Flashback.
"Riya, just be together already," Bindu whispered, nudging her lightly.
"What are you even saying?" Riya replied, eyes fixed on her notebook.
"This is the third pen you've destroyed," Clara said, sliding her bag away before the ink reached it.
"No, it's not like—" Riya started, but Bindu laughed.
"Ha ha… aaj kal sari companies sade hue hi pens banati hain," she teased.
( These days all the companies are making weak pen na..that they can even handle the stress given by you 🤣)
"Jo tera gussa jhel hi nahi pate."
Both of them laughed—because they knew. And Riya hated that they did.
She looked up.
The girl was leaning over Yashveer's desk now, twirling her hair, smiling shamelessly.
"You're avoiding me," the girl said, mock-pouting.
"Because you talk too much," Yashveer replied, half-amused.
"Wow. Rude," she said, laughing anyway. "But cute."
She touched his arm.
Riya's pen snapped.
Ink spilled.
She stood up abruptly, chair screeching across the floor. A few heads turned. She didn't care. She walked out.
Fast.
Washroom.
Cold water running.
Hands shaking.
"Breathe," she whispered to herself. "Get it together."
She stepped out—
And suddenly, someone grabbed her wrist.
"Running away again?" Yashveer asked.
"Let go of me," she snapped. "I don't want to talk."
"Too bad," he said calmly, pulling her toward a small janitor room near the corridor and closing the door behind them.
"What is wrong with you?" she hissed. "Have you lost your mind?"
He crossed his arms, smirking. "Jealousy looks bad on you, Sweetie."
"I'm not jealous."
He laughed softly. "Sinungaling ka."
(Liar.)
She froze. "Don't use Tagalog on me."
"Why? You understand it perfectly," he said lightly.
"Jealous ka, sweetie."
"Don't call me that!" she shot back. "You enjoy this, don't you? Girls flirting with you. Attention. Validation."
He stepped closer. "You walked out. That wasn't about validation."
"You let her touch you," she accused. "You smiled."
"And you noticed," he replied quietly.
Silence.
Then he softened.
"Alam mo,"( I know)
he said gently, "I only tease because you never say what you feel."
She looked away. "Maybe because you never say it either."
He smiled sadly. "Touché."
A memory slipped in—
Sharing coffee after night duty.
Studying anatomy till 3 a.m.
Him walking her home, pretending it was nothing.
"You remember how we sit on the terrace?" he said suddenly.
"You with your coffery, me stealing your notes?"
She swallowed.
He leaned in and kissed her cheek—slow, intentional.
"Sweetie," he whispered.
"Admit it someday."
Her heart raced. "You're impossible."
"And you like me anyway,"
"Sach bolo."
(Tell the truth.)
She didn't answer.
She didn't need to.
They were happy.
Unlabeled.
Unspoken.
And then—
Everything shattered.
Rain.
Road.
Metal screeching.
Sirens.
Hospital lights blurred past as she ran beside the stretcher.
"Yashveer, look at me!" she cried. "Please—please don't close your eyes."
Doctors shouted. Machines beeped wildly.
He was pale. Blood everywhere.
His fingers searched until they found hers.
"Sweetie," he whispered weakly.
"Don't cry… okay?"
"I'm here," she sobbed. "I'm here. You're not allowed to leave."
He smiled faintly. "Ang tigas mo talaga."
(You're so stubborn.)
Tears slipped from his eyes.
"Be safe," he murmured.
"I love you."
The monitor screamed.
One straight line.
No goodbye.
No confession.
Just silence.
The memory collapsed.
Flashback ends.
Riya leaned against the railing near the open window, cold air hitting her face. Her breathing was uneven. Not crying. Not screaming. Just… breaking quietly.
Bindu approached slowly.
"You shouldn't have thrown his jacket like that," she said gently.
Riya didn't reply.
"And shouting at him?" Bindu added. "That was harsh."
"Why do you always defend him?" Riya snapped.
"Why do you always attack him?" Bindu countered.
That made Riya turn.
"He shouldn't have called me that," she said, voice trembling despite her effort to control it. "You know what....He knows how to irritates me.
He always irritates me."
"Riya," Bindu said carefully, "you've barely met him twice."
"That's enough," Riya shot back.
Bindu sighed. "And whatever happened… it was three years ago. You can't keep reacting like it happened yesterday."
Riya's eyes burned red. Her lips parted—but no words came out.
Just silence.
Bindu softened. "Look at me. He didn't mean to hurt you. You know that, right?"
Riya swallowed.
"…maybe," she whispered. "But that word—"
"I know," Bindu interrupted gently. "But he's not him."
Riya closed her eyes.
"Go say sorry, atleast" Bindu urged. "At least for shouting."
Riya nodded faintly. Not confidently. Just… tiredly.
ARJUN — POV
Arjun stood alone in the in the room, jaw tight, hands shoved into his pockets.
Anyone else raising their voice at him like that would've pissed him off.
But Riya?
He wasn't angry.
He was… unsettled.
There was something about her eyes—big, almond-shaped, black—like they carried too many storms for someone her age. Like she was always holding herself together with sheer will.
