Do Love Lasts?

chapter 12

“Do you know what the other lung said to the other?”

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Ananya’s POV

‘Go straight, then turn left into the corridor with the potted plant. It’s the corner office at the end of the hallway.’- that was the instruction from one of the staff I asked earlier. Easier said than done. There’s potted plants at every corner in this place, where the hell do I go now? Frustrated, yet I made my way along the corridor of this place I’ve never been before. 

Finally, the journey came to an end. The door has the name of the person I’m meeting today. Between the hospital noises from the hallway across and the heavy heart beat in me, I’m in a dilemma whether to enter or leave. 

Due to all the excitement that I was building up on my own, I’ve forgotten to give a heads up about my visit. It is very normal to be excited about a new friend and sooner or later the excitement dies down. Just like in any other friendship. 

My mind seemed to have made an independent decision without the consultation from my heart. Knock. Knock. Knock. 

A faint voice came from behind the solid wood door giving permission to enter. With a deep breath, I entered the room with full of certainty; I’m here to deliver the chocolate chip cookies and win the damn bet.

The man behind the desk looked weary with his eyes focused on the computer screen. The staff at the frontdesk also mentioned a few adjectives about Gautham (which I may have asked as well)- reserved, serious and a typical overworked surgeon. I think the insufficient details have to do something with the staff being a male, because I swear a woman beside him literally lit up at the mention of the person in the discussion. 

I dissolved the thoughts into thin air and focused on the version of Gautham in front of me. My scarcely audible greeting averted his gaze from the device. 

There it is again, his infectious implanted a wide smile on my face. “If it isn’t the leader of raisin haters.”

Him and his stupid comebacks.

“Are you busy?” I asked doubtfully, after taking a look over his workspace. 

He threw his hands in the air. “I am stuck under piles of work.”

“Great, I can be an additional bother to you.” I moved around his office after placing my belongings on one of the chairs. A replica of the human body anatomy model with just the heart and lungs piqued my interest. Once again, my mind took over the reins. “Wanna hear a joke?” 

He sighed, and pretended to be unwilling yet his eyes sparked interest. Gautham nodded and leaned back on his chair.

“Do you know what the other lung said to the other?” 

Gautham looked puzzled at my totally irrelevant question, which almost elicited a chuckle from me. “We be-lung together,” I said in the most comical voice I could make.

Thank God, my efforts didn’t go to waste. He laughed heartily at my ridiculous joke. I lost my restraints as well and laughed with him. I swelled with pride for managing to make him laugh. His laugh didn’t only lighten up the mood, it also finally felt like the sun was shining even brighter through the curtain blinds.

Our laughter died down and Gautham stood up stepping away from his desk. “Don’t tell me you came all the way here to tell me that joke?”

“I came to bring you a treat from heaven.” I got right into our business, and picked up the paper bag with the necessary item and handed it over to him. He looked unconvinced over the fact I actually baked it. Seriously, why is it so hard to believe that me; a very dedicated Lecturer who works almost all the time- okay I get it where he’s coming from.