When The Heart Lies | ✓

[45] Smitten

Aarush ran straight out of the elevator, directly to the counter.

"Mr. Malhotra. Shrey Malhotra." He panted while palming the counter, staring at the girl in a nurse's uniform. She wasn't bothered by his sudden appearance. It was her all day work to suffer worried people like him, he thought. "His room? I was told at this floor."

Without giving a response, she checked the name and looked at him. Aarush's eyes widened immediately as he recalled where he had seen her before.

"Wait. I know you," he mumbled, narrowing his eyes on her.

"You are Sakshi's friend," she told him, bored. "You came on Diwali with her to hand me a gift."

Realization hit his mind as he smiled widely. "Oh yes, the nurse. I remember. But your name," his smile faded as he searched for her batch, but unluckily, it wasn't there. Though, his eyes caught beautiful round curves she had.

Something shivered inside his chest, his lips parted.

She cleared her throat immediately. "It doesn't matter. Mr. Malhotra is in Room 5106. He has woken up just an hour ago. And please don't worry him about anything," she told him. Her eyes lingered on his hands. "Do you know him? Or are you here on Sakshi's behalf? Wait. Are they together now?"

Aarush laughed, "Woah. Woah. Calm down, ma'am. He is a good friend of mine. No. They aren't together."

"Do you know what happened to him?"

He raised his eyebrows, now slightly bothered by her asking questions. He could see the girl was in foul mood. "Um, yes. He suffered an anxiety attack. He hasn't woke up since last night and just now, an hour ago. Like you said," he gave her a cheeky smile.

"Even then you didn't bring anything for him?" She asked, looking unimpressed. "People with anxiety disorders need positivity all around. You should have-"

"Been thoughtful," he muttered, cursing. "But I guess, I was in a hurry to see my friend."

She stared at him sternly. "You don't seem to be in a hurry now."

What the. . . Aarush stared at her in shock. This girl was way too frustrated with her job today. Her light brown hair with those dark patches near the skull were beautiful. The main jewel were her eyes, light brown in color, completely filled as if someone had colored them with a sticky crayon and a kid drew the lashes.

He smiled goofily at his thoughts. "510. . ." He asked lightly, still amused by her aura.

She rolled her eyes and breathed, now turning her attention on to the computer. "5106. Straight from here. Take left and the right. The second or third door maybe."

His eyebrows raised as he was impressed. "Well, Thank you." She didn't look at him but he could see the small smile curving her lips.

He sighed and turned around, walking straight and too left. He took first right that came and there he was numbers beginning from 5. He didn't have the visitor but he knew Malhotra's approach. He just had to take the name and the lift man didn't ask him a single question.

The room numbers were increasing and he reached a little hall full of couches. He could see a man sitting there, reading some files with a frown on his face. He turned to the right and saw the door and number on it.

He looked at the couch and saw a man sitting there quiet, holding the bridge of his nose.

"Excuse me, sir." Aarush gulped just as the man looked up, his eyes bloodshot. "I am here for Shrey. Can I see him?"

"Who are you?" Came the direct question.

He nodded. "Aarush. I met him two weeks ago. We are good friends. He wasn't picking up my calls and I came to know. . ."