IT'S NOT OVER

Chapter 4

Instinct took over. Thankfully, Avi slept soundly in her carrier. With a hurried apology to the waiter, Reyansh placed the carrier on a nearby table. A concerned waitress assured him she'd keep an eye on it.

Pushing his way through the throng, Reyansh reached the man. His medical training kicked in immediately. A quick check confirmed his worst fears - a heart attack. Adrenaline surged through him, replacing his helplessness with a fierce determination.

"Call an ambulance!" he barked at the manager, who fumbled for his phone. Every second counted. Knowing time was of the essence, Reyansh began CPR, his movements practiced and efficient.

The ambulance screeched to a halt outside the familiar entrance of City General, the very hospital where Reyansh toiled as an intern. Relief washed over him.

"This man needs a cardiologist now!" Reyansh pleaded with the nurse, urgency lacing his voice. But her apologetic reply shattered his hope. "There's no available cardiologist right now, sir. We can transfer him to another hospital."

We don't have time for that!" Anger, raw and desperate, threatened to bubble over

Taking a deep breath, Reyansh forced down his anger. Memories of his own family's accident flashed before his eyes, a searing reminder of life's fragility. "I'll perform the surgery," he declared, his voice surprisingly steady. "Prepare the operating room immediately."

The stunned looks on the faces around him were a blur. Where did this newfound confidence come from? Perhaps it was a defiance against the cruel hand fate had dealt him. Whatever it was, it gave him the strength to push past his own pain and fight for a life that wasn't his.

With trembling hands, Reyansh turned to the kind nurse who had taken Avi. "Please, look after her," he pleaded, placing the sleeping child in her arms

Adrenaline coursed through him as he scrubbed in, the sterile environment a stark contrast to the chaos of moments before. The old man's life hung in the balance, and for the first time since his world crumbled, Reyansh felt a sense of purpose. The surgery was a blur of practiced movements and focused determination. Hours melted away as he fought for a stranger's life, the memory of his internship guiding him.

Finally, a sigh of relief escaped his lips. The surgery was a success. Exhaustion slammed into him like a tidal wave, but a flicker of pride warmed the coldness that had settled in his chest. He had saved a life.

Just then, the attending physician burst through the doors, his face a thundercloud. "Who authorized this?" he roared, his voice echoing off the metal instruments. Reyansh's heart plummeted.

"I... I did, sir," he stammered, the weight of the doctor's disapproval crushing.

"You? An intern? Do you have any idea what you've done? You're suspended!" The doctor's words were a slap, a harsh reminder of his limitations. Shame washed over Reyansh, the fleeting victory turning to ashes in his mouth.

"I... I'm sorry, sir," he mumbled, defeated.

"Sorry doesn't cut it! Get out!" The doctor's final words hung in the air as Reyansh turned and walked out, the weight of the doctor's scorn heavier than the exhaustion in his limbs.

•••••

Back in his tiny intern room, Reyansh collapsed onto the cot, Avi nestled peacefully in his lap. Exhaustion gnawed at him, but a small smile played on his lips. Avi, oblivious, played with the stethoscope he'd tossed on the bed.

The door creaked open. A nurse beamed, holding a vibrant bouquet. "Delivery for you, sir," she chirped.

Confused, Reyansh took the flowers, their colors clashing with the room's dullness. A card peeked out, the message written in loopy handwriting.

"You're not just a rockstar and a good medical student," he read aloud, his throat tightening. "Today, I came to know you're a great, kind-hearted doctor. Congratulations, Mr. Reyansh, on your first successful surgery! I'm so proud to consider myself a fan, you are my role model - @Reyfangirl."

Who was this "Reyfangirl"? A stranger, yet her words pierced the fog of despair.

After betrayal, eviction, and now suspension, a tiny seed of hope bloomed in his heart. It was fragile, but it pushed through the cracks of cynicism. He wasn't broken. This wasn't the end.

A giggle from Avi pulled him back. She looked up, eyes wide with curiosity, reaching for a daisy from the bouquet. For her, he wouldn't crumble. For her, he would rise.

"I don't know who you are," he whispered, a silent thank you hanging in the air. "But thank you."       

Half an hour later, a knock startled Reyansh. A nurse peeked in with a knowing smile and a brown paper bag.

"Food delivery, sir," she chirped.

Confused, Reyansh took the bag. Inside, a delicious meal and a card with loopy handwriting.

"Time to celebrate, hero! Home to find, remember? Keep smiling - @Reyfangirl."

A blush crept up Reyansh's neck. Secret admirer? This was crazy, but a giddy feeling bubbled up. 

With a playful smile, he scooped up a fussy Avi. "Celebration time, munchkin," he whispered.

Cleaning up, he kept glancing at the card. Who was this Reyfangirl?

Back at the table, he opened the food - his favorite dish and a kid's meal for Avi. Gratitude washed over him. "Thank you," he whispered, a genuine smile on his lips.

He finished the meal, even Avi too

Standing in the doorway were a group of his classmates, their faces twisted into malicious smirks.

Well, well," one sneered, "look who it is. The fallen star, Mr. Reyansh Malhotra."

Another chimed in, his voice dripping with malice, "Correction, brother. The poor, bankrupt nobody with a crying baby for company."

Before Reyansh could react, the second classmate reached out and scooped up a startled Avi, who immediately began to cry. A surge of anger and protectiveness washed over Reyansh.

"I said put her down!" he growled, his voice low and dangerous.

The classmate holding Avi smirked. "Oh? How about you kneel down first, Malhotra? Beg me nicely."

Fury blazed in Reyansh's eyes. Ignoring the exhaustion gnawing at him, he lunged towards the classmate holding Avi. "Give her back!" he roared, his voice raw with a mix of anger and fear.