Manan - Unlikely Hearts

2. Unexpected Encounters

City General Hospital : 

The hum of hospital life was a stark contrast to the quiet of Manik's luxurious office. Here, the corridors were filled with hurried footsteps, the beep of medical equipment, and the low murmur of doctors and nurses discussing patient care. The smell of antiseptic lingered in the air, a constant reminder of the seriousness of the work being done within these walls.

Manik Malhotra, however, was not someone who typically frequented hospitals. His life was spent in boardrooms and luxury hotels, not in places where life and death hung in the balance. Yet, here he was, striding through the corridors of City General Hospital with a purpose that surprised even him.

He had told himself that he was here to discuss a potential donation—after all, it wasn't unusual for someone in his position to support charitable causes. But deep down, Manik knew that wasn't the real reason. No, he was here because he couldn't stop thinking about Dr. Nandini Murthy, the woman who had captivated him at the gala.

He found her in the pediatric ward, her white coat standing out against the colorful murals that adorned the walls. She was speaking with a young boy, her voice soft and soothing as she reassured him that the upcoming procedure would be quick and painless. The boy looked up at her with wide, trusting eyes, his fear slowly fading under her gentle care.

Manik watched from a distance, struck once again by the warmth and compassion that seemed to radiate from her. She had a natural ability to connect with people, to make them feel at ease—even in a place like this.

As she finished her conversation and turned to leave the room, her gaze met his. For a brief moment, surprise flickered in her eyes before she smiled and walked over to him.

"Mr. Malhotra," she greeted him, her tone polite but curious. "What brings you to the hospital today?"

"Please, call me Manik," he replied, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I wanted to discuss a potential donation to the hospital. I thought it might be better to do it in person."

Nandini nodded, though she seemed slightly puzzled. "That's very generous of you. Our hospital could always use more support. I'm sure Mr. Patel would be pleased to hear about your interest."

Manik shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "It's something I've been considering for a while. And after hearing you speak at the gala, I realized it was time to take action."

Nandini's expression softened, and she looked at him with a mix of gratitude and admiration. "I'm glad to hear that. The work we do here is challenging, but it's also incredibly rewarding. Every contribution helps us make a difference."

Manik nodded, though he was barely listening. He was more focused on the way her eyes lit up when she talked about her work, the way her voice carried a quiet passion that was impossible to ignore.

"Would you like a tour of the hospital?" Nandini offered. "I can show you some of the areas where your donation could make the most impact."

"Sure," Manik agreed, grateful for the opportunity to spend more time with her.

As they walked through the hospital, Nandini pointed out various departments and explained the different programs they were working on. Manik listened intently, asking questions here and there, though his mind was mostly occupied with her.

At one point, they passed by the neonatal intensive care unit, where tiny babies lay in incubators, surrounded by monitors and machines. Nandini paused, her expression softening as she looked through the glass window.

"This is one of the toughest parts of the job," she admitted quietly. "Seeing these little ones fighting for their lives every day...it's heartbreaking. But it's also a reminder of how precious life is."

Manik followed her gaze, his heart unexpectedly clenching at the sight. He had never given much thought to things like this—he had always been focused on building his business, on achieving success. But standing here, next to Nandini, he felt a stirring of emotions that he hadn't felt in a long time.

"You must see a lot of difficult things in your line of work," he said, his voice unusually gentle.

Nandini nodded, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "I do. But it's worth it when we can save a life, or even just make someone's day a little better. That's what keeps me going."

Manik looked at her, feeling a sudden urge to protect her from the harsh realities of her job. It was a strange feeling—he was used to being the one who needed no protection, the one who kept his emotions in check. But Nandini had a way of breaking through his defenses, making him feel things he wasn't used to feeling.

They continued their tour, eventually ending up in the hospital's cafeteria. Nandini suggested they grab a cup of coffee, and Manik agreed, though he usually avoided hospital food. As they sat down at a small table, Nandini looked at him with a curious expression.

"I have to admit, I'm surprised to see you here, Manik," she said, her tone light but probing. "It's not every day that a businessman like you takes an interest in a place like this."

Manik hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. He wasn't used to talking about his feelings, especially with someone he had just met. But there was something about Nandini that made him want to be honest.

"I guess you could say I've been...reconsidering my priorities lately," he said slowly. "Meeting you at the gala made me realize that there's more to life than just business. I've spent so much time focused on my company, on making money, that I've lost sight of what really matters."

Nandini listened carefully, her expression softening as she realized the depth of his words. "It's easy to get caught up in work," she said gently. "But it's never too late to find a new path, to make a difference in the world."

Manik looked at her, feeling a sense of calm wash over him. She had a way of making everything seem so simple, so clear. He realized that he wanted to spend more time with her, to learn from her, to see the world through her eyes.

"I'd like to help," he said suddenly, surprising even himself. "Not just with money, but with my time. If there's anything I can do to support the work you're doing here, I'm all in."

Nandini's eyes widened in surprise, but then she smiled—a smile that made Manik's heart skip a beat. "That's very kind of you, Manik. I'm sure there are plenty of ways you could help. We could use someone with your skills and resources to make a real impact."

Manik felt a warmth in his chest that he hadn't felt in a long time. For the first time in years, he felt like he was on the verge of something important, something that could change his life.

As they finished their coffee and said their goodbyes, Manik knew that this was just the beginning. He wasn't sure where this path would lead, but he was determined to follow it—because it meant spending more time with Nandini, and that was something he was more than willing to do.

with Love
Tara