"I plan to visit the campus next week.to write my hypothesis. A study on organ transplants, donor availability, and transplant success rate. I invite you to join me for the research, if you so want. Perhaps when we finish working on the thesis together, we can go out to dinner. Siddharth politely inquire.

"Okay... OK." Jhanvi's head bobbed about like a hen pecking at grain. Her current circumstances led her to conclude that God was unfair and that nothing positive would ever come of her life. It was a great surprise to run across Siddharth. She felt as though her fears were being silently echoed in Siddharth's meek gaze.

"Are you still single or do you have a boyfriend?" His next question stumped Jhanvi. She appeared surprised. 'He... what exactly does he mean?' Could it be... he... he has a soft spot for me?' Her heart galloped like a horse. She swallowed all the words she was about to speak. Silence engulfed her until a gentle voice sounded behind her, "I will get late tonight, don't wait for me, go to bed early."

'Did someone say that to me? Why does the voice sound familiar?' Confused, Jhanvi turned around, her eyes landing on a figure standing next to assistants and nurses.

'What did he just say to me? Oh! A deliberate move. Goly's Chamcha!' her face turned green instantly. Everything was just going fine. Then why did this man appear out of nowhere? 'Why is he here? Why is he hell-bent on becoming the Rahu-Ketu of my life?'

She desired to confront him right away, but she was at a loss for words, 'What should she ask, why would she wait for him?' .... 'Have you gone insane, Professor?' She couldn't say anything out loud; all she could do was curse.... 'How come this old man spits rubbish every now and then? Isn't he so busy with other things that he took my protection seriously?' I haven't even moved in yet, and he's already spitting nonsense. Is he not terrified of being struck by lightning?'

Ignoring her accusing gaze Jatin stepped forward taking a good look at Dr. Siddharth before enunciating, "Dr. Siddharth, Dr. Simran was looking for you."

"Okay, I'll take your leave. He said to them, stretching his hand to greet Dr. Jatin. Doctor, I admire your work and wish to become like you one day." Dr. Siddharth responded with proper respect, but his ears had a reddish tint. However, he could not comprehend why the top surgeon personally informed him.

While both her seniors were chatting, She appeared like a puppy enthralling one of them. Her actions didn't go unnoticed by her professor. Professor Jatin didn't continue to stay as his schedule was tightly packed ahead. He glanced at them, turned, and left after, once again reminding the young girl of the message. Dr. Siddharth hesitated for a moment, and could not help himself asking, "You... are you with Professor Jatin?"

"Ah...what? No... I just live with him... live with..." Jhanvi waved her hand nonchalantly. She only wanted to explain, but it seemed to get more complicated with each word she spoke.

Dr. Siddharth lowered his eyes yet he reconfirmed, "So You two live together?"

"Ah...yes, Oh no, I live with him, but it's not what you think." She gave an anxious explanation, but it did not seem to sound right.

Dr. Siddharth smiled lightly at pretty naïve little women. Just as he was about to say something, a nurse hurriedly shouted not far away: "Dr. Sidharth, Doctor Simran is looking for you everywhere."

"Ok. see you, Ms.Goel.."

"Okay..." Jhanvi wanted to explain more, but seeing that he seems to be busy, she didn't dare to delay any longer. Dr. Siddharth took a few steps, as if thinking of something, stopped and turned around to look at Jhanvi but said nothing.

After he left, Jhanvi shook her head anxiously. She wanted to say something more, but it was too late. Watching Siddharth's back gradually disappearing from her line of sight, Jhanvi felt wilted, highly disappointed by someone in particular.

'Did Sid misunderstand something; Professor's words had double meanings like his dual personality. Siddharth probably thought I was seeing that old man... Meri love story start se pehle done dana done end ho gayi. That scoundrel ruined me for anyone else,' She muttered profanities under her breath.. She was surely getting mad!! She searched upstairs and downstairs in her haste to chuck someone but was unable to find him. She headed to the surgery ward out of desperation, but all she saw there were Shiksha and Mehul lost in their world unaware of Jhanvi's presence. Looking at the love birds she reeled back to the time, she met Siddharth.

Jhanvi and Siddharth were high school classmates, and he was two years older than her. The first time she had an impression of him was in the school playground at the flag-hoisting ceremony during the Republic Day function. He stood under the national flag as a flag-raiser. Obviously, it was the same school uniform as others, but there was a different kind of charm in him. Despite the fact, he was not a handsome guy in the strict sense, his appearance was always very gentle and approachable, like a boy next door. She didn't know if she had a crush on him, simply that she always looked at him involuntarily when he showed up. She still gets tachycardia seeing him. Even after class, she would take two more sections to pass his classroom trying to get a glimpse of him. He politely rejected numerous girls who liked him. He was prideless.

