Priya’s POV

I woke up to the sound of the alarm buzzing loudly on my bedside table. The early morning sun peeked through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Another day, another set of challenges. I stretched out lazily, feeling the soft cotton sheets against my skin before finally summoning the willpower to get out of bed.

“Good morning, Priya,” I whispered to myself, trying to infuse some enthusiasm into my voice. Teaching might be my passion, but that didn’t make mornings any easier.

I shuffled to the bathroom and splashed some water on my face. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I noticed the dark circles under my eyes—evidence of the late-night grading spree from the previous evening. Sometimes, being a college professor felt like a never-ending cycle of exams, papers, and sleepless nights.

After a quick shower, I pulled on a simple cotton saree, one of my favorites. The pastel blue color complemented my complexion, and the delicate border added a touch of elegance. I pinned it carefully, ensuring it wouldn’t slip off during the day. I grabbed my handbag, stuffed with lecture notes, and headed to the kitchen.

“Priya, have some breakfast before you leave,” my mother called from the kitchen as she prepared breakfast.

“Ma, I’m running late!” I protested, but the aroma of freshly made parathas tempted me. I hurried over and grabbed one from the plate.

“Take some more. You’ll need the energy,” she insisted, placing two more on my plate.

“Fine, but I’ll eat them on the way,” I said, packing them into a small container.

As I rushed out of the door, I couldn’t help but smile. My mother always knew how to take care of me, no matter how hectic life got. The streets outside were bustling with activity as people hurried to work, vendors set up their stalls, and children chattered on their way to school. I slipped into my sandals and hailed an auto-rickshaw.

“Jai Hind College,” I instructed the driver as I climbed in. The rickshaw weaved through the morning traffic, and I found myself mentally running through the day’s schedule. Three lectures, a faculty meeting, and office hours—it was going to be a busy day.

As I arrived at the college, I noticed a group of students gathered near the entrance. They greeted me with a chorus of “Good morning, ma’am,” and I smiled back at them.

“Good morning! Ready for today’s lecture?” I asked, teasingly.

“Yes, ma’am!” they chorused, though their enthusiasm didn’t match mine. I couldn’t blame them. It was still early, after all.

The day passed in a blur of lectures and discussions. I loved engaging with my students, watching them grasp new concepts and ideas. But teaching wasn’t just about the classroom; it was about shaping young minds and preparing them for the world outside.

As the final lecture ended, I headed to my office, where a pile of papers awaited grading. I sighed and got to work, knowing that it was part of the job. Hours passed, and I barely noticed the sun dipping below the horizon.

By the time I finished, the campus was nearly deserted. I gathered my things and headed out, feeling the weight of the day’s work on my shoulders. As I walked home, the cool evening breeze brushed against my skin, offering some relief from the day’s heat.

I reached home, greeted by the familiar sounds of my family bustling about. My mother was in the kitchen, preparing dinner, and my father was watching the news in the living room.

“Welcome home, Priya. How was your day?” my father asked, glancing up from the TV.

“Busy, as usual,” I replied, sinking into the couch beside him.

“You work too hard,” he said, concern evident in his voice.

“I enjoy it, Papa,” I said with a smile. “It’s rewarding.”

Dinner was a quiet affair, with the usual banter and conversation. As I headed to bed later that night, I couldn’t help but reflect on the day. It was another typical day in the life of Priya Sharma—busy, fulfilling, and full of small moments that made it all worthwhile.

But little did I know, life had something unexpected in store for me.

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Arjun’s POV

The sound of my phone vibrating on the bedside table jolted me awake. I groaned and reached for it, squinting at the screen. A message from the hospital’s night shift team—another emergency surgery scheduled for the morning.

“Of course,” I muttered, rubbing my eyes as I reluctantly swung my legs out of bed. Mornings were always hectic, but this one promised to be even more so.

I headed to the bathroom, my mind already on the surgery ahead. As a neurologist, I was no stranger to early mornings and long hours, but today felt particularly demanding. The mirror reflected my tired face, and I noticed the stubble that had grown overnight. No time to shave, I decided, splashing water on my face instead.

After a quick shower, I pulled on my scrubs, tying the drawstrings with practiced ease. The familiar scent of antiseptic and the sterile atmosphere of the hospital awaited me, but I couldn’t shake the sense of anticipation that always accompanied a surgery.

Downstairs, I found my mother already awake, sipping tea at the kitchen table. She looked up as I entered, her face lighting up with a smile.

“Good morning, Arjun,” she greeted me warmly. “Heading out early again?”

“Morning, Mom. Yes, I’ve got a surgery scheduled,” I replied, grabbing a piece of toast from the table.

“You work too hard, beta,” she said, her tone laced with concern.

“I know, but it’s what I love,” I said, flashing her a reassuring smile.

“Just remember to take care of yourself,” she reminded me, her motherly instincts kicking in.

“Always,” I promised, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek before heading out.

The drive to the hospital was a familiar one. The streets were relatively empty at this hour, and I found solace in the quiet. My mind drifted to the day ahead—a full schedule of surgeries, consultations, and rounds. The adrenaline of the operating room was something I thrived on, but it also took a toll.

As I arrived at the hospital, I was greeted by the usual buzz of activity. Nurses and doctors moved about with purpose, the hum of medical equipment filling the air. I made my way to the surgical wing, where my team was already preparing for the operation.

“Morning, Dr. Kapoor,” one of the nurses greeted me as I entered the OT.

“Morning,” I replied, my focus already on the task at hand. “Let’s get started.”

The surgery was a challenging one, requiring precision and concentration. As I worked, the outside world faded away, leaving only the patient and the task before me. It was in these moments that I felt most alive, most in control.

Hours passed in what felt like minutes, and when it was finally over, I stepped back, feeling a sense of satisfaction. The patient had made it through, and the surgery was a success. I thanked my team, who had been instrumental in making it happen.

As I stepped out of the OR, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. But there was no time to rest—there were still rounds to make, patients to check on, and consultations to conduct. I grabbed a quick cup of coffee from the cafeteria, hoping it would keep me going.

The day wore on, each task blending into the next. I moved from patient to patient, offering reassurance, explaining procedures, and answering questions. It was demanding work, but it was also rewarding. There was a deep sense of fulfillment in knowing that I was making a difference in people’s lives.

By the time I finished my rounds, it was late afternoon. I finally had a moment to sit down and catch my breath. I pulled out my phone, checking for messages. A few from friends, a reminder about a family dinner tomorrow, and a message from a colleague about an upcoming conference.

But amidst the routine of the day, there was a lingering thought at the back of my mind—a sense that something was about to change, that life was about to take an unexpected turn.

Shaking off the feeling, I pushed myself to focus on the present. There was still work to be done, and the day was far from over.

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Priya’s POV

The sun had set by the time I finally allowed myself to relax. The day had been exhausting, but it was nothing out of the ordinary. I had dinner with my family, enjoying the simple pleasure of a home-cooked meal after a long day.

But even as I sat with them, chatting and laughing, there was a restlessness inside me. It was as if I was waiting for something to happen, something that would shake up the routine of my life.

After dinner, I retreated to my room, seeking solace in a book. But I couldn’t focus. My thoughts kept drifting, and I found myself wondering about the future. Where was my life headed? Was this all there was—work, family, and the occasional outing with friends?

As I lay in bed that night, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. Or maybe, something was on the verge of happening. I just didn’t know what it was yet.

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Arjun’s POV

The hospital was quiet as I made my way out, the day finally over.