Fitoor

With heavy footsteps, Ruhani marched towards the conference hall. She clenched her jaw and banged the sleek white double door of the conference room. Entering inside, she saw all the hospital's management engaged in a serious conversation. She internally smirked at the thought that she had disturbed them. She scanned the whole room and her eyes finally settled on her senior sitting at the farthest end of the round wooden table. She passed him a hard glare. "YOU CAN NOT F*CKING FIRE ME FROM MY JOB", she spat venomously Emphasizing each and every word, she shot daggers in his direction. But he was unaffected. Sitting royally on his chair, with a relaxed expression, he looked at her intensely. "I don't think you need to be reminded about good manners, ethics, and etiquette in your workplace which you might have learned during primary school, Doctor Vyas", her senior commented leisurely. "Cut the cramp Doctor Rishab Oberoi, you and I clearly know why you are doing all this", she scoffed, recalling the encounter she had with him. • before 24 hours • "Doctor Vyas, you look totally ethereal tonight ", Rajiv, one of the new interns from the radiology department, complimented Ruhani. She wore a deep blue organza saree with cutdana and sequins paired with a silver sleeveless blouse and a pair of gold stilettos. Adorning herself with her favorite diamond studs, she settled on minimal makeup and a messy low bun with a few tendrils cascading downwards. Simple and elegant  She passed him a small smile and replied with a meek "thank you" She was never someone who could take compliments, it made her blush. which her parents never appreciated, stating that she was too much sharmili. She was a strong-hearted and determined-willed woman. Long gone was the shy and timid Ruhani, but still, compliments made her mousy. They were exceptions. Today, the hospital she worked in was celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary. Apollo Hospital of Ajmer was celebrating its twenty-five years of success and togetherness. A big fat ball was thrown and a grand feast was organized to mark the day, with lots of renowned personalities and rich people along with the hospital's staff being invited to a load of paparazzi covering the live footage. She wished at least they could grant some rise in the paycheck. Everyone was having a gala time but Ruhani was tired to the core. She was never a fan of big gatherings and functions. She disliked huge crowds and interaction with people. She scanned the whole place. The couples were enjoying themselves. People were lost in the arms of their loved ones dancing on the beats cocooned in each other's scents. She wished she had someone too. You're enough of yourself, you don't need someone, she chided herself for her thoughts. Her past was horrific and it taught her a lot of things, but no matter how much she tried, she could never get rid of and could forget those memories. Sigh Her colleagues tried engaging her in a conversation but she just replied to them in monosyllable and small remarks here and there with a few nods, of which she was now getting tired. Today was hectic, with back-to-back rounds of the general wards. Her fatigue was kicking in and she was extremely famished. Excusing herself, she made her way toward the washroom when she felt a dark piercing gaze at her. She turned towards the source and noticed a pair of electrifying ocean-blue orbs staring at her. The person's face was not visible since he was sitting in the dark scheduled corner, but his heated, intense gaze made her weak in the knees. Weird Immediately turning on her heels, she bumped into someone, almost losing her balance, but she steadied herself. "What a way to embarrass yourself in front of your senior Ruhani", mentally cursing herself, she apologized. "I am extremely sorry, Doctor Oberoi." "Oh, it's totally okay, Doctor Ruhani." Her senior under whom she was practicing, Surgeon Rishabh Oberoi, was a really successful doctor and the head of the emergency department, along with being a member of the hospital's board. He was the infamous Casanova of the hospital, always with a new fling, but it didn't hinder his skills. He had a pretty hand in his field. Well, he was quite handsome too. Dressed in a three-piece grey Armani suit, he swirled his glass of champagne swiftly. "Have I told you how appealing and beautiful you look tonight, Ruhani", he said with a lopsided grin in a flirting tone. Ruhani cringed at the way he addressed her using her first name. Passing him an awkward smile, she thanked him and dashed towards the restroom stalls. d**k head After calming her nerves, she stepped out and a deep sigh left her nude-colored lips when she encountered Doctor Rishab leaning on the wall checking her out. The way his gaze traveled up and down her body made her extremely uncomfortable. She quickly tried sprinting, but all in vain when he blocked her way. Creep "Why's the rush, Ruhani, we have all the time in the world", he said. A strong smell of alcohol greeted her nostrils, churning her stomach, which made a foul feeling arise in her esophagus. Ewww "ahh, Doctor Oberoi, you are highly drunk, it would be better if we talk tomorrow when you are sober enough", Ruhani stated, scrunching her nose in disgust. "ohh cut the formalities Ruhani, it's only Rishab for you", he commented whispering in her ear and leaning more on her. His drunken breath hit her neck, leaving a trail of goosebumps on her forearms. She tried distancing herself from him and wriggling out of his hold. He was definitely getting on her nerves. "No Doctor Oberoi I-", her words were cut in the middle when he suddenly pulled her more towards him. "Ohh baby let's have some fun tonight", he slurred his speech She tightened her fists on her sides when she noticed him leaning his face toward her. Enough if enough That was it, and BOOM a loud bone-cracking sound echoed in the empty corridor. "ahhhh", Rishab yelped in agony as he rolled on the floor clenching his nose in pain. Well, nothing much. She had just punched him straight in the nose. She was a black belt karate champion for nothing. It was her last fcking straw and his b@stard was getting on her nerves. She crouched down on his level and grabbed his collar, shaking him shrilly. Enough of this bullshit. "So Doc-oh sorry I mean to say bastard Oberoi a NO means a NO,, if someone says NO, that means they are NOT interested and you SHOULD back off. But some a**holes and d*uche bags like you do not understand the meaning of consent and NO. Next time, whenever you try pulling an act like this, remember what I did to you", she spat some more colorful curses at him and stood straight with her nose held up high Ruhani dusted the non-existing dust from her hands, she felt proud after using her strength and giving this cunt some piece of mind. "tumne yeh accha nhi kiya Ruhani,tum bhot pachtaayogi. I can finish your career with the snap of my fingers and I'll make sure to ruin you completely, you'll f*cking pay for your deeds", Rishab cried out, still clenching his nose, which was bleeding. (Trans: you made a mistake, Ruhani, and you will regret it. I can finish your career at the snap of my fingers and I'll make sure to ruin you completely, you'll f*cking pay for your deeds) She felt happiness erupt in the pit of her stomach after seeing her masterpiece. She smirked at him but his words further annoyed her more. She threw draggers at him. If looks could kill, he would have been deeply buried 6 feet under the ground by now. She passed him a sweet yet sarcastic smile and, with a clenched jaw, kicked him where the sun didn't rise. Suits you better drunkard "I am waiting, Doctor Oberoi." Turning on her trail she walked towards the terrace royally ignoring the wailing man rolling on the floor without turning back and showing not an ounce of pity. After reaching the terrace she heaved a sigh of relief. Phew, a lot happened today She closed her eyes when the cold November breeze of Rajasthan hit her. She enjoyed the scenic beauty of the city from the rooftop. Ajmer in the night was calm and peaceful with no hustle-bustle on the roads, everything was relaxing. It helped her soothe her nerves. She was enjoying her surroundings totally unaware of the storm coming her way and the certain pair of electrifying ocean-blue eyes following her everywhere, keeping a check of all her moments. Mine To be continued~~~~~~~