She had snapped—but not out of arrogance.
Out of fear.
Out of pain she didn't let anyone see.
Why does she look like someone who's already lost too much? he wondered.
And why did it bother him this much?
I was waiting for someone to come so that I can leave ... Untill then virat stirred and was waking up... I went near his bed he was about to sit so I helped him in sitting
And first before I ask about his health he asked..where is Didi..
I don't know, I just smiled maybe how much she matters to him or even remembering he was not well still calling for her...she is really , I don't know but why she is always pissed of from mee..
Well, " she just went out, should I call her" I asked . " No it's fine " Virat answer he was about to say something till then Anish came...
He had brought breakfast for him
He wished, " Good morning caption."
I wished him back and said I am leaving for the base camp and will come back soon...
And before they could say that there is no need of coming back .
I left the room not before patting Anish's back...
Ofc I have to be there is he a team member but I see my younger self in him...Also he is a family...or team family...
Author's pov
Riya walked in with Bindu, and for a second, the room lit up in a way hospitals usually don't.
The first thing she noticed was the noise.
Ved was sitting on the patient bed, legs stretched out like it was his personal couch. Sid had stolen Virat's pillow and tucked it behind his back. Zee leaned against the IV stand like it was a lamp post.
And Anish sat infront of Virat, listening like family does—protective, alert. Coach Vikram and Manager Daksh stood near the foot of the bed, mid-discussion.
Virat himself?
Pinned between them, laughing.
Riya stopped.
Folded her arms.
Cleared her throat.
No one noticed.
She took two steps forward.
Still nothing.
Then—slow, deliberate—
"Do I need to remind you all," she said calmly, "that this is a hospital room?"
Silence.
Ved looked down. "Technically… yes."
Sid grinned. "But practically? This is our base camp."
Zee added, "Temporary HQ."
Bindu burst out laughing.
Riya's eyes flicked to Ved—still on the bed.
She sighed. A knowing, tired sigh.
"Utro," she said softly. (Get down)
Ved jumped off instantly.
It didn't feel like visiting hours.
It felt like their place.
Riya's eyes did a quick scan.
One face missing.
Actually two, but the first missing face or to be precise the first person missing was himm...
She asked herself why the hell that came in her mind first..
She walked straight to Virat, checking his IV, his vitals, slipping naturally into her doctor-self.
"Any nausea?" she asked.
Virat shook his head. "Bas weakness."( Only a bit weakness)
She nodded, satisfied—for now.
Then, casually, like it didn't matter—
"Where's Arjun?" she asked.
The room went quiet for exactly two seconds.
Then Ved grinned. "Ohhh."
Sid raised his eyebrows. "Straight to the point."
Zee smirked. "Yesterday also you both came together, na? Aaj bhi same expectation?"
(Today also same expectation)
Riya frowned. "What nonsense."
Bindu bit her lip, already smiling.
"Ishaan bhi nahi dikha," Riya added quickly, covering up.( Even, Ishaan is not seen ?)
Anish answered calmly, "Dono parking se aa rahe hain."
( Both are coming from the parking)
"Oh," she said, neutral—betraying nothing.
Zee leaned closer to Bindu. "She's missing him."
Bindu didn't deny it. She just grinned wider.
Sid suddenly pulled out his phone. "Call kar deta hoon."( I'll call them )
Before she could stop him, he tilted the screen toward her.
"Bol, Ri."(speak Ri)
She glared at him first—hard enough that he actually paused—then leaned in.
"Come up. Abhi," she said shortly and cut the call.
The room exploded.
"Ohooooo."
"Captain summoned."
"Ri ka order hai, bhai."
( It's It's order broo...)
She turned toward them. "Tum log hadd se zyada free ho gaye ho."
(Are You people are actually more then Free?)
Ved shrugged. "Tumne hi permission di hai."
(You only have the permission)
She didn't deny it.
She handed the phone back.
The boys erupted, again
"She didn't even say please."
Ved laughed. "She never needs to."
Karan, who had been standing quietly near the door the whole time, watched it all—the ease, the laughter, the way she never stopped them from calling her Ri.
He clenched his jaw.
She never let me call her that.
At that moment, Karan walked in.
He took in the scene—the laughter, the teasing, Riya standing near Virat's bed—and his jaw tightened just slightly.
"Reports aa gaye?"( reports came ?)
he asked, professionally.
"Just now," the nurse replied, handing over the file as she entered.
Karan glanced at Riya, waiting.
She took the file, flipped it open, and just like that—everything changed.
The teasing stopped.
Her posture straightened. Her expression hardened.
Doctor mode on.
"This explains the vomiting," she said calmly. "Electrolyte imbalance. Poor nutrition. No recovery."
Zee groaned. "Ri, yaar—"
One look.
He stopped.
Coach Vikram nodded. "What do you suggest, Dr. Sahiba?"
"A full body check-up," Riya said without hesitation. "For the entire team."
Ved blinked. "Entire team?"
Sid protested. "That's extreme."
Bindu crossed her arms. "Extreme is collapsing mid-season."
Sid sighed dramatically. "Her stare alone should be illegal."
