ARZU POV

I somehow managed to walk to the living area.
Sahir was sitting with uncle, talking calmly.

Clean sky-blue shirt. Formal pants.
Simple and neat. Looking a little tired. From his hair and eyes, I could tell he had come straight from work.

“Beta, file le aao. Late ho jayega tumhe,” aunty said.

My eyes flew to Sahir and my brows stiffened slightly.

I realised he was here to take me to the hospital. I stood there for a moment, looking at him from a distance while he remained engaged in conversation with uncle. How did he remember the appointment date? Something warm settled in my chest, a quiet sense of relief and gratitude, though I didn’t quite understand the feeling myself.

I nodded and went back to my room. My hands shook slightly while putting the file into my tote bag.

When I came out, aunty supported me a little. Sahir stood up and shook hands with uncle.

He saw me and nodded once in greeting. I did the same.

We walked towards the main gate. He opened the car door and held my hand so I could sit comfortably.

“How are you now?” he asked.

“Better. Thank you.”

I paused, then said, “Main chali jaati. Aapko itna pareshaan hone ki zarurat nahi thi.”

“Koi baat nahi. Pehle thik ho jao,” he said, giving me a warm smile.

“Thank you.”

I looked outside quietly as he drove.

“Aap yahin rehte ho?” I asked.

“Haan. Yahin se das minute door residence hai mera. Main bhi  saat mahine pehle shift hua hoon.”

We reached the hospital. He helped me get down. I was limping badly.

The receptionist and two staff members came quickly.

“Sahir sir, just one patient. Please sit.”

“No problem, we’ll wait,” he said politely.

Inside, the doctor stood up and shook hands with him. Sahir greeted him respectfully.

The doctor checked my foot and made me walk a little. He said I was better and suggested physiotherapy.

“Thank you, sir.”

Sahir made me sit in the physio ward.

“Almost Forty-five minutes lagenge,” the nurse said.

“I’ll do the payment, and I have to take a call,” Sahir said to me.

I nodded.

Physiotherapy was over. Sahir wasn’t there.

Maybe he was in the waiting area. I asked the nurse to take me outside.

I sat in the last row of chairs, which was almost empty. People were everywhere.

I looked around. Sahir was nowhere.

My fingers tightened around my phone. Maybe he’s on a call, I thought. I waited.

Panic slowly started rising.

Ten minutes passed.

I don’t even have his number. Where is he?

Then ten more minutes passed. He didn’t come.

Should I call Tisha?
No, she’s on duty.

I felt awkward sitting there for so long. Finally, I decided to leave.

Autos don’t usually come here. I would have to walk a lot to reach the main road where autos usually are. How would I manage?

I slowly went outside. There were stairs.

My eyes filled with tears. Holding the railing, I tried to step down.

“Arzu.”

I looked up.

Sahir.

His face looked confused. He quickly held my hand, and his other arm came around me to steady me and keep me from falling.

“Arzu, kya hua? Look at me.”

I wiped my tears.

“Bahar kyun aayi aise?”

“Mujhe laga aap chale gaye.”

“Main kahan jaa sakta hoon tumhe chhod ke.”

“Mere paas aapka number bhi nahi tha.”

“Maine poocha tha. Unhone bola abhi time lagega. Mujhe urgent kaam aa gaya tha. Mujhe nahi pata tha tum jaldi free ho jaogi.”

I nodded.

“Aisa mat karna aage se,” he said softly.
“Chalo, car mein chalte hain.”

We sat in the car. He apologised again and told me he had emergency work.

“Kuch khana hai? Bhookh lagi hogi,” he asked, looking at me.

“Nahi, subah kha liya tha.”

“Subah? Ab toh dupahar ho chuki hai,” he said, still focused on the road. “Ruko.”

He took me to a small North Indian restaurant.

We ate quietly. I enjoyed the food. Before I could open my purse to give cash, he paid.

“Aapne hospital fees pay ki. Please mujhe ye toh pay karne do,” I said.

He had already given cash, extra as well.

“Please let me pay, or at least return your money.”

He looked at me, then stood up, came around to help me get up from my seat, and guided me outside, almost ignoring what I was saying.

He dropped me home.

While getting down, I suddenly remembered, “Maine medicine lena bhool gayi.”

“Mujhe file dedo. Shaam ko de jaunga.”

“Nahi, main—”

“Arzu,” he stopped me gently. “Phone kholo.”

I opened my phone and forwarded it to him.

“Dial this number,” he said, slowly telling me the digits.

I did.

“Mera number hai,” he said.

“Next time rone se pehle mujhe call karna. Main aa jaunga.”

I held my phone for a second.

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