Threads of Destiny

Chapter 2: Late Arrivals

"I'm late... I'm late," murmured Rudraksh as he hurriedly got out of the car. It was already 4:15, and he was supposed to meet Dr. Randhawa 15 minutes ago. Ironically, this was the first time he was running late for one of his blind dates.

It had been a challenging first day at ProHealth Hospital, a completely different experience compared to his previous hospital in New York. As an attending physician, he had to meet with the chief of surgery and other senior surgeons, but he hadn't bothered to learn their names yet. Alongside his fellow resident doctors, there seemed to be more meet and greets than actual surgical procedures. And the icing on the cake happened when one of the nervous interns spilled coffee on his shirt, the shirt he was supposed to wear to his blind date.

Rudraksh headed back to quickly pick out a new shirt. By now, he had the blind date dress code figured out: a solid-colored shirt paired with blue jeans and shoes, aiming for a balanced look that wasn't too overdressed or underdressed. Unfortunately, luck wasn't on his side as all his shirts were sent to the laundry. Left with no other choice, he settled for a white polo shirt and black jeans. Glancing at himself in the mirror, Rudraksh muttered, "Dr. Randhawa better be worth it."

Rudraksh dashed inside the cafe, a familiar place he often visited whenever he was in Mumbai. It had a calm and quiet ambiance, not too crowded but not deserted either, making it the perfect setting for a date. Surprisingly, he had never had any of his blind dates here before. However, as he entered, he noticed a commotion with a small crowd gathered around. As he approached, he saw two girls engaged in a conversation, or rather, one girl shouting while the other was trying to apologize. His attention was drawn to the girl in the simple full sleeved yellow kurti, with a dupatta pinned to her right shoulder. She wore tiny earrings and a bangle on each arm, her untied hair cascading down to her waist. He also noticed her constant shifting, suggesting that her heels were causing discomfort.

Suddenly, someone bumped into Rudraksh's shoulder, snapping him out of his daydreaming. As he turned, he could finally hear the words spoken by the girl in the kurti, "I am a doctor, why would I want to steal your boyfriend? I am here for a blind date."

As realization struck, Rudraksh's heart skipped a beat. He suddenly realized that the girl in the yellow kurti was none other than Dr. Randhawa, his blind date. A surge of excitement coursed through him as he heard a voice inside him whisper, "She is so worth it."

A smile played on his lips as he observed her, admiring her resilience in the face of the accusations thrown at her. There was something about her that drew him in, something captivating and genuine. In that moment, Rudraksh's anticipation grew, and he felt a sense of connection that made him even more eager to get to know Dr. Randhawa.

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Can this day get any worse? Maitree wondered. The surgery she had been preparing for weeks got canceled due to the patient developing pneumonia, and now the procedure would have to be postponed until their recovery. All her hard work, sleepless nights, and research seemed to be in vain, at least for now. As she faced one of the biggest challenges a surgeon can encounter in their career - choosing a specialization - Maitree felt overwhelmed. While her senior doctors appreciated her skills in the operating room, it also meant she had to decide which field to specialize in. Initially, she was certain about focusing on pediatrics, but then the allure of cardiothoracic surgery began to tempt her. Working with Dr. Verma in that specialty felt like a dream, and now, halfway through her residency, she had to make a decision. The administration granted her a week to make up her mind, adding to the already stressful situation of the canceled surgery and the upcoming blind date. Maitree couldn't help but feel frustrated when life didn't go as planned.

Maitree received a text from Sonakshi around 1 pm, informing her about the change of venue. Having finished her rounds and paperwork, she decided to head home for lunch. As Maitree reached her apartment, she collapsed onto the couch, seeking a moment of relaxation. However, her grumbling stomach reminded her of her hunger, prompting her to lazily open the fridge.

In their shared living arrangement, Sonakshi took charge of cooking while Maitree handled the cleaning duties - an unspoken rule they had established. Reflecting on their early days in the apartment, Maitree remembered her attempt at cooking during the first week as a way to celebrate their newfound independence. Unfortunately, her culinary adventure didn't go as planned, and they narrowly avoided setting the kitchen on fire. Since that incident, every time Maitree even thinks of picking up a spatula, Sonakshi playfully yells, "No!" while reminiscing about their catastrophe, leading to shared laughter between them.

After enjoying her lunch, Maitree began preparing for her blind date. She carefully chose a simple yellow kurti, accompanied by a dupatta, bangles, and earrings - a thoughtful gift from Sonakshi's mom when she graduated from medical school. She tied her hair into a ponytail and opted for comfortable flats to complete her look. Before leaving, she took a quick picture of herself and sent it to Sonakshi.

Just as she was about to head out, Maitree's phone began buzzing incessantly, indicating an incoming call from Sonakshi. Without missing a beat, Maitree answered the call and was immediately greeted with Sonakshi's exasperated voice. "Are you kidding me, Dr. Maitree Randhawa? Ponytail and flats? Are you trying to prove that you're in your 30s? Keep your hair open and wear the heels I bought you last month, then send me a picture. Talk to you later. Bye."

Maitree stared at her phone in disbelief, her expression reflecting her surprise at Sonakshi's unexpected outburst. She contemplated Sonakshi's words for a moment and thought to herself, "Well, if I'm going on this date, I might as well dress for the occasion." With a determined smile, Maitree reconsidered and decided to let her hair loose and wear the heels Sonakshi had gifted her, embracing the opportunity to make a statement on her date.

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