A.T.S : Shiva

" Why did you do this? ", I asked the other person on the phone for the millionth time.

" I'm sorry~~ ", was the reply I got.

" Your apology isn't going to get me back to the office on time...", I stated to him.

" Just five minutes and I'll be there to get you back, okay? ", He asked.

" Alright...Make sure to be here in five minutes. ", I replied with a sigh.

" Thank you so much! See you later! Bye! ", was the reply before the call was cut.

With a long sigh at the current predicament that I'm faced with, I proceeded to walk back inside the branch. It was a long and wide hall filled with officers and accountants working to assist with the customers' issues and requests. The manager's office was right by the door with nearly 10 staff booths split into two rows in 6 to 4 cabins per row right next to it. The locker room and the employee lunch room were at the end of the hall. Walking up to the nearby available booth, I enquired about the financial statement of transactions made from my account for the past month.

" Please wait for a minute for me to print it out for you, ma'am ", The man spoke as he focused on the screen again.

" Thank you. ", I replied as I proceeded to sit on the chair next to the wall behind me.

My name is Ashwini Manivannan, a 25-year-old psychiatrist with 2 years of experience, running my own clinic. I
happened to have an appointment with a client today and wanted to get the work done I had in the bank before that. But, luck seems to not be on my side as my idiotic elder brother, Rangarajan, left for some urgent work right after he dropped me here and has not come back. Well, if he comes in a minute or two, it'll be okay. If not, I'll make sure he never does this again.

" It is ready, ma'am. ", The man called out to me, breaking my internal monologue.
I got up from my seat, walked towards the booth, and received the statement. With a sigh of relief, I walked outside the door and waited for my brother to pick me up.

After more than 5 minutes, the moron shows up in the car, with an innocent, infuriating smile.

" What part of 'be here in 5 minutes' did you not understand? ", I asked with him a irritated smile.

" Everything? ", He replied laughing like an innocent child.

The expression on my face would tell you how angry I was at that moment

A few moments later,
We drove through the flyover with a good speed to reach the turning towards inroads. The road was in tip-top condition...is what I'd love to say but no. The road looked like it got wrecked in a storm. I reached the clinic. 7 minutes later than I planned to. As I got down, I saw a young boy or should I say man in his 20s walk past me.

Since, I remember the picture that I recieved, I recognised him as my client

" Sir...", I called out to him.

As he turned around, my heart stopped for a second. It's one thing looking at his picture. Him in flesh and blood is a totally another thing. His eyes was dark but gleaming. His hair was disheaveled in the darkest shade of black yet serene. His face was devoid of emotion but impressionable. His body was thin but chiseled. Overall, he was a good one for the eyes.

" Yes? ", He asked in a manly but gentle voice.

" You're Mr Natarajan, aren't you? ", I asked him.

" Hmm...", He replied.

" I am Dr. Ashwini Manivannan. Sorry to keep you waiting..", I told him.

" Think nothing of it...", He replied in a neutral tone.

" Rangarajan Manivannan, her brother. ", Ranga introduced himself.

" Natraj. ", the client replied back to him.

" Now that we got the pleasantries out of the way, shall we proceed with the session? ", I asked him.

" Nope. ", He replied bluntly.

" Huh? Why? ", I asked dumbfounded.

" I don't want to. ", He replied with a straight face.

" Why? ", I asked him

" You can't help me. ", He replied as he started walking away.

" Wait!! ", I called as I followed after him with my brother following us.

" What the hell is this guy's problem? ", Ranga asked as we followed my client.

" It's common in patients coming to therapy to reject it first. ", I explained to him.

" But this guy's avoiding it like a plague ", Ranga stated.

His statement was not wrong by any means, just inappropriate. While our dialogue ended, we managed to catch up to Mr Natarajan.

" Sir, I know that I wasn't punctual but please give me a chance. I promise it'll change your life for the better. ", I proclaimed to him.

For once, I could see an emotion spark across his face for a second before going emotionless. There was a little bit of aggression towards me. annoying him to attend therapy.

" Look bro, her being late is all on me. I didn't pick her up in the right time to keep on par with schedule. So, please give her a chance. ", Ranga explained.

" I don't want to. ", The client replied bluntly.

" Now, I am sorry for the inconvenience but- ", I tried to explain to him but was interrupted in a....warm manner.

" She hasn't even started the therapy and you hugged her. You sure are something Ashwi- ", my brother teased us before stopping abruptly.

As I turned my head to look at him, I found that he was shocked and all colours were drained from his face. My client, who was still hugging me, had an expression that was sharp as an Eagle's beak. As I turned my head around to see what made them dread so much, I found a knife just inches away from my eyes.

On that moment I knew, My life is never going to be the same.

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