17

Vani sat in the backseat, clutching her bag tightly, her hair still a little damp from the quick second shower she had to take after the mud fiasco. She kept checking her watch every two minutes, muttering under her breath.

"Ajj hi late hona tha...," she grumbled, tapping her foot impatiently on the car mat.

Her phone buzzed in her lap. Priya's name flashed on the screen. She picked it up immediately.

"Hello Vani! Kitni der me aa rahi hai?!" Priya's voice came hurried and panicked.

"Bas paanch minute... traffic hai," Vani lied, though the map clearly showed another fifteen.

"Woh surgeon yahan aa gaye hain aur... trust me, mood kharab hai. Subah se teen logon ki class lag chuki hain."

"Kya?" Vani nearly shouted into the phone. "Matlab khadus hi nikla?!"

"Bilkul. Full khadus. Kaam pe dhyaan, baat mat karo, aise vibes de rahe hain."

Vani groaned loudly, banging her head lightly on the seat in frustration. "Aaaah! Mere sath hi kyun hota hai ye sab!"

"Because..." Priya dragged the word teasingly, "...tu Vani hai!"

"Chup kar Priya, abhi na tujhe maar hi dungi main," Vani threatened but Priya was already laughing at the other end.

"Haan haan maar lena. Lekin pehle aa ja. Tere bare mein do baar poochh chuke hain woh."

Vani's eyes widened. "Kyaaa! Meri bhi?!"

"Haan toh. Senior ko sab pata chalna chahiye na-kaun late aata hai, kaun kaam theek se karta hai. Acha sun, jaldi aa. Warna tu entry lete hi unke gusse ka Shikar banegi."

"Naam kya hai unka? Bata na!" Vani snapped.

"Pata nahi. Tu aake khud dekh lena."

"Had hai yaar Priya! Kya fayda tera wahaan hone ka jab info hi nahi deti?!"

"Bas suspense bana rehne de," Priya chuckled.

Vani cut the call and threw her phone in her bag dramatically. "Kya din aa gaye... ab main khud khadus ke samne late entry maarungi. Wah Vani, wah. Jackpot!" she muttered to herself sarcastically.

"Madam, koi problem hai kya?" the cab driver asked carefully, glancing at her in the rearview mirror.

Vani leaned forward suddenly, her tone sharp. "Haan, problem hai. Octopus khana hai. Lake aaoge?"

The poor driver blinked in confusion. "Ji... kya? Octopus?"

"Are chup! Sidhe chalao. Chup chap samne dekh ke gadi chalao. Nahi toh ise gadi ke neeche fek dungi." She picked up the water bottle in her hand as if it were a weapon.

The driver straightened immediately, both hands tightly gripping the wheel, eyes fixed firmly on the road.

"Samajh gya madam. Bas five minutes."

"Five minutes main ni... five seconds mein !" Vani barked, then slumped back against the seat, covering her face with both hands.

Vani rushed out of the cab the second it screeched to a halt in front of the hospital gate. She didn't even wait for the driver to properly stop before flinging a crumpled note at him.

"Madam, change toh-"

"Apni shakal mein daal lo!" Vani snapped, already sprinting towards the entrance with her bag bouncing on her shoulder. The driver just stared after her, muttering, "Yeh doctor hai ya policewali..."

The glass doors of the hospital slid open with a faint whoosh, and the cool air-conditioned breeze hit her face. She stopped just long enough to adjust her dupatta and hurriedly comb her fingers through her hair.

"Kya haal bana rakha hai... jaise marathon daud ke aayi ho," she muttered, catching her own reflection in the glass. "Bas yahi bacha tha... senior surgeon mujhe dekh ke bole 'bhut smart aur professional doctor hai'...!"

As she stormed down the corridor, nurses and ward boys stepped aside instinctively. Vani always walked like she owned the place-fast, loud, and with the kind of expression that screamed 'don't mess with me.'

"Vani!" Priya came jogging from the opposite side, slightly out of breath. "Finally! Tujhe pata hai kitna time ho gaya?"

"Arre Priya, mujhe lecture mat de abhi. Pehle hi late hoon, ab tu bhi khadus ban gayi toh main patient ban jaaungi."

Priya giggled. "Accha accha... lekin tu ready rehna. Woh surgeon abhi meeting room mein hai. Staff ke do log toh aaj hi resign karne ki soch rahe hain unke gusse ke baad."

