is yours, and I’ll go ask her. Why?)

“Aren’t you my friend? Itna nahin karogi mere liye, Mahi.” he said as he made a cute face, his tone filled with desperation.

(Won’t you do this for me, Mahi?)

“This is not fair, Raunak.”

“I need your help with this, Mahi. You have that experience which I don’t. Please agree…” he said, his tone revealing a serious demeanor. I don’t know what lead he has but the conviction in his tone is not letting me back off.

“Fine. But first tell me about the lead that you have. If it won’t be convincing enough, then I won’t be pairing up with you. Make that clear in your mind.”

“Agreed,” he said with a smile. 

*********************************************************

Hey everyone!

Happy New Year to all. I hope this year brings happiness in your lives. This was the first chapter of this book. Please like the chapter and do tell me in the comments about your views regarding it. For more information and updates, follow me on Instagram @the.rustic.muse

See you soon with the next chapter.