Fighting Destiny

Chapter 9: Jealous Heart

The atmosphere at the Hospital was abuzz with activity as the day wore on. Akshara was immersed in her work, but her mind kept wandering. Every time she caught a glimpse of Abhimanyu, her heart raced.  However, a subtle tension hung in the air that day, one she couldn't quite pinpoint.

As she walked through the corridor, Akshara spotted a nurse named Tina standing near the nurse's station. Tina was giggling with a couple of her colleagues, stealing glances at Abhimanyu, who was busy reviewing patient charts. It was no secret that Tina had a crush on him—her flushed cheeks and bright eyes whenever he walked by were evidence enough.

"Look at her," Sonakshi whispered, nudging Akshara with her elbow. "She's practically glowing. I swear, every time Abhimanyu walks past, it's like the sun shines just for her."

Akshara tried to suppress her irritation, forcing a smile. "She's friendly," she replied, keeping her voice steady. "It's nice to see her enthusiastic."

"Enthusiastic? More like infatuated," Sonakshi teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "But really, how do you feel about it? Jealous?"

Akshara shrugged, though her heart raced at the thought. "Why would I be jealous?" But inside, she was burning.

"Sure, but I think it's cute. Maybe you should give Tina a little competition," Sonakshi said, winking. "Show her you can be charming too."

"Not interested," Akshara replied, her tone sharper than intended. "I have enough on my plate without competing for his attention."

Just then, Abhimanyu stepped out of his office, his gaze shifting toward Tina. Akshara's stomach twisted as she watched Tina preen and adjust her hair, trying to catch his eye. "Looks like someone's eager," Akshara murmured, trying to keep her tone light, but it came out more strained than she intended.

"Tina has it bad," Sonakshi said, smirking. "But I don't think Abhimanyu even notices her."

As if on cue, Abhimanyu walked past Tina, completely oblivious to her bright smile and fluttering lashes. Akshara smirked.

That's my Abhi.

But still, it bothers her that Tina had a crush on Abhimanyu.

Suddenly, a commotion broke out further down the hallway. Akshara turned to see a group of nurses and doctors gathered around a patient's room, laughter echoing in the air. Curious, she made her way closer, her heart racing for reasons she couldn't quite understand.

As she approached, she recognized the patient—an fifteen-year-old boy named Rahul, who had recently been admitted for a minor surgical procedure. He was charming and bright, often cracking jokes to lift the spirits of the staff. Akshara had interacted with him a few times. She was his favorite.

But today, Rahul was doing more than just joking; he was animatedly talking to Abhimanyu, his eyes sparkling with admiration. "Dr. Birla! You're my favorite doctor! When I grow up, I want to be just like you!" Rahul exclaimed, his voice loud and enthusiastic, drawing the attention of everyone in the vicinity.

Akshara couldn't help but smile at Rahul's innocent admiration. He was just a kid, but his enthusiasm was infectious. However, as she glanced over at Abhimanyu, she noticed the flicker of annoyance in his storm-colored eyes.

"Thanks, Rahul," Abhimanyu replied, his tone slightly clipped. "But focus on getting better, okay? You'll have plenty of time for that later."

"Sure! But can I get a selfie with you first?" Rahul asked, pulling out his phone with excitement.

Abhimanyu hesitated, his brow furrowing as he glanced over at Akshara, who was watching the scene unfold with an amused smile. For a brief moment, their eyes locked, and she felt the tension in the air shift. It was as if their unspoken connection was palpable...

"Alright," Abhimanyu finally relented, softening slightly as he turned back to Rahul. "Just one. Make it quick."

Akshara felt a strange warmth bloom in her chest as she watched Abhimanyu smile at the young patient. But it was short-lived, as she noticed Tina slipping away from the nurse's station, her eyes trained on Abhimanyu. The realization hit Akshara like a wave: she wasn't the only one feeling the heat of competition today.

"Looks like Tina's got her camera ready," Sonakshi whispered, nudging Akshara again. "You might want to step up your game before it's too late!"

Akshara rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a smile. "What am I supposed to do? Jump in and declare my feelings?"

"Why not ?" Sonakshi suggested playfully. "It would definitely spice things up. I mean, what's the worst that could happen? It's not like he'd be repulsed or anything."

Just then, Rahul pulled Abhimanyu closer for the selfie, and the three of them—Akshara, Sonakshi, and Tina—watched as the young boy beamed up at Abhimanyu, clearly thrilled to be in his presence.

"Okay, enough of this," she muttered, trying to push down her feelings. "I'm going to grab some coffee."

"Let's go!" Sonakshi agreed, but as they turned to leave, Akshara glanced back one last time at the scene unfolding. Abhimanyu was smiling at Rahul, his attention entirely focused on the young patient, and Akshara felt a strange mix of emotions churn within her—pride, jealousy, and an overwhelming desire to be noticed by him as well.

As they made their way to the cafeteria, Akshara couldn't shake the nagging feeling in her gut. Why was she so affected by the attention Abhimanyu received from others? Why did the idea of Tina and Rahul fighting for his attention spark something within her?

"Hey, you alright?" Sonakshi asked, sensing her unease.

"Yeah," Akshara lied, forcing a smile. "Just a little tired, that's all."

Sonakshi raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. Instead, they entered the bustling cafeteria, and Akshara tried to focus on the chatter around her, pushing aside her emotions for the moment.

But even as she stood in line, she couldn't shake the feeling of competition that lingered in the air. If Abhimanyu was the sun, then she felt like a planet, constantly orbiting around him, desperately trying to catch his light.

She felt as if she were drifting further into the shadows ...

To be continued ...

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