Doctor and Businesswoman

"Give me your hand, Ms. Maya," Meet said with a calm yet commanding voice.

Timidly, she extended her hand. He took it gently, but as he pressed a point on her palm, a sharp breathy moan of pain escaped her lips.

"So, what exactly happened to your hand?" Meet asked, his tone professional yet soft.

"I don’t know. I can’t move it freely," she replied hesitantly.

He lightly pressed another nerve, causing her to groan in discomfort. After a moment, he released her hand.

"Is thand ke mausam mein haath ki nase akad jaana aam baat hai," he explained matter-of-factly.

(In this cold weather, it’s common for the nerves in the hand to stiffen.)

She nodded in understanding.

"By the way, your hand is so soft," he added with a playful smirk, making her smile shyly.

Just then, the door to the cabin swung open abruptly, making both of them flinch. Meet turned to look at the intruder and rolled his eyes upon seeing his best friend, Rishab.

"Hello, Ms. Maya! How are you? You’re here again? Main jab aata hoon yahan, aap mil hi jaati hain," Rishab teased sarcastically.

(Whenever I come here, I always find you here.)

Turning his attention to Meet, Rishab’s expression clearly showed that his antics were about to cause some mischief. Meet sighed, already annoyed.

"Ms. Maya, these are some tablets. Take them for two days. They’ll reduce the swelling and muscle soreness, and your nerve pain will gradually stop. Also, make sure to do simple hand exercises," Meet advised, handing her a prescription.

Ms. Maya smiled warmly and extended her other hand for a handshake. "Thank you, Doctor. You’re amazing, Dr. Malhotra! Every time I visit, my pain starts to recover immediately. You’re a genius!"

Rishab, seated casually on the other chair, tried to stifle his laughter. As soon as Ms. Maya left, Rishab walked over to Meet and patted his shoulder teasingly.

"'By the way, your hand is so soft.'"

"'Handshake.'"

"'You’re amazing, Doctor Malhotra.'"

"'You’re a genius,'" Rishab repeated mockingly.

"You should thank me. Agar time pe nahi aaya hota, toh teri izzat lut jaati," Rishab quipped with a smirk.

 (If I hadn’t come on time, your reputation would’ve been ruined.)

Meet responded by picking up a thick file and hitting Rishab’s thigh hard.

"Shut up," Meet snapped.

"Waise, tu isse shaadi kyun nahi kar leta? Mujhe lagta hai ladki ka yahi irada hai. Ladkiyan beauty parlour itni baar nahi jaati hongi jitni baar to ye yahan aati hai," Rishab teased, smirking mischievously.

 (Why don’t you just marry her? I think that’s her intention. I doubt women go to beauty parlors as often as she comes here.)

Meet sighed, giving him a tired look.

 "What?" Rishab asked.

"Kuch kaam-vam nahi hai kya aaj?" (Don’t you have any work today?)

"Do din chhutti," Rishab replied casually.

 (Two days off.)

"Kis khushi mein?" Meet asked, raising an eyebrow.

 (For what occasion?)

Rishab dramatically stood up and put his hand over his mouth, whispering loudly, "KIS KHUSHI MEIN?"

(FOR WHAT OCCASION?)

"Tu bhool gaya kya? Tere Bhai Aryan ki sagai hai parso," Rishab reminded him.

(Did you forget? Your brother Aryan’s engagement is the day after tomorrow.)

For a moment, Meet froze, realizing he had indeed forgotten about his younger brother’s engagement. He was about to respond when the door opened again, revealing Aryan.

"Dulhe ka naam liya aur dulha haazir! Waah, kya timing hai," Rishab exclaimed, pulling Aryan inside and making him sit in the chair next to him.

(Speak of the groom, and the groom appears! Wow, what timing.)

"Aryan, tere doctor Bhai ko kisi neurologist doctor ko dikhane ki zarurat hai," Rishab teased.

 (Aryan, your doctor brother needs to see a neurologist.)

"Why so?" Aryan asked, confused.

"He almost forgot your engagement," Rishab replied with mock seriousness.

"Ab kya karein, buddhe jo hote ja rahe hain aap dono," Aryan quipped, ignoring their glares.

 (What can we do? You both are getting old now.)

Shaking his head, Aryan continued, "Anyway, I’m going to pick our engagement rings with Nishita. Bhai, I came to tell you personally—please come home early today, Maa ne kaha hai. Bye!"

(Mom said)

Without waiting for a response, Aryan left. Meet and Rishab exchanged a look before diving back into their banter.

---------------------

The glass doors of AR Couture swung open as Aridnya strode in, exuding power and authority. Her tailored black blazer and pencil skirt, paired with her sharp gaze, made her an intimidating presence. Her secretary followed closely, juggling her tablet and phone as they began the inspection. 

“Call the manager,” Aridnya instructed curtly, her eyes scanning every detail of the boutique. Within moments, the boutique manager appeared, his nervous energy evident as he adjusted his tie.

“Ma’am,” he greeted, bowing slightly. “Is everything to your liking?”

Aridnya gestured toward a display near the entrance. “Move those cocktail dresses to the corner by the mirrors. The lighting will showcase them better.”

The manager nodded, furiously scribbling notes.

She turned toward the center of the store. “This area feels cluttered. Remove those mannequins. And make sure the floors are spotless; this place should exude perfection.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll see to it immediately,” he stammered.

As she prepared to give her next instruction, a cheerful, high-pitched voice broke through the tension. 

“Mumma! Mumma!” 

