Yakeen Ka Safar: A Sequel

Chapter 6

                       

Dr. Zubia had just finished prescribing medicine to a patient suffering from acute bacterial sinusitis and now made her way to the staff lounge. She was badly craving a cup of tea.

As she stirred her drink with a spoon her phone started vibrating in the pocket of her white coat. She took it out and saw Gaiti's picture lighting up the screen. Zubia smiled. She was missing her friend since she had taken the week off to spend time with her in-laws who had just arrived. Picking up her mug she plopped herself down on one of the chairs and answered the call with a salaam. 

"Waalikum Asalam. Kya haal hai aapka?" She inquired in a cheery voice. 

"Bilkul theek. Aap sunaen?" She replied, taking a sip of tea. 

"Main bhi theek hun Alhamdulillah. Yaar baat yeh hai ke Haroon ki family ayi hui hai na hum se milne. Main soch rahi thi ke aaj tum logon ko dinner par bula lun. Iss tarhan sab ki mulaqaat bhi hojaye gi."

"Ohh acha acha. Haan that sounds great. Aaj raat ko phir?" Zubia asked. 

"Jee haan. Main mama ko bhi call kar leti hun abhi. Tum Asfi ko bata dena."

"Haan main bata dungi. Chalein phir raat ko mulaaqat hogi aap se."

"Chalo okay, Khuda Hafiz."

"Khuda Hafiz."

Zubia finished her tea and stood up. Straightening her yellow dupatta she made her way to Asfandyar's office.  Looking in through the glass she saw him sitting there with Mr. Tariq, who was in charge of administration. She lightly knocked on the door. Asfandyar looked up to see his wife. He nodded, signalling for her to enter. As she walked in, Dr. Asfandyar's eyes automatically lit up, just like they always did when he saw her. 

"Jee Dr. Zubia?" He asked her calmly. At the hospital they were always Dr. Zubia and Dr. Asfandyar to each other.  Asfandyar Ali Khan was a man of good ethics and moral values and as affectionate as he was towards her at home, he made sure to never cross any boundaries that he himself had set up for others. 

Zubia's gaze shifted between him and Mr. Tariq. He probably thought she had something patient-related to discuss. However she had only come to tell him about the dinner tonight and now she felt awkward saying that. She shook her head. "Kuch nahi bus aap se aik baat discuss karni thi. Aap pehle..." She said, signalling towards Tariq sahab. "Okay" he replied, his face neutral. He turned his attention back to the man while Zubia pulled up a chair and sat down. 

"Tariq sahab I'm satisfied with this month's report. I do have some concerns about the new lab technicians. Aap please unko zara sahi se supervise ki jiye ga. That's all. Thank you." 

Mr. Tariq nodded and left the room. Finally alone with her, Asfandyar's shoulders relaxed and he could feel the tension escaping his body. 

"Kya discuss karna tha aapne?" He inquired with a smile. 

"Gaiti ki call ayi thi. Unhon ne dinner par invite kiya hai aaj raat ko. Aap ko batane ayi thi."

"Acha?" He said, lightly drumming on the desk with his hands. "Okay. Sounds good." 

"Hmm. Aapka din kaisa jaa raha hai?" She asked him, leaning back in her chair. 

"Din toh theek jaa raha hai" He said, rubbing his eyes. "Bus neend aarahi hai bohat. Yeh jo aap mujhe raat ko dair dair tak zabardasti apne saath movies dekhwaati hain na, uski wajah se." He complained. 

Zubia rolled her eyes. "Acha? Toh mana kar dete."

"Bus kya karun, It is really hard for me to say no to you."