Vani widened her eyes. "Arey! Itna dangerous?! Matlab... khadus se bhi upar level?!"

"Exactly," Priya whispered dramatically, as if the walls had ears. "Aur sabse badi baat... abhi abhi unne poocha ki Dr. Vani kahan hai."

Vani froze mid-step, clutching her bag tighter. "Meri hi kismat kharaab hai... saare khadus log mujhe hi kyu target karte hain?"

"Tu attract karti hai khaduson ko," Priya teased.

"Shut up Priya! Warna tujhe OT ki floor pe band karke bhag jaaungi."

Priya laughed, dragging her towards the changing room. "Chal chal."

Vani huffed, throwing her bag on the bench. "Arre Bhagwan... bas aaj ka din kat jaaye ."

Vani stepped into the corridor, adjusting the white coat on her shoulders. The stethoscope around her neck caught the faint hospital light as she pushed her glasses higher on her nose. A pen spun nervously between her fingers-her old habit whenever she was anxious.

"Dr. Vani, the new surgeon is calling you," a man from the reception rushed over.

Vani didn't even glance at him properly, her lips curling in a mutter.

"Let me check on the patients first... then I'll take all the scolding at once."

She turned her back on the reception and walked straight into the wards.

For the next two hours, she busied herself among the patients. Checking charts, listening to heartbeats, asking about their medicines, offering a few comforting words. An old man clasped her hand and whispered, "Doctor, when you come every day, courage comes back in my chest."

Vani smiled faintly, adjusting his blanket. "The courage is in you, I just remind you of it."

Those two hours passed quickly, but peace ended the moment she returned to the surgeon's corridor. Two staff members stood stiffly outside the cabin, their faces pale with worry.

"What's happening inside?" Vani asked, narrowing her eyes.

One of them leaned closer, whispering, "Ma'am... Priya was five minutes late in setting up a glucose bottle... and that new surgeon is shouting at her."

"What? Just for that?" Vani's brows shot up.

Another staff member added nervously, "Sir is very strict. Since morning, he has already scolded us both, and even the receptionist."

Vani was about to say something when the staff who had a clear view inside whispered hurriedly, "He threw the file... and Priya-she's trembling. She just apologized... oh no-she's coming out."

The corridor went silent. Priya walked out slowly, eyes red, unshed tears brimming but held back. Her shoulders slumped in defeat.

Vani immediately placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, giving her silent reassurance.

Then, straightening her coat, she stepped inside the cabin.

"Good morning, sir," Vani spoke firmly, though her eyes stayed low.

A cold voice answered, "Good afternoon."

She froze, realizing the weight in his tone.

"I think you know you've come very early, haven't you?" he added sarcastically.

Vani lowered her head further, not daring to look up. "I'm sorry, sir."

"How can you be so careless? Do you even understand the importance of time in a hospital? Every minute, every second matters here! You think being a doctor is just about walking around with a stethoscope? Patients' lives don't wait for you, Dr. Vani. They need you on time. Always."

Vani swallowed hard, forcing herself to stay composed. "I... I apologize, sir. It won't happen again."

"Sorry?" he scoffed, his voice sharp, still seated with his back to her. "Do you think sorry can fix delays? If this was the OT, a patient could have died because of your five minutes."

Her grip on the pen in her hand tightened, nails digging into her palm. "It won't repeat, sir. I'll make sure of it."

The silence stretched, heavy and suffocating. They still hadn't seen each other's faces, but the tension in the air was undeniable.

"Sorry won't save anyone, Dr. Vani!" his voice thundered again, echoing off the cabin walls. "This is not a college assignment you can submit late. This is real life. Here, a second of carelessness can cost someone their breath, their heartbeat, their future!"

Vani flinched at his words, her lips parting as if to speak, but nothing came out. Her throat felt dry.

"You know what the problem with young doctors is?" he continued, his chair still turned away, his tone sharp as a blade. "You think wearing a coat and hanging a stethoscope is enough. You want the respect of a doctor but you don't want the discipline of one. Respect is earned here. Earned by showing up on time. Earned by putting patients first. Not by walking in when you feel like it!"

