They stopped at a restaurant in Satara to grab their lunch after traveling for 2 hours from Pune. Shehnaaz changed into comfortable Tee and shorts for the rest of the drive from the suit she was carrying till now. The weather was amazing and the roads were even better here, then they were in Kolhapur in another 2-3 hour drive. It was breezy out there, rolling down the glass window she clinged to Sidharth and the duo napped for sometime. 

"Washroom aayi hai.." she said, shaking his shoulders and waking him up. 

"Huh?" he said, once his eyes opened properly. She inked her pinky finger up and mouthed 'washroom'. He nodded and asked the driver if he would stop at any restaurant. They,  especially the driver, needed a tea break. Walking towards the loo together, he stood outside the door while she was in and handed her a sanitizer to use when she came out. 

"Table pe baitho.. I'm coming.. Aur kuch khana ho toh pack karva lena.." he said and used the toilet himself. She waited for him at the table and got some freshly fried samose and Vada pav packed for them. 

"Haaye.. Itna acha mausam hai.. Ek photo le na meri.. Usse late nahi hoga.." she requested Sidharth. He fished out his phone when she posed infront of the car and the huge shady trees. 

"Ek boli thi.. 7-8 leli.. Chal ab!" he motioned her to get in, they were still halfway there. It was going to be very late if they waited anymore. 

"Ha bas ek selfie!" she said, perching on the step of the Innova car they had booked, she matched herself with his  height and made him click one picture wrapping her hands around his neck. The picture came out to be really cute with their cheeky smiles and the greenery behind them. 

They resumed their journey, eating the snack she brought along and noticed how they were approaching the ghats. The natural scenic beauty was so dreamy and misty, she had already made hundreds of snaps of her way. They drove straight for the next 2 hours, from the smooth and dark roads. She got scared not seeing any street lights but there were small reflective road marks to guide travellers. They drove through so many ghats, she had heard of amazing resorts and waterfalls that could be visited on their way but they had no such plans. 

"Yeh konsi jagah hai?" she asked Ravi, their driver because  Sidharth had dozed off half an hour ago but she was wide away. Under  no circumstances she could sleep to miss the scenic ghats on her first ever road trip with him. So what if he dozed off? She let him sleep because he had a big day tomorrow. 

"Belgaum pahunch rahe hai madam.." Ravi answered. 

"Acha.. Aur yaha se kitna aage jayenge?" she asked again. 

"Yaha se 3 ghanta aur maan lijiye.." he answered. 

"Aap ko bhook lag rahi hai? Mere paas chips hai.." she offered, opening her packet for herself. It was almost 10 at night, he must be starving. But the driver politely denied saying that they'd soon stop by one of the diners for dinner as per Sidharth's plan. And they did stop at a diner near the highway, had dinner and settled themselves in again. 

It was 2 at night when they finally reached Panaji. Goa Marriott and resort was booked by the Management that organized  the conference. One of the hotel staff took them to their room on the 10th floor which was as luxurious as a suite. A huge bed, a long couch and a wide TV. 

"Awesome!" Shehnaaz exclaimed and threw herself dramatically on the soft mattress. 

He chuckled watching her and asked her to change atleast. "Chal uth.." he said. 

"Yaar..Zaruri hai?" she asked, without moving. 

"Ha! Bahut.. Aur tu kitni baar washroom jati hai.. Phir waha ke washbasin use karti hai.. Go and wash yourself again.." he reasoned. 

"Yaar ye kya baat hui? Sara time AC chalega toh aayegi na washroom? Banda woh bhi na kare!" she scoffed, getting up because his words made her feel disgusted with her own hygiene. 

"Washroom kaise aata hai be tujhe?" he chuckled, blocking her way.

"And God knows if those toilets were  properly cleaned or not.. Rare yet chances of infection are there.. So go and wash yourself properly.." he said, making her groan, "Fine!" and dragged herself into the loo. The bathroom was so spacious, it had a huge bathtub next to a shower spot and a glass side that separated it from the toilet. She would have loved to shower if she wasn't tired. After freshening up, she let Sidharth use it. He did the same and joined her on the bed, laying down with an audible grunt. His back and shoulders were jammed, a 12 hour sitting in the same position had stiffened his lower back. 

"Dard ho rahi hai.. Daba du?" she asked, keeping a hand over his chest as she scooted closer. 

"Nahi.. Letne ke baad thik lag raha hai.. I'll be fine.." he replied, patting her shoulder in assurance to lay back and the two were asleep in no time  due to the tiredness. Embraced together. Shehnaaz woke up first when the alarm rang, the same blasting ringtone again. Argh! What have I ever done to be punished with this? But the moment she properly woke up, she found herself tucked in with Sidharth's hand. Her face was just next to his, his gorgeously clean shaved face, with his mouth slightly opened. She pulled out her phone kept on the bedpost from charging and clicked his picture. 

"Kitna Nona lag raha hai sote hue.. But it's time to wake up!" she sang and peppered his face with kisses. 

