( Not edited)

AVANTIKA

*Thud*

My heart slammed against my chest, the sound reverberating through my body. Every nerve felt electrified with fear. I had no idea where I was, who had taken me, or why they had. All I could remember was waiting at school for the driver to pick me up... then a sharp pain, behind my head, and then... nothing.

When I regained consciousness, darkness consumed me. Panic surged as I realized I couldn’t see, only felt the tight, suffocating blindfold covering my eyes. My senses were on high alert, straining to understand my surroundings. Silence. Utter silence, except for the rhythmic pounding of my heart.

The silence was deafening. It twisted my insides, my body trembling uncontrollably.

*Thud*

A second sound, louder than the first, echoed through the space. My breath hitched, the noise sinking deep into my chest. My heart raced, thundering in my ears.

I shifted, trying to move. Pain shot through my arms and legs as the ropes dug into my skin, the ache unbearable. Had I been here for hours? Days? I couldn't tell.

Then the silence returned, but this time, it was different. The air shifted.

The door creaked open.

A sharp, deliberate click of shoes on the floor followed. My instincts screamed at me to move, to fight, but my limbs were bound. All I could do was pull my legs closer, my body curling instinctively. My breath quickened, echoing in the silence around me.

Lub…

Dub…

Lub…

Dub…

Each beat of my heart echoed in my chest, the thudding nearly drowning out everything else. And then it stopped. The shoes halted right in front of me. I could feel his presence, like a shadow, looming over me. The scent of whisky burned my nostrils, sharp and overwhelming.

I held my breath.

A low, guttural voice broke the silence.

“Ek machli pani mai gayi chapak…”

His words slithered into my ear, icy and dangerous. A cold shiver slashed through my spine, the fear crawling up from my stomach. His lips brushed the edge of my ear, his breath hot and foul against my skin.

Who was he talking about?

I tried to make sense of the words, but fear confused my thoughts. Someone was in danger. Someone close.

No. Not my family. Not anyone I knew.

I trembled, trying to push the thought away.

But his voice sliced through my panic.

“It’s your turn next, darling. So be ready. I’ll be back after cleaning the mess I just created in the room next to yours.”

The words cut through me like a blade, and my chest tightened in terror. I wanted to scream, to shout, to beg for help, but no sound escaped. It was as if my voice had been stolen.

Then, the faint sound of shoes clicked again as he walked away. My breath came in shallow gasps, my heart pounding in the silence that followed.

I waited. Frozen.

And then…

A scream.

A bloodcurdling, agonizing scream that sent my body into a shock. The floor beneath me seemed to shift, the sound of it almost making me lose my balance. I recognized the voice.

It’s him.

No. No, no, no.

Terror gripped me, my mind screaming in denial.

P R E S E N T

My eyes fluttered open, and I instantly sat up with a jerk, hugging myself tightly.

I closed my eyes, feeling a slight pain in the left side of my chest where the heart is located. Every time this particular nightmare hits me, I feel the pain in my heart.

A pain that is not erasable but constant.

Maybe it's because I lost a precious thing that day.

It was sudden and unexpected. Never in my worst dreams, I thought he would come there and never return back.

I shook my head, to push away those thoughts. Which only increased my regret and pain. I tried to concentrate on my uneven breathing, for once, I felt my lungs give up. I opened my mouth to take deep breaths, to normalize my heavy breathing.

A Few minutes later I was fine— Just like every other time. I opened my eyes and stretched my body a little; then I came out of bed to do my daily routine.

Entering the bathroom, I did my business and took a long, relaxing bath. It's me. Every time I have a nightmare, I will surely take a long relaxing bath with hot water. To relax myself from both physical and mental pain.

After the bath, I changed into my hoodie and pants and came out of the closet. I am a person who prefers comfort over everything. I am not a fan of those stylish clothes which almost —mostly show your body parts. I don't care what people think about me because —it's people's job to talk about others.

The winters in Bangalore are harsh; it's too cold even on days, and at night, the temperature falls into minus sometimes.

At first, the extreme cold made me shiver uncontrollably. But over time, I got used to it, and now it’s much better.

Back there in my place, the winters used to be cold but not this much. The winters there were just like the summers. There used to be heavy sunlight in the morning, and in the evening, it used to be slightly cold, but in the early morning, the mountain near my house used to be covered in fog. Indicating that it's still winter and the invisible snow is falling. I miss those good times which are nowhere to be found now.

I looked at my study table, where the project papers were scattered all over the table and it looked messy. I looked at the open window, the culprit who made this mess.

My OCD instantly kicked in, as I walked towards the table. Standing in front of it, I started to collect all the scattered papers and kept them neatly in the file, then I closed the books and arranged them neatly on the table. Then I closed the window and drew the curtains stopping the sunlight from entering inside.

After that, I packed my bag, took my phone braided my long hip length hair, applied my lip balm, applied kajal, wore crocks and with a last look at myself in the mirror. I came out of my room.

The apartment I live in is 2BHK enough for one person. I switched off all the lights, picked up my apartment keys, and walked out of it, locking it securely.

I pressed the elevator button, I tapped my leg on the floor as I waited for it to come.

“ Avantika, the elevator is broken,” I heard the voice of my neighbor, who is a middle-aged woman, Swara Anand, who lives with her only daughter, Priya Anand.

“ What ?”

“ Hmm, I heard from the landlord when I went for morning walk” saying that she went inside her apartment.

