See You Again

Chapter 2

Manikarnika's first month in the hospital had been pretty hectic. She had to constantly run to and fro from the Emergency Unit and the Operation Theatre. The Emergency Unit was always busy. But she had really enjoyed herself in the past month because it was the job she loved.

Then there was Kinjal. She couldn't understand why he was hellbent on making her life miserable. He always criticised her work and insulted her in front of her colleagues. If anyone who deserved such  awful behaviour it was he himself.

One Friday, the last operation of the day had been a particularly exhausting one. Manikarnika retired to the common room and dropped in her chair. The whole day had been so hectic that she didn't even have a moment to catch her breath. The lack of rest was catching up to her. She checked her watch. It was the time for her to go home. Srijan wasn't there yet because he had the night shift.

The door of the common room opened. She didn't bother to check who it was. She had already got the scent of Kinjal's body spray.

He came and leaned against her table.

"What do you want?", annoyance was evident in her voice. "Came to insult me some more?"

He stood silently for a moment. And then, "Minnie."

His voice was surprisingly gentle.

"Don't call me that", she said sharply.
It brought back memories. Minnie was the stupid nickname that Kinjal had given her because of her intense love for Disney movies.

"So you hate me that much", he sighed.

"Can you give me one good reason why I shouldn't?", she stood up to face him.

"You left me without a word. No phone calls, no texts, nothing. Do you have any idea how many times I had called you?"

She  paused for a breath.

"And then I meet you here. You demean me repeatedly and insult my work. Can you give me one good reason why I shouldn't hate you?"

She was breathing hard.

Kinjal hung his head. "I know I've been a total jerk to you. But at that point, I felt that it was the right thing to do. You don't know what I was going through back then."

"Then enlighten me!"

Their faces were inches from each other.

Kinjal was about to say something when the door of the common room opened. Both of them quickly straightened, putting a respectable distance between them.

Srijan came in.

"You're early today, Dr. Bose. I believe your shift doesn't start until seven?", a hint of irritation laced Kinjal's words.

"I have some personal reasons, Dr. Dutta", Srijan replied.

"Don't forget that this is your workplace, Dr. Bose. You can leave your personal reasons outside before you enter the next day."

With that he left.

Manikarnika and Srijan exchanged glances.

"What's up with Mr. High and Mighty today?", he asked looking at the closed door.

She shrugged.

"So why so early, huh?", she asked.

"Just wanted to catch up with you. I don't see you much these days, so I  thought why not?"

He smiled. "So, what's the latest gossip?"

"Didn't have much time for gossip today", she laughed.

"Then , why don't you tell me Dr. Roy, what's going on between you and Kinjal Dutta?", he grinned. "It would make up nicely for the lack of gossip."

She slapped his arm playfully.

"Well, something's definitely brewing because whenever you two are in the same room, the atmosphere tenses to the point to make others uncomfortable."

"He and I are unfinished business, Srijan." she shook her head. "It's complicated."

"Is that why he was here?", he asked.

She nodded her head.

"Well, you can tell me anything you want to", he patted her hand. "I'll be there for you."

"I know", she smiled.