She often felt jealousy as the ever-growing line of butterflies never reduced but all she wanted at that time was to just persuade him like a friend. However, he was always focused on his studies, and she had not heard any rumors of him with any girl till the last year of high school. Oh, or rather, she did not see him with anyone even in college. Yes! She managed to secure a seat on the same campus as his, after matriculation boards. At this point, Jhanvi was very grateful to her parents for giving her their best genes instead of her brother, which made her a school scholar and campus topper ... Her parents used to be very famous doctors and she wanted to be one too since childhood, but later they died in an accident when she was just nine. Therefore, she decided to take medicine and continue their family culture, so she left the idea of having a boyfriend after her senior left campus for medical studies.

She sat down on the chair next to the nurse station and changed the angle of her vision so she could see her hot senior. What if her luck worked again? As soon as she saw Siddharth's side profile, she smiled as if she had won. She was impressed by how hard he worked and how patient he was with a psychotic patient. It made Jhanvi suddenly think of her parents. Since she was a child, Jhanvi had watched her parents treat and heal many illnesses.

She occasionally received gifts from grateful patients and their families, and this always touched her heart. What mattered most to her were not the material gifts she received, but the blessings and words of appreciation from the countless patients her mother had treated with dedication and without charge in countless medical camps that her father had funded by personally providing medicine and supplies.

Though she and her brother often felt rejected, she knew her parents were truly a blessing of God to humankind and Both siblings had respected their parent's dedication to humanity. They were aware that their parents hoped that one of their children would carry on the legacy of their parents' medical career. Jhanvi was always interested in studying medicine because of this, and Karan constantly challenged himself to produce new medicines at lower costs. Fortunately, Jhanvi learned by chance that Siddharth had enrolled at Aggarsain Medical College, so she decided to do the same.

The memory of how she had pushed herself to the limit and made it into the top five on the entrance exam that year made her laugh. For a short time, after she moved into her medical school's dorm, she thought her life had a purpose. Then she found out that Siddharth had transferred to another medical school in a different city. She felt as though fate had squeezed the joy and beauty out of her existence.

Nonetheless, he had returned and was in line of her sight. Furthermore, he seemed to recall her, most likely because she had asked him so many questions in high school and had given him water and handkerchiefs like other girls before basketball games. Furthermore, Siddharth and Jhanvi were consistently first in their respective classes, which allowed her and his photos to be shown on the school's exceptional graduates' notice boards and the school's wall of honour. She licked her lips and blinked her eyes in delight as she remembered herself seeing him for foolish reasons and always returning when he appeared to be engaged with his studies. He was undoubtedly working hard to become a powerful role model and emerging medical practitioner. He was a constant source of inspiration for her.

She studied medicine and graduated from the same school as him, due to his and her parents' wishes. It was no surprise that her crush became stronger over time. She blushed as she remembered the day she tried her luck and worked hard to gift him a watch for his birthday in her first year. She'd pictured hundreds of times how he'd look with the white coat and a pen in his chest pocket. She was confident he'd look terrific. However, after receiving the watch, she waited a long time for some words of thanks.

"Did he forward my gift? Did he not open it? Or someone stole it from him?'

She wanted to ask but couldn't. But it was like sinking into the vast ocean. He never mentioned it as if he had never received a gift.

After that, she stopped trying to get his attention and focused on her schoolwork. She got busier over time and seemed to forget about him after he moved. His return made me think of all the good times I had in school.

If it were not for knowing that she was going to die, she might think of speaking her feelings. "What are you thinking Jhanu, do you want to face the wrath of Goly? I just did not expect to meet him today. Otherwise, these thoughts wouldn't have crossed my mind."

Neither her thoughts nor she moved until Shiksha decided to go back. After a while, both friends boarded the college campus bus and began talking ... "What's wrong with you, woman? Why does it seem like you've lost your mind since you met that handsome guy?" Shiksha teased Jhanvi.

Jhanvi sighed and told her friend what happened, "It was a beautiful start but met a tragic end due to that old man I live with."

Shiksha opened her mouth wide: "What? You say it again, whom do you live with?"

"Oh, this is not the point. The point is, the senior must have misunderstood me and Professor Aggarwal." Jhanvi interrupted.

