Same night, hours after their previous call...
Adeeba lay in bed, phone glued to her ear as she dialed Isha's number – the earlier excitement about accepting Ayaan's marriage proposal still lingering in her voice when Isha answered.
But as they exchanged brief hellos, Adeeba's tone shifted dramatically – happiness replaced with seriousness.
"Isha, enough about my wedding plans for now... Did you find out anything about my stalker?"
Adeeba's voice was low and urgent, her eyes scanning the darkened room as if fearing being overheard.
Isha's pause on the other end was palpable before she replied
Isha's low, mysterious tone piqued Adeeba's curiosity...
"Yes, I found something about your stalker," Isha said slowly.
"Meet me tomorrow at Sunset Cliff – our usual spot.
Come alone, Adi."
Adeeba's heart skipped a beat with anticipation as she whispered back:
"I'll be there. What time?"
Isha's response was brief:
"Sunset."
The line went dead, leaving Adeeba wondering what Isha had discovered
____________
Morning light filled the hospital corridors as Adeeba scrubbed out of a surgery, her neurosurgeon badge gleaming on her coat.
In the doctor's lounge, she bumped into her close friend Swastika, an intern doctor – they had been inseparable since medical school days.
Swastika's bright smile greeted Adeeba.
"Long time no gossip – how's life, Adi? Still pining for someone or moved on?"
Adeeba laughed softly before responding,
"Actually, my parents found someone – arranged marriage."
Swastika's eyes widened dramatically.
"WHAT?! Tell me everything – who is he?!"
Adeeba shrugged playfully, diverting attention from her own love life.
"Enough about me, Swastika – what's new with you and Manav?"
Swastika's face lit up instantly.
"He's perfect, Adi – still crazy about me! Actually, he was just talking about his best friend yesterday..."
Adeeba's heart skipped a beat as she anticipated the name –
"...Ayaan. Says they're planning his wedding soon – no idea who the girl is though."
Adeeba's expression remained neutral, but her mind raced –
"They're planning MY wedding..."
Swastika shrugged goodbye, "Gotta run, Adi – rounds to attend!"
She hurried out of the lounge, leaving Adeeba lost in thought about Ayaan.
Adeeba snapped back to reality, checking her watch –
Time for her own shift: Neurosurgery OPD.
She walked into her cabin, flipping on the lights to reveal a placard reading:
"Dr. Adeeba - Neurosurgeon"
As she began reviewing patient charts, her phone buzzed – a text from Isha:
"Sunset Cliff, don't forget. News about your stalker awaits..."
Adeeba's thumbs up sent to Isha, she focused back on patient files –
her Neurosurgery OPD shift nearing its end.
Just as she was wrapping up notes, a gentle knock on the doorframe –
Her nurse, Rita, peeked in.
"Doctor, unexpected visitor – had appointment yesterday, but..."
Adeeba raised an eyebrow, Rita continued nervously,
"He's wearing a mask, Doctor. Says his name is on yesterday's list...
Should I send him away or?"
Adeeba's curiosity piqued – especially with stalker thoughts lingering post-Isha's text.
"Let him in, Rita."
The door swung open, and he walked in –
Adeeba's heart skipped multiple beats as she froze.
That black mask...
Those jet black eyes, piercing through hers...
And the familiar hairstyle – jet black hair pulled back with a leather band.
Memories flooded back – a night near the lake, months ago...
She had saved his life after a brutal accident.
But what followed still haunted her –
His menacing figure appeared at her hospital window afterwards,
A low voice threatening through the glass:
"You saved me, Doctor... now you owe me secrecy."
And then, the stalking began...
Adeeba's eyes locked onto his masked face, her voice barely audible –
"How did you find me again?"
Adeeba's eyes narrowed slightly as she asked,
"Are you stalking me?"
He chuckled low in his throat, pushing back his mask slightly –
revealing a hint of his chiseled features –
"Who doesn't know Dr. Adeeba –
the medical sensation of Madhya Pradesh?
You cleared NEET UG and PG in one attempt...
Became the youngest neurosurgeon in state history..."
Adeeba's expression softened, surprised by the admiration –
"Thank you..." she said genuinely, curiosity replacing caution.
He took a step closer, voice low and intense –
"I meant every word, Doctor. But that's not why I'm here..."
He sank into the chair across from her desk, his eyes locked on hers –
"Thank you, Doctor... for saving my life that night by the lake."
Adeeba's gaze held his intense stare, her voice gentle –
"You're welcome. May I ask, why the mask? Please, reveal your face."
He slowly shook his head, voice low and mysterious –
"Time will reveal me, Doctor. Not choice.
You saved my life, now I've come to... discuss something about yours."
Adeeba's curiosity spiked – what could he possibly mean?
"What about my life?" she asked cautiously
He leaned forward slightly, eyes sparkling with curiosity –
"Are you dating someone, Doctor Adeeba?"
Adeeba raised an eyebrow, surprised by the personal question –
"Actually, you had an appointment – is this related to your treatment?"
He chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair –
"No, Doctor. This appointment was just a pretext.
I'm curious – that's all. You're getting married, aren't you?"
Adeeba's heart skipped a beat – how did he know?!
Adeeba's eyes narrowed slightly, curiosity piqued –
"How do you know I'm getting married?"
He smiled enigmatically –
"My ways, Doctor. Let's just say... information finds me.
But assure you – this news didn't come from your family or friends."
Adeeba leaned forward, voice low and intrigued –
"Meaning you have sources outside my circle... watching me or someone close to me?"
He nodded slowly, his masked face glinting with intensity –
"Someone close to your future husband, Doctor..."
Adeeba shrugged off her curiosity, composing herself –
"Sternly now: Why. Are. You. Here?"
He smirked behind his mask –
"Obviously, Doctor, for my checkup..."
Adeeba raised an eyebrow, voice firm –
"Then why discuss my life?
You're here for medical care, not my biography."
He chuckled low in his throat –
"Because, Doctor... you're giving answers and asking questions."
Adeeba's frustration boiled over – she stood up abruptly,
marching towards him with a clipboard –
"Enough conversation. Let me check your wound."
Her gloved hands gently removed his mask partially, exposing the scarred skin –
"And run these tests: blood work, MRI, toxicity screen... NOW."
He looked up at her, eyes glinting with amusement –
"Doctor's lost patience... fascinating."
He smiled softly at her intense gaze, then nodded slowly –
"Tests. Got it, Doctor."
With that, he stood up, mask still partially pushed back revealing hints of his features,
and turned to leave.
The door closed behind him, leaving Adeeba stunned and curious.
She exhaled deeply, eyes fixed on the door –
"What just happened..."