Beyhadh 3

A foiled attempt

"Here is your order," the doctor placed a burger and an orange juice on the table.

"Thank you," Maya said, taking a bite from the burger. "I must say, this hospital's canteen serves really delicious food."

"I know right?", the doctor beamed. "So much for being the best mental asylum in the world."

"Haha true," Maya chuckled. "By the way, you didn't tell me your name."

"Oh no," the doctor slapped his forehead. "Where are my manners?"

He put out his hand. "I'm Sameer Khosla."

"Nice to meet you," Maya shook his hand. "How long have you been working here?"

"A little over 3 years. This place has become like my second home. I eat here, sleep here, live here, day in and day out. I spend more time with the patients than I do with my own parents and fiancée. I'm surprised I haven't completely lost my mind yet."

"I can understand." Maya laughed.

"Enough about me. Tell me about yourself."

"About me?"

"Yes, you." Sameer smiled. "I don't know if this is rather sudden but I would really like to ask you out, if you don't mind."

"Of course I don't," Maya laughed nervously. "But...don't you have a fiancée?"

"Oh no not like a date. Just a formal dinner with a colleague I really respect a lot."

"I don't know..."

"Oh that's okay." Sameer tried hard to hide his disappointment. "I don't wanna force you, that too on your first day."

"Thank you so much for understanding."

"You're forgetting something."

"What, exactly?"

"You were gonna tell me about yourself."

"Oh yeah, right..." Maya was at a complete loss of words. She was getting desperate. Time was running out and she still hadn't gotten out of here. In the morning everyone would come to know she'd escaped. She had to act quick before it was too late.

Suddenly, an idea struck her like a light bulb.

"Ummm listen," she said. "Can I ask you for a favour? This is rather embarrassing."

"Yeah, sure! What is it? Anything for you."

"So the thing is, I just started my menses and I don't' have a sanitary napkin with me."

"Ohhh I see..." he started getting awkward.

"All I want you to do is come with me as this is my first day and I'm not familiar with the exit ways. Is it okay with you?"

"Oh yeah sure, anything for a damsel in distress," he laughed.

"Thank you," Maya beamed, making his heart melt.

"YES," she screamed internally. "The plan is working."

They both got up and Sameer swiftly led her across numerous flights of stairs, hallways and floors. Maya was amazed as to how complicated the structure of the hospital was kept for preventing any escapes. Finally, they came to a grand doorway marked as "Exit".

Sameer took out his badge and scanned it on the screen beside it.

'ACCESS GRANTED'

"There you go," he smiled. "Now take out yours."

"Mine? Oh yeah...umm", Maya rummaged in the pockets of her uniform, hoping against hope the nurse had kept it inside.

"I'm waiting," he chuckled.

"Umm...actually," Maya said, sheepishly. "I think I left it somewhere in the hospital but let it be, I'll get it tomorrow. This shit is too urgent." She laughed nervously.

"What do you mean, you left it?" Sameer eyed her suspiciously. "Did you not attend the orientation? All nurses and doctors have to compulsorily scan their badges while exiting and entering."

"Yeah I know...but mistakes do happen, don't they?"

"Yeah they do. No problem. The only thing we have to do is go back and get your badge coz without it, how will you enter?"

"Oh no that won't be necessary. I'll just grab my pads and come back. Anyways, you have opened the door, haven't you? So can you please wait for me? I won't be long."

"No," Sameer shut the exit door.

"What the fuck, what are you doing?"

"Why are you getting so agitated? Are you an escaped patient? How do I trust you?"

"You really think I'm a lunatic?! LOOK AT ME, FOR GOD'S SAKE!"

"It doesn't matter what I think. What matters is if you're a patient or not. Where's the proof you're not a patient? Anyone can steal a nurse's uniform. We've seen a hundred cases like that. You are no exception."

"I AM NOT A PATIENT."

"THEN SHOW ME THE PROOF."

"I-," Maya broke down and started sobbing. "Yes, I accept I'm a patient. But I've been wrongly trapped here. You have to help me escape. Can nobody in this hellhole get me out of here?"

Sameer looked at her for a moment and started laughing.

"What?!" Maya started getting irritated. "Please stop laughing. I'm serious. You have to believe me. I'm not supposed to be here. PLEASE."

Sameer took out his pager and screamed into it. 'SECURITY, NEAR THE EXIT DOORWAY RIGHT NOW'

"NO," Maya screamed and started banging on the exit door. "LET ME OUT! SOMEBODY HELP ME! GET ME OUT OF HERE!"

Just then, the security guards came running down.

"It's her," Sameer pointed towards Maya.

The guards grabbed Maya and started dragging her away.

"NO NO LET ME GO," Maya started kicking and screeching with all her might.

Sameer thrust a syringe into her arm and sighed.

"I'm really sorry, dear. I wish I could help you but what can I do? Rules are rules."

"I-I'll kill you," Maya hissed before finally dozing off to sleep.