"That's precisely the point! Do you genuinely reside with Professor Jatin, the hottest, most attractive, and most eligible bachelor on campus? He is a good friend of your brother, and you've known him for years? How many more secrets do you intend to conceal? You are a true dark horse...Siren call " Shiksha screamed, drawing attention to herself.

Jhanvi couldn't stand the stares of the entire bus, so she quickly covered Shiksha's mouth: "You keep your voice down."

"Have you ever seen Professor Jatin's n**ed or shirtless body? Does he have six or eight packs? I heard that the men with the long ring finger are very strong in 'those' aspects... I secretly noticed when he walked into class in slippers after surgery."

"Excuse me?" Jhanvi was filled with disgust for the professor's fan who kept on ranting, "Haye Jhanu, his fingers are so beautiful, I think his body must be well maintained. His future wife would live super happy. I wish...I could meet such men ever...."

"Don't forget you have a boyfriend, "Jhanvi rolled her eyes at Shiksha and reminded her bestie of the man they went to see not long back hoping she would stop annoying her with her Professor Saga.

She did not want to talk about him anymore. 'Moreover, a happy wife or husband? ...He is gay...Lol. Only time will tell the whole world whom he was interested in.' She smirked, ranting in her mind, and turned her head to look at the view outside the window.

"Ok, Let's not talk about him, how about you share what your Sid baby asked you after I left?" Shiksha was surely in a good mood to gossip.

"Siddharth had asked me to eat out..."

"Really?"

"Yeah! It is common to ask out of courtesy."

"Dumb head he may have other ideas." Jhanvi turned her neck around at Shiksha's words. "Tell me more about that crush of yours, how was his behavior towards you in school." Her interest peaked, as she dreamt of a double date with Sid, Mehul, and Jhanvi.

"Even though Siddharth and I didn't meet very often, he always treated me well. He was always very patient with me, even though I had a lot of questions about the syllabus while I was studying on my own. Still, he explained things calmly and used to show me shortcuts or the most important points before the final exams."

She told her about the time when she was sick and he brought her food for two days and copied notes for her when her parents passed. She was deep in thought when she felt a gentle prod."Will you only cook khayali Pulao (build castles in the air) or will you do something real?"

"What can I do, Shiksha?"

"You should follow your heart, do I need to tell you? chase him, yaar?"

"Why?"

"Oh girl, keep a hand on your heart and answer me, did you not cherish the memories you made with him?"

There were many happy times she shared with Siddharth, but she often felt like he just wasn't interested.

"Think Think, take your time before replying," Jhanvi thought for a while again when Shiksha pressed. But only shook her head, 'his emotionless attitude made every girl give up on the idea of dating him.' She knew he was good not only to her but to everyone around him.

Shiksha tried to probe again but found her mind wandering somewhere else. To tease, she blew air in her ear and her next words took her by surprise, "So you always liked Senior, Siddharth? don't you dare lie to me! Your face betrays you.."

"I.. don't know," Jhanvi fumbled.

"Probably,....you don't know." After a few seconds, Shiksha whispered.

"How would you feel if you learned he is with someone?"

"Jealous! But can't say about him, he always has butterflies around."

"Ohkay! Now think how would he feel if he finds you with someone else?"

Jhanvi didn't feel the need to think, her cunning professor had already kicked away her little love story. "No, I don't think so,"

"I saw you disappear inside your fantasy. That means he's still in your heart... Like you always have him in your heart...."

"Maybe yes, I like him!"

Shiksha's mood improved after learning of Jhanvi's hidden love confession. Let me tell you, Jhanvi, you're not just fond of him; you're probably in love with him.

Jhanvi looked at her friend and pondered if she was pulling a prank or making light of her emotions before nodding in agreement.

Take my advice, your ship is about to set sail.

"Pakka?"Sure?

"Bet on that?"

"No, hell I know nothing .... What should I do, Shiksha? I don't know if it's just a liking or love. Professor Jatin had said that to like someone, is like paying attention to them involuntarily. When Siddharth was there, I always paid attention to him, and even cared about what clothes he wore to match mine. You know, I even changed many hairstyles to stand different among his long chain of butterflies to get his attention. However, it's also true, when he was away, I did not miss him"

"Oh, dear Jhanu, I'd say, you appear to have lost all interest in the world since he left, living as if nothing can push you and your monotonous clothing to get updated like your ancient cellphone and its wallpaper. What is it if it isn't love? "Can you tell me?" Jhanvi instantly opened her mouth to refute Shiksha, "But when we were away, I never minded his absence since I always imagined we were never together." If I loved him, shouldn't I be thinking about him all the time, like most in-love couples do?"

