Iqraar E Mohabbat ✓

Chapter 7

Humera

"From where are you coming?" Zoya looked at me with narrowed eyes. She, somewhat reminds me of Aamira. I have bonded closely with her in these two months.

"I will tell you later, Zo. I am in hurry right now." I told her before following Shahzain to the hospital room. We took the patient in the MRI room as sir had suggested. They were quick to get the report and this report match with the earlier one, which means that the report from previous hospital was wrong.

"Am I dying?" The patient asked us after we brought her down to the ward. Shahzain and I shared a look before I gave her the answer. "No. On the contrary, you are absolutely fine."

"But they told me I need to do the operation." She said with worried face.

"I don't think that would be necessary now since your reports look good." Shahzain told her. "I have a feeling you would be back to your home soon with huge smile."

The lady thanked us and we left the place. It was finally the time for us to return since our shift is over. We walked to the front desk and I felt a strong gaze on me. I turned around and my eyes met the intense ones of Aaliya. I ignored her and focused on my own.

"Is Rayyan Bhai coming to pick you?" Shahzain asked me.

I shook my head. "I don't think so. I might call Abbu."

"You can come with me, you know. Afterall, we are neighbors." He spoke.

"No, it's fine." I started saying but he cut me off. "We need to talk, Era. Meet me in the parking lot." Saying that he took his bag and left the place making me let out a sigh.

I know what he wants to talk. But what do I tell him? Allah, please help me. I know I should have ignored him but I had no other choice.

"I am in dire need of a shower." Zoya said while we walked out of the hospital.

"Same for me. I smell." I told her scrunching my face.

"Where is your brother? Is he not coming to pick you up?" Ayaan asked me making me realize I had to meet Shah.

"Actually, I am going with-" A small bike horn cut me off. I gave a nervous smile to my friends and walked to where Shahzain was waiting for me on his bike.

The bike ride was silent. As soon as he stopped outside the gate, I hopped off and hurriedly rushed inside to avoid any of his questioning. I heard the engine roaring and fading away and heaved a sigh of relief. I know he will not ask me anything inside the hospital especially in front of all our friends since he keeps his personal and professional life totally apart. I just have to avoid any personal conversation for next four months. It will be fine. I calmed myself and walked inside the house.

"Here." Ammi was standing on the door way with a glass of water. She has memorized my entire schedule and knows about my arrival. I drank the water and walked to my room to freshen up. I decided to take a short nap since I was really tired.

"Humi, wake up." I felt someone shaking me up and groggily opened my eyes. "It's dinner time, bacha. Come on." Ammi took the duvet from me and started folding me.

"Ammi, let me sleep. I am tired." I whined.

"You need to take care of yourself too, Doctor sahab." Ammi said patting my cheeks softly. I woke up with scrunched face and dragged myself to the washroom.

The dinner was quite merry since Rayyan bhai announced the engagement. After returning from the dinner, I threw myself to the bed and slept.

...

NEXT DAY...

Guess with whom I am going to hospital, today? Yup, our very own Dr. Shahzain Mir. Because apparently, Rayyan bhai has gone to Ayesha's house, Rehan went to his friend's house whereas Abbu and Taya Abbu already left for the office. So, I have no one to take me to the hospital. I had thought to take an auto but Ammi called Shahzain and asked him to take me with him. Since, Shah being the obedient child he is, he happily agreed so here I am waiting for him to pick me up.

"As salaam alaykum, Era." Shahzain greeted me in his cheerful voice. I tried to ignore the fluttering feeling I experienced as he addressed me as Era. He is only one to call me that.

"Walaikum as salaam, Chalein? (Shall we go?)" I told him.

"We will go but before that we need to talk." He gave me a stern look.

"Listen, Shahzain-

He cut me off with a fierce glare. "No, you listen to me, Humera Ali Khan. I know we have been rivals since we were small. But I also am very aware that our rivalry is limited to just academics. Outside that, we are acquaintances since you don't want us to be friends. So, now, stop making stupid excuses and tell me what exactly is going on?"

I looked down feeling my heart beating loudly at his shout. Seeing me not giving an answer, he again said in a warning voice. "Humera."

"I was jealous." I muttered slowly.

"What?" I could sense that he was shocked. "You were jealous? Of what exactly?"

"We were supposed to get same marks in the MBBS too. That's how it has always been so when I heard you topped Turkey, I was jealous that you did better than me." I muttered in a very low voice.

"That's all?" He asked raising his eyebrow.

I nodded which made him let out a sigh. "We are tackling in a real world now, Era. Do you think we should waste out time with stupid things like jealousy?"

"I know now. So, I decided to be mature person and talk to you yesterday." I told him.

He hummed. "Get on then or else we will get late."

I sat on his bike and the two of us left for the hospital.

"What's going on with the two of you?" Zoya asked when she saw me coming with Shahzain.

"Nothing." I said and went to keep my bag.

"Don't you dare lie, Humi. Till two days ago, you would not talk to each other and suddenly you are travelling in his bike. Yet you have the guts to say there is nothing?" Zoya glared at me making me sigh.

"We are neighbors and old schoolmates. That's all." I told her. She gave me a narrowed look but did not pester further for which I am grateful.

"Here." I looked from where I was working on the discharge sheet to see Shahzain forwarding a paper cup. I gave him a quizzical look and he said, "It's coffee. Take it, I know you need it."

"Thank you." I gave him a grateful smile before taking the cup.

"By the way, Shah, what happened to yesterday's case?" I asked him while sipping the coffee.

He shrugged. "I really have no idea. Maybe the Dean will talk in next council meeting."

I nodded at him and focused on my work in the hand.

"Humera, Shahzain, come with me." Our senior called us as he walked to the room 203. We glanced at each other and kept our half-filled coffee cup on the desk before following him. 

Duty calls!!  

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Lots of love

Samm.