Aridnya turned, and her commanding demeanor dissolved in an instant. Her three-year-old daughter, Aashvi, was running toward her in tiny shorts and a simple T-shirt, her straight, dark brown hair bouncing with every step. 

The transformation was striking. From stern and imposing, Aridnya softened into a picture of warmth. Dropping to her knees, she scooped Ashvi into her arms, pressing kisses to her forehead and small bun cheeks. 

“And what is my little princess doing here?” she asked, her tone gentle and loving. 

Ashvi wrapped her tiny arms around her neck and grinned. “I want all the dresses to be blue!” 

“Blue?” Aridnya chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from Ashvi’s face. “So my baby wants blue everywhere because she loves it?”  Aridnya asked aashvi's cute adorable face, couldn't able to help she peck her little nose.

“Yes, Mumma! I want blue everywhere!” Ashvi declared enthusiastically. 

The staff exchanged glances, whispering among themselves. 

“Ma’am was so intimidating a moment ago,” the manager muttered. “Now look at her—like an angel.”

The secretary smiled knowingly. “Ma’am is like that. Tough for outsiders, but soft for her loved ones. Especially for her daughter. For her, Ashvi always comes first.”

Unaware of the murmurs, Aridnya smiled and asked, “Where is Maasi? Did she bring you here?” 

“Yes, Mumma! Maasi and Aryan Uncle are here!” 

Just then, Nishita entered the boutique with her fiancé, Aryan, both smiling warmly. Nishita was glowing, her excitement evident as she held a small jewelry bag. 

“Nishita,” Aridnya greeted, standing with Ashvi still in her arms. “I see you’ve brought company.” Her eyes shifted to Aryan. 

“This is Aryan,” Nishita introduced, nudging her fiancé forward. “He’s meeting you for the first time. When his family came to finalize our alliance, you were in the U.S. for work.” 

Aryan extended his hand confidently. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, ma’am. Nishita has told me so much about you.” 

“Good things, I hope,” Aridnya said with a faint smile, shaking his hand. Her authoritative aura was still present, though softened by Ashvi’s presence. 

“Of course,” Aryan replied warmly. 

Nishita stepped closer to Aashvi and lightly pinched her cheek. "You little troublemaker! Couldn’t you wait for me for just a minute? She ran straight to meet you, Di. Actually, we went to pick up our engagement rings, and as soon as we got home, Aashvi insisted on coming here to meet you." 

Aridnya smiled warmly. "So, why did Ms. Aashvi want to meet me?" 

Aashvi leaned her head on Aridnya’s shoulder, wrapping her arms around her neck in a hug. "Mumma, I missed you," she said softly. 

Aridnya kissed her gently on the head. "I missed you too, my baby," she replied lovingly. 

The couple looked on with adoration, moved by the sweet moment. Their little exchange was interrupted when The manager approached, addressing Nishita. “Ma’am, your engagement dress is ready for trial.” 

Nishita clapped her hands together excitedly and turned to Aryan, wrapping him in a quick hug. “I’ll be back soon!” she said, smiling before heading toward the changing room. 

As Nishita left, Aridnya turned to Aryan and said, "Come, while she’s trying the dress, we’ll sit in my office." They walked toward her cabin.

"Mumma, I want ice cream," Aashvi said in her soft, innocent voice.

"No, baby, not now. Do you want to get sick right before Maasi’s engagement?" Aridnya replied, shaking her head.

Aashvi pouted but insisted, "But I want ice cream."

"No," Aridnya replied sternly.

"Mumma!"

"Aashvi!"

Aridnya leaned her forehead against Aashvi’s and sighed. "Fine! Instead of ice cream, I’ll make your favorite potato slice pakoras, okay?"

A bright smile appeared on Aashvi’s face, and she kissed Aridnya on the cheek. "Yesssss, pakora!"

"She’s so cute," Aryan’s voice interrupted the moment.

"Yes, she is," Aridnya replied, smiling.

When they reached her cabin, Aridnya put Aashvi down. As soon as she was free, Aashvi ran toward the aquarium in the room and sat down, admiring the tiny fishes. Aridnya couldn’t help but smile at her daughter’s adorableness.

"We’re meeting for the first time. When I came with my family to see Nishita, you weren’t there," Aryan said as he took a seat.

"Hmm. That’s because AR Fashion is a USA-based company that I started with my friend Regina when I was in New York. Last year, Papa wasn’t well, and Nishita was busy with her studies, so I shifted back here and opened a new branch. But I still have to travel to New York occasionally," Aridnya explained.

"I can understand," Aryan replied with a nod.

An awkward silence followed as neither of them spoke for a few moments. Finally, Aridnya broke it.

"Aryan, I don’t know much about you. But before Aashvi, I treated and cared for Nishita as if she were my own child. I don’t know if you’re good for her, but if she’s chosen you, then she must have seen something special in you. I hope you’ll never break her trust or hurt her. Because if you do..." Aridnya trailed off, her voice firm and authoritative.

Aryan met her gaze steadily. "Since you returned from New York yesterday, I’ve been wanting to meet you. Nishita avoided it, probably on purpose, but I understand.

 As an elder sister, your concern for her is natural. But, Di..." He paused briefly before continuing, "Di, I love Nishita. I promise I won’t hurt her—because we don’t hurt the ones we love. I can also promise to take care of her, always."

"Good," Aridnya shortly said, hiding her smile. She was relieved that her sister had found someone sincere and genuine.

"You already know a lot about her. If that’s the case, you must also know everything about her, right? Are you ready to accept her just as she is?" Aridnya asked seriously.

Aryan took a long pause before nodding firmly. "Yes."

 ********

What do you think what is that secret she was talking about? 🤔