Shiksha sighed at her nonsense logic and thought to save her energy. "Let's not talk on this topic anymore if you don't want to listen to my advice." annoyed Shiksha refuted back.

"It's all over now, and he must feel that Professor Jatin and I are living together and have a scene." Jhanvi too sighed in defeat but for a different reason.

Shiksha frowned, a little entangled, "Don't you like Professor Jatin a little bit? How could it be? When he stands on the podium, an aura emanates from him.Listen, girl, believe me; Professor Jatin is every female's wet dream. Even the nursing staff is drooling over him. Dr. Siddharth is attractive, but men like him are numerous and he is like the guy next door, whereas Professor Jatin he is a rare treasure."

"What is so special about Professor Jatin?" Jhanvi frowned and asked out of curiosity. Shiksha thought for a while before replying seriously, "Professor Jatin is a kind of marriage material that is hard to find in the whole country."

"He only has excellent looks, so why are you complimenting him like this?" Jhanvi asks with a twitch of her lips and an eye roll. Even the professor's name evokes a spooky sense. She is brought back to the embarrassing incident in the club.

"Girl, control your rage; Professor Jatin is more than just good-looking. Are you unaware of the Aggarwals? The chief medical officer of the State is his father. Don't you realize what a strong and prosperous family they are?

"Yes, yes, he is just awesome, Happy? but he kicked my little love story before it started." Jhanvi blattered out in anger.

"Hmm, this makes sense now."

"What? don't give me that look."

"Don't get me wrong; perhaps he is sincerely worried." Furthermore, Professor Jatin does not appear to do so on purpose. He doesn't seem to like you. So don't put too much stock in yourself."

"I wonder if Mehul would feel jealous when I tell him you're fanning over our old professor!"Poking her tongue in her cheek, Jhanvi said..

"Whatever!" With a quick hand motion, Shiksha disregarded her taunt and reminded Jhanvi, "If you really admire Senior Siddharth, why don't you persuade him?"

"What are you, My Love Guru?"

"May be yes, and with my eighth sense interception, I can say that senior is also interested in you."

"Really?" Jhanvi asked in surprise.

When he stared at you, it seemed as if he was smitten with you.."Did Siddharth give me a different look? . Jhanvi wondered aloud, It might be because we knew each other from before. What if you are mistaken? There is likely nothing coming from his end."

"If you like him, don't be afraid to confess and dispel any doubts. Even if you are rejected, it will not be embarrassing. Even if you can't be together, you tried and followed your heart, and you won't be sorry. Shiksha encouraged her.

Jhanvi became sad and hesitated as she contemplated her sickness. If she was fated to die soon, wouldn't it be rather inappropriate for her to be with him at this time? She could not help but wonder, "Then what if he or I break up in the future?" Or, if there is an accident and we must split up?"

Shiksha found her friend naive, holding her cheeks she pretended to be in a deep thought for a while, "I don't know, but I believe that as long as you have spent quality time together, whether it was good or unpleasant, it becomes a part of your memory, and having it is a form of happiness."

Jhanvi was silent hearing Shiksha's words, but her heart kept racing profusely thinking of him. the two got off the bus at their stop, and walked together for a time.

Before parting ways, Jhanvi could not prevent herself from asking, "Shiksha, you just said that he seems to like me too. Then, how should I confess..." Shiksha's eyes lit up when she thought Jhanvi's ship was sailing now.. "I know this part the best. Without any exaggeration go to the flower shop and buy red roses and candles..." Shiksha's enthusiasm for being a shipper to her friend's story was definitely obvious.

"Nah! That's old-fashioned and not suitable for girls." Jhanvi stopped Shiksha's suggestion even before she could complete it, holding her hand, she crossed the road."Ohkay, then Just go and leave a message on his WhatsApp or Instagram, a modern way of proposing.." Shiksha adviced pulling up her sling bag.

"Nah! That will be more embarrassing if he rejects" Jhanvi pouted.

"That leaves you with only one option, Spending time with him and keeping an eye out for signals and suggestions if he dips could help you avoid embarrassment. Shiksha gave up and surrendered by raising her hands

Jhanvi's response, made with a gleaming grin over her face, was swift. Indeed, that's a distinct possibility. He has a hypothesis he wants to test, and he asked me to come to the library with him to do it. Jhanvi successfully elicited a yes from Shiksha with a rhetorical question.