"I- I'm really sorry, sir," Vani said quickly, her voice trembling just slightly though she tried to hold it together. "I had... some issue with the cab. It won't happen again, I promise-"

"Oh, a cab?" his laughter was bitter, sarcastic. "So the excuse of the day is a cab! Tomorrow it will be rain, the day after that maybe your pen ran out of ink? Do you even realize how pathetic that sounds in a hospital?"

Her fists curled around the pen in her hand. Her nails dug deeper into her palm, but she kept her head down, refusing to let him see her falter.

"I will improve, sir," she managed to whisper.

"You will improve?" his tone rose, every word heavy. "No, Dr. Vani. You have to improve. Because if you don't, you're not just failing yourself-you're failing your patients, your team, and this entire hospital. And let me tell you clearly... I don't tolerate failure."

His voice dropped lower but harsher, "If you think this place will bend rules for you, you're in the wrong profession."

Vani bit the inside of her cheek to stop her eyes from stinging. She hated crying, especially in front of someone who clearly wanted to break her down. "I understand, sir. It won't repeat."

"Good," he snapped. "For your sake, I hope it doesn't. Because next time-sorry won't be enough."

The silence that followed was heavy, suffocating. Vani stayed rooted to her spot, staring at the floor, her pride burning inside her chest.

The corridor outside the cabin was no less than a mini-stadium now. Every nurse, ward boy, receptionist, and intern in range had quietly drifted towards the door, pretending to look busy but their ears sharpened like satellites.

"Lagta hai bahut dant pad rahi hai..." one whispered.

"Kya baat chal rahi hogi?" another leaned forward, squinting to catch a word.

"Pata nahi... ache se sunai nahi de raha..." a third one sighed, straining his ears.

Inside, the storm had already broken.

Aman turned around slowly, the file still in his hand. His eyes landed on the woman standing stiff, her specs slightly tilted, her pen clutched in her hand, eyes glistening.

And then recognition hit them both like a truck.

"TUM!!!" they shouted together, voices colliding in the air like thunderclaps.

Vani's tears froze instantly, replaced by fire. Aman's jaw dropped, then stiffened.

"Tu... tum yaha kya kar rahe ho?" Vani demanded, her voice sharp.

"Yeh sawaal main tumse bhi pooch sakta hoon," Aman shot back, narrowing his eyes.

"Jahir hai sabzi bechne to nahi aungi yaha," she snapped, standing straighter, glaring at him. "Aur kisi aur ki jagah dant bhi nahi khaoongi!"

Aman scoffed, tossing the file onto the table. "To tumhe kya lagta hai? Main yaha sabzi banane aaya hoon?"

"Isme kya shak hai? Bawarchi hi to ho!" Vani spat, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Aman's eyes widened. "Bawarchi?!"

But before he could retort, Vani tilted her head, realization dawning. "Wait... tum... you're a cardio sergon?"

"Haan." Aman folded his arms, smug.

"Par kaise??"

"Jaise sab hote hain."

Vani almost choked. "Arre matlab tumne kabhi bataya hi nahi!"

"To tumne kaunse dhol bajaa diye the ki tum is hospital me ho?" Aman retorted. "Main aata hi nahi. Ohhh god... ab tumhare s

aath kaam karna padega!" He rolled his eyes dramatically.

"Acha, toh main kaun si mari jaa rahi hoon? Kam se kam jhoot toh nahi bola! Bataya toh ki cardiologist hoon!" Vani shot back, her chin high.

"Haan, dikh raha hai cardiologist!" Aman muttered, rolling his eyes again.

"Kehna kya chahte ho?" Vani folded her hands across her chest, her glare piercing him.

"Bewakoof ko ishara hi kaafi hota hai."

Vani froze. Slowly, dangerously, she stepped forward. "Kya kaha... bewakoof?"

Aman smirked, but it faltered the moment Vani's voice rose like a volcano.

"Khud ko dekha hai? Joker ke sautaan lagte ho! Aur yeh kya, subah se khadus Kans ke bhai ban ke ghoom rahe ho, sab pe chillate hue!" she fired.

Outside, one nurse gasped. "Oh my god... Dr. Vani surgeon pe chilla rahi hai!"

"WHAT?!" half the corridor turned to stone, eyes widening, trying to peek through the glass slit.