"Goooood Morning bebu..!" and just heard him hum groggily in return. 

"Uth ja.. 8 baj gaye.. Aur please apna alarm k ringtone ko change kar.. Itne zor se bajta hai kan me.." she added and looked at him, still sleeping. 

"Sidhaarth! 8 baj gaye.." she repeated. 

"Sone dena! Time hai abhi.. 10 baje jana hai.." he replied with a frown on his face with eyes closed. 

"Toh alarm abhi se kyu lagaya? Meri neend toot gayi.. Chal uth ja.. Walk karne chalte hai.." she suggested, removing his hand on her. 

"Chup chap leti reh.." he said, snaking his arm back to his place. 

"Yaar.. mai vacation pe aayi hu.. Mujhe ghoomna hai..!" she whined. 

"Toh leke jaunga na darling!" he replied, closing his eyes again. 

"Kab leke jayega?" she chirped. 

"Jab wapas aaunga conference se.." he answered. 

"2 baje.." added and pulled her close. He was wide awake too but didn't feel like getting up, so there they were, cuddling. 

"Sidharth?" she spoke, not able to keep quiet for more than 5 minutes. 

"Hum kaha kaha jayenge?" she questioned, playing with his hair. 

"Beach.." he replied. 

"Aur? Seafood try karenge?"  she asked, obviously they'd visit beaches. He hummed. 

"Aur bata na kaha jayenge? Tune kuch plan kiya hai ke avien?" she nagged his shoulder. 

"Hana.. Casino chalegi?" he said. 

"Casino? Teko wo game aati hai.. usme jo paise lagate hai phir dice fenkte hai.." she asked. 

"Craps bolte hai.. Aati hai.." he replied. 

"Sara game tukka lagane ka hota hai na..?" she thoughtfully asked, recalling the type of casinos she had seen in movies. 

"Hmm.." he replied. 

She felt her bladder wanting to release, she removed their covers so he would wake up properly now and got up saying, "Mai washroom ja rahi hu.. Tu bhi uth ja ab.." and wore her slippers. He hummed, stretching his arms and ranking his fingers through his hair. Ooh! What a site! She thought and vanished into the loo. He got up, looked for his packet of cigarettes in  his bag pocket and opened his laptop, sitting on the balcony. Going through a couple of things that could be discussed over the conference and checking the papers he had prepared. 

"Sidharth.. Breakfast?" he heard her coming towards him. She could smell the cigarette recently crushed but didn't point it out today, he needed it to relax his tense mind. 

"Chai aur aloo paranthe mangvalu? Ya kuch light khayega?" she asked. 

"Chalega..'' he answered, looking at her for a brief moment and then focusing back on the screen. He checked the time, it was 9, he went inside to take a shower and get ready before time. She had obliged, ordering the food and didn't disturbed  him then. Passing her time, scrolling social media feeds with earphones plugged in and taking snaps of the scenery from her  window. 

She suddenly felt water being sprinkled at her, "Kya kar raha hai Sidh.." she admonished, sparring his hand away. This man infront of her was almost ready with white shirt and dark blue pants on. Hairs wet and tangled and face as fresh as sunrise. Aye hottie! 

"Kab se awaz de raha hu..! Where did you pack my watch!?" he asked, bringing her out of her thoughts. 

"I didn't pack your watch! Tune mujhe nahi bola tha.." she replied. 

"Bola tha yaar! Tune dhyan se nahi suna hoga.." he shook his head and walked back towards the dressing mirror to dry and set his hair. 

She followed him inside, "Acha nashta karle.. Mai dekhti hu tere bag me.." she said, setting the breakfast and pouring the tea that arrived some minutes ago when he came out of the washroom. 

She took out some of his clothes, placed them aside  and heard him saying, "Wapas ache se rakhegi phir.." and rolled her eyes at him. 

"Ye kya hai?" She found a box of Fossli's townsman in the side pocket with his socks. 

"Thankyou sweetheart.. Teri wajah se mil gaya.. Now come here.." he smiled apologetically and asked her to join him. 

The two ate their breakfast and he was ready to leave, "Sunn.. Conference 1st floor pe hai.. I'll have my lunch there and be back after 2.. Tu khana kha lena.. Order anything you want and please don't pay for it.. Ye card dikha dena.. Everything is being taken care of by the management who have organised this.. Don't be hesitant.. Okay?" he said, glancing at himself in the mirror one last time after wearing his watch and jacket. 

"Okay.. And all the best.." she agreed and hugged him. 

"Oh.. Thankyou.." he pulled her face for a short and sweet kiss, she hadn't expected now. 

"Bye.." he whispered and left, closing the door behind him, taking his papers. He ruffled through them till the elevator opened to the designated floor. There was a pin board attached with a notice about the conference and its hall number. He followed its directions and saw a couple of people already taking their seats at the round table arranged in the middle of the hall. A guy who was supposedly the coordinator, welcomed him and led him to his seat. 

