Beyond Expectations

The Unexpected Visitor

The elevator doors slid open, and Isha stepped inside, hitting the button for the first floor. Each floor passed with a jolt, her heart still racing from the remnants of her dream. When the doors opened, Isha walked into the office, a familiar façade plastered on her face.

The buzz of the office greeted her, and she seamlessly slid into her routine. Her colleagues greeted her with their usual banter, but Isha felt detached, her thoughts drifting to the shadows that lingered just beyond her awareness.

As she gathered her materials and settled at her desk, Isha barely registered the passing hours. The world around her hummed with life, yet she felt a growing sense of isolation.

Rikansh glanced up from his desk, his gaze drawn to Isha, who was buried in her work as usual. She sat at her desk with her back straight and her brow furrowed, her focus unwavering as she meticulously organized her files. It was a scene he had witnessed countless times—her fierce dedication, her determination to stay above the fray.

Yet today was different. The sharpness in her movements seemed slightly dulled as if a weight pressed down on her that he couldn't quite see. He observed how she exhaled slowly and how her fingers paused briefly over the papers as if she were gathering strength before diving back in.

Rikansh shifted in his seat, a flicker of irritation stirring within him. It was minor, almost invisible, but he didn't like it. He hated how something so seemingly trivial could pull his attention away from his work. His life was organized, and methodical—everything had its place. But Isha? She was unpredictable, and disruptive in ways that were hard to ignore.

It wasn't as if he didn't respect her dedication. He did. But today, there was an inexplicable dissonance that unsettled him. Her usual sharpness had softened, and he couldn't figure out why it bothered him.

As the clock ticked steadily toward the end of the day, he found himself watching her more intently. The office buzzed around them, colleagues chatting and laughter ringing out, but she remained an island of focus amid the chaos. And still, the pull to reach out—to ask if she was alright—lingered, but he dismissed it. It's an overreaction, he told himself. There's no need to complicate things.

Rikansh couldn't pinpoint what felt off—whether it was something in the air, something about her, or the growing tension in his own mind. Today was the office health checkup, and though he rarely dwelled on such things, he made a mental note to mention these "symptoms" to the doctor. Logic, he reminded himself. Everything could be explained with the right methodical approach. His composure would return. It always did. But Isha? She was a constant source of disorder that he couldn't shake off.

***

"Okay everyone, it's time for our floor!"
"This floor is the last one, right?"
"Yep, the last one—but it's going to take a while."
"Perfect! Work hours will be over by then."
"Lucky you guys. I'll still be here doing overtime."

A few colleagues chatted and laughed as they made their way to the nurse's office.
"By the way, did you hear? This time, it's a well-known doctor from Kolkata. She's also a model!"
"Oh, I know! How could I not, with all those photographers outside?"
"They're always here for the CEO."
"True, but this time it felt different."

The chatter faded into the background for Isha. Her mind was entirely on her work, her movements almost on autopilot. She walked with her usual sharp, precise manner, but today her gaze was unfocused, distant—something that didn't go unnoticed by Rikansh.

Instinctively, he adjusted his posture, positioning himself a step behind her. He hadn't planned on doing this, but the subtle shift in her demeanor had sparked something in him. He didn't like it.

If she walked into one of the doors, he thought to himself, that would be a minor inconvenience, something he could easily correct. But he found himself watching her, his mind running through potential scenarios—none of which made much sense. What am I doing? he asked himself, annoyed at the distraction.

Rikansh observed her steady stride, the same precision she always carried with her. Yet today, it was as if there was a slight disconnect, a quiet weight in her movements that didn't sit right with him. But rather than panic or act impulsively, he stayed back, observing in his usual calm manner.

None of his precautions came to fruition. Isha walked straight and composed, entirely unaware of his silent watchfulness. Her steps remained confident, unaffected by his presence. She navigated the hallway with ease, oblivious to the subtle safeguard trailing behind her.

Rikansh's gaze softened briefly, a flicker of something he couldn't quite place crossing his face. Weird, he thought, shaking his head slightly. He didn't know why he was thinking about it so much. It wasn't like him to overanalyze a simple situation. With a small exhale, he refocused on his work, rationalizing the moment as just another distraction, nothing more. There was no need to let it get to him. Everything was fine.

***

As the workers reached the medical room, they lined up for their checkups, but the chatter among them didn't cease. Why would it? Especially when they were greeted by the sight of Dr. Chhaya, a woman whose beauty commanded attention. Standing at 5'7", she had a figure that seemed sculpted for the runway. Her face was striking, with a sharp jawline and upturned, dark brown eyes that held an enigmatic glint. Her heart-shaped lips were poised in a subtle smile, and her nose was elegantly shaped, completing the flawless image of a model who also happened to be a doctor.

Isha stepped into the medical room, her movements sharp and purposeful, as always. But when she saw Dr. Chhaya, her steps faltered, just for a moment. Her eyes narrowed slightly, the only visible shift in her otherwise controlled demeanor. She had never expected to see her here today.

Dr. Chhaya, noticing Isha's pause, tilted her head slightly and flashed a grin. "Well, well, if it isn't the ever-determined Isha Mukherjee," she said, her voice laced with playful challenge. "You're not here to back out, are you?"

-*****-

Just who was Chhaya? And what is her relationship with Isha? Is she related to the nightmare she had that night? Or was she someone that helped her at her worse?

Stay tuned to find out!