Vani didn't stop. She stepped closer, her finger pointing right at Aman's chest. "Aur kya kaha tha tumne? Main late aayi? Jab maine bola ki cab aur traffic ki wajah se late ho gayi, tumhe dimag me ghusa hi nahi! Tum sochte kya ho apne aap ko? Bhagwan ho kya?"

Aman, now visibly nervous, took a step back. "Van... Vani... ungli neeche karo-"

"Kyu?!" she barked. "Meri ungli upar karu ya neeche, yeh bhi tum bataoge? Pehle apni harkaton pe dhyan do! Tum sochte kya ho... ki tum sergon ho toh sab tumhare saamne jhuke? Tumhe lagta hai strict hone ka matlab hai chillana, dhamkana, sabko neecha dikhana? News flash, Aman, strict hone aur rude hone me zameen aasman ka farq hai!"

Her voice cracked but only from passion, not weakness. "Doctor hona matlab patients ki responsibility lena, unhe sambhalna, team ko sath lekar chalna... na ki apne ego ka exhibition lagana!"

Aman opened his mouth, but Vani's tirade rolled on, unstoppable.

"Tumne kabhi socha hai? Subah se jo tum sabko dant rahe ho, unki kya halat ho rahi hogi? Ek receptionist, ek nurse, interns... unko training milni chahiye, guidance milni chahiye. Tum kya de rahe ho? Sirf darr! Sirf humiliation! Tumhe lagta hai darr se izzat milti hai? Nahi, Aman. Izzat milti hai insaaniyat se, samajhne se, support karne se."

Aman clenched his jaw, his ears burning.

"Tumhe lagta hai tum bade surgeon ho toh tum sabko neecha dikha ke hero ban jaoge?" Vani's eyes flared. "Hero woh hota hai jo patient ke saath-saath staff ko bhi sambhale, jo ek nurse ki galti ko chillake nahi, sikhake sudhaare. Tumhe kya lagta hai, tumhare chillane se kal se koi perfect ho jayega? Nahi! Bas darr jayega, aur darr se sirf aur zyada galti hoti hai!"

The corridor outside was dead silent now. Not even a cough. Everyone was glued to the door, eyes wide, jaws dropped.

Inside, Vani jabbed her finger at him again. "Aur tum... mujhe keh rahe the careless? Tumhe pata bhi hai main kaun hoon? Maine apni zindagi ke har din patients ke liye khud ko jala diya hai. Main late aayi toh haan meri galti hai, lekin iska matlab yeh nahi ki tum mujhe incompetent keh do! Tumhe lagta hai tum hi akela hardworking ho? Tumhe lagta hai tumhari struggle hi struggle hai? Tum nahi jaante meri kahani. Tum nahi jaante main kis musibat se guzar ke yaha khadi hoon. Aur tumhe hak bhi nahi hai mujhe neecha dikhane ka!"

Aman blinked. His throat went dry.

Outside, one ward boy whispered, "Yeh... yeh toh dhamaka ho gaya..."

Vani's voice lowered, but each word cut like glass. "Tum samajhte kya ho apne aap ko, Aman? Ek doctor ka asli test operation theatre me hota hai, na ki staff ke saamne drama karke. Operation theatre me jab patient ki saanse atakti hai, tab chillana kaam nahi aata. Tab sirf calm mind aur steady hand kaam aata hai. Tumhare andar wo hai bhi ya nahi, mujhe shak hai."

Aman's eyes darkened, his fists tightening.

"Isiliye," Vani finished, her voice steady as a mountain, "aaj ke baad mujhe dantne se pehle soch lena. Kyunki main Vani hoon. Main kisi ki chamchi nahi, kisi ki student nahi. Main doctor hoon, apne dum par yaha khadi hoon. Samjhe tum?"

The silence after her words was deafening. Aman stood frozen, his anger strangled by shock. Vani's chest heaved, her specs slightly fogged.

Outside, the crowd collectively sucked in a breath.

Vani turned, straightened her coat, and walked out - her heels echoing through the stunned corridor. Every single staff member parted silently like the Red Sea, their eyes following her in awe.

Aman was left inside, staring at the file on his table, her words still ringing in his head.

"Wait!" Aman's voice cracked like a whip, halting Vani mid-step.

His jaw was tight, eyes burning with restrained fury. "Tum soch samajh ke nahi bol sakti? Har waqt bas apna lecture chalu kar deti ho. Aur ek baat yaad rakhna, main koi galat nahi hoon. Samjhi?"

