Silent whispers of love

~Chapter One~

Kanika

I tightened the scarf wrapped on my neck as a cold breeze blew, sending chills down the spine. Hamburg is colder than I thought.

Coming to Germany for the Residency wasn't my sole decision, Papa was involved in it as well. It was his long lost dream; to send me here after masters. "doctors get better opportunities over there.", he would say.

However, opportunities weren't the only reason I had agreed for, Another one, was of course, Ritika.

She was in Hamburg as well, working as a paediatrician in the Albertinen hospital. I had took a voluntarily different approach by choosing neurosurgery as a career.

The smell of vanilla caught my attention as I passed by a bakery, and I couldn't stop myself from going in. Having sweets in this cold weather might get me sick. A little one won't harm, though.

The bells hung on the door chimed as I opened it, welcomed by a huge display of pastries, pies, and whatnot. After going through a lot of confusion between caramel and chocolate pastry, I ended up buying a small cupcake. Hamburg is expensive, as well.

My phone beeped as I exit the store, indicating a message. It was Ritika, 'don't forget the plan tonight. You coming or not?'

'will be there by 8.pm'. I replied, and kept the phone back.

We were gathering at a restaurant in the downtown for one of our friend, Girija's birthday; I finally have made more friends. Though most of them are foreigners. Being here for a year had made me realize two things. One, people here are very easy to talk. Two, you will lose your timid self completely.

I pulled out my phone again and called Abhi. He picked up at the end of first ring, 'yes?', his raspy voice blurted out from the other side.

Abhi or Abhishek, was my only best friend after Ritika. I met him at a library inauguration about one year ago. He worked as the main editor at Atria printing press.

'what gift are you getting her tonight?', I asked playfully.

'you know, I was about to call you on this.', he said. I could hear the sound of him going back to his cabin so that he could talk more clearly. 'does she like purple or pink?', he asked.

'purple more prominently. What are you giving her?'

'a handbag from L.V'

'uhh...someone is going high class. Just buy a ring instead and propose her. How long are you going to wait?', I teased.

Girija is his long-lost love whom he likes way too much and is still hesitant to speak up a word to her. We met her at a book club around two months ago.

'That too will come with time. Just not now. And, birthdays are special you know...', he said derisively.

'oh really? You gifted me a 1 euro bracelet on my previous birthday, very special right?', as much as I didn't want to sound sulky, I still did.

'yeah, but that is what best friends are for', he joked. 'okay, my writer is here for the meeting. I'll call you later.'

I cut the call and headed towards the hospital. The 12 hour duty is going to get me sick today.