Ashwini Hospital and Medical Research Institute, Delhi.

10.00 a.m.

"Sir, Mrs Saigal is ready with the drips and pre- medications. Hip location case. Should I bring her inside?" Dr Prakash, an intern doctor rushed inside the operation theatre. He had been on the run since it was the routine OT day for their unit.This was what life of an intern expected to be, staying at everybody's beck and call around the clock.

"Dr Bose was supposed to assist on this case. Where is she?" Dr Avinash Mathur, a man in his early fifties, dressed in his teal shaded scrub frowned, looking at the wallclock rather impatiently. He didn't wanted to waste even a moment today. Already he had a long lineup of surgeries waiting for him.

Damn these outstation workshops! The trips, all day long seminars, teaching procedures to overzealous youngsters; last but not the least, cases piling up before departure and after return as a result of only few days of absence.

Avinash Mathur was bound to be busy, for he was a legend in his own field. Trauma surgery was his field of speciality. Gunshot, splinter wounds, bad falls, or getting crushed under heavy buildings- you name and he had one of the best success rates in India.

"Last time I saw her to take call." Dr Preeti, another intern who was writing a post - operative order, looked up from the file in front of her.

Dr Mathur was taking a brief rest in between two surgeries. Meanwhile his best disciple and his right hand  entered after attending a phone call. He asked. "Swara,  here you are. Did you inform Mr Roy that his son would require another surgery next month?'

" Yes, but he didn't seem too happy about the idea at first. But I did the counseling. That the wounds wouldn't look like as ugly as it do now. And he was convinced."

"By the way, you should have taken wash by now. Instead you were taking phone call. You know today we have a tight schedule, right?" He was still a bit annoyed with her.

Swara seemed apologetic.," Sorry sir, I took a small appointment without asking you. Some Mr Oberoi called for talking about his relative. I told we're caught up and have to leave for Budapest tonight. But he wanted only ten minutes. He requested so much, that I couldn't refuse. Sir, if it's not okay with you, I'll cancel it right now."

Avinash frowned, "It's okay. But you shouldn't repeat something like this in future. Too much pressure decreases the quality of work. Never do that even for yourself. I'm afraid I can't meet him today. You do it on my behalf and brief me afterwards."

Swara nodded. Dr Mathur relied on her a lot. He believed this young lady was the brightest resident he had ever got to train. She was only twenty five, had completed three years of residency, still one more year to go. Her peers named her as "future legend", she had performed delicate operative procedures, dealt numerous critical cases and scenarios. All she needed were more exposure,  independent working experience and of course passing that big exam.

At lunch break she chose to stay in her room. Tiredness got the best of her and she closed her eyes. A sudden knock on the door brought her back in full alertness.

'Come in.' Her lazy eyes took a while to open, voice groggy.

'Receptionist asked me to meet you. Where's Dr Mathur?' A deep yet gentle male voice posed his question.

'I'm sorry, but right now he's kind of busy. He asked me to meet you on behalf of him." She replied politely, "I'm Dr Swara Bose, his first hand. I'll let him know about the case later. Also I'm the one joining him for the workshop in Hungary and can easily feed in the necessary info, in case you want a video conference later. I hope you don't have any problem with this arrangement.'

'Not at all, Dr Bose.' A young man in his late twenties beamed. 'Hi, I'm Mr Oberoi, Mr Sanskar Oberoi.' and lend his hand towards her.

********************************

Few hours later, leaning on a pillar of hospital premises someone was seen to make a call.

'Targets are leaving, W-101. We're going to split now.'

'Good. Keep them under watch. Don't let them suspect anything.'

'How many times do you have to remind me? I know my job very well. Don't try to act bossy!'

'Hey! Stop you fireworks right there. Targets must board the flight at any cost. And..'

'And the flight will take off , but not for Budapest.' he completed in a sinister voice.

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Hello people! This is my first work which I started a month back. Wait a bit for the story to unfold properly .

S.Dyuti