Daksh smiled faintly. "We'll arrange it."
"Actually," Riya added, glancing at them, "aap dono bhi karwa lo."
( Even you too get it done )
Coach Vikram blinked. "Us too?"
She nodded. "You're part of the routine."
Daksh laughed softly. "Fine. If you're saying it, we won't argue."
None of them questioned her authority.
None of them pretended otherwise.
None of them knew why they listened to her so easily.
They just did.
"You think recovery means comedy club?" Riya asked.
Virat grinned. "Phone pe toh aap bhi hasi thi is baat per."
( Even you have laughed on the phone on this topic)
Sid gasped. "Exposed."
Zee pointed accusingly. "Virat ke phone pe hum sab ne baat ki hai. Daily."
( We all used to talk on Virat's phone to u , daily)
Ved nodded. "Sometimes longer than him."
Riya looked away. "That's because you all talked nonsense."
Bindu leaned in. "Nonsense? Or emotional support?"
"Bindu—"
"Accept it," Bindu smirked. "You became part of the team before you even visited the base camp."
That visit—one single visit—hung quietly in the air.
One months of Virat staying there.
Endless calls.
Shared jokes.
Late-night rants.
They never spoke to her like the world spoke to doctors—formal, distant, cautious.
With her, they were just… real.
Sid nudged Zee. "She knows who eats junk at 2 a.m."
Zee laughed. "And who skips warm-ups."
Ved raised his hand. "She scolded me on call once. Full volume."
Coach Vikram finally spoke. "We never asked her to act like a doctor."
Daksh nodded. "She never acted like anything else either."
Riya flipped through the reports again.
"Electrolytes low," she muttered. "Dehydration. Sleep deprivation."
Sid groaned. "Ri, don't say hydration. Trauma trigger."
She shot him that look.
He straightened instantly. "I will drink water. Daily."
"Still...Body check-up," she said firmly. "All of you."
Collective whining.
"Even those who are perfectly healthy?" Ved protested again..
"Specially those."
Zee pointed to himself. "I run five kilometres."
"And eat samosas after," she replied.
Bindu laughed out loud.
Anish continued casually, "Didi, Ishaan will crib the most."
As if summoned—
The door opened.
"RIIII!"
Ishaan practically launched himself at her, wrapping his arms around her like she was the one hospitalized.
"You disappeared!" he complained. "I Missed you so much."Ishan said with fake crying voice
She hugged him back without hesitation. "Drama queen." "get off ," trying not to smile but failed anyways
Zee whistled. "See? Favourite."
Arjun entered right behind him.
Their eyes met.
Just for a second.
Karan stepped forward sharply. "Ishaan, thoda space—"
( Ishaan a bit --)
Before he could finish, Bindu grabbed his arm.
"Nope," she said, dragging him back. "You're not her boyfriend."
Sid laughed. "Bro acting possessive already."
Zee added, "Relax, Karan. She's going to be our captain's—"
"Zee," Riya warned.
He smirked. "—favourite doctor."
Anish joined in this time, amused. "Di ,handles them better than coach sir ."even coach sir and manager sir smiled..
Karan opened his mouth again.
No one looked at him.
Not Ved.
Not Sid.
Not Zee.
Not even Riya.
It was subtle. Complete. Like the room had decided—ignore.
Coach sir ie Daksh turned to Arjun, who had just entered silently.
"Body check-up bola hai."
( Body check up has been told)
Arjun raised an eyebrow. "For all?"
She met his eyes. "Especially you."
He paused—then nodded. "Fine."
That surprised her.
Sid leaned toward Zee. "Captain ne bhi bina drama maan liya."
( Our caption agreed without any drama)
Bindu whispered, "See?"
Riya closed the file. "I'll prepare everything."
She turned to leave.
"Ri is becoming one of us," Zee said.
she turned to the group. "Alright, first things first—get your vitals done. I'll prepare everything else. No whining." Her voice carried authority, but her eyes shone with warmth as she glanced around at the faces she had grown fond of over these past months.
The room erupted into chatter again, playful protests, groans, teasing remarks, all floating over Riya as she moved between them, already smiling, already relaxed, already part of this unusual, chaotic little family.
Even Karan, despite his jealousy, had to admit quietly to himself that she belonged here—her laughter, her warmth, her presence—it was undeniable. And Arjun? He looked on silently, conflicted, while Ishaan hugged Riya one more time before stepping back, letting her work her magic as the anchor of the room, the heart of the team.
Ishaan has found her more towards her like her younger brother like a big baby he always say to everyone..saying he is Riya's big baby...
It's like she has connected to these people not only through phone but heart...they never pretend infront of her, even she never it like she was really becoming a part of them...
Behind them, the room buzzed again—arguments, laughter, complaints.
"Ri is enjoying this," Ved said.
"She always does," Anish added, teasing.
Outside, Riya exhaled slowly.
"I hate all of you," she muttered.
Bindu laughed. "Liar."
Riya straightened. "I'll prepare everything for the check-ups."
She walked away with Bindu—calm, composed.
Behind her, the boys kept talking, teasing, playing
And Arjun watched the door longer than he should have....