Soon, a man who seemed to be in his early 50s spoke on the desk standing microphone, "Good Morning ladies and gentlemen.. Myself Dr. Subhash.. I welcome you all to this Healthcare Conference organized by the WellBe Organisations.." Everybody clapped and the doctor continued, "We are  here to discuss it among ourselves, some issues, their solutions and calls to be taken henceforth.." Dr.Subhash finished and asked the doctors sitting from his right to begin. 

"He is Dr. Sidharth Shukla from Maruthi Hospital in Mumbai.." the doctor introduced. Sidharth, being the one next to him, began.

"Good morning everyone.. I would like to say.. We are encountering a 'double burden of disease'. Even after the deadly Covid-19.. A high proportion of the population continue to die from preventable infections.. Simultaneously, the growing incidence of non-communicable chronic conditions of ill health is stretching the capacity of the healthcare system.. And for immediate help.. Telemedicine is already a rapidly growing market providing urgent care, lifestyle, and pharmacy services all online..  If a person has flu-like symptoms and wants to speak with a physician, there is no reason he should have to drive to urgent care... He should be able to resolve this via video chat.. If traditional medicine wants to compete, then they need to provide their own innovative digital solutions.." He said and all the others agreed and nodded their heads. 

He was carefully listening to the other doctors presenting their views when his gaze casually fell upon a woman sitting at a distance towards his left. He couldn't see her face properly though but she looked familiar. It was a couple of seconds later when the person next to her shifted back and he saw her left profile. Stunned and taken aback he was because he hadn't expected to see her here at all. Well, it wasn't impossible in this small world that  they wouldn't ever meet again. Her hair was different and short, also she didn't have a nose pin back then. Soon, it was her chance to speak. 

"And she is Dr. Bhavya Mehrotra from CityLife hospital in New Delhi.." Dr. Subhash introduced her. 

"Good morning doctors.. I believe.. In healthcare, the quality of care we give our patients is of the utmost importance.. I have worked at several hospitals and no hospital I have the privilege of working in..in.. CityLife.." she was delivering her speech so confidently until her gaze landed upon him. He was looking at her and it made her stammer. 

"It's a supply chain mismanagement problem and it creates troubles like mismanaged medical inventory and equipment or drug shortage at the backend. On the frontend,i.e., doctor's end, it causes inefficiencies; on  the patients' end, frustration and, of course, danger to their health.. So.. it's imperative to turn to digital healthcare technology providers for a powerful and effective solution.." She finished and exhaled a deep breath. She hadn't expected him here, he looked the same. She couldn't believe she saw and heard him speaking over the microphone. 

"Hi.." she approached him while he was near the buffet during lunch. 

"Hi.." he replied. 

"How are you..?" she asked. 

"Good.. You?" he asked back. 

"I'm good too.." she replied and then they didn't have words to continue this conversation ahead. 

"H..how's Auntie?" she still asked. 

"Good.. Why do you care to ask?" he replied yet again, not actually saying the second part though. Nodding shortly he excused himself to have his lunch with other doctors. She did the same, she just wanted them to be civil or act civil atleast after the huge fight they had almost 2 years ago. It had changed everything, it had changed them and their beliefs about love. Returning back to his room, Sidharth saw Shehnaaz engrossed in TV with remote in one hand and a bottle of beer in the other. 

"Hii.. How did the conference go?" she asked with a sweet smile, moving forward and wrapping her hands around him. She had been feeling bored so she had searched for a movie and busied herself till he returned. 

"Good so far.. Tu bata?" he replied, eyeing the bottle she had just kept on the side table. Whoa, another empty bottle spotted. So she ordered these? 

"Haaye.. I didn't order it.. Kasam lagge! Maine toh simple khana hi order kiya.. I found them in the mini fridge..  It's loaded with beer and wine.." she answered truthfully, pinching her throat. 

"Okay.." he nodded, he didn't nag about it because she had actually reduced drinking a lot. Ofcourse she couldn't quit it all of a sudden but she was keeping it to good limits. He went inside the washroom to freshen up and change into T-shirt and shorts to take a nap but when he came out, she had already changed to a sweatshirt and denim shorts to go out. 

"Yeh kyu pehna tune?" she squinted her eyes at him. 

"I wanna take a nap.. Mai thak gaya hu.." he said and threw himself on the bed. 

"No. No. No.. Tune subha bola tha leke jayega mujhe! Sidhaaarth.. Uthja please.." she whined, irritated with his ignorance. 

"Please sweetheart.. Just half an hour.. Adhe ghante baad uth jaunga darling!" he replied, sighing deeply. He wasn't tired exactly, he just wanted to sleep so he'd feel fresh and might not think of the person he met in the hall. 

"Yaar..Mai sara din tera wait karti rahi.." she walked closer and shook him but him being him, didn't budge. 

"Tujhe meri kasam!" she threw her weapon, the biggest one probably. 

"Abey yaar.." he groaned, making a scowl face at her. He obliged by taking her out to Miramar beach that was at a 10 minute walk distance. Her first visit to a beach and she got excited walking on the sand, hand in hand with him. But he seemed lost somewhere.

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