Chapter 2: The Routine part 2

Later,

In his in house clinic:

(Vikram made his way to his in-house clinic. Unlocking the door, he turned on the lights and fan, settling into his seat to await any evening consultations.

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A while later,

(Vikram was going through some patient files when he heard the soft shuffle of footsteps outside the clinic door. A gentle knock followed.)

Vikram: (looking up) Andar aayiye.

(The door creaked open, and an elderly man in his late 70s, supported by a walking stick, stepped inside.

His face was lined with age, but his eyes carried warmth. Behind him, his daughter helped guide him to the patient chair.)

Lady: good evening, doctor.

Vikram: good evening ma'am.... Please sit.

Vikram: (standing up and walking toward them) Namaste uncle ji.... Bataiye, kya takleef ho rahi hai?

Elderly man: (smiling weakly) Beta, bas yeh ghutnon ka dard zyada ho raha hai aaj kal. Chalne mein takleef hoti hai.

Vikram: (nodding as he helped him sit) theek hai... main check karta hoon.

(He pulled out his stethoscope and gently checked Elderly man's vitals before asking a few more questions.)

Vikram: Pain kaafi time se hai ya recent hai?

Elderly man: Pehle sirf thoda dard hota tha, lekin ab toh seedhiyan, chadhna mushkil ho raha hai. Kabhi- kabhi raat ko uth ke baithna padta hai.

(Vikram pressed gently on Elderly man's knees, testing for swelling or stiffness.)

Vikram: Aapke ghutne stiff lag rahe hain. Lagta hai ki osteoarthritis ke symptoms hain. Main kuch tests likh deta hoon confirmation ke liye.

(He scribbled a few notes and handed them to the daughter.)

Vikram: X-ray aur blood test karwaana padega. Tabhi pata chalega ki dard kis wajah se zyada badh raha hai. Tab tak, main ek mild painkiller likh raha hoon. Aur ek ointment, that you can use to massage at night.

Daughter: (grateful) Thank you, doctor. Yeh tests kab tak karwa lein?

Vikram: Agle 2-3 din mein kar lijiye aur reports mujhe WhatsApp pe bhej dijiye. My number is mentioned on the prescription. (turns towards the elderly man) Lekin, uncle ji, aapko rest lena hoga aur zyada strain nahi karna.

Elderly man: (smiling) Theek hai, beta.

(The elderly man and his daughter thanked Vikram and left.

Vikram leaned back in his chair, making a mental note to check in with Elderly man once the reports came.)

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Later,

At the dining table:

(The dining table was filled with a mix of clattering plates and cheerful conversation.

Vikram and Anuradha sat across from Kiaan, who was enthusiastically talking about his day.)

Kiaan: (excitedly) aaj free period mein, my friends and I practiced debating on a few topics.... Kal ke liye thoda sa prepare ho rahe thay.

Vikram: oh.... That's good, beta!! On-the-spot debates thode challenging hote hain, par tumhaari preparation acchi lag rahi hai. just be confident on the dais... I am sure you'll win the round!!!

Anuradha: (smiling) Kiaan toh accha karega hi.... Mera pota hai hi itna smart!!!

(Kiaan blushed at the compliment, grinning as he took another bite.)

Kiaan: (excitedly) Aur science project ke liye bhi aaj materials le aaya hoon. next weekend tak, woh bhi finish karna hai.

Vikram: Good. Ek kaam karo—project complete hone ke baad mujhe zaroor dikhaana. Main bhi toh dekhun, tumhaari creativity!!!!

(Kiaan nodded enthusiastically.

Meanwhile, Anuradha drank a sip of water from her glass and turned to Vikram.)

Anuradha: (turning to Vikram) accha Vikram, suno.... Sunday ko, ek satsang hai mandir mein. Main soch rahi thi ki tum bhi chalo, mere saath.

Vikram: (politely) Maa, aap jaaiye. I have a lot of work on Sunday. time milna mushkil hoga.

Anuradha: (with a slight frown) Hamesha kaam, kaam aur kaam. Kabhi toh ghar ke liye bhi time nikal lo

Vikram: (gently) Maa, main usually Sundays free rehta hoon, naa??? agar main, iss baar free hota, toh aapke saath satsang ke liye zaroor chalta. Par iss baar possible nahi hai!!!

(Anuradha sighed but nodded her head. She continued eating and didn't press further.)

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Later,

(As the meal wrapped up, Vikram pushed his chair back and gestured to Anuradha.)

Vikram: Maa, ab aap room mein jaake rest kar lijiye.... Kiaan aur main table clear kar lenge.

Anuradha: (getting up) Theek hai, beta... jo khaana bach raha hai, please fridge mein rakh dena... nahi toh kharaab ho jaayega.

Vikram: haan, maa!!!!

Anuradha: aur Beta, ek baar motor ka switch aur gas ka regulator check kar lena please.

Vikram: jee... check kar lenge.

Anuradha: Main- gate lock kar diya hai naa?

Vikram: (smiles) Kiara abhi tak aayi nahi hai. uske aane ke baad, lock kar doonga.

(Anuradha smiled at them and got up. She then made her way upstairs towards her bedroom.)

(Kiaan began stacking the used plates, when the doorbell rang.)

Kiaan: (quickly) Papa, main dekhta hoon!

(He ran to the door and opened it to find Kiara standing there, looking utterly drained.

Her practice bag hung loosely from her shoulder, and her usually lively face looked tired.)

Kiaan: (concerned) Hey Kiru.... You look quite tired!!!!

Kiara: (weakly smiling) I am tired... and very hungry!!!!

(Kiaan immediately took her bag from her shoulder and gestured toward the dining table.)

Kiaan: ek kaam karo.... Seedha dining table pe chali jaao. Have your dinner first. Uske baad, change- vange kar lena!!!!