Vani froze, her hand still on the doorknob. Slowly, she turned back, her face unreadable.

Aman stepped forward, his voice steady but intense. "Tum keh rahi thi main sab pe chillata hoon, sabko neecha dikhata hoon. Lekin tumhe yeh dikhai nahi deta ki yeh log kar kya rahe hote hain? Agar koi sahi se kaam na kare toh use samjhana bhi hamara kaam hai. Aur agar koi khud careless ho..." He paused, eyes locked on hers. "Toh aur bhi zyada zaroori hai use roka jaye."

The words sliced the silence in the cabin.

"Relax karne aaye the yeh log jab patient wait kar raha tha," Aman continued, his voice rising. "Kya tumhe yeh sahi lagta hai? Yeh hospital hai, picnic spot nahi. Yaha har second keemti hota hai. Agar koi nurse ya intern apna kaam chhod kar gossip kare, toh patient ki jaan ko risk kaun lega? Tum?"

Outside, a junior intern gulped nervously, remembering she had indeed been chatting instead of prepping instruments earlier.

Aman's tone hardened. "Main strict hoon, haan. Lekin tumhe lagta hai maza aata hai mujhe sab pe chillane mein? Nahi, Vani. Jab mujhe dikhai deta hai ki ek chhoti si galti ek patient ki zindagi le sakti hai, tab main chup reh kar smile nahi kar sakta. Tum keh rahi ho izzat insaaniyat se milti hai - bilkul. Lekin discipline ke bina koi hospital chal nahi sakta."

Vani's lips parted, as if to retort, but Aman didn't stop. His words poured out like a dam finally broken.

"Tumhe lagta hai main rude hoon. Shayad hoon. Lekin rude hone aur careless hone mein main hamesha rude rehna pasand karunga. Kyunki careless doctor se zyada khatarnaak kuch nahi hota. Ek careless second, ek galat step... aur patient khatam."

The corridor outside was now frozen, everyone holding their breath. Some staff shifted uncomfortably - his words were striking too close to truth.

Aman's voice cracked with emotion now, softer but sharper. "Tumhe lagta hai main dikhawa karta hoon. Tumhe lagta hai main sirf gussa dikhata hoon. Lekin tumne kabhi dekha hai OT me patient ki body thandi padti hai tumhare saamne? Tumne kabhi dekha hai ek parivaar ki aankhon se roshni chhin jaati hai kyunki unka patient bacha nahi? Tumhe lagta hai mujhe farq nahi padta? Har raat main unhi chehron ke saath sota hoon. Aur tum keh rahi ho main insensitive hoon?"

Vani blinked, her glare faltering for the first time.

He stepped closer, lowering his voice but making sure every word hit. "Main rude hoon, haan. Main strict hoon, haan. Lekin main careless nahi hoon. Aur careless ko bardasht nahi karta. Jo tum keh rahi ho na 'darr se sirf galti hoti hai'... kabhi kabhi darr hi insaan ko galti karne se bachata hai."

The silence after his words was electric. Even outside, no one dared move.

Vani's hand slowly dropped from the doorknob. For a second, her anger wrestled with something else in her eyes - realization, maybe. But she masked it quickly, lifting her chin.

"Aur tumhe lagta hai sab tumse darr kar perfect ban jaayenge?" she shot back, her voice sharp again, though softer than before. "Aman, darr ek hadd tak hi kaam karta hai. Uske baad sirf nafrat bachi rehti hai. Aur hospital nafrat se nahi, teamwork se chalta hai."

The two of them stood there, breathing hard, eyes locked - neither willing to bend, neither willing to admit the other was completely wrong.

Outside, someone whispered, "Ye dono... ek dusre ko kha jaayenge aaj."

For a minute they both forgot they were in a hospital. The walls of the cabin, the files scattered on the table, even the tension hanging in the air-it all faded. Inside the cabin, it was just them.

"It's okay... we both are right," Aman finally said, leaning back on the chair with a half-sigh.

"Yeah..." Vani nodded, adjusting her specs. But then her eyes narrowed. "Par ik minute. Tum mujhe bewakoof kyu bola tha? Sorry bolo."

Aman raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Main kyu sorry bolu? Tumne pehle mujh pe chillaya tha."

