15 Years Ago
Abhay was in the 12th standard, Ishika in the 9th. Their lives were simple — filled with school routines, shared tiffins, and the kind of bond only siblings raised on love and loss could truly understand.
On the other side of the city, Ira was preparing for her NDA (National Defence Academy) exam, waiting anxiously for her results while completing her 12th standard.
That day at school started like any other — the usual chatter, mischief, and the chaos only teenagers can create. But for Abhay, everything froze the moment he saw something unusual…
A group of senior boys had surrounded Ishika, teasing her cruelly. Before he could even step forward, an unknown girl stepped in — fierce and fearless. She didn’t yell, didn’t create a scene… just stood with Ishika and put those boys in their place.
In that moment, she became an angel in Abhay’s eyes — the one who saved his world, that lived in the form of Ishika.
That girl was Ira.
She wasn’t even supposed to be there. She had just come to school to hand over a forgotten tiffin to her mother — Mrs. Neerja, the newly appointed English teacher.
But in a few seconds, she unknowingly imprinted herself into Abhay's memory forever.
Present Day
Now, Major Ira, with four years of training and nine years of service in the Indian Army behind her, was on a short holiday.
Abhay, after 12 years of relentless study and practice, now held the degrees of MBBS, MD, and DM in Neurology. He was known not just for his brilliance, but also for the calm presence he brought to chaos.
They both boarded the same metro train. Strangers in the crowd, unknowingly sitting side by side — each lost in their own thoughts.
Suddenly, an elderly woman collapsed nearby, her body trembling violently. Without hesitation, Abhay sprang into action. Years of medical training kicked in as he helped manage her seizures, guiding her breathing.
Ira quickly called emergency services and helped clear the space around them.
Once stabilized, they exited the train and took the woman to the nearest hospital — in Ira’s car.
After ensuring she was admitted, Ira was at the pharmacy counter paying for the medicines when Abhay approached her, freshly scrubbed from treating the patient.
Abhay: “Hello! I’m Dr. Abhay — the one who treated that elderly lady you’re paying for. May I know your relation to her?”
Ira: “Oh, I’m not related to her at all. I just found her Aadhar card in her wallet.”
Abhay: “Phir aapne unke liye pay kyu kiya?”
Ira: “Well… it’s a private hospital, right? Your policy is first paid, first treated. So…”
Abhay (gently): “In emergencies, we begin treatment regardless of payment. We make sure care isn’t delayed.”
Ira (softening): “I appreciate that. Thank you… and sorry about my tone earlier.”
Abhay (smiling slightly): “No issues, Miss…! Alright, I’ll take my leave now.”
Ira: “Yeah.”
Later that night, Abhay sat down for dinner at the hospital canteen. He thought about the woman from the metro — generous, sharp, and oddly familiar.
Not her face, not her voice...
But the way she stepped in without hesitation.
The way she carried herself.
Calm. Certain. Kind.
He couldn’t place it, but she felt... familiar.
And for a reason he couldn’t explain,
he kept thinking about her, long after she had walked away.
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