I threw my head back and groaned. Not again. I wish I could live in an apartment that at least has a good elevator. But again I can't afford it. Signing, I took the stairs, which, by the way, took me five minutes to get down from six floors, and bonus, My free workout was also done.

✿✿✿

“ Dr.Avantika??!” I looked up from the patient's injured arm, as I heard someone call my name. I looked at the peon and he approached me “ Ma’am, the director is calling you”

I frowned. “ Me?”

He nodded and left from there.

“ Woah, I think finally you are going to get appreciated for your hard work,” I heard one of my colleagues say behind me

“ He better do that, she had been working her ass off”

I heard Hayat, my only friend in this city.

I quickly dressed the patient's hand and told the nurse to take over from there.

As I rushed to the director's cabin which is at the end of the corridor. Reaching there, I knocked on the door. When I heard a small come in, I walked in, pushing the door.

The director, a man in his fifties, was sitting on the chair, lines formed on his forehead, his old-fashioned specs resting on his nose. As he read the file in his hand, hearing my steps he glanced up.

“ Oh, Dr. Avantika. You came” he said,

“ Sir, you called?”

“ Ah, yes” he pauses, motioning me to sit before him

“ take a seat”

I nodded, as I pulled a chair across him.

“ So, Avantika, I don't know whether I should congratulate you or feel a bit sad.” he gave me a small smile.

I blinked, confused. “ Sir, I didn't get it”

He closed the file gently.“ Avantika, I have got orders from her main office to Transfer you to the main hospital”

I gasped.

What? Main hospital? I didn't know that government hospitals have main branches.

“ Main branch? Sir, I don't know if government hospitals have a main branch?” I asked,

“ they didn't. Not Until recently, the SR hospitals bought our hospital and now they are hiring new residents for the New branch in the city” the director completed.

I stared at the director still processing his words.

Transfer. Main branch. SR hospital.

SR hospital. The name felt familiar. very. One of the top and Richest private medical chains in the country. Known for his high quality technology, highly qualified doctors, strict protocols and most importantly — it's ruthless hierarchy.

“ But sir, why me?” I asked, still stunned. “ I mean, I am just a normal resident. There are many seniors —”

He showed his hand, stopping me gently “ why not you. You showed dedication, you showed discipline, and skill, Avantika. You are good at your work and SR Management personality reviewed the records of our doctors and finally, your name and Hayat’s name are shortlisted”

“ Hayat too?” I asked, a small smile forming on my lips. Finally, I won't be alone there.

“ Yes”

“ Don't decline this offer, child. Not everyone gets to work at Famous universities and here you are requested”

My heart skipped a beat

Requested?

“ Sir, will this be permanent?”

“ For now , we can't say it. As it a rotation- based transfer but if you perform well they may offer you a permanent position and they don't tolerate mistakes”

I gulped, “When do I need to report, sir?”

“ Day after tomorrow. Sharp at nine, you will receive an official email by the night regarding everything. Take off tomorrow and prepare yourself.”

I stood up, thanking him before I walked out. I don't know but I have this feeling that something is fishy. As I walked through the corridor, my steps felt heavy. My mind raced with thousands of thoughts. A mix of anxiety and something else settled in my heart — this is not good.

I reached the cabin which was allotted for the cardiologist residents. I plopped on the bed in the cabin.

“ So, did he appreciate you?” I heard Hayat asking me, as she plopped beside me.

“ No, but he said we are getting transferred to the main branch”

Hayat blinked. “Wait- what? The main branch? I didn't know we had one?”

“ Apparently, the SR hospitals brought our hospital and now they are recruiting residents and guess what we got shortlisted”

Hayat's eyes widened “ that's insane. Do you know how tough it is to get into SR hospital? It's like entering an entire other universe”

“ Yeah,” I murmured looking at the ceiling.

There was a pause before she spoke again, “ but you will do great Avantika. You are brilliant”

I smiled, titled my head sideways to look at her. “ You too”

“ but still…. It's weird” she said after a pause.

“ I know, sir said we were requested”

Hayat frowned, “ by whom”

“ Don't know”

The rest of the day went by seeing the patient's and telling our colleagues about our transfer. Some of them were genuinely happy for us while some were burning in jealousy. Our seniors wished us good luck with their sympathetic smiles.

Obviously we are going into the lion's den, requested by the lion himself.

What can be more dangerous?

NIGHT

I was back at my apartment, the elevator was still not working so I had to climb the stairs again and the result? My feet hurt more due to unnecessary work out.

After freshening up, I sat on the small couch in my living room with my laptop on my lap as started at the Email sent by the SR hospitals.

Dear Dr. Avantika Reddy,

You have been selected for a rotation-based residency transfer to SR Hospitals, Bengaluru. Please report by 9:00 AM, Monday, to the New Wing, 14th Floor, Trauma and Cardiac Division. Your reporting officer is Dr. AV — Head of Trauma Unit And Chief Executive Officer.

I stared at it. Again and again.

Am I happy? Hell yes

It's like getting street food for free but somewhere in my heart there is a feeling which for sure is not good.

Dr.AV

AV. I don't know but these letters felt familiar, like they are from a name I know — I had known.

It can't be right?

I mean India stands in second place when it comes to population. There are many people out there who had A And V in their names, so I think it can't be him.

Yes.

If it were him then he would surely use his full name and cherry on top— he would never approach me first and give me an internship as a resident in his hospital?

Not possible. Never

So, yes it can't be him.

But what if it is him?

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