Vani put her hands on her hips. "Excuse me? Start tumne kiya tha!"

"Arre, maine bas rule samjhaya tha. Chillana toh tumne start kiya," Aman shot back, trying to look all innocent.

"Ohh hello, Mr. Cardiologist," Vani leaned forward, poking the air with her finger, "tumne bola na 'bewakoof'-that's the trigger. Warna main toh itni shanti se apni entry kar rahi thi."

Aman chuckled. "Shanti se? Tum aur shanti? Matlab Sunny Deol aur whispering... same vibe."

"Ha! Aur tum toh khud Hitler ke chhote bhai lag rahe the. Subah se sabko daant rahe ho jaise hospital nahi army camp ho." Vani rolled her eyes dramatically.

"Army camp hota toh tum pehle din mein hi court martial ho jaati," Aman teased, leaning his elbows on the desk.

"Accha?" Vani raised a brow. "Aur tum... tum toh canteen se hi bhaag jaate. Khaane ke bina zyada der survive kar bhi nahi sakte."

Aman gasped. "Bas! Mere khaane pe kyun attack kar rahi ho?"

"Cuz that's your weak spot," Vani grinned wickedly. "Ek din bina lunch ke dekhna, tumhara khadus mode instantly off ho jaayega."

They both stared at each other for a second-Aman trying not to laugh, Vani trying not to break her fake angry face.

Finally, Aman shook his head. "Tum impossible ho."

"Thank you," Vani replied sweetly, flipping her hair like it was a compliment.

"Main taana de raha tha," Aman clarified.

"Main tareef samajh rahi hoon," Vani shot back, smirking.

That was it-Aman chuckled, and Vani tried to hide her smile but failed. The heavy air in the cabin finally cracked, replaced by a ridiculous lightness only they could create.

"Ok now go, Miss... Chhachhundar," Aman said, waving his hand dismissively.

Vani's jaw dropped. "Tu... chuhe ke mausa ji!" she snapped back, glaring.

"Hatt..." Aman muttered.

"Httt..." Vani mimicked.

"Bhagg..."

"Bhkkk..."

"Hurrr..."

"Harrtrrrrr..."

For a second, it was like two kids fighting over a toy, not two doctors in a hospital cabin. Finally, Vani gave him one last deadly glare, tightened her coat, and yanked the door open.

But as soon as she stepped out-her steps froze.

The entire corridor was full of staff. Nurses, ward boys, even the receptionist-everyone was gathered like it was a free reality show screening.

For two full seconds, pin-drop silence.

Vani's eyes narrowed behind her specs. "Kya...? Show khatam ho gaya hai. Ab kaam karna hai ya main notice board pe likh dun ki tum sab gossipers ho?" she said sharply.

Everyone instantly scattered like pigeons after a cracker. Files shuffled, papers fell, a nurse almost tripped while running.

She shook her head, muttering, "Drama dekhne ka itna shauk hai toh Star Plus hi dekh lo." And walked away in style.

Behind her, Aman stepped out too, fixing his coat. His expression was back to cold-serious. "What's happening here?" His deep voice cut through the corridor.

No one dared to answer.

"Go to your work. Now." His tone was strict, leaving no room for argument. Everyone vanished into their posts like soldiers. Aman gave one last glance around, then walked back into the cabin.

Just then- tap tap tap -Priya came running after Vani, almost tripping over her own feet.

"Vani... ruk na!" she grabbed her arm, breathless.

"Kyaaa?" Vani raised her eyebrows like nothing had happened.

"Kya kya...??" Priya puffed, eyes wide. "Tune... tune Surgeon Aman pe chillaya???"

Vani blinked innocently, adjusting her specs. "Nahi... nahi to. Hum toh bas baatein kar rahe the."

Priya's jaw almost hit the floor. "Bas baatein kar rahe the?? Vani, tu uss bande ke saamne aisi awaaz utha rahi thi jaise koi road pe bargain chal rahi ho!"

Vani waved her hand casually. "Arey chhod na, overthink mat kar. Chal canteen. Bhook lagi hai." She clutched her stomach dramatically. "Mere pet ka strike Aman ki da

anton se zyada dangerous hai."

Priya stared at her for a second, then burst out laughing. "Pagal ladki..." she muttered, shaking her head, and followed her towards the canteen.