VEILS OF ROSE

CHAPTER 5️⃣

          🌟AUTHOR'S POV🌟

The sun shone brightly, marking the arrival of a new day. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, falling gently across Sara's face, breaking her slumber. With a groan, she dug herself deeper into the comforter, trying to escape the intrusion of morning. But a sharp knock on the door brought her back to the waking world.

"I'm up!" she called, stretching as she sat up and made her way to the bathroom to begin her usual morning routine.

Elsewhere in the apartment, Asma moved toward Roshni's room. As she was about to knock, she noticed the door was ajar and saw Roshni adjusting the last touches of her outfit.

"Good morning! Are you ready already?" Asma asked, stepping in.

"Morning! Yup, just about done," Roshni replied with a smile. "Did you check on Sara?"

"Yeah, she said she's up."

The two girls walked to the kitchen, where Asma started preparing the morning drinks. She poured two cups of coffee—one for herself and one for Roshni—and a cup of tea for Sara.

Soon, Sara joined them, looking fresh and calm. Roshni handed her the tea.

"Thanks, Ro," Sara smiled.

"How's the wound? Did you take your painkiller yesterday? Are you sure you're okay to go to work?" Asma asked in rapid fire.

"Chill, babe. Give her a chance to answer," Roshni interjected, amused.

"Yes, I took my meds, and I'm perfectly fine. The pain’s almost gone, too. Don't worry," Sara reassured, sipping her tea.

After a light breakfast, they headed out—Roshni and Sara on the scooty, and Asma in a cab that Sara insisted she take instead of the bus.

---

Asma reached her office and walked through the corridors to her cubicle. She noticed something odd—the air was buzzing with whispers and excitement. Curious, she turned to her colleague Reshma.

"What's going on?"

"Oh! You were on leave yesterday, that’s why you don’t know. Our firm collaborated with another. Their boss is now taking over. Today’s the introduction. We’ll be meeting the new boss."

"Seriously? One day I’m absent and everything changes. I attend the whole year, and this happens the one day I’m off!"

"Tell me about it," Reshma nodded.

---

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Sara and Roshni parted ways at the entrance, reminding each other to meet at lunch. Sara walked into her cabin only to be met by the one man she couldn't stand: Dr. Rehan Raichand, the HOD of her department. As usual, he was smiling creepily and holding a bouquet.

"Sir, why are you in my cabin with flowers? Is it someone’s birthday?" Sara asked, her tone laced with irritation.

"No, these are for you. I heard you were injured," Rehan said, ignoring her tone.

Sara took the bouquet, placed it on the side table, and opened a patient file. "Thank you for the gesture, sir. It was just a small scratch. I'm fine now."

Instead of leaving, Rehan made himself comfortable on the chair across from her.

"You should've taken rest. And I told you before—stop calling me 'sir'. Call me Rehan."

"You’re my senior, sir. I prefer to keep things professional," she replied pointedly.

Finally taking the hint, Rehan stood. "There’s a staff meeting in a few minutes. The new M.D. called for it."