My colleagues were already gathered near the nurses' station, sipping chai and flipping through morning schedules.
"Someone's glowing today," Riya teased, looking up from her clipboard.
I tried to act normal. "It's just good lighting, Riya. Don't flatter me."
"Right. Or maybe you're just in love and it's showing," she winked.
I rolled my eyes but didn't deny it. 
She wouldn't know yet—and I wasn't ready to spill.
I slipped on my white coat, clipped on my ID badge, and tied my hair into a low bun. 
Then I checked the board—two general rounds, one consult, and a pre-op discussion.
"Alright," I mumbled, flipping through my patient files. "Let's do this."
★
My first stop was the general ward. 
I walked into the room and found Mr. Bakshi, a sweet old man recovering from his hernia surgery, already sitting upright with his glasses sliding down his nose.
"Good morning, Mr. Bakshi! How are we doing today?"
"Doctor sahiba," he smiled, "I'm better. Just bored of the khichdi they keep feeding me."
I chuckled. "That means you're healing. We'll shift you to semi-solid food soon, I promise."
As I checked his chart and vitals, the nurse beside me murmured, "Pulse is steady, BP 122/80."
"Perfect," I nodded, scribbling notes on his file. "Keep walking in intervals and we'll discuss discharge options by tomorrow."
He grinned. "God bless you, doctor."
★
Then came my favorite part—visiting the pediatric ward. 
Tiny humans with oversized blankets and big curious eyes. 
I bent near little Sara's bed—she was just six and had been admitted for pneumonia. 
She looked up at me with puffy cheeks and a stuffed teddy tucked under her arm.
"How's my brave girl today?"
"Cold," she whispered, voice raspy.
I gently placed the stethoscope on her chest. "Well, you're sounding much better. Another day or two and you'll be bossing everyone at home again."
Her mother smiled from the side, eyes full of gratitude.
I ruffled Sara's hair gently and moved on to check other little ones, my heart warming with every giggle, cough, and sleepy yawn.
★
Finally, after back-to-back consults, I dragged myself to the café by 12:40. 
Riya was already there, saving a table.
"Took you long enough!" she called out.
I dropped into the chair with a sigh. "Tell me why I chose this profession again?"
"Because you love chaos, crying babies, and adrenaline?"
I laughed, pulling my hair clip off and running a hand through my waves. "Apparently."
We ordered sandwiches and masala chai. 
I took a bite and sighed, suddenly realizing I hadn't eaten since last night.