APURV'S POV

I was startled on receiving that pillow straight on my face just after opening the gate of my home, my calm place. But today, it turned into a war between my mother and my sister. 

“Both my children are worthless. One is so engrossed in his medicine that he doesn't even care to look at other things, and the other one spends all her time on useless things and forgets to study” I heard my mother shouting at us.

“Maa, relax. I will look after her studies. Please don’t worry or else your BP will rise.” I tried to calm her down. But you know how Indian mothers are. They won’t calm down unless they want to.

“Don’t teach me. And for God’s sake don’t even try to look after your sister’s studies. The last time you did that, she ended up barely passing her class test.” Mummy replied and went to her room.

“Bhai, please calm her down. You know she stops talking whenever she gets angry and I can’t bear her silence.” Aarohi almost pleaded to me.

“Then why don’t you listen to her when she asks you to study? Go to your room and sulk over there. If mummy saw you once more, she’ll scold you again.” I told her and went to my mother. No matter how much she’s angry with us, she can’t be in that mood for long. 

“Why have you come here? What do you want? Don’t start defending her now.” My mother almost shouted.

“Mumma, I am not here to defend her. I wanted to apologize.” I tried to initiate a conversation with her.

“Apology? For what?”

“For not doing the dishes. I know it’s difficult for you to manage all the things together. I am really sorry mummy. I won’t forget the household work,, I promise. And I would also look after Aaru’s studies.” I said.

“Yes, please do that. Why don’t you people understand it’s not my hobby to scold you. Try to understand my perspective as well.”

“We will mummy. I promise” I sighed as she sighed in resentment as if saying, ‘I know what you will do and what not, don’t try to over-smart me.’

As I was leaving her room, she called me and said, “Apurv, some people are coming on Sunday for your marriage alliance. Your bua (aunt) knows the girl’s mother well. You told me last week that you will meet that girl whom I want you to.” She dropped a bomb on me. 

Marriage was a topic I was afraid of. A girl would leave her home and family and move into a whole new set up. She would surely have her own set of insecurities in mind. Would I be able to comfort her and provide her solace and companionship? These questions clouded my mind each time I thought of this matter.

I agreed to mummy looking for a bride only because I feel it is the right age to get married. But whenever these topics are brought up, I don’t know what to do.

“Yes mummy, I will meet the girl on sunday.” I replied and went away.

Although I agreed to meet her, I don’t know how I will do that. Even papa has gone on a business trip and will return tomorrow evening. 

With the chaos in my head, I went to sleep as tomorrow's schedule is going to be hectic including the interview that is going to happen tomorrow. I had an early morning shift so I left for the hospital before time.

It was the peak afternoon. I was having a bad headache after attending around two dozen patients till now when I heard a girl having an argument with the receptionist. She was standing with her back facing me and a young boy was standing along with her with a tripod in his hand and a bag in which I guess a camcorder was there.

I walked towards that girl unknowingly. It’s not that I was interested in her, it was purely out of curiosity. I have seen people visiting the hospital and arguing with the receptionist a lot of times. I was aware of the interview going to happen today, but I didn’t want them to come at this time when I was certainly not in a good state to answer their questions. 

As I stared at that girl standing behind her, she flipped her hair back which hit me straight on my face.

“Ouch”, I winced as some of her hair went into my eyes.

She immediately turned back on hearing my voice.

“Oh my God! I am really very sorry. I didn't notice you behind me” she said apologising.

“It's okay,” I replied, trying to look at her a bit longer. But I guess she was getting a bit doubtful of me standing just behind her. Therefore, to divert her mind I turned my face towards the receptionist standing there.

“What is happening here?” I asked the receptionist while dabbing my handkerchief on my eye. I tried to ignore that girl because I knew that if I stared at her a bit longer, it would become so embarrassing for us and I might be called a stalker in her mind for my deeds.

“Sir, they wanted to meet Dr. Tarun Mahajan but are here without any appointment.” She informed me.

Before I could say anything, that girl replied “We are from News Bharat Media. Our editing manager had talked with the Medical Director for this interview earlier and he only told us not to take any appointments since it would take a lot of time.” 

“But we haven't got any such information from Dr. Tarun. Hence, I can't let you go like this” the receptionist replied.

“But…” 

The girl tried to speak but I cut her off and said, “Okay wait, I'll call Dr. Tarun and ask him. It is a possibility that he might have forgotten to inform you. Wait ..”

I went aside to call Tarun. He's been a good friend of mine since college days and I know about his habit of forgetting things sometimes. He confirmed the interview thing to the receptionist on call and I went back where that girl was and said, “Dr. Tarun had forgotten to inform the receptionist yesterday due to his busy schedule. You can go and meet him.”

“Thank you so much Dr..” 

“Apurv. Dr. Apurv Singla”

“Dr. Apurv. Thank you” 

“You're welcome. By the way, shall I drop you till his cabin? I guess you haven't been here before and might need help.” 

I don't know why I asked this to her but I regretted saying this as soon as these words left my mouth. That girl stared at me with her small eyes and the camera person who was holding the tripod in his hand broke our staring session and replied, “ Yes please doctor. It would be great if you could help us out.”

I nodded in agreement and started walking ahead of them with the image of the girl's eyes still lingering in my head and trying to ignore the camera boy who just broke a beautiful moment between us!