In the heart of chaos

Chapter 39

The sterile atmosphere of Sarvodya/Birla Hospital was alive with the usual hustle and bustle of doctors, nurses, and patients. Aarohi had just finished her rounds and was heading to her office when she heard a commotion coming from the operating wing. Curious and concerned, she hurried toward the noise.

As she approached, a nurse rushed past her, looking frantic. "Dr. Aarohi, you need to come quickly," she panted. "Dr. Abhimanyu has made a mistake during surgery."

Aarohi's stomach tightened, her mind already racing. She had known something like this might happen. Abhimanyu was a skilled surgeon, but lately, his ego had been getting in the way of his work. She hurried into the operating room, where the scene was nothing short of chaos. Abhimanyu stood at the operating table, tense, his face tight with frustration as other doctors worked around him to fix the situation.

"What happened?" Aarohi demanded, her voice sharp and commanding.

One of the assisting doctors looked up, visibly stressed. "There was a complication with the patient's vitals during surgery, and Dr. Abhimanyu... he miscalculated. The patient's condition deteriorated, and we're trying to stabilize him."

Aarohi's eyes shot to Abhimanyu, who was standing there in shock. "Step aside," she ordered without hesitation. "I'll take over."

Abhimanyu bristled at the command but didn't argue. He stepped back, letting Aarohi move in. With steady hands and precise instructions, she coordinated the team, her focus unwavering. The tension in the room was palpable, but slowly, the patient's vitals began to stabilize under Aarohi's direction.

After what felt like an eternity, the surgery was completed successfully. The patient was wheeled out of the room, and Aarohi removed her surgical gloves, throwing them into the bin with more force than necessary.

"Abhimanyu," she said in a low, controlled voice. "I need to talk to you. Now."

In the privacy of her office, Aarohi slammed the door shut, her temper barely in check. Abhimanyu stood across from her, his face flushed with embarrassment and anger, but his pride wouldn't allow him to show it fully.

"What the hell was that?" Aarohi's voice was laced with fury. "You could have killed that patient!"

Abhimanyu crossed his arms defensively. "It was a complication. These things happen in surgery. You know that."

Aarohi stepped closer, her eyes blazing. "Don't you dare try to brush this off like it was just an unfortunate complication. You were careless! You let your ego take control, and a patient almost died because of it."

"I didn't—" Abhimanyu started, but Aarohi cut him off.

"You didn't think," she snapped. "That's exactly the problem. You've been so caught up in your personal issues, so obsessed with your pride, that it's affecting your work. And it's not just your reputation at stake here, it's people's lives. I won't tolerate that in my hospital."

Abhimanyu's face hardened at her words. "Your hospital? Let's not forget who I am, Aarohi. I've been running surgeries successfully for years. Just because you've been appointed as the head doesn't mean you get to lord it over everyone, especially not me."

Aarohi's eyes narrowed. "This isn't about titles or authority, Abhimanyu. This is about responsibility. You're supposed to be one of the best, and yet you're letting your personal grudges cloud your judgment."

"Personal grudges?" Abhimanyu's voice rose. "Is that what you think this is?"

"Yes!" Aarohi snapped. "You've been acting like this ever since I was made head of Sarvodya. And you know what? It's pathetic. You let your jealousy get in the way of your professionalism, and today, you almost let it cost a life."

Abhimanyu clenched his fists, his ego bruised. "Don't act like you're perfect, Aarohi. You've made mistakes too."

"Oh, I've made mistakes, no doubt," Aarohi shot back. "But I don't let my mistakes define my work. I learn from them. You? You're so caught up in trying to prove something, you're forgetting the most important thing: the patients. If this is how you're going to behave, maybe you shouldn't be in the operating room."

Abhimanyu's face turned crimson with anger. "Don't tell me how to do my job, Aarohi."

"I will if it means saving lives," she replied coldly.

The silence between them stretched, heavy with tension. Abhimanyu opened his mouth to retort, but the words caught in his throat. Deep down, he knew she was right, but his pride refused to admit it.

Finally, Aarohi spoke again, her voice calmer but no less firm. "I don't care what issues you have with me personally. But the next time you step into that operating room, you better leave your ego at the door. If I see you jeopardizing another patient's life because of your arrogance, I won't hesitate to report you. Understood?"

Abhimanyu said nothing, his jaw clenched tight.

"Understood?" Aarohi repeated, her tone demanding an answer.

He gave a stiff nod. "Understood."

"Good," she said sharply, walking past him to the door. "Now get out of my office."

Abhimanyu didn't say a word as he walked out, his mind racing with a mix of anger, frustration, and a grudging respect for the woman who had just put him in his place.

As the door clicked shut behind him, Aarohi let out a long, deep breath. The confrontation had been necessary, but it didn't make it any easier. She knew Abhimanyu would never openly admit his fault, but she hoped her words had gotten through to him.

For now, her focus needed to remain on the patients, the hospital, and ensuring that mistakes like today's never happened again—no matter who was at fault.