(Kiara gave him am weak smile and walked to the dining table and sank into the chair with a relieved sigh.

Vikram walked towards her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

He then grabbed a plate for Kiara and carefully served the roti, curry and dry sabzi onto her plate, ensuring she had enough to regain her energy.

Kiara sat silently, grateful but too tired to speak.

Vikram placed a glass of water beside her and then settled into the chair on her right.

Kiaan sat down to her left, leaning back in his chair.)

Vikram: aur batao, practice kaisi rahi?

Kiara: (animatedly) Drills toh tough thay, par Manav sir ne bola ki mere turns kaafi improve ho gaye hain. Bas ek aur week regular practice karungi, toh next race ke liye ready ho jaaungi.

(Vikram and Kiaan listened intently, their expressions a mix of pride and encouragement.)

Kiaan: Kiru.... I am eagerly waiting for you to win a gold this time!!!!

Kiara: (smiling) Thanks, Kiaan.... Even I am eagerly waiting for you to win this debate competition!!!!

Vikram: (laughing lightly) Tum dono mere champions ho!!!! both of you will win this for sure!!!!

(Kiara smiled as she took another bite, the fatigue slowly ebbing away with the warm food and the comforting presence of her family.

Once she finished eating, all three of them got up to clear the table.

Vikram set the dirty dishes away in the sink, while Kiaan wiped the dining surface.

Kiara stored the leftover food in small containers, placing them neatly in the fridge.

As the kitchen was tidied up, Vikram looked at his kids with a smile.)

Vikram: Teamwork acchi hai. Ab tum dono jao, and sleep on time!! Kal ka din aur busy hoga.

Kiara: haan, papa.

Vikram: aur Kiaan.... Beta, sab kamro mein ek baar check kar lo ki, 'all out' on hai ya nahi. Dadi ke bhi room mein check kar lo!!! She forgets to turn it on. Dengue phail raha hai.... Can't take any chances.

Kiaan: haan, papa!!!

(Kiara and Kiaan nodded, exchanging tired smiles with their father before heading upstairs.

Vikram stayed back for a moment, he had to prepare for the next day, soaking a fresh batch of almonds, prepping breakfast ingredients, and finalizing the menu for Kamla, their cook.)

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Later,

In Vikram's room:

(Finally, as the house settled into stillness, Vikram retired to his room and changed into his night suit. He slipped into bed, his body sinking into the mattress.

A soft smile crept onto his face as he picked up his phone, and initiated the best part of his day— a nightly video call with Naina. Her face appeared on the screen, and for a few precious moments, the day's exhaustion melted away in her presence.)

Naina: (grinning) aaj kaafi late ho gaya hoga naa, aapko? Kiara late aai hogi, because of her extra session. Hai naa?

Vikram: (sighing) Haan.... I just made sure the kids went to sleep... warna yeh dono toh mobile pe reels dekhne lag jaate.... (laughs) anyways.... Tum sunao, din kaisa tha?

Naina: Pretty productive, actually. Oh, by the way... (she leans back, letting him see her shoulder-length hair) Ta-da! How do you like my new haircut?

(Vikram's eyes widened, and he smiled warmly.)

Vikram: Wow, Naina! you look great!!! Naya, refreshing look waali feeling de raha hai!!!

Naina: (pretending to flip her hair dramatically) I know, right? Kaafi daring tha, but I thought, why not? Change is good.

Vikram: Absolutely! Ab lagta hai ki mujhe bhi kuch karna chahiye apne looks ke saath. Par tumhaare jitni himmath kahaan se laoon? (laughs)

(Naina chuckled, resting her chin on her hand.)

Vikram: (laughing) Waise, I did some shopping yesterday.... Agar free ho, toh dikhaaun?

Naina: haan... haan, go ahead!!

(He got up and walked to his wardrobe, pulling out a few shirts. Holding them up one by one, he showed them to Naina.)

Vikram: This one? Light blue with small checks. Subtle and classy.

Naina: (nodding) Hmmm, I like it. Safe choice.

Vikram: then I got his, maroon waali with this small black pattern. Yeh kaisi hai?

Naina: it's good.... aapki choice, no doubt bahut acchi hai!!!!

(Vikram smiled and held up the mustard yellow shirt, smiling mischievously.)

Naina: (raising her eyebrows) Whoa, that's a bold color! Hospital mein pehen paaoge?

Vikram: (grinning) Hospital ke liye thodi naa li hai yeh. (winks) I got it for our date nights.

(Naina's cheeks turned a faint shade of pink as she laughed, trying to hide her flustered expression.)

Naina: (teasing) Date nights, huh? Waise aapke confidence ki taareef karni padegi. Mustard shirt pehno aur phir expect karo ki main aapke saath bahar jaaun?

Vikram: (pretending to be offended) Arrey! Tumhe nahi pata, mustard is the new black. Tum dekhna, yeh shirt pehen ke, main sabko impress kar doonga!!!

Naina: (laughing) Haan, haan. Sabka nahi, sirf mujhe impress ka lo, wohi kaafi hai.

Vikram: (softly) Woh toh kab ka main kar chuka hoon, Miss Naina Desai!!!

(The playful teasing faded for a moment as they looked at each other through the screen, a warm silence filling the space.

Despite the distance, the warmth in their voices and playful banter made it feel like they were in the same room.)

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Author’s Note:

How did you feel about Vikram and Naina’s interaction in this chapter?

There’s no denying that these two are completely entangled in each other’s lives.

Do you think there’s more to their connection than they realize?

I’d love to hear your thoughts— Drop your reactions in the comments! Your theories keep this story alive!

And if this chapter made you feel anything... hit that ⭐ vote button! Your support means everything and keeps me writing faster. See you in the next update! ❤️